Neurova.com
New Prospects for Neural Genesis

Neurova concerns the genesis and differentiation of neural cells. Currently, neurova.com remains a concept-stage informational site. Future development may include reports on research advances and medical applications. In laboratories today, monkeys have been trained to reach objects on a data processor screen through impulses from implanted electrode arrays in their brains. The neural impulses in the brain are intercepted and used to control the integrated circuit device. There is hope that this line of analysis will some day lead to the assembly of motor neuroprosthetics for humans that restore independent control of the body lost due to spinal cord injury, sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, stroke, and various conditions. Several companies are working on designing a Brain Computer Interface (BCI) to facilitate humans to control prosthetic limbs through commands directly from the brain and nervous system. A fully functional BCI for humans remains in the realm of science fiction. For example, a direct brain-to-computer interface was strategic to the plot of the science fiction blockbuster - "The Matrix." However, progress has been made. Research has shown that animals will generally control a robotic arm through a brain-machine interface. Bionic (adj.) -- "describing a manufactured device or engineered tissue that substitutes for, or augments, the function of a natural limb, organ or different portion of a life science body." The Five-Function Bionic Classification System (FFBCS) classifies a bionic device or tissue into four levels (0 = no function, 1 = below normal biologic function, 2 = equal to normal biologic function, or 3 = above normal biologic function) for each of five functional categories: Structure, Movement, Information, Power, and Growth. For example, a "S2/M2/I2/P1/G0" bionic device rendered: equal to normal biologic functionality for body configuration, action, and data transfer; less than normal organic function for power source and distribution; and no capacity for progress or self-repair. Traditional means of human-computer interaction founded on keyboard, mouse, and voice input will increasingly be seen as bottlenecks in the flow of human-computer interaction and there will be increasing action toward the "broad-band" cyber-physiologic interaction made possible by medichips with direct neural-computer connections. Click on pictures for more information on biotech/neurotech T-shirts: Questions and suggestions concerning the site Neurova.com may be sent to: Neurova.com © 2006 by Neurova.com