A new scientific breakthrough allows a paralyzed woman to communicate through a digital avatar

Technology is advancing not only in the field of entertainment, but also in the field of healthcare. That is how Patients with catastrophic illnesses or limiting conditions may regain some of the senses or abilities they have lostthrough technology.

Such is the case of Ann, a paralyzed woman who was able to communicate again with a device and a digital avatar developed by researchers at the University of San Francisco and the University of Berkeley.

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By placing a sheet of 253 electrodes in his brain, The scientists could use an algorithm to identify the signals the woman wanted to speak, and those same signals were translated into synthesized speech by means of a digital avatar..

This technology only worked if the blade was connected to his brain and to the machine. But it was a successful test: the system was able to decipher Ann’s brain signals and transmit them at 80 words per minute.

The summary of the research appeared in the magazine last week Nature.

“Our goal is restoration of a full and embodied form of communicationwhich is the most natural way for us to talk to others,” he said Edward ChangMD, chair of neurological surgery at UCSF, who has been working on the technology known as brain-computer interface, or BCI, for more than a decade.

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For Ann, who has lock-in syndrome due to paralysis, the experience may have brought back something from her past life.

“Locked-in syndrome, or LIS, is exactly what it sounds like,” the woman wrote. “You are fully conscious, you have full sensation, all five senses are working, but you are locked in a body where no muscles are working. I learned to breathe on my own again, now I have full neck movement, my smile is back, I can cry and read and over the years my smile has returned and I can wink and say a few words.”

For weeks, Ann worked with the team to train the system’s artificial intelligence algorithms to recognize her unique brain signals for speech.

“Being part of this study has given me a sense of purpose, I feel like I am contributing to society.. I feel like I have a job again. It is surprising that we have lived so long; Thanks to this study I can really live while I’m still alive!” says Ann.

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However, it is still too early to implement this technology in all patients with paralysis or speech impediments. The authors noted that the algorithm needs training and further development of the synthesized speech system, but they hope to eventually be approved by medical boards in the United States. (JO)

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