Analysing brain signals to let a patient control his arm
Implants and algorithms offer hope for the paralysed
DURING a 250km (150-mile) bike ride for charity in Ohio, William Kochevar found himself cycling behind a post-office van when it pulled over to make deliveries. Distracted and tired, Mr Kochevar did not brake in time. The accident, in 2006, left him paralysed from the shoulders down. Now, with the help of electrodes that transmit signals from his brain to his muscles, he has been able to grasp a fork and feed himself for the first time in over a decade. The procedure that allowed Mr Kochevar to achieve the feat is reported in the Lancet this week.
This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “Moving moments”
Science & technology April 1st 2017
- Elon Musk enters the world of brain-computer interfaces
- Analysing brain signals to let a patient control his arm
- A simple device designed to detect chemical weapons
- Airborne particles cause more than 3m early deaths a year
- Small-brained birds get killed by cars
- Managing supplies of vaccines is a huge problem
From the April 1st 2017 edition
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His continued membership has led to a high-profile resignation
Deforestation is costing Brazilian farmers millions
Without trees to circulate moisture, the land is getting hotter and drier
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They could soon show their moves in settings from car factories to care homes
Scientists are learning why ultra-processed foods are bad for you
A mystery is finally being solved
Scientific publishers are producing more papers than ever
Concerns about some of their business models are building
The two types of human laugh
One is caused by tickling; the other by everything else