Brain Port Device

By-Sneha Sambhaji PatilRagini Kishor Thorat

Sujata Shivaji Pisal

Introduction

What is Brain Port Device? Discovery of Device Why known as tasting device? Why only tongue. Parts of Device Working of Device Applications Advantages Disadvantages Conclusion

What is Brain Port Device? An electric lollipop that allows the blind to ‘see’ using their tongue has been developed by scientist.

What is Brain Port Device? It captures images using a tiny camera and then converts the

image into tiny tingles on the tongue.

The tingles are then sent to the brain which then converts the tingles into pictures.

After a few days practicing people, who otherwise couldn’t see, were able to make out shapes, read signs and even read letters.

Discovery of Device

Brain Port is a technology sold by Wicab Inc. where sensory information can be sent to one’s brain via a signal from the Brain Port.

It was initially developed by Paul Bach-y Rita as an aid to people’s sense of balance, particularly of stroke victims.

Bach-y-Rita founded Wicab in 1998

Brain Port Technology has also been developed for use as visual aid.

Why known as tasting device?

Other than normal use of tongue for tasting food, eating, talking there are also many other uses.

  One of them is for sensing of light. It is called as

tasting because it can taste the light and sense the objects.

 It is this property which is used in BrainPort vision device.

Why Only Tongue

The tongue is more sensitive than other skin areas.

The tongue was the ideal place to provide information through tactile stimulation. There is a high level of nerve endings in the tongue, similar to a finger. And the tongue is constantly moist, so there is constant electric conductivity.

Parts Of Device

Parts Of Device

1. Digital Video Camera Brain port vision device consists of a digital

video camera placed in the pair of glasses. Visual data is captured through the camera (1.5cm in

diameter). Signals from the camera are then passed to the Brain

port device along a cable and then to the lollipop-shaped stick, placed on the tongue.

Parts Of Device2. Brain Port Balance Power Button: Used to start and stop the brain port

balance. Control Unit:  This unit comprises of a CPU

and Battery CPU is used here to convert the digital output from the camera into electric pulses. Brain port balance works with the help of a battery.

Lollipop shaped stick : It consists of Three Parts, they are:  Electrode Array, Simulation Circuitry, Accelerometer

Parts Of DeviceElectrode Array :• The lollipop contains a square grid of 400 electrodes which

pulse according to how much light is in that area of the picture.

• It converts pictures into electrical pulses and it is placed on tongue.

Parts Of Device

Stimulation Circuitry

It consists of User Interface: User interface allows selection of current

and voltage mode. Processor: Configures the brain port device.

Accelerometer : This experimental device uses an accelerometer to provide

head and body position information to the brain through electro-tactile stimulation of the tongue.

Working of Device

Working of Device

Inch-long camera hidden in Sunglasses send images to the bond held control unit.

The control of the unit converts the message into a resolution Black, white and grey picture.

Image recreated on the on a grid of 400 electrodes. Each one pulses according to how much light is in that area of a picture.

Users “Feeds” the shape and detects movement on their tongue.

Brain eventually learns to “see” the shape detect on tongue.

Applications

Provides vestibular or balance information for people with balance disorders.

Provides directional or navigational information for people who operate under central command and control scenarios, such as military and civilian rescue personnel.

Provides very crude visual information through the tongue for persons who are completely blind.

Advantages

Brain Port device does not replace the sense of sight.

Users can operate it independently with a hand-held controller.

Device is like normal sunglasses hence it does not look bad.

It uses a rechargeable battery like in normal cell phones.

Disadvantages

This technology can’t be adapted to work on senses the brain doesn’t already have.

The Brain Port requires training the brain incrementally using daily practice sessions.

Not affordable to common People.

Occasionally it will produce weak metallic taste sensations, a minor side effect.

Conclusion

The BrainPort vision device allows users to directly and independently perceive the environment in a novel way.

There is a hope that this device can make a serious difference for patients whose sight cannot be replaced.

Thus we hope that blind people can also see this colourful world by using this brain port device.

Thank you…!!!