A doctor who played a pivotal role in creating a microchip that can translate brain signals into actions has made a bold claim about his Stentrode device, suggesting it could assist approximately 100 million individuals.
Neurologist Tom Oxley, at the helm of startup Synchron, believes his invention has the potential to transform the lives of those who lack the use of their arms.
His assertion comes on the heels of a triumphant trial where an ALS patient – afflicted by a type of motor neurone disease – managed to compose a message post-implantation of the microchip, despite being paralyzed in the arms.
The installation of the device is a swift procedure, taking about 20 minutes, and has attracted investment from high-profile figures such as Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates.
The Stentrode stands among other ambitious brain-computer interface projects like Elon Musk’s Neuralink, which shares the goal of aiding individuals incapacitated in their limbs due to injury or illness.
However, proponents of the Stentrode emphasize its less invasive nature compared to Neuralink, which requires drilling into the skull; the Stentrode could potentially be fitted during an outpatient visit, as reported by The Times.
Nicholas Opie, a key player in the Stentrode’s development, revealed patients’ goals during the device’s evolution in an unexpected insight. Contrary to the anticipated desire for an exoskeleton, patients expressed a more profound wish to operate a smartphone.
Opie elaborated, “They can go online and do their shopping and banking and communicate with their loved ones”, reports the Mirror. The technology not only empowers patients to reconnect and communicate with their loved ones when injuries or diseases have limited their ability to do so, but it also integrates seamlessly with smart devices.
Earlier this year, a patient with ALS managed to operate an Amazon Alexa device using this tech. The patient, 64 year old Mark, shared his enthusiasm about the system, stating: “The integration with smart technology and my BCI is something I’m really excited about.”
