ECoG Direct Brain Interface for Individuals With Upper Limb Paralysis

Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology aims to establish a direct link for transmitting
information between the brain and external devices, offering a natural and rich control
signal for prosthetic hands or functional electrical stimulators (FES) to re-animate
paralyzed hands. This study focuses on an ECoG-based BCI system. ECoG measures brain
activity using electrodes implanted on the surface of the brain. Each participant will
undergo testing of the ECoG direct brain interface for up to 29 days. Participants will
learn to control computer cursors, virtual reality environments, and assistive devices such
as hand orthoses and functional electrical stimulators using neural activity recorded with
the ECoG sensor.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Limited or no ability to use both hands due to cervical spinal cord injury, brachial
plexus injury, brainstem stroke, muscular dystrophy, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS) or other motor neuron diseases

- At least 1 year post-injury

- Live within 1 hour of the University of Pittsburgh or willing to stay in Pittsburgh
while the ECoG electrode is implanted (up to 29 days)

- Additional inclusion criteria must also be reviewed

Exclusion Criteria:

- Certain implanted devices

- Presence of other serious disease or disorder that could affect ability to
participate in this study

- Additional exclusion criteria must also be reviewed