Key Points
ALS affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control over time..
Synchron is developing a BCI that decodes brain signals to allow people with paralysis the ability to control digital devices with their thoughts alone..
In addition to Mark, one of Synchrons trial participants in Australia is now using these applications as well.. Alexa and the Vision Pro both connect to Marks BCI via Bluetooth..
Ian Burkhart, a quadriplegic who participated in a trial of a different companys BCI, sees Synchrons efforts as a positive thing for patients as long as the devices are seamlessly integrated and users can interact with them in a practical way in their day-to-day lives..
The most common thing that paralyzed patients say they want is to be able to multitask, he says.. Things like scroll, click, drag, menu drop-down, backall these different things that we use our fingers to dowere figuring out ways to identify unique signatures from the brain and can then generate product features to control operating systems, Oxley says.. Mark is hoping his BCI will eventually allow him to do more complex tasks..
