Erik Sorto enjoying his first 12 oz lift.
A gunshot wound 13 years ago left Erik Sorto paralyzed, unable to do even the simplest of tasks by himself. But now, thanks to the miracles of modern science, Erik Sorto's life is changing in a dramatic way. Scientists at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena made in incredible breakthrough, allowing him to move his prosthetic arm with a mind-reading chip implanted in his brain.
From BrainDecoder.com:
Robotic limbs are nowadays often controlled by electrodes implanted in the brain, aiming to harness the brain signals that are isolated from the body after a spinal injury. Previously, scientists had put microchips in the motor cortex, a part of the brain that directs voluntary physical activity. However, this led to motions that were delayed and jolting, not the smooth gestures associated with natural movement. This is because the motor cortex controls many different muscles, so for any one gesture, patients had to painstakingly focus on which muscles to activate for each specific component of the gesture. For example, when it comes to picking up a cup of water, one might have to concentrate about lifting one's arm, extending the arm, closing the hand around the cup, and so on.
But in the new experiment, reported in the May 22 issue of Science, Andersen and his colleagues decided to implant the electrodes in a different part of the brain, the posterior parietal cortex, or PPC, which is located on the top of the brain near the back. Research in monkeys and humans has shown that PPC controls the intent to move rather than the details of executing movements. The scientists hoped that this approach would allow the patient to produce more natural, fluid motions.
One of Erik's goals was to be able to pick up and drink a beer all on his own. This week he did just that. In the best 60 seconds you'll see today, watch this incredible achievement and see the pure joy in the face of Erik and the scientists: