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Technical Seminar

Presentation On

BRAIN PORT DEVICE

By

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Introduction

BrainPort is a device being developed by neuroscientistsMiddleton, (a company co-founded by the lateneuroscientist Paul Bach-y-Rita) to make users see withoutthe help of eyes.

With the goal to construct the device, capable of restoringvision, with materials that will last for the lifetime of ablind person by seeing objects via a special lollipop thatstimulates their taste buds.

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What is Brain Port?

Device converts light signals from a camera

into electrical signals.

Sends electrical signals to the brain.

Electro tactile stimulation for sensory

substitution.

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Outer structure

Powerbutton

CPU, battery

Electrode arrayStimulation circuitry

Accelerometer(other side)

Voltage control

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Electrode array

A configuration of electrodes used for measuring eitheran electric current or voltage & can also be used to providea stimulating pattern of electric current or voltage.

It contains a square grid of 400 electrodes which pulseaccording to how much light is in that area of the picture.

The control unit converts the image into a low resolutionblack, white and grey picture, which is then recreated as asquare grid of 400 electrodesaround the size of a postage

stamp

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STIMULATION CIRCUITRY

A programming device comprising: a user interface; and aprocessor that presents a user with an interface forselection of one of a constant current/voltage modeconfigures a medical device according to the selected mode,

and presents the user with either an interface for selectionof a voltage/current amplitude.

The processor configures the medical device to measure,using impedance measurement circuitry, an impedance

presented to stimulation circuitry of themedical device based on the selected mode.

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Other parts

Other side of electrode array is ACCELEROMETER to

provide head and body position information to the brain

through electrotactile stimulation of the tongue.

CPU,BATTERY has zoom control, light settings and shock

intensity levels & CPU converts the digital signal into

electrical pulsesreplacing the function of the retina.

POWER BUTTON for start and stop.

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Electro tactile Stimulation

Encoded electric current to represent sensoryinformation.

Impulses are sent to the brain by the nerve

fibers. Brain then learns to interpret that sensory

information as if it were being sent through the

traditional channel. Information from ears & skin also interpreted

by the brain in a similar fashion.

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The Brain PortARRANGEMENT

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Functioning

Visual information is collected from the user-adjustablehead-mounted cameraand sent to the BrainPort base unit.

The base unit translates the visual information into an

stimulation pattern that is displayed on the tongue.

The tactile image is created - white pixels from thecamera as strong stimulation, black pixels as no

stimulation, and gray levels as medium.

Users often report the sensation as pictures that arepainted on the tongue with Champagne bubbles.

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Resolution of Display

Static and dynamic images interpreted by blind people

using device

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Why only tongue.?

The tongue is more sensitive than other skin areas.

The nerve fibers are closer to the surface

It requires less voltage 5 to 15 volts to stimulate nervefibers in the tongue, because in other parts an outer layer

of dead skin cells to act as an insulator

Saliva contains electrolytes, free ions that acts as electricalconductors, so it helps maintain the flow of current

between electrode and skin tissue.

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Applications

Providing elements of sight for the visuallyimpaired

Providing sensory-motor training for stroke

patients Providing tactile information to brain when a

part of the body has nerve damage

Used at the time of wars Enhancing the integration and interpretation of

sensory information in autistic people

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Advantages

Brain Port device does not replace the sense of sight, itadds to other sensory experiences to give users informationabout the size, shape and location of objects.

Users can operate it independently with a hand-heldcontroller.

A pair of sunglasses wired to an electric lollipop helpsthe visually impaired regain optical sensations via a

different pathway Therefore device is like normalsunglasses hence it does not look bad.

It uses a rechargeable battery like in normal cell phones.

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Disadvantages

This technology cant be adapted to work on senses thebrain doesnt already have.

The Brain Port requires training the brain incrementally

using daily practice sessions.

When it comes in market its cost is around $10,000 so itcannot be afforded by common people.

Occasionally it will produce weak metallic taste sensations,a minor side effect. We have never observed any kind oftissue irritation with the gold-plated electrodes.

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Conclusion

To substitute one sensory input channel for another, thereis need to correctly encode the nerve signals for the sensoryevent and send them to the brain through the alternatechannel. But the brain can do it if the right information isgiven.

Thus we hope that blind people can also see this colourfulworld by using this brain port device.

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