New Brain Implants Transform Communication for Paralyzed Individuals

California, US, 20 Sep (ONA) --- Recent advancements in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, highlighted in two Nature papers, a newfound hope for individuals living with paralysis to regain natural communication abilities.

Neurosurgeon Edward Chang and his team at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), have developed a neuroprosthesis that not only deciphers brain signals into speech but also replicates corresponding facial movements.

This ground-breaking achievement enabled a severely paralyzed woman to communicate via a digital avatar, restoring her voice to a pre-stroke sound. The AI system excels in speed, achieving 78 words per minute, outpacing traditional methods.

Chang's device consists of a paper-thin rectangle with 253 electrodes implanted in the brain's speech region, interpreting neural signals to reproduce speech. Using phonemes, the AI system needed just 39 to decipher any English word, showcasing substantial improvements over alternatives.

---Ends/Thuraiya/AG