Noninvasive Brain Implant Could Someday Translate Thoughts into Movement

[TECH NEWS]

A brain implant developed at the University of Michigan uses the body’s skin like a conductor to wirelessly transmit the brain’s neural signals to control a computer, and may eventually be used to reactivate paralyzed limbs. The implant is called the BioBolt, and unlike other neural interface technologies that establish a connection from the brain to an external device such as a computer, it’s minimally invasive and low power, said principal investigator Euisik Yoon, a professor in the U-M College of Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Currently, the skull must remain open while neural implants are in the head, which makes using them in a patient’s daily life unrealistic, said Kensall Wise, the William Gould Dow Distinguished University professor emeritus in engineering. BioBolt does not penetrate the cortex and is completely covered by the skin to greatly reduce risk of infection. Researchers believe it’s a critical step toward the Holy Grail of brain-computer interfacing: allowing a paralyzed person to “think” a movement. Another promising application for the BioBolt is controlling epilepsy, and diagnosing certain diseases like Parkinson’s.

6/16/2011, University of Michigan