BrainGate is an implantable brain-computer interface developed by Cyberkinetics that allows people with paralysis to control external devices with their thoughts. The BrainGate chip contains electrodes that detect neural signals in the motor cortex, which are translated by an external processor into cursor movements on a computer screen or commands to operate assistive technologies. Initial trials in humans showed a participant was able to control a computer using only his brain signals. While promising, BrainGate still faces challenges such as high costs, limited speed and range of control, and health risks associated with brain surgery. Ongoing research aims to address these issues and expand the technology's capabilities.

1. (Turning thoughts into Action)
Sweeti Kumari Sah
(Nepal)
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2. 1) Introduction
2) History
3) Working Mechanism
4) Advantages
5) Disadvantages
6) Future Concerns
7) Conclusion
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3.  Brain gate is an electrode chip
implemented in the brain which contains
an internal signal sensor and external
processor that converts neural signals into
an output signal.
 The signals generated by brain are
interpreted and translated into cursor
movement in computer screen to control
the computer.
 This mind-to-movement system allows a
quadriplegic person to control a computer
using only his thoughts.
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4.  After 10 years of study and research,
Brain gate was developed by
Cyberkinetics, a bio-tech company in
Foxboro, Massachusetts, laid down by
Nicholas Halsopulas a neuroscientist
in Chicago University in 2003 in
conjunction with the Department of
Neuroscience at Brown University.
 Dr. John Donaghue director of the
brain science program at Brown
University who made Brain gate
possible.
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Nicholas Halsopulas
John Donaghue

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6.  The principle is that with the intact brain functions,
brain signals are generated even though they are not
sent to the arms, hands and legs.
 The signals are interpreted and translated into cursor
movements, offering the user an alternate “BRAIN
GATE PATHWAY” to control a computer with thought.
 The user can use that cursor to control the computer,
just as a mouse is used.
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7.  Body's voluntary movements are controlled by the
brain.
 The brain area involved in controlling these
movements is called motor cortex.
 The motor cortex receive information
from various lobes of brain -
information about the body's
position in space, goal to be attained
& strategy for attaining it.
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Sensor
A 4mm*4mm silicon chip studded
with 100 hair-thin microelectrodes is
embedded in the primary motor cortex
the region of the brain responsible for
controlling movement.
The Connector
When the user thinks “move cursor up and down”, the
cortical neurons fire in a distinctive pattern: the signal is
transmitted through the pedestal plug attached to the skull.

9.  Converter
The signal travels to a shoebox-sized amplifier
mounted on the user’s wheelchair, where it’s converted
to optical data and bounced by fiber-optic cable to a
computer.
 Computer
The computer translates brain activity and creates
the communication output using custom decoding
software.
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11. This technology is based on :
 SENSE
 TRANSMIT & ANALYSE
 APPLY
the language of neurons.
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12.  The computers translate brain activity and create the
communication output using custom decoding software.
 System uses adaptive algorithms and pattern-matching
techniques to facilitate communication. The algorithms
are written in C, JAVA and MATLAB.
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13.  At first, rats were implanted with BCI.
 Signals recorded from the cerebral cortex of rat to
operate BCI to carry out the movement.
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14. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh had
demonstrated on a monkey that can feed itself with a
robotic arm simply by using signals from its brain.
Using only its mind the monkey was able to control a
cursor on a computer monitor via Brain Gate.
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It Worked!

15. Since there were no complications in
trials with monkeys
Next Step: Humans!
 In December 7, 2004, brain-computer interface had been
clinically tested on a human by Cyberkinetics.
 The first participant in these trials, a 25-year-old man who
had sustained a spinal cord injury leading to paralysis in all
four limbs three years prior to the study.
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16.  Over a period of nine months, he took
part in 57 sessions during which the
implanted Brain Gate sensor recorded
activity in his motor cortex while he
imagined moving his paralyzed limbs
and then used that imagined motion for
several computer-based tasks such as,
moving a computer cursor to open
simulated e-mail, draw circular shapes
and play simple video games.
Mathew Nagle’s Statement :
“I can't put it into words. It's just—I use my
brain. I just thought it. I said, "Cursor go up
to the top right." And it did, and now I can
control it all over the screen. It will give me
a sense of independence.”
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Nagle, a 25-year-old
quadriplegic, the first human
fitted with the Brain Gate
Neural Interface.

17.  Controlling remote devices
 Making and receiving telephone
calls
 Accessing the internet
 Turn on or off the lights
 Control robotic arm
 Watch and control television
 Use the PC
 Locking or unlocking doors
 Motorized wheelchair
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18.  Extremely expensive
 Although the chip is extremely small, it still means surgery
on the brain, which is always risky and can be dangerous.
 Not Wireless yet. Restricts the person to be in the area of
the device.
 Difficulty in adaptation and learning.
 This process is still very slow and takes a very long time.
Limitation in information transform rate. The latest
technology is 20 bits/min.
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19.  Emphasis should be on improving the
information transform rate.
 Stronger algorithm should be implemented.
 Wireless technologies should be used.
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20.  Enable users to perform a wide variety of daily
activities without assistances of technician.
 Smaller ,wireless device .
 The user will have an improved control of respiratory
system, limb with muscle stimulation or robotics.
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21. The invention of Brain gate is
such a revolution in medical field.
The remarkable breakthrough offers
hope that people who are paralysed will
one day be able to independently
operate artificial limbs, computers or
wheelchairs.
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Dr. John Donoghue (L.)
accepts the $1 million
B.R.A.I.N Award from
President Shimon Peres at
the recent BrainTech 2013
event in Tel Aviv.

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