Ghost of Delgado
Implanted
THE 'TELEPATHY' CHIP THAT LETS YOU TURN ON THE TV USING THE POWER OF THOUGHT
By David Derbyshire
Daily Mail
September 3, 2009
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1210750/The-telepathy-chip-le
A telepathy¹ chip that allows people to control computers, televisions and
light switches by the power of thought is being developed by British
scientists.
The tiny sensor would sit on the surface of the brain, picking up the
electrical activity of nerve cells and passing the signal wirelessly to a
receiver on the skull.
The signal would then be used to control a cursor on a computer screen,
operate electronic gadgets or steer an electric wheelchair.
The chip is the brainchild of Dr Jon Spratley, 28, from Stevenage,
Hertfordshire, who developed a prototype during his PhD at Birmingham
University.
'We are just trying to help people with severe communication problems or
motor neurone disease -- like Dr Stephen Hawking or Christopher Reeve,' he
said.
'What we have designed would allow them to control a computer with their
thoughts. If they imagine their muscles moving, that could flick a light
switch for example.
'It's an area that is being heavily researched in America but so far all the
tests have involved wired sensors. This prototype uses wireless technology
to remove the risk of infection and that's the real drive of our work.
'The eventual aim would be to see these systems fully working so they are
available to help patients communicate. That's the future.'
The 1.3mm 'multi-contact brain probe' has yet to be tested on a living
person or animal. However, tests on brain slices in a laboratory have been
promising.
Earlier this year, Japanese researchers unveiled a wheelchair powered by
brainwaves. The user wears a cap fitted with electrodes that monitor brain
activity.
Scientists have also developed a robotic arm controlled by thought. In
tests, monkeys were able to feed themselves using the mechanical limb.
Dr Spratley's invention is a tiny sensor designed to be injected by needle
into the brain. The chip has 50 'contact spikes' that connect to nerve cells
in the brain.
As the needle is withdrawn, four coil antennae -- each just 1mm across --
are unfurled on the surface of the brain. These communicate wirelessly with
a 'base station' -- a 16mm diameter receiver that is permanently placed in
the hole left by the needle.
The device picks up neural signals from the brain's motor cortex and
transmits the impulses via the base station to a receiver connected to a
computer.
Dr Spratley said just seven unique 'thought commands' are needed to provide
mouse-like controls for a computer.
He believes implanting the chips will require minimal invasive surgery - yet
could change the life of a quadriplegic or motor neurone disease sufferer.
'It began as an investigation into what signals paralysed people can
generate,' he said.
'If they can imagine using a limb, even if they can't move it, you can tap
into that signal.
'Then you just have to imagine moving the muscle and the leg will move, the
brain will train itself.
'Stephen Hawking could just think about using his muscles to operate his
machine, rather than have to move his cheek.
'And yes, it would have worked for Christopher Reeve. Muscle control comes
back.
'My work was only ever going to be the tip of the iceberg and I hope
eventually it will help people. I am glad they are taking it forward.'
Previous chips have relied on cables and wires to send brain signals from a
sensor to a controller outside the body.
Dr Spratley, who now works for Cambridgeshire-based company 42 Technology,
says the wireless chip is safer.
He is now looking for funding to start human trials.
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