Re-Thinking Paralysis: BCIS and FES for Movement Restoration in Person with Spinal Cord Injury

Speaker: A. Bolu Ajiboye, PhD
Affiliation: Professor, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering Case Western Reserve University

Hosted by Center for NeuroTechnology

Abstract: Cortically controlled neuroprostheses have long been posited as the “holy grail” for intracortical brain-computer-interfaces (iBCIs). The efficacy of iBCIs has advanced to the point where a small number of laboratories around the US are now involved in

iBCI trials involving humans with chronic paralysis. As part of the Braingate2 Clinical Trial, we at Case Western Reserve University  are investigating using iBCIs to control Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) systems for restoring functional arm movements to persons with chronic high cervical spinal cord injury. This lecture will highlight a number of our clinical, technological, and scientific advances towards developing an iBCI controlled FES arm neuroprosthesis. Additionally, this lecture will discuss the efficacy of non- microelectrode recording techniques for extracting movement related information from cortical signals. Specifically, we have used arrays of DBS-style depth electrodes to record from cortical areas not accessible by traditional microelectrode or electrocorticography (ECoG) arrays, such as deep within sulci walls of primary (M1), dorsal premotor (PMd), and insular cortices. We show grasp related cortical modulation useful for control of hand neuroprostheses. Finally, this lecture will briefly discuss hurdles towards development of chronically implanted clinically viable iBCI neuroprosthetic systems.

Dr. Ajiboye’s main research interest is in the development and control of brain-computer- interface (BCI) neuroprosthetic technologies for restoring function to individuals who have experienced severely debilitating injuries to the nervous system, such as spinal cord injury and stroke.

To RSVP, or if you have any questions, please contact:  Nadia Hashoush

nhashoush@mednet.ucla.edu or 310-206-9187.

Food will be served.

Date/Time:
Date(s) - Feb 20, 2019
9:00 am - 10:00 am

Location:
EE-IV Shannon Room #54-134
420 Westwood Plaza - 5th Flr., Los Angeles CA 90095