Related Sections: Future Tech Medical Robots
Japan wants cyborgs, pursues open-skull surgery to get them
Researchers at Osaka University in Japan aren't kidding around about cyborgs. They are looking into ways for robotic limbs to be controlled in real-time by the power of thought, and one such method is by performing invasive (or open-skull) surgery to place sensors directly onto the brain.
Brain waves measured from outside the skull are read far less accurately than ones measured directly, so the researchers prefer for an electrode sheet to be placed onto the patient's gray matter. It wouldn't require puncturing the brain in any way — the sheet rests atop the central sulcus and allows scientists to record what happens when a subject moves an arm, a leg, a finger and so on.
Bafflingly, a huge line of volunteers hasn't formed. Osaka University is hoping to work with patients already scheduled for open-head surgery, though the study currently has four volunteers. Researchers have been able to measure the intended actions of the four based on their brain waves with around 80% accuracy, and this system is the basis of how robotic limbs will be able to be controlled.
Asahi, via Pink Tentacle
By TheAdlerian at 6:41 PM ON 04/17/08
I've been saying this since the 80s, the Japanese will invent the first real life superhero. I believe that it will be a robot, but it could be a cybog, or some other hybrid.
By Billybob at 3:02 AM ON 04/19/08
its kind of freaky it could effectivly help people on wheel chairs and people who are disable
By klinsharoth at 1:04 AM ON 04/20/08
The japanese are Tech savy enough to be the 1st at this. I hope they can do it in my lifetime.
By hatebobbarker at 2:12 PM ON 04/20/08
The US is and has been doing the same thing already, they just put stuff on the outside of the skull under the skin, yay for being ahead for once.
By asmodeus at 5:33 PM ON 04/20/08
Sounds like a breakthrough in theory. The problem then becomes the interface between the brain and wiring. Even if you could properly interprete neural signals, the brain uses the same routes for many different signals. A twitch is different from a reach but it may be the same limb that is targeted. Also foreign objects cause scarring and thickening of tissue, so in the long run you end up causing more stuctural damage. I think they'd get a better result by using nerves further down a pathway..say after a major nerve plexus or even down to the fine threads that control each individual muscle (at least the spinal cord)
Anyway, I believe its a start...
By JMM at 1:26 PM ON 04/23/08
The real advances won't come when we can read signals with 99.9% accuracy, but when you can insert signals back into the loop. IE: Not only can you move the arm, but when the presure sensors on the syn-skin covering the hand (or a sensor from the acuator/synthetic-muscle itself meeting resistance) can feed that directly into your nervous system so you can truly feel the object you are touching.
on your cellphone!
Text DVICE to 72434
editor@dvice.com
JMM:
The real advances won't come when we can read signals with 99.9% accuracy, but when you can insert signals back int...More »