ON THE CUTTING EDGE: Led Around By The Nose
In the current issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Israeli scientists describe a new technology that allows quadriplegics and other severely disabled people to write and guide a wheelchair. The Los Angeles Times reports:
The technology relies on the fact that quadriplegics and others retain control of their soft palettes, which regulate breathing through the nose. Even people who are not able to breathe on their own can control the new device by blocking and releasing the flow of air forced through their noses by a pump. …
It would be particularly valuable for people who have locked-in syndrome, in which they can do little more than flutter an eye, he said. For many other patients, however, alternatives exist, including controlling devices through a breathing tube or with their tongue.
The mechanism is actually relatively simple. Small tubes inserted in the nose monitor sniffs and exhalations, allowing the user to control a computer. To control a wheelchair, for example, two short sniffs signal "forward," while two short exhalations signal "back." An exhale followed by a sniff signals "left," while a sniff followed by an exhale signals "right." Similar protocols move a cursor on a computer screen for writing. …
Overall, the device has now been tested successfully in 15 severely disabled patients. The Weizmann Institute has filed for a patent on the technology used in the device and hopes to find a marketing partner.
[Hat Tip: lemonfemale, a contributor to this blog.]
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