Posted on 12/30/2021 12:42:15 PM PST by Red Badger
Philip O'Keefe, a 62-year-old amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patient in Australia recently became the first person to post a message on social media using only his thoughts. On December 23, he posted an initial brief message, "Hello World," on Twitter.
The technology that allowed O'Keefe to send his message was developed by brain computer interface company, Synchron—the device is called the Stentrode Brain Computer Interface (SBCI); a type of endovascular brain implant. It was implanted into O'Keefe's brain without opening his skull—instead, it was inserted through his jugular vein. The tiny (8 mm) brain implant was designed to allow people who have lost the ability to speak to communicate using only their thoughts. The SBCI is wireless and works by reading brainwaves and translating them to words—the motor neuroprosthesis was placed into O'Keefe's brain using techniques that have been used for several years to treat people with strokes. Human clinical trials have been underway in Australia for over a year—currently, the device has been implanted in just one other person, but more are planned.
O'Keefe, like other ALS patients, experienced progressive paralysis, which left him unable to speak earlier this year. The SBCI was implanted in April and he began using it to communicate shortly thereafter—he is now able to compose messages by thinking of words or actions (such as mouse clicks), which are translated to activity on a computer screen. His history-making social media message was posted on Twitter using Synchron CEO Thomas Oxley's account. His initial message was followed up by a lengthier text detailing how he had come to embrace the new technology. He also noted that he is hoping that his involvement in the SBCI program will help to pave the way for new kinds of technology that will allow those who have lost the ability to speak or move to regain their independence.
Officials with Synchron have noted in the past that they plan to expand on the SBCI to include development of devices that can be used to diagnose and perhaps even treat conditions such as Parkinson's, hypertension, epilepsy and even depression.
That sounds like "Mr. Watson, come here I need you" or "One small step for man, a giant leap for mankind."
If only he had posted something more interesting and significant like.
“Please Save us” or “keep your guns”
Or ... Let’s Go Brandon!..............
if he lost his ability speech, he probably lost his ability to swallow and is on a feeding tube. I doubt he’s aware of the lets go brandon thing.
LOL
More likely it’s because it’s the first thing anyone sends in their coding lesson.
That phrase has a 50-year history of being what a new {whatever} emits as a first message.
It was perfectly appropriate, and I'm quite sure it was no coincidence.
The only phrase that made me smile....
Shows how little you know about a person with ALS. SHAME
A person with ALS is fully capable of thinking and rational thoughts. Their body just does not cooperate.
if he lost his ability speech, he probably lost his ability to swallow and is on a feeding tube. I doubt he’s aware of the lets go brandon thing.
What a bunch of tacky comments about a guy ALS. This is something miraculous yet treated here like a joke. All of you should be ashamed.
Biden has some form of dementia and has had a portion of his brain excised, yet I don’t see anyone lightening up on the jokes about him.
That aside, nobody is intending to be an asshole (I think). Jokes are jokes. I seriously doubt any of those comments were intended cruelty.
But that's a small sacrifice to be cancer-free with everything else functioning. I always was one to think much and speak little anyway...and one could always be worse off like this ALS fellow. Told my doctors to get the voicebox from the next idiot rock singer that offs himself because there's been a lot of them. Waste not...
Yes, this device is a wonderful achievement and I believe that as time goes on we will make even further great advances in technological communications for those who have lost the biological means.
I like your idea of harvesting a deceased rock singer's voicebox. Knowing the generally foolish things that have emerged from those voiceboxes in their original owners, having one in your possession would be a substantial improvement in the quality and sanity of its output. :-)
Wow, that’s amazing!
I’m fully aware of the ALS thing as my grandmother died of it and I saw it take over until she was not able to speak or swallow. And If I understand the disease correctly it means my mother has a 50% chance of getting it and if so than 50% for myself.
Most people aren’t focused on politics that much. And I doubt someone in the end stage of ALS is going to be caring about how much Joe Biden looks like a clown. That’s my two cents.
Sorry about your friend. Fortunately most fields of medicine are still advancing despite the dark COVID cloud of fear most physicians are having to endure these days. During my last visit to the VA I saw a bionic arm fella and a deaf kid able to hear through a brain implant system. What was improbable science fiction when we were children is now becoming commonplace. Amazing.
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