BrainPort is a technology whereby sensory information can be sent to one’s brain through an electrode array which sits atop the tongue. It was initially developed by Paul Bach-y-Rita as an aid to people’s sense of balance, particularly of stroke victims. Bach-y-Rita founded Wicab in 1998.
It has also been developed for use as a visual aid, demonstrating its ability to allow a blind person to see his or her surroundings in polygonal and pixel form. In this scenario, a camera picks up the image of the surrounding, the information is processed by a chip which converts it into impulses which are sent through an electrode array, via the tongue, to the person’s brain. The human brain is able to interpret these impulses as visual signals and they are then redirected to the visual cortex, allowing the person to “see.” This is similar in part to how a cochlear implant works, in that it transmits electrical stimuli to a receiving device in the body.
The BrainPort V100 oral electronic vision aid was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 18, 2015.
Overview
The BrainPort Vision Device is a sensory substitution system
BrainPort is a non-surgical visual prosthetic that translates information from a digital video camera to the user’s tongue, using gentle electrical stimulation. It was initially developed by Paul Bach-y-Rita as an aid to people’s sense of balance, particularly of stroke victims. Bach-y-Rita founded Wicab in 1998 to further develop and market BrainPort.
How it works
The BrainPort consists of a headset with a video camera and an electrode array that sits on the tongue. The video camera captures images of the user’s surroundings and sends them to a computer. The computer then converts the images into electrical signals and sends them to the electrode array. The electrode array stimulates the tongue, creating a sensation of vision.
Benefits
BrainPort has been shown to be effective in helping people with visual impairments to navigate their surroundings and perform everyday tasks. It has also been shown to improve the sense of balance in people with balance disorders.
Drawbacks
BrainPort is not a cure for blindness, and it does not provide the same level of visual acuity as natural vision. It can also be difficult to learn how to use BrainPort effectively.
Future research
Researchers are continuing to develop BrainPort and other visual prosthetics. They are working to improve the resolution and accuracy of BrainPort, and to make it easier to use. They are also exploring ways to use BrainPort to help people with other conditions, such as autism and dyslexia.
References
- ^ Prather, Laura (15 February 2007). “Tongue creates sight for blind: Visually impaired persons will be able to use device to sense images on tongue” (PDF). Truman State University Index. 98 (20): 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 June 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2009.
- ^ Wicab retrieved 4 October 2009
- ^ Article briefly discusses the use of the BrainPort as a balance aid for stroke victims.
- ^ “BrainPort, Dr. Paul Bach-y-Rita, and Sensory Substitution, 23 November 2004”. Archived from the original on 29 April 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2009.
- ^ How Stuff Works: How BrainPort works retrieved 4 October 2009
- ^ Can you see with your tongue? Discover Magazine published 1 June 2003
- ^ “Press Announcements – FDA allows marketing of new device to help the blind process visual signals via their tongues”. www.fda.gov. Retrieved 14 February 2016.