Refer to the three attached articles and write a brief review of each. (Less than 100 words for each) Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the article and the content, more so in the spirit of con
HCI Article Review
The article I chose to review is called Advancements in the mind-machine interface: Towards re-establishment of direct cortical control of limb movement in spinal cord injury. The article looks at potential applications of a mind-machine interface in supplementing spinal cord function, to restore significant movement.
They look at current therapies being explored but focus on the therapy they believe has shown the most promise and advancement, bypassing damaged spinal tissue with technology integration. They cite a previous study that utilised an intracortical microelectrode to drive a neuromuscular electrical stimulation system. A microelectrode array was placed over the motor cortex hand region of a patient, and used machine-learning algorithms to convert electrical activity into motor signals, which were then transmitted to a high resolution neuromuscular electrical stimulator that came in the form of a wearable arm sleeve. After a year of training, the patient was upgraded from a C5 to a T1 injury. A major improvement. This research was considered the state of the art in 2016, when the article was released.
Researchers additionally identify some hurdles that need to be overcome. There is sometimes signal loss, as current electrode technology is not refined enough to pick up everything. This refinement should come as the technology is developed. Beyond that, there is a lack of sensation. The system can relay the users intended movement but cannot provide feedback when the user touches a hot surface for example. In a fully functional human being, the somatic nervous system would trigger a reflex arc and pull the hand away. However, this is controlled by a different portion of the brain. Current technology cannot relay that sensory input from the limb, meaning a user would not be able to tell when they are being injured.
The rapid advancement of this technology is extremely interesting, there are current studies which seek to restore movement in paralyzed patients, and have been showing signs of promise in trials. As technology advances, we could see quadriplegia and paraplegia become injuries of the past, as well as countless other treatments for diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Glossary:
Intracortical microelectrode: is an electrode placed on a specific region of the brain to detect and relay electrical signals
Machine-learning: is used to interpret the relayed signals and convert them into motor signals
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation system: is used to take the motor signals and convert them into movement
C5 injury: patient can potentially lift arms and bend elbows. Will probably have partial or complete paralysis of wrists, hands, trunk, and legs. Will need use of powered wheelchair
T1 injury: arm and hand function is usually normal, trunk and legs usually affected. Can most likely use a modified wheelchair, can normally learn to drive a modified car.
Somatic nervous system: is associated with the voluntary control of body movements
Reflex Arc: A neural circuit that causes a more or less automatic response to certain stimuli, typically pain. A good example is the knee-jerk response when the patella (kneecap) is tapped. The leg jerks involuntarily due to neural circuit feedback.
References:
[1] – Hawryluk, G., & Guan, J. (2016). Advancements in the mind-machine interface: Towards re-establishment of direct cortical control of limb movement in spinal cord injury. Neural Regeneration Research, 11(7), 1060-1061. doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.187026 http://www.nrronline.org/article.asp?issn=1673-5374;year=2016;volume=11;issue=7;spage=1060;epage=1061;aulast=Guan
[2] – Shepherd Center. (n.d.). Understanding Spinal Cord Injury. Retrieved from https://www.spinalinjury101.org/details/levels-of-injury
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