Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
increasingly sophisticated limb prostheses to human amputees (Hochberg, Serruma et al.,
2006; Musallam, Corneil et al., 2004; Nicolelis 2011; Serruma and Donoghue, 2003). Re-
search conducted at Brown University trained a rhesus monkey to track visual targets on
a computer screen without using a joystick (Serruma, Hatsopoulos et al., 2002). More re-
cently, experiments conducted by the same group in 2006, using a similar brain-computer
interface, showed that a monkey could feed itself using a robotic arm controlled directly
by its own brain. On this front, progress is being made in our understanding of how the
brain operates, based primarily on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies,
and our ability to use light to trigger neural activity (Nagel, Brauner et al., 2005). Some fu-
turists believe that within the next few decades such interfaces will no longer be necessary
as we will be capable of replacing the human brain with a computer (Kurtzweil, 2005).
Where the body is intact but is dysfunctional, new lightweight materials, improved
batteries, and small but powerful actuators will be used to provide full-body powered
exoskeletons that will allow the wheelchair bound to walk again (Nicolelis, 2011; Pons,
2008). Already, exoskeletons have been developed as walking aids or assistive limbs for
the aged and as mechanisms to provide users with superhuman strength (Stevens, 2010).
Other exciting biomechatronic applications that have been promised for some time
but are not yet available are nano-machines that could be injected into the body to perform
microsurgery in inaccessible areas. To date, improvements in microelectromechanical
system (MEMS) technology have facilitated the development of small devices that are
capable of locomotion through liquids (Sanchez, Solovev et al., 2011).
Micro actuators have been developed that are capable of stimulating the ossicles within
the human ear to restore hearing to the deaf. This technology is advancing quickly and
may replace audio amplification based hearing aids in the near future (Shohet, 2008).
Advances in signal processing and the reliable and safe electrical stimulation of neu-
rons have made the cochlear implant the most common prosthetic in the world. This
success has fostered research into other sensory prosthetics focused mostly on restoring
sight to the blind. Electrode arrays are now routinely inserted into the visual cortex and
onto the retina to provide rudimentary vision. It is envisaged that within a decade these
implants will allow blind people to navigate through their environments with confidence
and even to read again (Lovell, Hallum et al., 2007). Ultimately, visual implants may offer
color vision or even hyperspectral capabilities—the ability to see up into the ultraviolet or
down in frequency into the infrared.
Biomechatronic devices are already replacing diseased hearts to prolong and improve
the quality of the lives of patients. Improvements in electromechanical devices, materials
technology, and computational fluid dynamics continue this trend with patients now able
to lead almost normal lives (Deng and Naka, 2007).
In the future it may be possible to provide other artificial organs including lungs
(Downs, 2002), improved kidneys, and maybe even livers.
1.6
REFERENCES
Cromwell, L., F. Weibell, and E. A. Pfeiffer. (1973).
Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurements
.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Deng, M. and Y. Naka. (2007).
Mechanical Circulatory Support Therapy in Advanced Heart Failure
.
London: Imperial College Press.
Downs, M. (2002). “Artifical Lung Closer to Clinical Trial.”
WebMD
. Retrieved March 2011 from
http://www.webmd.com/lung/features/artificial-lung-closer-to-clinical-trial
