Implantable Brain computer interfaces: Are we reaching transhumanism?

¿What´s the Brain Computer Interface?

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) is a software and hardware communication system where brain activity is capable of controlling a computer system or external device, without the need to have peripheral signals [1].

Picture of © Metron

A BCI is an artificial intelligence system that can recognize a certain set of patterns in brain signals following five consecutive stages: signal acquisition, preprocessing or signal enhancement, feature extraction, classification, and the control interface [1].

BCI in its recording stage uses brain signals that collect information about the user's intention, and then translates them into treated electrical signals, 2 types of brain activities may be monitored [1]:

Table 1. Types of brain activities.

For years BCIs have obtained numerous information on brain activity through encephalography, however, in this it is affected due to the presence of the numerous layers that cover the brain, as well as the noise of the environment. This non-invasive approach has been used to reacquire basic forms of communication and control of wheelchairs and neuroprostheses. However, an invasive modality would improve performance in neuroprosthetic control [1].

The invasive modality involves implanting microelectrode matrices inside the skull, which means a health risk. Two types are mainly known in BCI research:

• Electrocorticography: Electrodes are placed on the surface of the cortex (can be epidural or subdural).

• Intracortical neuron recording: Electrodes are implanted within the cortex.

Types of BCI

BCI can be classified into:

• Endogenous and exogenous BCIs [1].

Table 2. Endogenous and Exogenous classification.

• Synchronous and Asynchronous BCIs [1].

Table 3. Synchronous and Asynchronous classification.

What is transhumanism and where does it come from?

Picture of © 123RF

The definition of transhumanism is not exactly new and has been given different approaches as the human being tends to a constant technological evolution. Humanity has shown a clear interest in perfection, longevity and at some ambitious extreme, immortality; it is therefore the great antiquity of this concept, being used for the first time by Dante Alighieri in the Divine Middle, understanding it as the experience elevated by grace, beyond the human, towards the total and transcendent realization in God.

It is not until 1927 that Julian Huxley, in his work New Bottles for New Wine formally proposes transhumanism to refer to the improvement of the human being through science and technology. It is then: "A way of thinking about the future of the human species in which its current form does not represent the end of development, but rather a preliminary stage," according to the World Transhumanist Association. [2]

This definition has led scientists and experts in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), neurology, nanotechnology, biotechnology, among others, to the deepening of the subject, with a constant need for technological improvement.

In the twenty-first century the transhumanist concept becomes unused, thus evolving to the definition of Posthuman, which is known as a being that has not been defined exactly to what extent it is natural or artificial, nor what would be the characteristics that would define it; it is thus that its identification would be due to an extraordinary prolongation of life because there is no physical or mental deterioration, whose intellectual capacities would be superior to those of an average human being, being closer to the perfect human. [3]

Transhumanism can be very philosophical, we leave you the following video that explains it in a didactic way:

How does transhumanism relate to BIC's?

One of the improvements that transhumanism is inclined towards is located in cognitive improvement, that is, an amplification of the basic capacities of the mind for the improvement or increase of internal and external information processing systems. Human brains would be stimulated invasively with the application of electrical or magnetic currents, altering spontaneous neuronal activity, activating other mechanisms by voltage, it would be sought that information from the outside world can be translated into neural activity, transmitted as external information for communication or for robotic control. [2]

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BCIs to restore independency in paralized patients

Recenlty, the FDA has approved human trials of Stentrode motor neuroprosthesis, The Stentrode device is delivered into the brain via the blood vessels in a minimally invasive procedure. No robotic assistance is required. The implant is fully internalized with no wires coming out of the head or body, and it connects to the motor cortex [4].

Neural signals are transmitted along an implanted wire that is threaded from the Stentrode to a pacemaker-style unit, embedded under the skin in the chest. This second device transmits data wirelessly to a smartphone app to allow a person to communicate via text just by thinking about it [5]. With this BCI patients can wirelessly control external devices by thinking about moving their limbs.

The system is designed to facilitate communication and functional independence for patients by enabling daily tasks like texting, and accessing telemedicine [4].

Picture of © Univesity of Melbourne

You can check out more information in their website Stentrode.

Stentrode

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BCI for hand grasp restoration

This implant is aimed towards patients with spinal cord injury. It consists of subdural surface electrodes placed over the dominant-hand motor cortex and is connected to a transmitter implanted below the clavicle, which receives electrocorticographic activity. Then, movement-intent is used to trigger functional electrical stimulation of the dominant hand via a mechanical hand orthosis during in-home use [6].

This device is meant for the patient to gain functional independence by allowing them to exert control of external devices.

Picture of © Silverchair

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So now, how do these devices are going to affect our lives?

As we have seen util now the use and fabrication of new Brain implants is every day more prominent in our society, this new technology is going to change the way in which humans interact with technology.

Initially it seems to be a very hopeful and wonderful future, but everything has its downside. These types of devices are in a very early stage of development, and so are their objectives. A lot of these are focused on health applications like improving the communication for patients that are unable to speak, monitoring life signals. In the entertainment field to control avatars in videogames or even in the industry to control machines and other electrical devices.

The implementation of these devices in the everyday life is going to take a while, as of today their prices are not accessible. These changes are going to transform the way we interact with technology forever.

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References

1. Nicolas-Alonso, L.F.; Gomez-Gil, J. Brain Computer Interfaces, a Review. Sensors 2012, 12, 1211-1279. https://doi.org/10.3390/s120201211.

2. Del Aguila JWV, Solana EP. Transhumanismo, neuroética y persona humana. Rev Bioética. 2015;23(3):505–12.

3. Onainor ER. TRANSHUMANISMO Una promesa de mejoramiento humano carente de fundamento ético. 2020;5(2017):105–12.

4. FDA Approves Implantable Brain Computer Interface Trial, 2021, Medical Product Outsourcing, available at: https://www.mpo-mag.com/contents/view_breaking-news/2021-10-27/fda-approves-implantable-brain-computer-interface-trial/

5. Mullin E. (2019), This Brain Computer Uses Your Jugular Like a USB Cable, Onezero medium, available at: https://onezero.medium.com/this-brain-computer-uses-your-jugular-like-a-usb-cable-d02b4e76d26b

6. Cajigas I., et al. Implantable brain–computer interface for neuroprosthetic-enabled volitional hand grasp restoration in spinal cord injury, Brain Communications, Volume 3, Issue 4, 2021, fcab248, available at: https://academic.oup.com/braincomms/article/3/4/fcab248/6407134