Collaborative approach in the development of high-performance brain-computer interfaces for a neuroprosthetic arm: translation from animal models to human control
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Our research group recently demonstrated that a person with tetraplegia could use a brain-computer interface (BCI) to control a sophisticated anthropomorphic robotic arm with skill and speed approaching that of an able-bodied person. This multiyear study exemplifies important principles in translating research from foundational theory and animal experiments into a clinical study. We present a roadmap that may serve as an example for other areas of clinical device research as well as an update on study results. Prior to conducting a multiyear clinical trial, years of animal research preceded BCI testing in an epilepsy monitoring unit, and then in a short-term (28 days) clinical investigation. Scientists and engineers developed the necessary robotic and surgical hardware, software environment, data analysis techniques, and training paradigms. Coordination among researchers, funding institutes, and regulatory bodies ensured that the study would provide valuable scientific information in a safe environment for the study participant. Finally, clinicians from neurosurgery, anesthesiology, physiatry, psychology, and occupational therapy all worked in a multidisciplinary team along with the other researchers to conduct a multiyear BCI clinical study. This teamwork and coordination can be used as a model for others attempting to translate basic science into real-world clinical situations.
Keywords
brain, clinical trials, methodology, translational research
Medical Subject Headings
Adult; Animals; Artificial Limbs (statistics & numerical data); Brain-Computer Interfaces (statistics & numerical data); Cooperative Behavior; Electroencephalography; Humans; Male; Models, Animal; Primates; Prosthesis Design; Quadriplegia (rehabilitation); Robotics (instrumentation, statistics & numerical data); Software; Spinal Cord Injuries (rehabilitation); Translational Research, Biomedical; User-Computer Interface
Publication Date
2-1-2014
Publication Title
Clinical and translational science
E-ISSN
1752-8062
Volume
7
Issue
1
First Page
52
Last Page
9
PubMed ID
24528900
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1111/cts.12086
Recommended Citation
Collinger, Jennifer L.; Kryger, Michael A.; Barbara, Richard; Betler, Timothy; Bowsher, Kristen; Brown, Elke H.; Clanton, Samuel T.; Degenhart, Alan D.; Foldes, Stephen T.; Gaunt, Robert A.; Gyulai, Ferenc E.; Harchick, Elizabeth A.; Harrington, Deborah; Helder, John B.; Hemmes, Timothy; Johannes, Matthew S.; Katyal, Kapil D.; Ling, Geoffrey S.; McMorland, Angus J.; Palko, Karina; Para, Matthew P.; Scheuermann, Janet; Schwartz, Andrew B.; Skidmore, Elizabeth R.; Solzbacher, Florian; Srikameswaran, Anita V.; Swanson, Dennis P.; Swetz, Scott; Tyler-Kabara, Elizabeth C.; Velliste, Meel; Wang, Wei; and Weber, Douglas J., "Collaborative approach in the development of high-performance brain-computer interfaces for a neuroprosthetic arm: translation from animal models to human control" (2014). Translational Neuroscience. 2198.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurobiology/2198