ECoG Direct Brain Interface for Individuals With Upper Limb Paralysis

Acute Electrocorticography (ECoG) Direct Brain Interface for Individuals With Upper Limb Paralysis

The purpose of this research study is to demonstrate that individuals with upper limb paralysis due to spinal cord injury, brachial plexus injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and brain stem stroke can successfully achieve direct brain control of assistive devices using an electrocorticography (ECoG)-based brain computer interface system.

Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology aims to establish a direct link for transmitting information between the brain and external devices, offering a natural and rich control signal for prosthetic hands or functional electrical stimulators (FES) to re-animate paralyzed hands. This study focuses on an ECoG-based BCI system. ECoG measures brain activity using electrodes implanted on the surface of the brain. Each participant will undergo testing of the ECoG direct brain interface for up to 29 days. Participants will learn to control computer cursors, virtual reality environments, and assistive devices such as hand orthoses and functional electrical stimulators using neural activity recorded with the ECoG sensor.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Limited or no ability to use both hands due to cervical spinal cord injury, brachial plexus injury, brainstem stroke, muscular dystrophy, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or other motor neuron diseases
• At least 1 year post-injury
• Live within 1 hour of the University of Pittsburgh or willing to stay in Pittsburgh while the ECoG electrode is implanted (up to 29 days)
• Additional inclusion criteria must also be reviewed

Exclusion Criteria:

• Certain implanted devices
• Presence of other serious disease or disorder that could affect ability to participate in this study
• Additional exclusion criteria must also be reviewed