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Minim Invasive Neurosurg 2002; 45(1): 19-23
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-23578
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

A Non-Invasive Communication Device for the Paralyzed

J.  Kaiser1 , A.  Kübler1 , T.  Hinterberger1 , N.  Neumann1 , N.  Birbaumer1, 2
  • 1 1Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, Eberhard-Karls-University of Tübingen, Germany
  • 2 2Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
02 April 2002 (online)

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Abstract

An EEG-based communication system has been developed to re-establish communication in severely paralyzed patients who operate the device by generating shifts of their slow cortical potentials. Training to gain control over slow cortical potentials was based on visual feedback and operant conditioning strategies. The vertical movement of a graphic signal on a computer screen informs the patients about the course of their slow cortical potential amplitude. Positive slow cortical potential shifts move the cursor up, negative shifts move it down. These shifts are then translated into binary responses. When a patient has achieved reliable control over his/her slow cortical potential shifts, these responses can be used to select or reject items presented at the bottom of the screen. As learning processes and applications differ considerably between patients, the present paper describes the data from one patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. After about three months of training, this patient gained stable, near-perfect control over his slow cortical potentials. This skill enabled him to operate a specially designed program to communicate messages to his caregivers.

Key words

Brain-Computer Interface - Communication - Slow Cortical Potentials - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

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Dr. J. Kaiser

Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology · University of Tübingen

Gartenstr. 29

72074 Tübingen

Germany

Phone: +49-7071-297-4224

Fax: +49-7071-29-5956

Email: jochen.kaiser@uni-tuebingen.de

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