Revolutionizing Paralysis Treatment with a Two Way Brain-Computer Interface: Restoring Movement and Touch for Spinal Injury Patients

Craig: so we've talked about brain computer interfaces before, specifically, mostly the neuralink processor, but there are a few others out there. but we've been focused on that when they came to canada and with that because it's getting all the press. so recent experiments now, we have a two way computer brain interfaces that's allowing paralyzed, limbs to touch again. yeah. this is crazy, john.

Jon: this is cool. yeah. it's not just about moving a hand anymore. it's about feeling the hand move, if i can put it that way. so there's this bidirectional loop, and what it does is it mimics natural sensory motor integration. so that's it allows so i think that his name was ian. he could distinguish between a grape and a cotton ball after years of paralysis. so this is not it's not just about the bci, the hardware itself, but it's also about ai and machine learning. so the machine learning doesn't just decode intentions, it predicts errors. so if the system detects a mismatch between intended grip strength and sensory feedback, it will adjust the stimulation in milliseconds, like, put into perspective, like an autonomous car correcting its steering. so the one thing, though, about this is that adding sensory feedback requires about 10 x computational power than a motor only system. so, there's there's this new chip. i think it's chisunga's chip. it's a neuromorphic chip. it can mimic brain architecture. we can cover it another time. but that is essential to avoid lag and maintain that that connection so that it's it's usable. right? so this is really cool. what do you think about this? is this scary? is this cool? or is there it's a little

Craig: bit of i mean, it's cool because of what they're doing and the practical applications. it was keith thomas who, was paralyzed in a diving accident, in 2020, and now he lifts and drinks from a cup on his own.

Jon: crazy.

Craig: you see it in this picture here. i'll try and zoom in a little bit where he's got the device hooked up it, you know, it moves based on his thoughts. so it's it can move based on yeah. and this is amazing. yeah. the two way thing is great because now, you can get the touch feedback, and this is great that the feedback has a result in his ability to feel with his hand to use those sensations during his move, and he can feel the cup, which is really strange and weird.

Jon: yeah. yeah. this is awesome. this is the next step in solving or overcoming paralysis, i think.

Craig: yes. and one, i read it here that there's been a couple of cases where they can actually feel, when the machine isn't on.

Jon: oh.

Craig: so it it appears like it's retraining, neurobias. problems are all the double neurobias system could potentially, treat to help other places with spinal cord injuries as well as conditions such as stroke. so it feels like it's retraining the brain or whatever, to do these things. it's, it may be a long term treatment, not just a, you need a computer chip forever.

Jon: yeah. yeah.

Craig: so go ahead.

Jon: i'll i'll take another approach at this. there's ethical considerations.

Craig: yeah.

Jon: so with that now that bcis are now capable of transmitting abstract data, so example, temperature and texture, we're definitely entering uncharted territories. so a question to you is, should users download new senses?

Craig: interesting. as soon as you get new senses, it's the whole experience. we feel like we're somewhere between what was that show the network, i think, where or it might not be in the network where everybody was online. it was built in. you were getting ads right in your eye and stuff.

Jon: oh, i

Craig: didn't know. combine that with euphoria, and i think that's where we're headed.

Jon: yeah. i this like, is this are we going to a saas model with this or a subscription model? because, like, that like, there needs to be regulatory frameworks, and they're lagging behind this tech for sure as we've seen with all of these tests that have been going on with bcis.

Craig: yeah. research has, observed during the study some, spared nerve connections appeared to strengthen, leading to permanent sensory gains even when the system was disconnected. i just wanted to, you know, re rephrase that again. so, yeah, you're right. but, like, as soon as i think it goes beyond that. i think it goes beyond you know, as soon as it's two way, how do you know what you're feeling is what you're feeling? how do you know you're not being controlled by someone else to feel good, to feel bad, to do, you know, whatever? and we're already worked up as a society. as you just turn on the tv, you can see different things going on, but people are up in arms about this or happy about that or what have you. now i have somebody controlling them on a mass level. what was that neil stephenson book? i think this is snow crash we're talking about right here right now.

Jon: okay. yeah. yeah. it's, it's scary. i like where this tech is going. i hope that regulatory bodies catch up and kind of regulate this before it gets too far and they can't go backwards, but, i think this is great. i think this is this is phenomenal.

Craig: yeah. i mean, the development of two way brain interface marks a watershed moment and paralysis treatment by successfully restoring movement and touch sensation in a patient with a severe spinal cord injury. researchers at northwell health feinstein institutes have demonstrated the extraordinary potential of the integrated bci system. this breakthrough combines advanced electrode arrays, ai algorithms, and noninvasive stimulation into a cohesive solution that addresses multiple aspects of paralysis, paving the way for more secure intervention. so from what i understand, it took them a couple of months to get used to the system, and they use it well, and the ai is adapting while it's doing it. fantastic. but as we stand on this brink of incredible, breakthroughs in technology and, quality of life for, several people that could have spinal cord injuries and others. we also have to be aware of the potential impact that we can have over the negative, aspects. like, we talked about advertising, controlling your mood, become addicted. can you start controlling your emotions yourself with your app on your thing? and, you know, what does that mean? you know, people get strung out pretty easily on anything. if you can get strung out on your own emotions, that would be interesting. so we'd love to hear your feedback. is this a dangerous path, or is this a brave new technology we need to be, embracing and love the love the way we're going? love to hear your feedback.