Bryan Moss wrote:
> Question: Can any neuroscience people comment on what would be involved in
> wiring amputees to computers and allowing them to control virtual arms
> and/or legs? Would this be easier to do to an amputee than a non-amputee?
>
> BM
There are clinical trials of this technology going on right now. Amputees or paralysis victims are given a pair of tiny implants in the motor cortex. The implants are tiny cones coated on the inside with neurotropic chemicals. The nerves grow into the inside of the cones. Then, in a process resembling physiotherapy, they learn to use the control structures for the missing limbs to pass control info into a computer. The implants transmit short range to an FM transmitter under the skin, which transmits to the computer. The whole system is powered by an induction coil worn on the head.
http://www.seattletimes.com/news/health-science/html98/altchip_100798.html
<and some people still think we're living in the 20th century. hehe>
Darin Sunley
rsunley@escape.ca