Direct brain/computer interface

& control
 BCI: logical scheme
Increase of appropriate feature extraction
performance
Modification of
Signal Features
Brain Signals

computer training
gni ni art r es u

Psychological
Classification
Effort
Of Intent
(Intention)

appropriate feedback strategy Environment

Multiple aims
 Study of brain functions
 Rehabilitation
 through substitution
 through restoration
 Enhancement of brain-environment
pathways
 “Cyborg-like” applications
Technical Requirements
depend on the “User”
1. End user

2. Clinical researchers,
Neuroscientists
3. Technical operators,
Therapists
4. Gamers, entertainers

Cost/benefit of requirements
vary over User Level
4
Technical Requirements

 Targeting to the disabled-user, others

will be adequately addressed or easily
adapted.

 Cost/benefit of requirements vary

over User Level

5
Disability Level and Application

 Communication

 Environmental control

 Robotics / Mobility
devices

 Neuroprosthetics

6
Effectiveness-application-
satisfaction chart
Multiple points of view
 Target users:  Disciplines involved in
 Researchers (e.g., clinical research
researchers, neuroscientists,  Engineering
signal processing experts,  Clinical ...
etc.);
 Psychological
 Technical operators (e.g.,
caregivers, therapists who  Neuroscience
are in charge of training
someone on BCI operation);
 End-users (e.g., people with
disabilities who rely on the
system for communication)
 Casual end-users (e.g., those
who use a BCI as an
alternative input for
entertainment devices)
Clinical applications of BCI are not…
 … just application of potentially working
technologies to a new group of
experimental subjects.
 Working with patients requires taking into
account new issues
 Human computer interaction
 Ease of use
 Reliability
 Sensible applications
 …
Invasive vs. noninvasive
techniques
 Multi-electrode grids implanted in
cortex
 Epi- or sub-dural implantation
 Surface EEG
 Non electrical signal (MEG, fMRI,
NIRS, …)
Integration with assistive
technologies
 need for "BCI device“
 integration of the BCI device as a
control into standard
 domotic and robotic systems
 optimization of the BCI interface (to
user and to caregiver: generalization
and simplification )
BCI-operated robot
BCI-operated Environmental
control
Standardization
 Non-invasive cortical
Scalp EEG
estimation of brain activity
Linear inverse estimates
within a RoI are collapsed
(mean)

M1
Hand
area
RoI

“Virtual”
Role of technical standards in the
development of BCI systems
 helpful to foster involvement of companies
into the field
 important to promote cooperation among
research groups
 Topics for standardization:
 system architecture
 relationship with existing human-computer
devices
 training procedures
 signal processing techniques
 indices of performance
 communication protocols with external devices
Advantage of Standards
 Improved interoperability of components
 Lowers need for expertise
 Facilitates technology diffusion
 Facilitates performance comparison
 FDA/CE certification is cheaper
 Helps to solve legal disputes
Standardization of software
 Decision making
tool for operators

 Documentation and
reference for “good
practice”
Pseudo-BCI applications
 Monitoring
 Biofeedback
 Detection of psychological states
 EEG-EMG-EOG integration
Conclusions
 BCI field is out of the demonstrations phase and is
ready for clinical applications – need for more intense
multidisciplinary cooperation
 Any new BCI technology should be focused on
improving the quality of life of the end user
 Many technologies still do not meet the requirements
of particular BCI applications
 The BCI community needs
a technology standardization committee
 BCI systems that can improve people’s lives are
within reach