A woman who was almost completely paralyzed has been able to speak again thanks to medical advances. Doctors have found a way to receive her brain signals and send them to a computer, which “interprets” the signals.
The researchers wrote that brain signals are picked up by electrodes attached to the parts of the brain that control speech and facial expressions Watchman.
Behind the system on the computer is an advanced algorithm. This system is trained by having the woman repeat sentences in her head. Then more than 250 tiny electrodes picked up the signals the woman controlled the muscles in her tongue, jaw, face and throat (which we use to make sound). Yes, because the woman cannot use these bodily functions because of a serious stroke.
Patients literally get their voice back: A computer mimics their voice based on audio and video fragments from their lives. A digital version of the patient can be seen on the screen as he speaks the sentences.
The algorithm is not perfect yet, but it has been greatly improved
The algorithm is not perfect yet. More than a quarter of the words are still misinterpreted and the system can translate “only” 78 words per minute. By comparison: in oral conversation (depending on the language) more than 110 to 150 words per minute are spoken.
However, scientists are applauding this medical breakthrough. “This is a huge step compared to previous studies,” says neuroscientist Nick Ramsey from UMC Utrecht. Watchman. “We are at a turning point.”
For the patient who made this research possible, this achievement also means a huge improvement. The paralyzed woman is currently using technology in which she selects letters and words with eye movements. This brings you to fourteen words per minute.
She hopes to eventually return to work as a consultant. Researchers want to “fully” restore the ability to speak to more people. Their findings have been published in the scientific journal nature.
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