Brain Implant Breakthrough: Real-Time Thought-to-Speech Translation

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On Tue, 1 Apr, 12:05 AM UTC

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Researchers develop a brain-computer interface that can translate thoughts into audible speech almost instantly, potentially revolutionizing communication for people with severe paralysis.

Breakthrough in Brain-Computer Interface Technology

Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, San Francisco have achieved a significant breakthrough in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. They have developed a system that can translate neural signals from the brain of a person with paralysis into audible speech in near real-time 1.

The Technology Behind the Breakthrough

The system uses a brain implant with 253 electrodes placed on the surface of the brain cortex, specifically in the area responsible for speech motor control. This implant, known as a high-density electrocorticography (ECoG) array, can record the combined activity of thousands of neurons simultaneously 2.

AI-Powered Decoding and Speech Synthesis

The breakthrough relies heavily on artificial intelligence algorithms. These algorithms decode the neural signals and transform them into spoken sentences using a synthetic voice. The system is personalized to sound like the patient's own voice before their injury, trained on recordings from old videos 1.

Near Real-Time Performance

Unlike previous efforts that could only produce sounds after users finished an entire sentence, this approach can detect words and convert them into speech within three seconds. The system samples brain signals every 80 milliseconds, starting 500 milliseconds before the patient begins to silently say the sentences 1 3.

Clinical Trial and Patient Experience

The study's participant, identified as Ann, lost her ability to speak after a stroke in 2005. During the trial, Ann silently mouthed 100 sentences from a set of 1,024 words and 50 phrases that appeared on a screen. The BCI device captured her neural signals and produced between 47 and 90 words per minute 1 4.

Potential Impact and Future Developments

This technology represents a critical step toward enabling communication for people who have lost the ability to speak due to severe paralysis. The researchers are optimistic about further improvements, including enhancing the algorithm to generate speech better and faster 3 5.

Broader Applications and Compatibility

The researchers demonstrated that their approach could work well with various brain sensing interfaces, including microelectrode arrays and non-invasive recordings. This versatility suggests potential applications beyond the current focus on paralysis patients 3.

While the technology is still experimental, researchers hope that with sustained investments, it could be available to patients within a decade, potentially transforming the lives of those unable to communicate verbally 5.

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