7 replies to this topic

[bob11]

http://www.thenation...-first-uae-chip

"A university researcher says he is the first person in the country to have developed a physical microchip, one he hopes will help the paralysed to regain movement."



"Measuring 1.78-by-1.28 square millimetres - smaller than a fly - Dr Harb's chip is designed to be incorporated into a larger one that is yet to be developed. The semiconductor would read signals from severed nerves and send them to the human brain"

[4tun8]

I thought that this idea would have been developed into a workable solution 5 years ago. To beat stem cells in the market. I come from an engireering background that included the knowledge of micro-processors, binary code used to switch inputs and outputs as a factory maintenence supervisor and thought that this idea was long over due. I mean electrics are electrics are electrics. The biggest obstacle is the junction box that the chip rests in and make the chip LEARN repetative movements, freeing up more space to LEARN more difficult tasks. I'd accept that, if stem cells aren't getting the job done. Persue this avenue and I see a NOBEL prize for someone. mark

[dangerousdave]

Silicon switches verses chemical switches = won't work
All a silicon switch can do is fire impulses into a nerve strand
Once in the nerve strand the signal disapates umong the chemical signals and gets lost
That is why silicon switches are limited in thier function within the human body
A nerve fibre carries signals up and down its length at the same time and travels in a ab-hock movement within it
This type of technology is not yet available
It's a dead end

[Quad65]

dave,

I've always thought that was the main problem. As far as my understanding goes, the signal your brain sends is very complex and almost continual. To illustrate, say you want to extend your arm and hold it out for a short period of time. You brain sends out signals to the proper muscles to extend and hold out your arm. The muscles contract to the desired degree and remain so until you lower your arm. With a mechanical or electronic switch, it's almost like firing a projectile. It's full on, or full off. Full contraction for an instant or continuously, then full off when the signal terminates.

With nerve signals, there is an imperceptible ramp up to the desired degree, then it is maintained there until a change is made, then a gradual ramp down again. It's not full on, full off in an instant.

If there was a way to accomplish this same behavior electronically or mechanically, then there might be possibilities.

Edited by Quad65, 19 March 2011 - 03:01 PM.

[dangerousdave]

The other known problem is....
How does a signal fired from the brian know which nerve root to go to
Remember that as the chemical signal is lounched down the nerve fibers, it travels in a series of flashes from cell to cell in a completely random manner
The body is a remarkable complex tool - we continue to belittle it
Even to use a crude electrical spasm signal - takes a enourmouse surge of power
The simple bladder spasm switch is terrably painful unless all surrounding nerves are dead
Thus my own belief is a sack of conductive chemical gel between the two ends of a cut nerve
But it's not as simple as that as you have to stop the cut nerve from scarring over and keep the central fluid canal free from ingress of gel

Oh well...dream on

[Quad65]

Yeah, it's not as easy as repairing a bundled wire cable or fiber-optic cable. If there were a finite number of nerves/conduits in the spinal cord and you could map them accurately, and you could overcome the scarring problem on each end of the injury, then there might be possibilities.

[dangerousdave]

Now you know why I detest these rumour mongering stories of miracle cures, yes that does include the latest fad...stem cells
It's all witch doctor stuff

[Quad65]

I'm with you. Waste of time chasing all the Bullshit claims. If it happens, it happens. I got stuff to do and places to go in the meantime. I've been a quad for almost 46 years and never went after the 'miracles'.

There's an old saying here in the States, "Don't piss on my shoes and tell me it's raining."