Brain-Controlled Devices Mimic Natural Motor Control
From: Medical Design Technology - 03/31/2015

Neuroscientists are taking inspiration from natural motor control to design
new prosthetic devices that can better replace limb function. In new work,
researchers have tested a range of brain-controlled devices - from
wheelchairs to robots to advanced limbs - that work with their users to
intelligently perform tasks.

These neuroprosthetic devices decode brain signals to determine the actions
their users want to take, and then use advanced robotics to do the work of
the spinal cord in orchestrating the movements. The use of shared control -
new to neuroprostheses - "empowers users to perform complex tasks," says Jose
del R. Millan, who presented the new work at the Cognitive Neuroscience
Society (CNS) conference in San Francisco today.

The individuals operated the devices by voluntarily and spontaneously
modulating the electrical brain activity, called EEGs, to deliver commands.
EEGs have the benefit that they can be recorded non-invasively through probes
on the scalp, rather than requiring surgery or sophisticated machinery.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.mdtmag.com/news/2015/03/brain-controlled-devices-mimic-natural-motor-control

Links:
Intelligent Neuroprostheses Mimic Natural Motor Control
http://www.biosciencetechnology.com/news/2015/03/intelligent-neuroprostheses-mimic-natural-motor-control