There are technological innovations that have been talked about for years in research before they prove to be safe and effective and can land in clinical practice. Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) are one example. Put simply, these are portable systems that aim to interpret nerve signals and translate them into actions, whether they are voice commands or movements. They are designed for people who have lost the use of their limbs or are suffering from paralysis, who have difficulty moving and speaking. While research in the field continues, some of these systems are starting to be used: this is the case of BrainControl, in use both by private individuals and by some public facilities, such as Asur Marche, ASL Lecce, ASST Melegnano and by a little also at the San Jacopo Hospital in Pistoia, where a kit for the neurology and neurophysiopathology department arrived. Here BrainControl will be used with patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to allow them to communicate with others.
Specifically, the device arrived in Pistoia is a BrainControl BCI which includes a helmet, a software and a tablet. It works like this: the sensors positioned on the helmet read the brain waves – through electroencephalography – which are then decoded and associated to execute commands or answer questions. This is possible after the patient – immobilized but with unchanged cognitive abilities – has received personalized training to associate thoughts (and corresponding neural signals) with specific actions. At the moment only a narrow range of actions is decoded, explain from the company (the Italian LiquidWeb), adding that BrainControl is suitable for patients in locked-in conditions (with paralysis of all four limbs) and for the blind ( has audio feedback) because it works even in the complete absence of small movements, such as those of the face. In addition to those affected by degenerative diseases such as ALS, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophies, BrainControl BCI is designed to assist in communication those who have suffered trauma or stroke, or are suffering from quadriplegia.
Alongside this interface, BrainControl can also be equipped with an avatar, to give the opportunity to visit, virtually and remotely, museums or participate in events, and with a suite of sensors (BrainControl Sensory) to broaden the communication spectrum of patients who cannot speak but who can use small movements (such as those of the eyes or hand). BrainControl systems have won the European Union Horizon call for the Research and Innovation Program in 2020.
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