Cyberkinetics Presents Seven-Month Results from Pilot Study of BrainGate Neural Interface System

Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc. reported ongoing pilot clinical trial progress of the company’s BrainGate Neural Interface System (BrainGate System) in a poster presentation titled, "Case Study: Reliability of Multi-Electrode Array in the Knob Area of Human Motor Cortex Intended for a Neuromotor Prosthesis Application." The poster was presented on June 29, 2005, at the 9th International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics (ICORR)

Interim results detailed in Cyberkinetics’ ICORR poster presentation cover seven months of its ongoing pilot trial of its BrainGate System in people with severe paralysis. In the current study, researchers demonstrated the reliability of the BrainGate System to detect the activity of neurons over extended periods of time. Researchers also reported on the use of newly developed software to automatically sort neuronal signals in approximately two minutes, a significant reduction over the 30-minute time span previously required for technicians to manually sort neuronal signals. This automated process appeared to extract data from more neurons than were previously extracted manually. The automated software element is a critical building block for the company’s M*Power(TM) Controller System (M*Power(TM) Controller).

“Our participation in the ICORR meeting is an important step as we look to the future incorporation of limb-movement technologies in our clinical trial planning,” commented John P. Donoghue, Ph.D., Cyberkinetics’ founder and chief scientific officer. “As this poster details, we have gained extensive knowledge based upon months of experience from a person with severe paralysis using our BrainGate System.”

Ultimately, Cyberkinetics‘ M*Power Controller is intended to enable users of the system to readily perform a wide variety of daily activities that are currently beyond their abilities, extending from control of everyday devices to as far as restoration of limb movement and communication. For example, a motor impaired individual could, by thought alone, use the M*Power Controller System to control a hybrid cell phone/computer, such as an iPAQ, to make and receive telephone calls, to control light switches or a television, and to access the Internet and communicate via email. Cyberkinetics expects the improved M*Power Controller System, in the future, to be easier for patients and their families because it would enable them to use the BrainGate System on a routine basis without reliance on a specialized technician.

Results from the current study demonstrate that:

n   Cyberkinetics’ BrainGate System detects, transmits and analyzes the firing of individual neurons in the patient’s motor cortex;

n   The patient is able to modulate neural activity by imagining arm and hand movement; and

n   The BrainGate System translates neural signals into a computer cursor controller that has enabled the study participant to perform activities of daily living, including control of computer software, as well as reaching, grasping and moving objects through a robotic limb.

 

Source: Cyberkinetics

Date: 22 July 2005