Brain-Computer Interface Devices to Bring Us into the Future
From: Medical Design Technology - 11/26/2014

Addressing regulators, members of industry, and other stakeholders, Jennifer
French delivered a powerful message about those requiring brain–computer
interface (BCI) devices to treat paralysis and other neurological conditions:
"We are not patients; we are consumers, end users."

French, who is quadriplegic, spoke at a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
workshop, held November 21 at the agency's White Oak campus in Maryland to
gather feedback on scientific, clinical, and regulatory considerations
associated with BCI devices. The agency said it may use the findings and
discussions from the workshop to create draft guidance on the content of
premarket submissions for BCI technologies.

French said that as consumers, people with BCI devices should have their
concerns addressed by clinicians, regulators, and medical device
manufacturers. For example, there is a perception that walking again is the
top priority for quadriplegics; however, she said that surveys have shown
that having use of their arms and hands is the number one wish for these
patients.

These findings suggest that manufacturers should engage these consumers early
in the development process to determine their needs. "We don't bite. We want
to be able to help you," she said.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.mdtmag.com/news/2014/11/brain-computer-interface-devices-bring-us-future

Links:
DARPA's ElectRx Project: Self-Healing Bodies through Targeted Stimulation of the Nerves
http://www.forbes.com/sites/federicoguerrini/2014/08/29/darpas-electrx-project-self-healing-bodies-through-targeted-stimulation-of-the-nerves/

NeuroControl Corporation's FreehandSystem
http://www.scireproject.com/rehabilitation-evidence/upper-limb/neuroprostheses/types-of-neuroprostheses/freehand-system