Learn how breakthroughs in the technology underlying BCIs involve EEG in advancing mind-control technology that brings change to the lives of the disabled.
BCIs are one of the rising technologies that have evolved from being envisioned in science fiction movies for the last few decades to real and potentially valuable technologies at present. This implantable technology, otherwise known as Brain-Computer Interface or BCI, dramatically stretches its application, including healthcare, entertainment, and communication.
All the technologies employed in the development of BCIs, the EEG represents one of the major techniques for monitoring and controlling brain activity without having to implant any device into the patient’s cranium.
EEG technology has been adopted as the key technology in constructing BCI because they are easier, cheaper, and do not require surgery to implement. Specifically, the EEG based BCIs are especially useful to disabled people who have a poor mobility or communication skills.
In the following blog, this author will dissect how EEG advanced technology is stimulating the evolution of BCI and its implications for enabling communication and control for people with various disabilities.
What is EEG Technology?
EEG is a type of action that can be described as neuroimaging whereby the human brain produces signals that are then received by electrodes on the scalp. These electrodes are able to pick out changes in voltage that are caused by the firing of neurons in the brain. Most of the EEG is non-invasive in the sense that it does not entail the use of surgery or implantation of electrodes hence it is safe for use, clinical and research purposes.
Their attractiveness of EEG technology principally lies on the ceaseless brain data acquisition with high temporal resolution about the brain operation. The particularity of locating the cerebral activity is lower, compared to methods such as fMRI, but the low cost, mobility, and simplicity of usage of EEG make it appropriate for BCI.
What is a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)?
A BCI is an interaction between the brain and an external device without the use of a body’s voluntary muscular activity or speech capability. BCIs can translate electrical signals to operate objects like mechanical limbs, a computer mouse, or a communication aid; People with a disability can then operate objects around them solely by thinking.
BCIs consist of three main components:
- Signal Acquisition – Data gathering from the brain by EEG or any technique in neuroimaging that does not involve neurosurgery.
- Signal processing – Signals, which are recorded, are processed and converted into commands or outputs which can control devices outside the system.
- The second facet of the loop is Feedback and Control – The user gets the feedback from the system to adjust the control and interface of the device.
EEG and BCI: A Perfect Match
EEG is widely used in BCI technology development because it allows for real time investigation of brain signals without the need for surgical operation.
Here are several reasons why EEG is an ideal choice for BCIs:
#1. Non-Invasiveness
The reason why EEG has found some popularity for BCI applications is the fact that it does not need to be surgically inserted into the individuals’ heads. While EBCIs are invasive, they require the implantation of electrodes in the brain, while EEG, is an invasive technique that externally clips electrodes on the scalp to record brain signals. This makes EEG safer, cheaper and more widely available, so more people can use BCI technology without potentially dangerous processes.
#2. Real-Time Monitoring
EEG technology gives good temporal accuracy, which makes it respond to the activity of the brain in real time. This is particularly important for BCIs that require real-time sequential information from the brain in order to control external apparatus. Interactivity means that the users can interact with the system at the time they desire and respond from the system is also what is appropriate and efficient.
#3. Portability and Accessibility
Current EEG equipment is not expensive and extremely lightweight when compared with other neuroimaging tools like fMRI or MEG. The requirements for BCIs can be met by portable EEG devices that allow a person to use it in their home, working place or rehabilitation centre without going to clinic. This portability makes EEG based BCIs feasible for people with disabilities as it give them more freedom and control over their life.
#4. Customization and Adaptability
Were examining specifically, EEG-based BCIs and they are quite adaptable and can be designed to specifically work for a particular user. Other brain patterns can be taught and read to enable a person to control computers, walk or move a prosthetic limb in accordance with certain aims or disabilities. This addresses the special need for accessibility and adjustability concerning the given population as everyone with different types and levels of disability will be able to perform according to their cognitive and physical circumstances using BCIs.
Transforming Communication for People with Disabilities
All other modes of communication may be limited or totally lost due to the above conditions such as ALS, spinal cord injuries or locked-in syndrome. The BCIs based on EEG help these people get a life-changing tool to communicate with others via their brain signals.
#1. Restoring Communication
BCIs can analyze signals that relate to wanted speech or the thought of speech in the brains of motor mute patients and enable such patients to use a computer to attest. Thus, the BCI identifies specific brain wave patterns as corresponding to specific commands or letters and words and so the users can spell out words, choose an option from a menu or control a text-to-speech system.
For instance, P300 speller BCIs rely on EEG signals to capture the brain’s response to a given stimulus- a flashing letter, on a screen. In this mode, the user concentrates on the symbol on the desired letter, and the EEG records the P300 signal to recognize the acted letter. By so doing, after sometime, the user is able to convey whole ideas and sentence just by brain activity alone.
#2. Mind-Controlled Communication Systems
Other promising fields of applicability of the EEG-based BCIs are presented by mind-controlled communication systems. These devices enable the users to maneuver a keyboard, pointer, or a robot simply by the brain. For those with mobility impairments, this equates to the ability to use computers, compose an email message, operate home automation systems, or even surf the web, all without having to move around in physical space.
The BCIs based on the EEG give users a feeling of independence and freedom, giving them an ability to interact with the environment in a way that was not possible before. For such a category of persons, it brings rich gains in the overall quality of life and psychological well-being.
Enabling Mobility and Control with BCI
Besides improving the degree of interaction refined EEG-based BCIs can increase the control over the environment in people with physical disabilities.
Here are a few ways that BCIs are being used to enable mobility and independence:
#1. Controlling Prosthetic Limbs
For the people with the loss of limbs or paralysis, BCIs based on EEG could control prosthetic limbs. In specific terms, by sensing the brain’s patterns of intention to move the BCI is able to send catalyst signals to the prosthetic limb that will enable the limb to move in specific ways, for instance to grasp, lift or point.
BCI movement with prosthetic limbs is achieved after a rigorous training session but with the help of machine learning and other neural decoding, patients can achieve exact and natural movement of the prosthetic limb. These prosthetics under mind control enhance mobility as well as efficiency of physically challenged persons in their day to day activities.
#2. Wheelchair Control
Other potential use of the EEG based BCIs include the control of mind-controlled wheelchairs. People with restricted physical movements, which may result from spinal cord injuries or neurodegenerative disease, can operate a wheelchair through BCIs. The BCI records brain signals associated with intentions to move, and with this the user is able to control the wheelchair prosthesis.
To the physically impaired persons, this technology provide them with an opportunity to move around and control movement of their bodies without assistance from their close caregivers or through physical control mechanisms.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Several issues arise when using eeg-based BCIs as a tool for enhancing communication and mobility for people with disability Although EEG based BCIs has great potential for enhancing communication and mobility of disability, there are several … This technology needs integrating to enhance the quality of the signals received and their interpretation and the time used in doing so. Moreover, there is the training problem of requiring many hours to make sure the subject knows the appropriate use of the BCIs.
However, the ongoing improvements in machine learning methods, signal processing techniques, and wearable EEG gadgets come up with such questions’ solutions quickly. Currently, it is only a question of time when fully implantable EEG based systems will be able to integrate more and more into daily life and routines. Others may be more complicated interactions such as; communication systems in the future and robots initiated and managed by the human brains, and, probably the advanced world of virtual realities.
Conclusion
Current applications of EEG technology are instrumental for developing BCIs and that BCIs can benefit many disabled people. EEG-based BCIs are helping people to regain control over their lives and their environment – locked- in-syndrome patients have been able to communicate with their world, people with loss of limbs can control prosthetic limbs and those with disability locomote wheelchairs. In the future, who knows what will be invented by using technology with EEG based BCIs and this is only the beginning to the way, in which our quality of life can be enhanced in the future.
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