File name: he-amputee9

Prosthetics of the future Headline: Prosthetics of the future

Section: he
Run date: 3-9-06
Prosthetic limbs may eventually be controlled by thoughts or nerve impulses to allow for Artist: Paul Duginski X-65614
more natural movements and greater function. Size: 3-col. x 57p8

Brain interface Proof #: ___________

In a system called BrainGate, a tiny sensor implanted in the brain would allow a patient to control a Time: _____________
prosthesis with brain waves. This is an early model, but the goal is to make the system wireless.
© 2006 Los Angeles Times

1 A chip is implanted in the part of Pedestal

the brain responsible for voluntary 4mm
movement.

Cable Brain
Computer

Electrodes
2 The signals from the
chip travel through a Tiny chip
metal pedestal implanted The chip that is
in the skull and out of implanted in the
the body through a primary motor cortex of
cable. the brain has 100
electrodes and is about
3 Data are decoded the size of a baby
by the computer aspirin.
and translated
into movement Computerized
commands. prosthesis

4 Movement
commands can
be fed to a
computerized
prosthesis.

Nerve interface in arm Nerve interface in leg

1 Nerves that the 2 Electrodes In another approach, a tiny computer
brain recognizes as intercept nerve chip, called a Bion, is injected into
controlling arm impulses residual leg muscle.
and hand motion generated by Bion
are transplanted to the brain and The chip picks
the chest. send them to a up movement
computerized signals from
prosthesis. the brain and
sends them to
Nerves from
the artificial
amputated
limb.
arm

Artificial
Amputated
limb
limb Electrodes

Computerized
3 Six motors move the prosthesis
device’s shoulder, elbow
and hand in unison.

Sources: Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems Inc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Paul Dugin s k i Los Angeles Times