My research notes for Big Tech Little Tech episode 27 combine my thoughts, as well as facts, around rehabilitation engineering. What a fascinating topic! My podcast co-host and I crawl through the shallow weeds of this huge subject, which we will probably return to further down the line.

Without further ado, here are a few bullet points that may interest you. Perhaps you’re an expert in this field. If you’d like to join us on the show for a wee chat, drop one of us a line and let’s make it happen.

     

What is biomedical engineering?

• Medical imaging: Developing and improving imaging technologies such as X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and positron emission tomography (PET) to visualise and diagnose diseases.
• Biomechanics: Analysing and modelling the mechanics of biological systems, such as movement, forces and stresses within the human body, to design prosthetics, orthotics and rehabilitation devices.
• Biomaterials: Designing and developing materials that are compatible with the human body, such as artificial implants, tissue scaffolds and drug delivery systems.
• Medical devices and instrumentation: Creating and improving medical devices and instruments used for diagnosis, monitoring and treatment, including cardiac pacemakers, artificial organs, surgical instruments and robotic systems.
• Biomedical signal processing: Developing algorithms and techniques to analyse and interpret physiological signals, such as electrocardiograms (ECG), electroencephalograms (EEG) and biological images, for disease diagnosis and monitoring.
• Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: Investigating methods to engineer and regenerate tissues and organs, including cell-based therapies, biomaterial scaffolds and biofabrication techniques.
• Rehabilitation engineering: Designing assistive technologies and rehabilitation devices to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities, such as prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs and brain-computer interfaces.
  
  

We need to talk about Kevin

Let’s focus on rehabilitation engineering

• Prosthetics
• Orthotics
• Assistive technologies
• Rehabilitation robotics
• Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
• Human-computer interfaces.
  
  

1. Brain-computer interface (BCI) devices can provide precise control of prosthetic limbs, which could enable amputees to relearn natural motor skills.
2. It could aid treatment for conditions such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and spinal cord injuries.
3. It may also eventually treat obesity, autism, depression, schizophrenia and tinnitus.
4. BCI technologies can help people with limited mobility regain movement.
5. BCIs have been used to help older people train their motor and cognitive abilities to moderate the worst effects of ageing.

Who is James Young?

So, what's available on the market?

• Neuralink is now FDA-approved as a Class III Medical Device.
•  This is for devices that have a high risk to the patient or user.
• They usually sustain or support life, are implanted, or present potential unreasonable risk of illness or injury.
• Examples of Class III devices include implantable pacemakers and breast implants.
• They represent 10% of medical devices regulated by the FDA.

What ethical questions should we be asking?

1. We are asking questions about the speed at which AI is being developed. Should we be doing the same for BCI so that user safety and regulations are primary considerations? For instance, policy challenges around inconsistent levels of oversight, varied regulatory requirements based on BCI type (wearable vs implantable), and the need for guidelines that cover research ethics and market research.
2.  The fast-paced nature of progress, driven by private interests, may potentially outpace regulatory guidance and oversight.
3. What about social stigma and privacy?
4. Are we thinking about mental health issues around the potential psychological distress associated with brain-to-brain communication?

What is Cyborg Arts?

• Neil Harbisson – the first person in the world with an antenna implanted in his skull.
• Manel De Aguas Muñoz – developed and installed weather sensory fins in his head.
• Moon Ribas – seismic sensors in her feet enable her to feel earthquakes through vibrations.
• Pol Lombarte – sells his heartbeats as works of art, and developed a new type of NFT linked to living bodies.