Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
All creation amazes me, and I marvel especially at intricacies of the human body. Many advances in research, that take their cues from the way the body works and build on a good thing, also intrigue me. I am fascinated by this piece I read in "The Discovery Files" (that informs interested readers of projects funded by the government's National Science Foundation, found at http://www.nsf.gov/news):
“Now there's another way the tongue may provide a moving experience, as well as open the lines of communication for patients with spinal cord injuries or other disabilities.
It's the tongue drive, developed by engineers at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
A tiny magnet, smaller than most tongue-piercings, is attached to the tongue. It turns the tongue's movements into command central to direct a computer cursor, or even a motorized wheelchair. The magnetic signal is picked up by sensors inside a mouth brace, or on a headset worn by the patient.
What makes this device particularly useful is that the tongue is controlled directly by the brain -- and generally remains functional even when the patient has suffered severe spinal cord damage or neuromuscular disease. The next step is having people with disabilities test the system.
Mobility, communication, freedom. For many, these may be right on the tip of their tongue.”
Maysam Ghovanloo (right) points to a small magnet attached to graduate student Xueliang Huo's tongue; picture from, and for more go to
http://gtresearchnews.gatech.edu/newsrelease/tongue-drive.htm
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