How do neural implants work?

A neural implant is a device placed inside the body that interacts with neurons. Neurons are cells that communicate in the language of electricity. They fire electrical impulses in particular patterns, kind of like Morse code. An implant is a human-made device that is placed inside the body via surgery or an injection.

Is a cochlear implant a brain computer interface?

In both studies, the brain-computer interface was primarily a tool being used to make scientific discoveries about the nervous system. For example, the cochlear implant [12] is another form of BCI that provides artificial sensory inputs directly to the auditory system.

What is brain implant therapies?

Overview. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) involves implanting electrodes within certain areas of the brain. These electrodes produce electrical impulses that regulate abnormal impulses. Or the electrical impulses can affect certain cells and chemicals within the brain.

What are electrode implants?

A chronic electrode implant is an electronic device implanted chronically (for a long period) into the brain or other electrically excitable tissue. It may record electrical impulses in the brain or may stimulate neurons with electrical impulses from an external source.

How are electrodes implanted in the brain?

In deep brain stimulation, electrodes are placed in the targeted areas of the brain. The electrodes are connected by wires to a type of pacemaker device (called an implantable pulse generator) placed under the skin of the chest below the collarbone.

How do brain interfaces work?

A brain-computer interface (BCI) is a computer-based system that acquires brain signals, analyzes them, and translates them into commands that are relayed to an output device to carry out a desired action. In principle, any type of brain signal could be used to control a BCI system.

What is a BCI system?

A brain computer interface (BCI) is a system that determines functional intent – the desire to change, move, control, or interact with something in your environment – directly from your brain activity. In other words, BCIs allow you to control an application or a device using only your mind.

What is cochlear implant surgery?

A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that electrically stimulates the cochlear nerve (nerve for hearing). It then processes the sound and transmits it to the internal part of the implant. The internal part is placed under the skin behind the ear during an outpatient surgery.

Who got the first implant in the first documentary of the sound and fury?

I had the pleasure to interview Heather Artinian from an Academy Award nominated film, Sound and Fury. As many people saw in the follow up film, Sound and Fury: Six Years Later, Heather received a cochlear implant at the age of 9 years old.