I'm aware of the P300 interface for typing using BCI2000 that was
demonstrated at RESNA last year. I'm actually using it in my lab right
now. It is very impressive, though its top typing speed is still measured
in characters per minute and usually single digits at that. But, it works
and it is high time someone commercialized it.
However, I don't think from the article that this is what Neurolutions is
working on. It specifically states that their device uses ECoG and all
other references to Neurolutions that I can find on the web talk about an
implanted system. While the last sentence of paragraph 4 does reference
scalp electrodes, it does so as a comparison with the claim that the
device they're developing requires less training than scalp based systems.
So, I don't think Neurolutions is developing a P300 interface as a
commercial product. Also, all previous BCI work from Washington
University in St. Louis has been ECoG work (and good stuff at that).
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Jane Huggins, Ph.D. "If, through some inscrutable act of providence, I
were to lose all my faculties save one, I would
choose to retain the gift of speech, for through it
xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx I would soon regain all the rest."-- Daniel Webster
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% http://www-personal.umich.edu/~janeh %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
On Thu, 26 Mar 2009, Edward Hitchcock wrote:
<blockquote style="border-left: #5555EE solid 0.2em; margin: 0em; padding-left: 0.85em">Actually, I saw these guys at RESNA last year and was very impressed.
This particular system does NOT implant directly on the cortex, it is
all external scalp stuff. (The article cites that as well, last
sentence of 4th paragraph).
The system I saw was not being used to control cursor or isolated
movement. I hesitate to try to describe via email, as it is not really
any kind of scanning either. But it was reliable for slow production of
text, and they had it connected with WordQ to speed it up a little.
Basically it works that when the desired letter is highlighted, (and
they are highlighted in an apparently random pattern; it is not scanning
as we think of it at all) the client responds with an "Ah hah" thought.
Since the Ah hah thought brainwave always occurs at a reliable time
following the presentation of the highlighted letter, the computer would
know that was the intended letter.
The one I saw was not using motor control of any kind (meaning no motor
cortex) and I am probably doing a very poor job of describing this. (I
want to say the signal was called P300).
Probably only beneficial for very severely locked in folks, past eyegaze
and any form of switch. I think a reasonable fast switch scanner would
still be faster than this system as well.
But I was positively impressed with it for our folks with no switch
access.
Ed Hitchcock OTR/L
Technology Center
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jane Huggins
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 12:41 PM
To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Assistive Technology] BCI Liscenced to Private Firm --
Commerical Product on the Horizon?
Interesting. This is the first I've heard of this. But, everyone
should
note that the proposed BCI is using ECoG as it's input. The article
doesn't do a very good job of explaining that ECoG comes from electrodes
implanted inside the skull but not penetrating the brain (usually the
electrodes are placed subdurally, ie under the membranes covering the
brain). I worked with ECoG for many years and think that ECoG will
provide the best signals for BCIs. However, they require a fairly major
surgery to implant. So, while this is an exciting step, I wanted to
make
sure you realize the model of the system they're proposing.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%
Jane Huggins, Ph.D. "If, through some inscrutable act of providence, I
were to lose all my faculties save one, I would
choose to retain the gift of speech, for through
it
xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx I would soon regain all the rest."-- Daniel
Webster
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% http://www-personal.umich.edu/~janeh
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
On Thu, 26 Mar 2009, Antoinette Verdone wrote:
<blockquote style="border-left: #5555EE solid 0.2em; margin: 0em; padding-left: 0.85em">Anyone have any further info on this?
</blockquote>http://www.health.state.ny.us/press/releases/2009/2009-03-25_brain_comp_
<blockquote style="border-left: #5555EE solid 0.2em; margin: 0em; padding-left: 0.85em">interface_tech_neurolutions.htm
Antoinette Verdone, MSBME, ATP
Assistive Technology Specialist
The ALS Association, Greater New York Chapter
NEW ADDRESS:
42 Broadway, Suite 1724
New York, NY 10004
Phone: 212-720-3054
Fax: 212-619-7409
Email: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx
www.als-ny.org
"One cannot consent to creep when one has the impulse to soar" --
</blockquote>Helen
<blockquote style="border-left: #5555EE solid 0.2em; margin: 0em; padding-left: 0.85em">Keller
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