Hitachi-led group develops communication device for paralyzed
Saturday, November 25, 2006 at 06:52 EST



TOKYO — A group led by a Hitachi Ltd researcher said Saturday it has developed a communication device for people suffering from severe paralysis due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The device named "Kokoro gatari" (mind talk) allows ALS sufferers to communicate "yes" and "no" by measuring changes in their cerebral blood flow, the group said.

Hitachi researcher Kuniaki Ozawa, 59, said he focused on the fact that cerebral blood flow increases when people intentionally think about something. He asked patients to do calculations, for example, when they want to express "yes," and relax their thoughts when they want to express "no," to measure the blood flow through a headband sensor.

http://www.japantoday.com/jp/news/391488