Introduction
A brain-computer interface is a system that helps determine function intent – the aspiration to interact, control, move, or change in your environment, directly from the brain activity. BCIs allow individuals to control a device or an application using their minds only.
Naturally, your mind first decides what you’re planning to do if you want to interact with or control a device. After that, it coordinates with the body part that needs to act on that particular action. The body part can be your head, leg, arm, feet, etc. Brain-computer interface technology bypasses the coordinating stage and the use of muscles or a body part to execute the action.
BCIs utilise computers to identify the functional intent and then control the device or application directly. As a result of this, brain-computer technologies are being researched scientifically as a promising access innovation for individuals with severe physical disabilities who’ve limited reliable control over their bodies or some body parts.
When BCI is combined with solutions like EEG headband, there is no need for people to have voluntary control over their muscles to interact with devices around them. Computers replace physical movement execution. With BCIs, the ideas in people’s minds translate to their desired actions and control the devices directly.
How Do Brain-Computer Interface Technologies Work?
A brain-computer interface includes three primary parts. They include the following:
- A gadget to measure brain activity: Usually in the form of a headset, headband or cap, this gadget has specialised sensors that detect and record brain signals.
- A computer to process and analyse: Once the brain signals have been detected, the brain-computer software will try to interpret the desired action from the brain activity. The computer uses specialised algorithms and processing methods.
- A device or application to control: After the computer determines what the user plans to do, it’ll relay the information to the device or application to carry out the action.
- The feedback: The device displays the feedback to let users know that their actions were successful.
Applications of Brain-Computer Interface Technologies in Medicine
BCIs are already being used in medicine. Some of their first applications were to help individuals with locked-in syndrome to communicate. These are people who’ve lost the capability to voluntarily control their body parts, especially muscles, meaning they can’t speak, move or even blink.
Locked-in syndrome’s main cause are amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other long-term neurodegenerative diseases. People with this health problem are cognitively aware, as their feelings and thoughts are unaffected. They just don’t have a way to share these thoughts and feelings with the real world.
While the initial BCI-based 4 channel EEG acquisition system was designed for individuals with locked-in health problems, its significance for people with other levels of physical impairment was recognised. BCI research has rapidly expanded, and brain-computer interface systems are currently being explored as a way to:
- Drive wheelchairs
- Operate prosthetic limbs
- Administrate neuro-regenerative therapies such as functional electrical stimulation
- Access and use technologies such as communication gadgets, tablets, and personal computers
