Regenerative scaffold electrodes for peripheral nerve interfacing.

Advances in neural interfacing technology are required to enable natural, thought-driven control of a prosthetic limb. Here, we describe a regenerative electrode design in which a polymer-based thin-film electrode array is integrated within a thin-film sheet of aligned nanofibers, such that axons regenerating from a transected peripheral nerve are topographically guided across the electrode recording sites. Cultures of dorsal root ganglia were used to explore design parameters leading to cellular migration and neurite extension across the nanofiber/electrode array boundary.

Making the lifetime connection between brain and machine for restoring and enhancing function.

A reliable neural interface that lasts a lifetime will lead to the development of neural prosthetic devices as well as the possibility that brain function can be enhanced. Our data demonstrate that a reliable neural interface is best achieved when the surrounding neuropil grows into the electrode tip where it is held securely, allowing myelinated axons to be recorded using implanted amplifiers. Stable single and multiunits were recorded from three implanted subjects and classified according to amplitudes and firing rates.

Classification of intended phoneme production from chronic intracortical microelectrode recordings in speech-motor cortex.

We conducted a neurophysiological study of attempted speech production in a paralyzed human volunteer using chronic microelectrode recordings. The volunteer suffers from locked-in syndrome leaving him in a state of near-total paralysis, though he maintains good cognition and sensation. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of supervised classification techniques for prediction of intended phoneme production in the absence of any overt movements including speech.

A wireless brain-machine interface for real-time speech synthesis.

Background: Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) involving electrodes implanted into the human cerebral cortex have recently been developed in an attempt to restore function to profoundly paralyzed individuals. Current BMIs for restoring communication can provide important capabilities via a typing process, but unfortunately they are only capable of slow communication rates. In the current study we use a novel approach to speech restoration in which we decode continuous auditory parameters for a real-time speech synthesizer from neuronal activity in motor cortex during attempted speech.

Neurotrophic electrode: method of assembly and implantation into human motor speech cortex.

The neurotrophic electrode (NE) is designed for longevity and stability of recorded signals. To achieve this aim it induces neurites to grow through its glass tip, thus anchoring it in neuropil. The glass tip contains insulated gold wires for recording the activity of the myelinated neurites that grow into the tip.

Using human extra-cortical local field potentials to control a switch.

Individuals with profound paralysis and mutism require a communication channel. Traditional assistive technology devices eventually fail, especially in the case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) subjects who gradually become totally locked-in. A direct brain-to-computer interface that provides switch functions can provide a direct communication channel to the external world.