Let the Brain do the things for you
First of all I like to apologies for sudden absence (due to business reason). Looks like this short break gave some advantage of researching. Hitachi’s medical wing Hitachi Medical Systems comes up with an innovative an exceptional experimental technology, that we only seen in science fiction movies. Well its true science is a lot fiction if you don’t know about the facts.
Hitachi has successfully tested a brain-machine interface that allows users to turn power switches on and off with their mind. Relying on optical topography, a neuron-imaging technique that uses near-infrared light to map blood concentration in the brain, the system can recognize the changes in brain blood flow associated with mental activity and translate those changes into voltage signals for controlling external devices. In the experiments, test subjects were able to activate the power switch of a model train by performing mental arithmetic and reciting items from memory. It takes only 0.1 second to perform one cycle of measurement, calculation and display, so this system provides a "real-time" measurement of the brain's activity.
The system has several unique advantages over current measurement methods. It is non-invasive, and can be used under a variety of conditions with minimal restriction on the examinee. Measurements can be made under more natural conditions, giving more freedom in task design. It also enables simultaneous measurements with other testing modalities such as EEG, fMRI and MEG. In the long term, brain-machine interface technology may help paralyzed patients become independent by empowering them to carry out actions with their minds. In the short term, Hitachi sees potential applications for this brain-machine interface in the field of cognitive rehabilitation, where it can be used as an entertaining tool for demonstrating a patient’s progress.
So who says we can not be Professor X (X- men) someday, difference is we just have to use devices. Hitachi will roll out this technology for consumer in five years.
Optical Topography (Credit: Hitachi Jp)
Optical Topography test subject (Credit: Hitachi)
The system has several unique advantages over current measurement methods. It is non-invasive, and can be used under a variety of conditions with minimal restriction on the examinee. Measurements can be made under more natural conditions, giving more freedom in task design. It also enables simultaneous measurements with other testing modalities such as EEG, fMRI and MEG. In the long term, brain-machine interface technology may help paralyzed patients become independent by empowering them to carry out actions with their minds. In the short term, Hitachi sees potential applications for this brain-machine interface in the field of cognitive rehabilitation, where it can be used as an entertaining tool for demonstrating a patient’s progress.
So who says we can not be Professor X (X- men) someday, difference is we just have to use devices. Hitachi will roll out this technology for consumer in five years.
Photography Tips
Health Focus
Poetry Lighthouse
MS Paint Art
Very informative, I am interested in the brain and neural activity. You may like to have a look at some of my poasts on ms paint art, it is more than just about computer art and click onto some of the brain posts.
Looking forward to more news of exciting things ,especially medically, and especially the brain and where technology is and is heading.
Great stuff
katyzzz
Geek Metro
Bloggers Tips