DIRECT INTERFACING WITH THE HUMAN CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

这项研究的目的是让被锁定的患者能够控制 电脑。在第一阶段，三名瘫痪、被锁住的患者被植入 神经营养记录电极。当前患者，1998 年 3 月 24 日，继续 执行文字处理并生成合成语音。 对于第二阶段，申请人建议植入长期神经营养细胞 六名认知完整的被锁定人类的自愿皮层中的电极。 研究人员希望为他们提供对计算机光标的控制 旨在分离各个信号并教会患者控制 光标移动的不同方面，例如速度、准确性和方向。 他们还希望确定控制信号的皮层是否可以 专用于光标控制。他们的目标是开发软件来检测信号 模式、实施自适应控制、改善患者培训、自动化 收集数据，评估替代沟通方法，例如标志性的 语言，并提供互联网访问。他们将修改和小型化 目前的电子设备提供单级功率感应系统 提供六个电极，应提供多维控制。 来自目前患者的数据证明了另一种方法 与被锁定的患者进行沟通。第三阶段将带来这些技术 给更多的患者。目前的努力还表明，运动可能是 使脊髓损伤的患者恢复。 拟议的商业应用： 全球有50万名“锁定”患者，其中3万名ALS患者 美国。 此外，美国有 250,000 名四肢瘫痪和截瘫患者，3,750,000 名 如果该系统可以用来控制瘫痪，世界各地的许多人都可以受益 肌肉。 第三阶段的主要目标是确定该系统是否可以帮助锁定患者， 随后的努力将致力于激活瘫痪的肌肉。 主席 Prentke Romich Inc. 的 Barry Romich 先生对未来的商业化感兴趣。

This research is designed to allow locked-in patients to control a computer. In Phase I, three paralyzed, locked-in patients were implanted with neurotrophic recording electrodes. The current patient, March 24, 1998, continues to perform word processing and produce synthetic speech. For Phase II, the applicants propose to implant long-term neurotrophic electrodes in the voluntary cortex of six cognitively intact locked-in humans. The investigators expect to provide them with control of a computer cursor and aim to separate the individual signals and teach the patient to control different aspects of cursor movement such as speed, accuracy and direction. They also expect to determine if the cortex controlling the signals can be dedicated to cursor control. They aim to develop software to detect signal patterns, implement adaptive controls, improve patient training, automate collection of data, assess alternative communicative methods such as iconic languages, and provide access to the Internet. They will modify and miniaturize the present electronics to provide a single-stage power induction system supplying six electrodes that ought to provide multi-dimensional control. Data from the present patients have demonstrated an alternative means of communication for locked-in patients. Phase III will bring these technologies to many more patients. Current efforts also suggest that movements might be restored to spinal cord injured patients. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: There are 500,000 "locked-in" patients worldwide, including 30,000 ALS patients in the USA. In addition, there are 250,000 quadriplegics and paraplegics in the USA and 3,750,000 worldwide, many of whom could benefit if the system could be used to control paralyzed muscles. A major aim of Phase III is to determine if the system can assist locked-in patients, and later efforts will be directed towards activating paralyzed muscles. The chairman of Prentke Romich Inc., Mr. Barry Romich, is interested in future commercilization.