'Telepathic' microchip could help paraplegics control computers

LONDON: A 'telepathic' microchip that enables paraplegics to control computers has been developed by Dr Jon Spratley, a British scientist.
Dr Jon Spratley says his device could motor neuron sufferers such as Stephen Hawking, operate PCs and television by thought alone.
The chip is implanted onto the surface of the brain, where it monitors electronic 'thought' pulses. While paraplegics may be unable to move their limbs, their brains still produce an electronic signal when they try.
It means paraplegics, amputees or those with motor neurone disease, such as Stephen Hawking, could be able to operate light switches, PCs and even cars by the power of thought alone.
The device picks up neural signals from the brain's motor cortex, and captures the moment a paralysed patient tries to move their limbs.
This impulse is then transmitted to a relay station implanted in the skull, which in turn sends the signal to a receiver housed in simple computers.
Tests have shown the technology to work in the laboratory, but trials are yet to begin on humans.