Neuronal ensemble control of prosthetic devices by a human with tetraplegia

Abstract

Neuromotor prostheses (NMPs) aim to replace or restore lost motor functions in paralysed humans by routeing movement-related signals from the brain, around damaged parts of the nervous system, to external effectors. To translate preclinical results from intact animals to a clinically useful NMP, movement signals must persist in cortex after spinal cord injury and be engaged by movement intent when sensory inputs and limb movement are long absent. Furthermore, NMPs would require that intention-driven neuronal activity be converted into a control signal that enables useful tasks. Here we show initial results for a tetraplegic human (MN) using a pilot NMP. Neuronal ensemble activity recorded through a 96-microelectrode array implanted in primary motor cortex demonstrated that intended hand motion modulates cortical spiking patterns three years after spinal cord injury. Decoders were created, providing a 'neural cursor' with which MN opened simulated e-mail and operated devices such as a television, even while conversing. Furthermore, MN used neural control to open and close a prosthetic hand, and perform rudimentary actions with a multi-jointed robotic arm. These early results suggest that NMPs based upon intracortical neuronal ensemble spiking activity could provide a valuable new neurotechnology to restore independence for humans with paralysis.

Non-invasive brain–computer interface system: Towards its application as assistive technology

“…Whenever the user induces a voluntary modification of these patterns, the BCI system is able to detect it and to translate it into an action that reflects the user's intent. Several animal and some human studies have shown the possibility to use electrical brain activity recorded within the brain to directly control the movement of robots or prosthetic devices in real time using microelectrodes implanted within the brain [6] [7][8] [9] [10]. Other BCI systems depend on brain activity recorded non-invasively from the surface of the scalp using electroencephalography (EEG).…”

Anticipatory activity in rat medial prefrontal cortex during a working memory task

“…Chronic implant surgery once the rats reached the acquisition criterion, chronic implant surgery was performed [30,31] . Briefly, the rat was anesthetized with chloral …”

Brain-Computer Interfaces in Medicine

“…Using the signals obtained from this electrode array, a BCI system enabled the patient to open simulated e-mail, operate a television, open and close a prosthetic hand, and perform rudimentary actions with a robotic arm. 11 In 2011, Krusienski and Shih 12 demonstrated that signals recorded directly from the cortical surface (electrocorticography [ECoG]) can be translated by a BCI to allow a person to accurately spell words on a computer screen. Brain-computer interface research is growing at an extremely rapid rate, as evidenced by the number of peer-reviewed publications in this field over the past 10 years (Figure 1).…”