Paralyzed Patients "Speak" With Their Pupils

Posted by samzenpus on Monday August 5, 2013 @07:48AM from the trying-to-listen dept.

sciencehabit writes "Lying in bed, unable to move a muscle, so-called locked-in patients have few ways to communicate with the outside world. But researchers have now found a way to use the widening and narrowing of the pupils to send a message, potentially helping these patients break the silence. The trick is a webcam-like setup that tracks pupil dilation. When people focus on a hard problem--say a math problem--their pupils dilate. Employing the approach, some locked-in patients could answer 'yes' and 'no' questions just by dilating their eyes."

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Re:paralysis of the eyes by Shadow+of+Eternity · 2013-08-05 08:18 · Score: 3, Informative

pupil dilation is more akin to peristalsis than blinking.

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A bullet may have your name on it but splash damage is addressed "To whom it may concern."
Re:Facilitated Communication Hoax by sconeu · 2013-08-05 08:30 · Score: 3, Informative

Bullshit. It's real. My late wife had ALS, and her eyegaze computer was worth every penny. Even if it wasn't *HER* voice (we didn't bank it early enough), she could still talk with us.

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General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.