Duke University Scientists Create Brain Implant That May Enable Communication From Thoughts Alone

Communication, , Cognitive, News

 A speech prosthetic developed by a collaborative team of Duke neuroscientists, neurosurgeons, and engineers can translate a person’s brain signals into what they’re trying to say.

Appearing Nov. 6 in the journal Nature Communications, the new technology might one day help people unable to talk due to neurological disorders regain the ability to communicate through a brain-computer interface.

Elon Musk's Neuralink wins FDA approval for human study of brain implants

Physical, , Cognitive, News

Elon Musk's Neuralink received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for its first-in-human clinical trial which has been developing a device surgically inserted into the brain by a robot and capable of decoding brain activity and linking it to computers. Up until now, the company has conducted research only in animals. Read more on why this is a critical milestone for the brain-implant startup.

How cognitive diversity in AI can help close the disability inclusion gap

Cognitive, News

Artificial intelligence can address some of the challenges and discrimination that people with cognitive diversity and other disabilities face in everyday life. Read more about the issues to overcome when developing assistive technologies.

Can mind-controlled VR games help stroke patients?

Communication, , Cognitive, News

A system which can translate human brain activity into actions without any physical movement is being developed by a neurotech firm called Cogitat. Read more about the brain-computer interface by Cogitat.

Synchron Switch, New Technology Allows Users To Control iPhone, iPad With Brain

Cognitive, News

A novel brain-computer interface developed by a New York-based company called Synchron was used to help a paralyzed patient send messages using their Apple device. Inserted just into the top of the brain’s motor cortex via blood vessels, the Synchron Switch is the only device that the FDA has approved to undergo clinical trials as a permanently implanted brain-computer interface. Read more about Synchron Switch.

BCI Pioneers Coalition to Serve as a Forum to Discuss Patient Experiences

Cognitive, News

The BCI Pioneers Coalition will center on the unique experience of Ian Burkhart, a former Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) study participant at Ohio State University, and his peers. The coalition is a grassroots effort by BCI users to center the discussion on patient experiences, led by the patients. Read more about the BCI Pioneers Coalition.

Meet the Stentrode: A Bluetooth Implant to Give You Mind Control Over Computers

Cognitive, News

A company focused on BCI, Synchron is developing electronic devices that aims to help persons with paralysis control their body, and the Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) company has big ambitions for the future of BCI and has begun enrolling patients into the first clinical trial of its kind. Read more about Stentrode.

Recognition of Neurotechnology as Important Area for Human Rights Integration

Cognitive, News

The Inter-American Juridical Committee of the Organization of American States issued a declaration asserting that neurotechnology and neuroscience are important areas of focus for human rights. As NeuroAbilities is a program of G3ict to promote the rights of persons with disabilities in the digital age, the OAS declaration outlines calls to government, the private sector, academia, and the scientific community to engage in practices that include consideration of human rights within the context of neurotechnologies. Read the official document here

Mobile EEG in Wearable BCI Devices for Persons with Disabilities

Physical, , Communication, , Cognitive, Video

In this webinar from Wearable Sensing, practical BCI devices are explored using dry electrode EEG headsets. Applications include Alternative and Augmented Communication for persons with speech or communication disabilities, robotic exoskeletons for persons with paralysis, and neurofeedback for persons with cognitive disabilities. Watch on-demand via YouTube.

Australian Professor Creates Epilepsy Device to Predict Seizures

Cognitive, News

Professor Mark Cook of St. Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia has designed a device that can monitor and predict seizures for end users who experience epilepsy. The Epi-Minder is implanted on the inside of the scalp and constantly monitors brain activity. Learn more here