Imagine lifting a bottle without moving your fingers 😲. For one stroke patient in the Chinese mainland, this became a reality thanks to a cutting-edge brain-computer interface (BCI) technology!
Wearing a futuristic brain electrode cap, the patient focused intensely as she tried to lift a bottle using an innovative \"sixth finger\" device mounted on her wrist. Each attempt was met with encouragement from her neurologist: \"Try again, focus your attention, and see if you can lift the bottle.\"
As she concentrated, the bottle began to rise slowly from the table. From disbelief to pure joy, tears welled up in her eyes as she achieved what once seemed impossible 🥺✨.
This miraculous moment was witnessed by Wang Zhuang, a third-year doctoral student at Tianjin University. Alongside his neural engineering team, Wang meticulously recorded data as the patient controlled the \"sixth finger\" device with her mind.
\"Our goal is to harness technology to give stroke patients a fuller, more fulfilling life,\" Wang shared.
The team's ingenious device allows stroke patients to \"command\" an extra digit using non-invasive BCI technology. By capturing brainwaves, the device not only assists in physical tasks but also helps rejuvenate damaged nervous systems, paving the way for rehabilitating hand motor functions.
BCI is becoming the new hotshot in global tech investments 💰🌐. Scientists and engineers worldwide are eager to bring this next-gen technology into medical practices, opening doors to amazing therapeutic possibilities.
Stroke poses a significant challenge to public health, often leaving patients with physical impairments. But with innovations like Wang's, there's a brighter future ahead.
Moreover, the Chinese mainland has rolled out guidelines to boost technological innovation and safety in future industries, including BCI.
According to a 2023 report by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, medical treatment is the main battleground for BCI tech in the country. Around 200 medical BCI enterprises are operating, with a quarter focusing on implantable tech and the rest on non-implantable solutions.
But the innovation doesn't stop there! Wang's colleague, Mei Jie, spent six months developing a drone that can be controlled by brain signals 🚁🧠.
\"We have, for the first time, achieved continuous brain control of a drone in four degrees of freedom,\" Mei announced. \"This tech has huge potential in areas like remote target identification, environmental surveillance, and anomaly monitoring.\"
He spent three months testing the \"brain-controlled drone\" outdoors. \"Scientific research is like growing crops; it requires patience. You don’t see the fruits immediately, but over time, your efforts bloom,\" Mei reflected 🌱🌾.
With passionate researchers like Wang and Mei pushing boundaries, the future of BCI technology looks promising, offering hope and new beginnings to many 💖.
Reference(s):
Brain-computer interface tech offers new hope for stroke patients
cgtn.com
