Mind Switch control of implantable stimulators for the profoundly disabled

Funding: 2001: $50,860
2002: $40,000
2003: $43,000

Project Member(s): Nguyen, H.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC SPIRT (Strategic Partnerships with Industry Re)
Motor Accident Authority (Motor Accident Authority Partner Funds)
Neopraxis Pty Ltd

Start year: 2001

Summary: Industries in Australia have been developing implanted leg electrode technology that allows paraplegics to stand. However, a major problem is that the paraplegics' hands are needed to provide balance, rather than activate the implanted electrodes. This research will involve a collaboration of the two companies with UTS to investigate the potential of a hands free method (Mind Switch; MS) to control the implanted leg electrodes. Aims include (i) testing the efficacy of the MS to control the implanted electrodes and (ii) the APAI student studying the brain signals of paraplegics in order to isolate extra switches also capable of controlling the electrodes. This research would be expected to produce technology that allows paraplegics to use their brain signals to control implanted electrodes that allows them to regain some control of their legs.

Publications:

Boord, P, Barriskill, A, Craig, A & Nguyen, H 2004, 'Brain–Computer Interface—FES Integration: Towards a Hands-free Neuroprosthesis Command System', Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 267-276.
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Tran, Y, Boord, P, Middleton, J & Craig, A 2004, 'Levels of brain wave activity (8–13 Hz) in persons with spinal cord injury', Spinal Cord, vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 73-79.
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TRAN, Y, CRAIG, A, BARTROP, R & NICHOLSON, G 2004, 'TIME COURSE AND REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF CORTICAL CHANGES DURING ACUTE ALCOHOL INGESTION', International Journal of Neuroscience, vol. 114, no. 7, pp. 863-878.
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McIsaac, P, Craig, AR, Tran, YH & Boord, PR 2002, 'The mind switch enviornmental control system :remote hands free control for the severely disabled', Technology and Disability, vol. 14, no. N/A, pp. 15-20.

Keywords: Paraplegia; Implantable stimulators; Biomedical; EEG; Disability; Hands free; environmental control

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.