Electronic devices connect the brain to the computer

Professor Todd Coleman, who works at the Department of Biotechnology at the University of California, San Diego, proved that the device is thin, flexible, colored with human skin color, and is attached to small electronic components. , capable of receiving electrical signals from the brain and skeletal muscles and being able to transmit wireless information to an external computer.

This device is made of a thin plastic sheet covered with a layer of water-soluble chemicals, and sticks to the skin after washing with water.After use, the resin dissolves, leaving electronic components imprinted on the skin like a temporary tattoo.

The results of this study, published in the journal Science , published on August 12, 2011, emphasize that in the future, patients are facing impaired brain function, which can be monitored. in the natural environment outside the laboratory. For example, a patient with epilepsy may carry the electronic device to monitor for signs of an impending seizure.

" Computer interface model - the brain is very interesting and I think it is necessary to develop this technology on artificial limbs, which helps improve the quality of life for people with disabilities ," Coleman said. " I think that through interactions between the human brain and the computer, and if you can develop an effective active connection everywhere, I think there are applications that we have even I don't imagine this. This really fascinates me, in connection between biological systems and computer systems . "

Coleman, head of the multidisciplinary team, developed the device while serving as a professor of electrical and computer engineering and neuroscience at the University of Illinois, USA, in 2010. The device is Made of a thin plastic sheet covered with a layer of water-soluble chemicals, and sticks to the skin after washing with water. After use, the resin dissolves, leaving electronic components imprinted on the skin like a temporary tattoo.

Coleman is looking for ways to record brain signals and mechatronic signals, in a way that does not limit the ability of the subject to move in a natural setting, when he accidentally hears the professor's presentation. John Rogers, University of Illinois, USA, who developed flexible electronics on. Currently, electrical signals from the brain and skeletal muscles are collected through EEG ( EEG ) and electromechanical recording ( EMG ), respectively. The EEG and EMG diagnostics involve attaching plastic electrodes to the body with adhesives or clamps, applying a conductive gel and attaching all of the circuit board boxes, power supplies and communication devices. lost. The team showed a wide array of electronic devices, including sensors, transistors, power supplies such as solar cells and wireless antennas, which could be Combined on a single device and almost unnoticeable to users.

In addition to Professor John Rogers, who has created the technology's main ability with his expertise in electronics, the project was led by Yonggang Huang, professor of mechanical engineering, which optimized mechanical properties. of equipment. Finally, Professor Coleman will help identify and demonstrate the utility of the device in biomedical applications. Coleman's team, with its foundation in electronic and neuroscience engineering, helps to design electrical circuits that work effectively to connect devices and brain waves without the use of conductive gel. electricity, and in ways that handle reliable statistical signals to get nerve signals from the brain or muscles through Professor John Rogers' device.

Coleman's team used devices to allow someone to control a computer game with muscles in their throat by speaking commands. In principle, similar functions can be achieved by simply verbal commands rather than speaking out loud. This was done by applying a model recognition algorithm implemented by Professor Coleman's team, and of data taken from an electromechanical recording (EMG) in the throat. Now that this capability has been proven, the next step is to integrate all components into a single device. Professor Coleman believes that devices that support health care are important at the present time when people are living longer but suffer from neurological problems such as Parkinson's disease and dementia. .

The knowledge and ability to achieve can be achieved by an effective combination of brain and computer is a central theme in Coleman's research and extends to endless applications in the fields. areas such as military operations, gaming, education and consumer electronics devices. For example, the ability to communicate with a computer that does not actually speak verbally, clearly benefits patients with muscular or neurological disorders such as Lou Gehrig's disease. However, its job of appearing discreet tattoos makes it useful for military secret operations, requiring the operator to communicate with a remote control station. In this scenario, the operator can talk about what he needs to say by using the muscles in his throat to transmit an electrical signal.

At UC San Diego University, United States, Professor Coleman discovered other possibilities that could be achieved by signaling connections of the brain with computers , allowing the two manufacturers to decide to cooperate to achieve a common goal. For example, at the same time capturing the nerve signals of many people combined with computers, this technology can allow the group to act as a team with high cooperation capabilities.

" Ideally, people should cooperate to achieve a common goal and with a new theoretical approach that is needed to optimize the nature of mutual interaction. It is very important to design a Effective interface between brain and computer, where signal exchange often takes place, "said Professor Coleman. " So if you can develop a better interface so you can get a richer set of signals, you will be able to achieve performance levels that you couldn't previously achieve . "

This research is funded by the US National Science Foundation and the United States Air Force Research Laboratory.