Silicon Updates: The Brain-Computer interface for lower back pain treatment

Recently, the electronic technology has introduced the Pillcam that helps diagnosing for Endoscopy and Colonoscopy. A step forward, scientists are working on interfacing human brain and a computer. The interfacing is based on the study of intercepting the noise and cross-talk between the neurons. Brain-computer Interfacing (BCI) is also called Mind-Machine Interface (MMI) or Direct Neural Interface (DNI). The research of BCI was initiated by University of California, Los Angeles.

Neurons are the basic building blocks of human brain. These neurons generate electric signals for every activity of the brain. These signals are generated by differences in electric potential carried by ions on the membrane of each neuron. These electric signals travel through the insulation layer Myelin. Though Myelin is a an insulation layer, certain electrical signals escape through it; this is the reason for which we forget things all of sudden. Scientists are now working on these escaped signals to use them as interfaces between humans and machines.

Brain Computer interfacing process

When these signals are put into proper usage, they can help study how the human brain really works. The senses that a human brain experiences can be reduced, probably nullified, with deep study of these signals. The first and major application of this study is found in the treatment of lower back pain.
Back pain is normally classified into three categories.
Disorders caused by slipped or burnt discs. These disorders cause inflammation and affect people over time.
Disorders caused by damaged nerves. These disorders cause heavy pain and the effects are instantaneous.
Musculoskeletal disorders. They cause inner pain i.e., pain in the muscles.

Working of Brain computer interface

In all of these cases, the electrical signals to the brain are observed with different characteristics. But, the study is still not up to the mark. Normally, the activities of brain and the signals generated can be observed using ElectroEncephaloGraphy (EEG). Normally, the electrodes out of this machine are connected to the scalp of the patient. But, with this research, scientists are trying to capture the electrical signals generated directly from the gray matter of the brain.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Based upon recent research outcomes, scientists have finalised that they will be soon implementing the BCI systems for the treatment of lower back pain. Hope this research will reach success.