This implant may allow recipients to have abilities they would otherwise not possess. The response to stimulation improved considerably during the trial, suggesting that the subject learned to process the incoming information more effectively.

This paper specifically examines the implantation of a microelectrode array into the median nerve of the left arm of a healthy male volunteer. The objective was to establish a bi-directional link between the human nervous system and a computer, via a unique interface module. This is the first time that such a device has been used with a healthy human. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy, compatibility, and long term operability of the neural implant in allowing the subject to perceive feedback stimulation and for neural activity to be detected and processed such that the subject could interact with remote technologies. A case study demonstrating real-time control of an instrumented prosthetic hand by means of the bi-directional link is given.The implantation did not result in infection, and scanning electron microscope images of the implant post extraction have not indicated significant rejection of the implant by the body. No perceivable loss of hand sensation or motion control was experienced by the subject while the implant was in place, and further testing of the subject following the removal of the implant has not indicated any measurable long term defects. The implant was extracted after 96 days.

A signalling procedure is described involving a connection, via the Internet, between the nervous system of an able-bodied individual and a robotic prosthesis, and between the nervous systems of two able-bodied human subjects. Neural implant technology is used to directly interface each nervous system with a computer. Neural motor unit and sensory receptor recordings are processed real-time and used as the communication basis. This is seen as a first step towards thought communication, in which the neural implants would be positioned in the central nervous systems of two individuals.

This paperpresents an application study into the use of a bi-directional link with the human nervous system by means of an implant, positioned through neurosuEery. Various applications are described including the interaction of neural signals with an articulated hand, a group of cooperative autonomous robots and to control the movement of a mobile pla@orm. The microeletrode array implant itself is described in detail. Consideration is given to a wider range of possible robot mechanisms. which could interact with the human nervous system through the same technique. much greater interest is a direct, rather than indirect, link between nervous system and computer.In order to investigate such a link various animal studies have already been conducted, for example the extracted brain of a lamprey has been used to control the movement of a small-wheeled robot [4]. ?he robot was surrounded by a ring of lights, so that when a light was switched on the innate response of the lamprey's neural signals caused the robot to move towards the light. Meanwhile work with rats [ 5 , 61 has demonstrated neural signals being used to control simple switches and direct brain stimulation being used to train rats to solve a maze problem.

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