[Hplusroadmap] Fwd: [tt] WTEC: Assessment of Brain-Computer Interface Research
Bryan Bishop
kanzure at gmail.com
Thu Dec 13 19:18:28 CST 2007
---------- Forwarded Message ----------
Subject: [tt] WTEC: Assessment of Brain-Computer Interface Research
Date: Thursday 13 December 2007
From: "Hughes, James J." <James.Hughes at trincoll.edu>
To: tt at postbiota.org, "News and views from the IEET"
<ieet-news at ieet.org>
http://www.wtec.org/bci/
International Assessment of Brain-Computer Interface Research
Final Report
A low-resolution version of the final report of this study is available
for download in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format [~6 MB]:
http://www.wtec.org/bci/BCI-finalreport-10Oct2007-lowres.pdf
Background of the Study
Advances in computational technology, component miniaturization,
biocompatibility of materials, and sensor technology will lead to
improved feasibility of useful brain-computer interfaces in the next
five years. Since the 1970s there has been increasing interest among
agencies of the Federal government, such as NSF, DARPA, ONR, AFOSR, U.S.
Army, NIST, and NIH, state agencies, universities, and private industry
in improving human-computer interaction and developing a BCI system.
Judging from scientific papers published in technical journals and at
conferences, BCI has seen increasing interest since 2000, when the First
International Meeting on Brain-Computer Interface Technology was held
and reported in the IEEE Transactions on Rehabilitation Engineering. The
literature of the field has doubled since 2002.
Experiments with animals and demonstrations by a few human quadriplegics
have shown that useful neural signals from the brain can be sensed,
interpreted and used to drive a computer or simple prosthetic device.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has an initiative to fully
develop a brain signal interfaced prosthetic arm within five years.
Similar commercially developed prosthetics are expected to follow
rapidly.
Hardware, software and devices for BCI research are available and being
developed at universities and are being spun-off intcommercial
enterprises, for example, the University of Utah Array, the University
of Michigan Array and biomimetic VSLI chips at the University of
Southern California. These technologies are now enabling rapid
advancement of neural signal recording and interpretation for prosthetic
devices.
Neuron firing in the brain may be detected through electrodes normally
inserted in the cortex, singly or in multiple electrode arrays, or
through electrodes placed non-invasively in contact with the scalp using
electroencephalographic methods (EEG). Magnetoencephalographic activity
(MEG), thermography, functional MRI interpretation and analysis of near
infrared spectrum (NIRS) activity are being considered as auxiliary
sensing methods.
Need for an International Study
Significant activity in BCI research is evident overseas and in Canada.
Japanese research in the use of near infrared spectrum (NIRS) sensing
and interpretation may be leading the world. The University of
Tuebingen, Germany, Lund University, Sweden, Fraunhofer Institute,
Berlin, Korean Research Institute, Brain Science Institute, RIKEN,
Japan, and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, among
others, have ongoing research programs in BCI. China and Brazil are
emerging with active research programs in BCI. The Defense Evaluation
Research Agency of the U.K. also has programs in BCI research.
Understanding the status and trends in BCI research abroad will inform
program managers in U.S. research agencies and the researchers in the
field to enable more effective scientific exchanges, direct more focused
research in promising areas, and produce international collaboration.
Purpose and Scope
Purpose
The goal of this study is to gather information on the worldwide status
and trends in brain-computer interface research and to disseminate it to
government decision makers and the research community.
The study panelists will gather information on BCI research abroad,
which will be useful to the U.S. Government in its own programs. The
study will critically analyze and compare the research in the United
States with that being pursued in Japan, Europe, or other selected
countries. This information will serve the following purposes:
* Identify good ideas overseas worth exploring in U.S. R&D programs
* Clarify research opportunities and needs for promoting progress in
the field generally
* Identify specific opportunities (persons and institutions) for
international collaboration
* Evaluate the position of foreign research programs relative to
those in the U.S.
Scope of the Study
The study will review the status and trends of research and development
with respect to BCI that are important for achieving successful
implementation of BCI systems. The study will emphasize the neural
engineering and systems engineering aspects of BCI, including
computational algorithms and control methods, to effect synthetic human
motor movement through neuroprosthetic systems, i.e. manipulation of a
prosthesis or tele-operated device, in response to planned motor
movement (PMM) activity in the applicable area of the cortex.
The sponsors of the BCI study in consultation with the chair person will
specify the scope of the study. The discussion below is meant to aid in
the determination of the desired priorities of the assessment of BCI
abroad.
In a recent informal discussion at a BCI workshop at MITRE Corporation,
Tysons Corner, VA, leading researchers suggested that the following
areas were important to advancing achievements in the field.
* Improved implantable components: biocompatibility of electrodes
for long term use; arrays conforming the gyri and folds of the cortex;
finer resolution of neural activity
* Mathematical modeling methods for large amounts of data produced
by arrays of 100 electrodes or more
* Sensor development and new approaches to delivery to cortical
sites of interest, perhaps through nanodevices
* Improved probability modeling for neural spike train signals
* Solving dexterous manipulation with feedback and control systems
* Providing actuator technology, component miniaturization, and
energy storage, light enough for human wearability of the systems
* Better understanding of electro-physical and systems activities of
the cortex
* Creation of standard data sets for evaluating various newly
developed algorithms and modeling assumptions
Among the significant elements of research are:
* Signal detection of PMM, which may be through direct probing of
the cortex, or remotely through associated e-m or other signals at the
scalp or e-m signals along other neural pathways which convey PMM
* Signal Processing and Control
o Noise filtering
o Recognition of PMM signals
o Production of effector command signals
o Control and tuning of effector commands through appropriate
sensing mechanisms for the activity
o Measuring effectiveness of processing and control through
use of standard data sets and other methods
o Efficiency and effectiveness of processing algorithms
* Bioengineering of multielectrode sensing arrays
* Prosthetics/Effectors
o May be computer controlled prosthesis or other devices
o May have embedded intelligence with appropriate distributed
control system
* Applications
o May include successful animal research with transfer
potential to humans
o Will include both invasive and non-invasive signal sensing
systems
o May include work on wireless sensor transmitters embedded in
the cortex or
o Other neural pathways (Since cochlear implants and synthetic
vision implants are extensive research areas in their own right, this
study will NOT assess those fields.)
The following lists issues that may be of interest in assessing the
field.
* Theories of cognitive and neural operations for motor control from
a bioengineering perspective
* Cortical plasticity impacted by BCI and impacting on BCI
* Neural signals dependence (or independence) of normal
neuromuscular control channels
* Sensors for neural activity
* Research on capacities and limitations of non-muscular
communication channels
* Analytical methods, algorithms and systems for neural sensor input
* Computer software, hardware, and useful peripherals
* Design of the computer interface for direct neural input
* Implant retrieval/patient follow-up
* Feedback control; control algorithms
* Sensing and measuring techniques
* Limitations/advances of cognitive science in this field
* Special requirements for different injuries and impairments of the
users
* Training methods for the user and the artificial intelligence of a
computer interface
* Subject training (operand conditioning) vs. machine training
* Invasive vs. non-invasive measurements of neural signals
* Evoked potentials vs. spontaneous central nervous system (CNS)
responses
* Signal processing and machine learning techniques for BCI
* Successful applications of BCI
* Implant retrieval and follow up with patients
* Metrics for measuring and sensing
* Tactile sensing for feedback, especially in artificial limbs
Since the result of the assessment of BCI abroad will inform U.S.
government research support and policies, topics related to policy,
research direction, new education programs, and technology transfer may
be of interest:
* Higher education curriculum advances to facilitate BCI
* Government programs and policies with respect to BCI
* Technology transfer programs in support of BCI
* Cultural, ethical, and political considerations for use of brain
activity information and prosthetic devices
* What are the regulatory issues? How are they handled abroad?
* What are some of the obstacles and limitations to further progress
in this area?
* What are the suggested future areas of study? What are the
opportunities?
Panel
Ted Berger
Theodore
W. Berger
(Panel Chair)
* Professor of Biomedical Engineering, David Packard Chair in
Engineering
Neurophysiology of memory and learning, nonlinear systems analysis
of hippocampal network properties, neurobiology.
* Dr. Theodore W. Berger
David Packard Professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience Program
Director, Center for Neural Engineering
166 Denney Research Bldg.
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089
* Web:
http://bme.usc.edu/directory/faculty/primary-faculty/theodore-w-berger/
John Chapin
John Chapin
* John Chapin, Ph.D. Professor
SUNY Health Science Ctr
Dept of Physiology and Pharmacology
450 Clarkson Ave
Brooklyn NY 11203
* Web: http://www.downstate.edu/pharmacology/chapin.htm
Greg A. Gerhardt
Greg A. Gerhardt
* Greg A. Gerhardt, Ph.D. Professor,
Departments of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Neurology and Psychiatry
Director, Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Center of
Excellence
Director, Center for Sensor Technology
306 MRISC Bldg.
800 Rose Street
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40536-0098
* Web: http://www.mc.uky.edu/neurobiology/research/gerhardt.asp
Dennis McFarland
Dennis McFarland
* Dennis McFarland, Ph.D. Research Scientist
Wadsworth Laboratories
PO Box 509
Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 1220
Jose C. Principe
Jose C. Principe
* Jose C. Principe, Ph.D. BellSouth Professor
Departments of Electrical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering
NEB 451, Bldg #33
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611
* Web: http://www.cnel.ufl.edu/principe/principe.html
Dawn M. Taylor
Dawn M. Taylor
* Dawn M. Taylor, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Biomedical
Engineering
Case Western Reserve University
Wickenden Building 108
10900 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106-7207
* Web: http://bme.case.edu/faculty_staff/taylor/
Patrick A. Tresco
Patrick A. Tresco
* Patrick A. Tresco, Ph.D. Professor
Department of Bioengineering
Director, Keck Center for Tissue Engineering
108D BPRB
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
* Web: http://www.bioen.utah.edu/faculty/PAT/
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