A stroke patient at Tianjin University donned a brain electrode cap, attempting to lift a bottle from a table using her fingers and a “sixth finger” device mounted on her wrist.
“Try again, focus your attention, and see if you can lift the bottle,” encouraged her neurological physician.
With each attempt, the patient, who had previously been unable to grip a pen, watched as the bottle slowly rose from the tabletop. Her expression transformed from despair to astonishment as tears brimmed in her eyes.
Wang Zhuang, a third-year doctoral student and member of the neural engineering team at Tianjin University, observed the patient and the device on her hand, meticulously recording every fluctuation in data.
The team has developed an innovative finger-worn device that leverages non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) technology to harness patients’ brainwaves, enabling stroke patients to mentally command an extra digit.
Additionally, the device aims to revitalize patients’ compromised central and peripheral nervous systems, facilitating the rehabilitation of hand motor functions.
“Strokes pose a significant threat to the health of our nation’s populace, often leaving patients with varying levels of physical impairment,” said Wang. “Our aspiration is to harness the power of technology to offer them enhanced opportunities for a life of completeness and fulfillment.”
BCI is swiftly emerging as a focal point for global investment. Scientists and engineers are eager to integrate this pioneering technology into medical practice, ushering in a new era of therapeutic possibilities.
China has unveiled guidelines to support technological innovation, industrial cultivation, and safety governance of future industries, including the BCI industry.
According to the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology’s 2023 report on the development and application of BCI, medical treatment is the predominant application domain for BCI technology in China.
Approximately 200 medical BCI enterprises operate in China, with a quarter pioneering in implantable technology while the rest are dedicated to non-implantable technologies, the report states.
Mei Jie, a colleague of Wang, has uncovered additional potential within the BCI system. After six months of dedicated effort, he successfully engineered a drone that can be controlled by brain signals.
“We have achieved for the first time the continuous brain control of a drone in four degrees of freedom,” said Mei. “This technology holds expansive potential for applications in various fields, including the identification of distant targets, thorough environmental surveillance, and the monitoring of anomalies.”
In pursuit of evaluating and fine-tuning the operational capabilities of the brain-controlled drone, Mei dedicated three months to conducting experiments at the outdoor research facility.
“Scientific research mirrors the process of cultivating crops; it demands patience and persistence as the fruits of one’s labor are not instantly harvested but mature over an extended period,” Mei reflected.
Reference(s):
Brain-computer interface tech offers new hope for stroke patients
cgtn.com
