Brain Implants Get Brainier

the_newsbeagle writes "Did my head just beep?" wonders a woman who just received a brain implant to treat her intractable epilepsy. We're entering a cyborg age of medicine, with implanted stimulators that send pulses of electricity into the brain or nervous system to prevent seizures or block pain. The first generation of devices sent out pulses in a constant and invariable rhythm, but device-makers are now inventing smart stimulators that monitor the body for signs of trouble and fire when necessary.

Comments

Sci fi

[Iamthecheese]

Brain enhancements are a tall order. We need:

• Better knowledge of human brain function
• Microbots that can evade the immune system
• Microbots that can move through brain tissue without causing harm
• Microbots that can link together to from insulated wires, or build insulated wires that are safe in vivo.
• Microbots that can transmit power and information through several layers of nerve and other tissue

The thing is, we're getting there. These are no longer science fiction: the path to each of these abilities is very clear. And when these abilities converge we'll have matrix style give-me-knowledge-now and complete VR. Not to mention brain augmentation. This future is far, far closer than it seems.