Portable single-channel NIRS-based BMI system for motor disabilities' communication tools

Abstract

A portable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) -based brain-machine Interface (BMI) system featuring single-channel probe, BMI controller and Infrared-emission apparatus was developed. As a switching technology for external devices, the threshold logic was proposed, which detects the blood volume change in the operator's frontal lobe. Experiments showed that the operator was able to change the TV programs or get forward the toy robot within 16 s (the mean is 11.77 s and the standard deviation is 2.35 s) after the mental calculation. In addition, the menu selection program was proposed for motor disabilities and the preliminary test showed that he could successively select the sentence from several candidates. It was shown that this system would provide the external device's control capabilities for motor disabilities.

Hand-grasping and finger tapping induced similar functional near-infrared spectroscopy cortical responses

“…It has been proposed that cortical activation during imaginary movement (motor imagery) can be utilized in an optical BCI, which can then be used to control a robotic splint or a virtual environment to give the patient positive feedback. 3 Sagara et al 9 based upon the methods of Haida et al 10 developed a portable NIRS-based BCI to control television programming or propel a toy robot. Furthermore, fNIRS data can be combined with other physiological signals-heart and respiration rate, blood pressure (BP), and skin conductance-as a step toward developing a real-time BCI for controlling a virtual reality robot.…”

Using Fiberless, Wearable fNIRS to Monitor Brain Activity in Real-world Cognitive Tasks

“…Realistic situations are particularly valuable when exploring human executive functions and fiberless fNIRS systems may provide a unique insight into human brain functions. The first fiberless systems were equipped only with a small number of channels (e.g., single channel 15 and 2 channels 16 ) limiting the investigation to small areas. More recently, multichannel wireless and wearable fNIRS devices have been developed 6,7,[17][18][19][20] giving the possibility to monitor larger portions of the head on freely moving participants.…”

Evaluation of a 2-Channel NIRS-Based Optical Brain Switch for Motor Disabilities' Communication Tools

“…Five persons among eight participants tried this test, and they could succeed in the control of the device with almost the same switching time as described in Table 2. Since the preparation time between the probe-setup time and the data-collection time is less than 5 min in our system [18], our prototype system provides a new communication tool for people with motor disabilities. For example, a patient in a hospital can use the brain switch as a nurse call when physical help is needed.…”

“…The technique is not only non-invasive but also unrestrictive and does not require fixed, bulky equipment [17]. Our approach is to utilize the blood volume change within the brain as a switching signal for external device operation [18]. In this system, when the participant initiates a mental calculation of their own intention, the threshold logic detects the initiation point for switching and transmits the signal from the infrared-emission apparatus, resulting in the movement of an external device.…”