Brain Control Interface (BCI) Nicholas Gomes, Biomedical Engineering, University of Rhode Island BME 281 First Presentation, September 24, 2012 <[email protected]> Abstract—Brain Control Interface, or BCI, is a direct connection from the brain to the outside world. This concept has been evolving though time and has become useful in many ways. I. INTRODUCTION round 1875 the first electrical signals were discovered on the surface of animal brains. About 60 years later the motor cortex was mapped by using epilepsy patients. Shortly after a device was created that could be controlled FM radio waves and was tested on a bull that was manipulated by the device. 40 years later the first BCI was used on a human patient. BCIs can be used to get info on any part of the brain, which became useful for detecting brain diseases in patients. The most common type of BCI is the electroencephalography (EEG), but there are other forms out there like the Emotiv. II. METHODS The EEG is basically a cap that covers the entire top of the head. It has small ports all over it where electrodes are connected. Before the electrodes can be connected however a conducting gel must be put into each port for optimal results. This process is unfortunately uncomfortable and time consuming to set up and use. The Emotiv is an alternate BCI to the electroencephalography. Unlike the EEG it is a comfortable device to use. It is wireless and runs on a lithium battery that provides 12 hours of continuous usage. Unlike the EEG the Emotiv uses only 14 sensors and uses thoughts, emotions, and facial expressions to control. III. CURRENT AND FUTURE TECHNOLOGY Currently we are using Brain Control Interface for many things. These include getting information from the brain, detecting for brain diseases, and is even used in the virtual reality field. Another interesting use for the BCI is with prosthetics. Scientists are hard at work trying to use BCI to send impulses to prosthetics just like the brain normally would to functioning limbs. If this were to be mass-produced it would be a great aid to the prosthetic field and to those in need of them. IV. CONCLUSION There are many types of BCI out in the world and there are many more to come as this is a growing field. There is everything from the more common EEG to the more complex Emotiv. They all are working towards the same goal, to read, analyze and use electrical brain impulses to help benefit us in our lives. Even some BCI devices have imperfection and some perform better in certain areas than others it is still a amazing device in what it can do for someone. REFERENCES [1] "Brain–computer Interface." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Sept. 2012. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain– computer_interface>. [2] Guest Editorial Brain-computer Interface Technology: A Review of the Second International Meeting." IEEE Xplore. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. <http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs_all.jsp?arnumber=1214694>. [3] "Emotiv Systems." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Sept. 2012. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotiv_Systems>. [4] http://emotiv.com [5] "BCI in Health Care." Brain Computer Interface. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. <http://www.braincomputerinterface.com/>. A

Brain Control Interface (BCI) - University of Rhode Island · · 2012-09-26Brain Control Interface (BCI) Nicholas Gomes, Biomedical Engineering, University of Rhode Island BME 281

Download PDF Report

Upload
phunghanh
View
214
Download
0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: Brain Control Interface (BCI) - University of Rhode Island · · 2012-09-26Brain Control Interface (BCI) Nicholas Gomes, Biomedical Engineering, University of Rhode Island BME 281

Brain Control Interface (BCI) Nicholas Gomes, Biomedical Engineering, University of Rhode Island

BME 281 First Presentation, September 24, 2012 <[email protected]> Abstract—Brain Control Interface, or BCI, is a direct

connection from the brain to the outside world. This concept has been evolving though time and has become useful in many ways.

I. INTRODUCTION

round 1875 the first electrical signals were discovered on the surface of animal brains. About 60 years later the motor cortex was mapped by

using epilepsy patients. Shortly after a device was created that could be controlled FM radio waves and was tested on a bull that was manipulated by the device. 40 years later the first BCI was used on a human patient. BCIs can be used to get info on any part of the brain, which became useful for detecting brain diseases in patients. The most common type of BCI is the electroencephalography (EEG), but there are other forms out there like the Emotiv.

II. METHODS

The EEG is basically a cap that covers the entire top of the head. It has small ports all over it where electrodes are connected. Before the electrodes can be connected however a conducting gel must be put into each port for optimal results. This process is unfortunately uncomfortable and time consuming to set up and use.

The Emotiv is an alternate BCI to the electroencephalography. Unlike the EEG it is a comfortable device to use. It is wireless and runs on a lithium battery that provides 12 hours of continuous usage. Unlike the EEG the Emotiv uses only 14 sensors and uses thoughts, emotions, and facial expressions to control.

III. CURRENT AND FUTURE TECHNOLOGY

Currently we are using Brain Control Interface for many things. These include getting information from the brain, detecting for brain diseases, and is even used in the virtual reality field. Another interesting use for the BCI is with prosthetics. Scientists are hard at work trying to use BCI to send impulses to prosthetics just like the brain normally would to functioning limbs. If this were to be mass-produced it would be a great aid to the prosthetic field and to those in need of them.

IV. CONCLUSION

There are many types of BCI out in the world and there are many more to come as this is a growing field. There is everything from the more common EEG to the more complex Emotiv. They all are working towards the same goal, to read, analyze and use electrical brain impulses to help benefit us in our lives. Even some BCI devices have imperfection and some perform better in certain areas than others it is still a amazing device in what it can do for someone. REFERENCES [1] "Brain–computer Interface." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 21

Sept. 2012. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain–computer_interface>.

[2] Guest Editorial Brain-computer Interface Technology: A Review of the Second International Meeting." IEEE Xplore. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. <http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs_all.jsp?arnumber=1214694>.

[3] "Emotiv Systems." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Sept. 2012. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotiv_Systems>.

[4] http://emotiv.com [5] "BCI in Health Care." Brain Computer Interface. N.p., n.d. Web. 24

Sept. 2012. <http://www.braincomputerinterface.com/>.