:strip_icc()/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_e536e40f1baf4c1a8bf1ed12d20577fd/internal_photos/bs/2024/c/F/d7C6YZQpWHtDKPoh4V4A/captura-de-tela-2024-09-17-200543.png "Brain implant lets man with ALS control Alexa with thought | Science & Health")
An implant inserted into a 64-year-old man diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) allows him to control Amazon's Alexa device by thinking. The news was shared on Monday (16) by Synchron, the company responsible for creating the new technology.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a degenerative neurological disease that affects the nervous system and can lead to muscle weakness (or even paralysis of the limbs), so people like Mark, who participated in the trial, could benefit from this innovation.
The implant, called a Synchron BCI, allows him to control pre-set Alexa routines with his thoughts. He can turn lights on and off on his own, make video calls with other people, play music, read books on his Kindle or buy items on Amazon.
“It’s hard to imagine living in our modern world without the ability to access and control connected devices like Amazon’s Alexa and Echo products, which have become so prevalent in my daily life. Being able to manage important aspects of my environment and control access to entertainment gives me back the independence I was losing,” Mark said in a statement released by the company.
But how does the transplant process work?
The Synchron BCI is implanted into blood vessels on the surface of the motor cortex of the brain (the area responsible for planning, controlling and executing voluntary or conscious motor activities). Insertion is made through the jugular vein, through a minimally invasive intravascular procedure.
According to the company, the implant is designed to be able to detect motor intent and transmit it wirelessly outside the brain.
“The goal is to restore the ability of severely paralyzed people to control personal devices by pointing and clicking without using their hands,” they say.
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