seminarr
TRANSCRIPT
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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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