TY - JOUR T1 - Current Trends in Hardware and Software for Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs). JF - J Neural Eng Y1 - 2011 A1 - Peter Brunner A1 - Bianchi, L A1 - Guger, C A1 - Cincotti, F A1 - Gerwin Schalk KW - Biofeedback, Psychology KW - Brain KW - Brain Mapping KW - Electroencephalography KW - Equipment Design KW - Equipment Failure Analysis KW - Humans KW - Man-Machine Systems KW - Software KW - User-Computer Interface AB -

brain-computer interface (BCI) provides a non-muscular communication channel to people with and without disabilities. BCI devices consist of hardware and software. BCI hardware records signals from the brain, either invasively or non-invasively, using a series of device components. BCI software then translates these signals into device output commands and provides feedback. One may categorize different types of BCI applications into the following four categories: basic research, clinical/translational research, consumer products, and emerging applications. These four categories use BCI hardware and software, but have different sets of requirements. For example, while basic research needs to explore a wide range of system configurations, and thus requires a wide range of hardware and software capabilities, applications in the other three categories may be designed for relatively narrow purposes and thus may only need a very limited subset of capabilities. This paper summarizes technical aspects for each of these four categories of BCI applications. The results indicate that BCI technology is in transition from isolated demonstrations to systematic research and commercial development. This process requires several multidisciplinary efforts, including the development of better integrated and more robust BCI hardware and software, the definition of standardized interfaces, and the developmentof certification, dissemination and reimbursement procedures.

VL - 8 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21436536 IS - 2 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Non-invasive brain-computer interface system: towards its application as assistive technology. JF - Brain Res Bull Y1 - 2008 A1 - Cincotti, F A1 - Mattia, Donatella A1 - Aloise, Fabio A1 - Bufalari, Simona A1 - Gerwin Schalk A1 - Oriolo, Giuseppe A1 - Cherubini, Andrea A1 - Marciani, Maria Grazia A1 - Babiloni, Fabio KW - Activities of Daily Living KW - Adolescent KW - Adult KW - Brain KW - Child KW - Electroencephalography KW - Evoked Potentials, Motor KW - Female KW - Humans KW - Learning KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - Motor Skills KW - Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne KW - Pilot Projects KW - Prostheses and Implants KW - Robotics KW - Self-Help Devices KW - Software KW - Spinal Muscular Atrophies of Childhood KW - User-Computer Interface KW - Volition AB -

The quality of life of people suffering from severe motor disabilities can benefit from the use of current assistive technology capable of ameliorating communication, house-environment management and mobility, according to the user's residual motor abilities. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are systems that can translate brain activity into signals that control external devices. Thus they can represent the only technology for severely paralyzed patients to increase or maintain their communication and control options. Here we report on a pilot study in which a system was implemented and validated to allow disabled persons to improve or recover their mobility (directly or by emulation) and communication within the surrounding environment. The system is based on a software controller that offers to the user a communication interface that is matched with the individual's residual motor abilities. Patients (n=14) with severe motor disabilities due to progressive neurodegenerative disorders were trained to use the system prototype under a rehabilitation program carried out in a house-like furnished space. All users utilized regular assistive control options (e.g., microswitches or head trackers). In addition, four subjects learned to operate the system by means of a non-invasive EEG-based BCI. This system was controlled by the subjects' voluntary modulations of EEG sensorimotor rhythms recorded on the scalp; this skill was learnt even though the subjects have not had control over their limbs for a long time. We conclude that such a prototype system, which integrates several different assistive technologies including a BCI system, can potentially facilitate the translation from pre-clinical demonstrations to a clinical useful BCI.

VL - 75 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18394526 IS - 6 ER - TY - Generic T1 - Non-invasive brain-computer interface system to operate assistive devices. T2 - Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc Y1 - 2007 A1 - Cincotti, F A1 - Aloise, Fabio A1 - Bufalari, Simona A1 - Gerwin Schalk A1 - Oriolo, Giuseppe A1 - Cherubini, Andrea A1 - Davide, Fabrizio A1 - Babiloni, Fabio A1 - Marciani, Maria Grazia A1 - Mattia, Donatella KW - Brain KW - Communication Aids for Disabled KW - Computer Systems KW - Humans KW - Neurodegenerative Diseases KW - Quality of Life KW - Self-Help Devices KW - Software KW - User-Computer Interface AB - In this pilot study, a system that allows disabled persons to improve or recover their mobility and communication within the surrounding environment was implemented and validated. The system is based on a software controller that offers to the user a communication interface that is matched with the individual's residual motor abilities. Fourteen patients with severe motor disabilities due to progressive neurodegenerative disorders were trained to use the system prototype under a rehabilitation program. All users utilized regular assistive control options (e.g., microswitches or head trackers) while four patients learned to operate the system by means of a non-invasive EEG-based Brain-Computer Interface, based on the subjects' voluntary modulations of EEG sensorimotor rhythms recorded on the scalp. JF - Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc ER - TY - JOUR T1 - BCI meeting 2005 - Workshop on Technology: Hardware and Software. JF - IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng Y1 - 2006 A1 - Cincotti, F A1 - Bianchi, L A1 - Birch, Gary A1 - Guger, C A1 - Mellinger, Jürgen A1 - Scherer, Reinhold A1 - Schmidt, Robert N A1 - Yáñez Suárez, Oscar A1 - Gerwin Schalk KW - Algorithms KW - Biotechnology KW - Brain KW - Communication Aids for Disabled KW - Computers KW - Electroencephalography KW - Equipment Design KW - Humans KW - Internationality KW - Man-Machine Systems KW - Neuromuscular Diseases KW - Software KW - User-Computer Interface AB -

This paper describes the outcome of discussions held during the Third International BCI Meeting at a workshop to review and evaluate the current state of BCI-related hardware and software. Technical requirements and current technologies, standardization procedures and future trends are covered. The main conclusion was recognition of the need to focus technical requirements on the users' needs and the need for consistent standards in BCI research.

VL - 14 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16792276 IS - 2 ER -