The T&C Chen Brain-Machine Interface Center, led by Richard Andersen, Caltech’s James G. Boswell Professor of Neuroscience is advancing work on a new generation of devices that can directly communicate with the brain. These neuroprosthetics enable people with paralysis to control robotic limbs and computer interfaces by simply thinking about moving. Similarly, these devices can stimulate the brain to restore the senses of touch and movement previously lost due to brain disease or injury. The Chen BMI Center not only provides the infrastructure and coordination for researchers to develop these devices, but also fosters a multi-disciplinary and comprehensive scientific environment for scientists.
Clinical Trials
The Chen Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) center supports researchers working on several projects that advance neuroprosthetic technology. In one FDA approved clinical study, researchers are comparing neural signals from different brain regions that contribute to planning and executing movements. These studies build on the foundational science of intention (Intention), cognition, and perception to provide new insights into human brain function that enable the next generation of neural prosthetic interfaces (Clinical trials). In another FDA approved clinical study, researchers at the Chen BMI Center aim to replace lost sensations by electrically stimulating the brain (Restoring sensation). This “bi-directional” brain-machine interface supplements the control of a robotic limb by delivering somatosensory feedback. This artificially induced sense of touch will allow more dexterous performance for patients controlling robotic limbs or exoskeletons.
New Technologies
The clinical and commercial success of brain-machine interfaces requires the development of novel technologies that are safer and more effective. To this end, the Chen BMI Center also supports the engineering, development, and study of several new technologies (New technologies). One such project is developing chronically-implantable chips that record and translate brain activity into assistive control signals. The integration of neural signals with state-of-the art exoskeletons and robotic limbs will expand the ways patients can benefit from assistive implants. Finally, to expand the population of people who can benefit from BMI technology, the Chen BMI center supports translational studies of new, less-invasive, high-performance technologies in animal models and humans. One project is currently exploring the feasibility of using a novel ultrasound-based neuroimaging technique to “read” movement intention signals in a minimally invasive manner.
Learn more on TCCI for Neuroscience website
Photo Credit: Caltech