Brain Computer Interfaces - Term Paper Example

Brain Computer Interfaces Affiliation with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contactBrain Computer Interfaces              As the name suggests Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) enables communication between brain and other devices. BCI records the brain signals, and allows it to communicate and manage its environment. The brain signals were first discovered in animals by Richard Caton in the year 1875. It was in 1929 that Hans Berger recorded these signals from human brain.

Since then, “electroencephalographic (EEG) activity has been used mainly for clinical diagnosis and for exploring brain function.” (Wolpaw, R & Birbaumer, Niels p 602.).Scientists have always speculated that EEG might prove helpful for a completely different kind of purpose, which is infact another way of sending messages to the brain, and instructions to the outside world. Until this discovery, the control and communication system solely depended on the muscles and nerves. But with EEG, communication with out the use of muscles and nerves is achieved with the help of brain computer interface.

“Brain computer Interfaces a new communication and control option for individuals for whom convenient options are ineffective.”  It provides a way of communication and control for those people who are disabled, for whom the normal way of communication is literally impossible.Working of Brain Computer InterfacesThe goal of the BCI system is to listening to the brain, understand its intent, and then to materialize that intent without the involvement of muscles. This is the reason why BCI s is also termed as “mind reading technology” (Wolpaw, R & Birbaumer, Niels p.603).  (Wolpaw, R & McFarland).

 The BCI system reads the “Electrophysiological signals reflecting brain activity, and they are acquired from the scalp, cortical surface or from within the brain” (Wolpaw, R & Birbaumer, Niels) . They are transferred to measure certain signals which help in knowing the intent of the user. These signals are converted into commands. These commands, in turn, fulfil the user intent like operating a machine, speaking something, walking in a particular direction etc.Brain Computer Interfaces can be classified into three types, and they are “invasive, semi invasive, and non invasive”.

(Brain Computer Interfaces).The interfaces which are Invasive are directly implanted in the brain. These are normally used in blind or paralyzed patients. The interfaces which are semi invasive are implanted inside the brain but not within the brain of an individual. Non invasive interfaces “record the brain signals through a neuro-imaging procedure” (Brain Computer Interfaces).Brain Computer Interfaces still have a long way to go. Researches are being conducted to understand brain functioning and to map it efficiently to an electronic device.

There is no doubt that the new discoveries would take BCIs to a new level. Presently, the main focus of BCI is just on helping the individuals who are disabled in some or the other way. In the future, hopefully, it would help us to understand how we can use our brain effectively, or even more than that.Work citedBrain Computer Interfaces. Retrieved from McFarland, J Dennis & Wolpaw, R Jonathan. Brain- computer Interfaces for Communication and Control. Retrieved from Wolpaw, R Jonathan & Birbaumer, Niels.

Brain- computer Interfaces for Communication and Control. Retrieved from