Device Reads Messages From Surface of the Brain 156
Al writes "Technology Review has a story about a start-up company that has developed a more-accurate and less-invasive way to read a patient's thoughts. Neurolutions, based in St Louis, has developed a small implanted device that translates signals recorded from the surface of the brain into computer commands. The device, which is less invasive than implants and more accurate than scalp electrodes, uses a grid of electrodes placed directly on the surface of the brain to monitor electrical activity. This technology is currently used to find the origin of seizures in patients with uncontrolled epilepsy before surgery. But the company says it could also help paralyzed patients control a computer and perhaps prosthetic limbs using their thoughts. Tests involving more than 20 patients have shown that people can quickly learn to move a cursor on a computer screen using their brain activity."
Get the message (Score:2, Insightful)
For a lot of Internet uses it'd just read a one word message.
"Vacant".
Other uses can't be far (Score:3, Insightful)
We can already let blind people see by connecting cameras to their tongues. If this sort of technique becomes easier/safer, it could be used for any sort of human/machine interface. Prosthetic limbs are only the beginning...
I hope this does not have nasty side effects like increased chances of tumors...
Re:To Implant or not to implant... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Killer App (Score:2, Insightful)
If computers can be controlled by thoughts, why is a cursor needed at all?
Surely it's possible to interact with the controls directly through thought.
Re:How much... (Score:2, Insightful)
Nah, there will always be some group of rubes that values authentic experiences over the manufactured.
Of course, by rubes, I don't really mean rubes.