Creating a World of Possibility - the Applications of Bionics

Creating a World of Possibility: The Applications of Bionics

The year is 1950, the Turing Test is invented by one Alan Turing, and the metaphorical doors hiding the true philosophy of bionics are blown open into the possible uses for neuroprosthetics in the real world. Bionics, or biological mechanics, simply, is the study of mechanisms that act similarly to natural processes found in biological specimens. For example, the ability of a human body to propel itself on two legs or a tree’s ability to cement its roots into the ground are mechanisms that scientists seek to mimic with modern technologies. Simple prosthetics have been circulating throughout the world for thousands of years, dating back to even Ancient Egypt, but the topic was never as expanded upon and studied about in such deep detail as it has been in the past century. Leading manufacturers and scientists, throughout the years, have been producing prosthetics that make disabilities seem more like a short hurdle rather than an ominous obstacle. Among new breakthroughs in the field, neural prosthetics have recently been developed to harness the capability of conscious choice and interpretation of intent from the patient (Contreras-Vidal 1). Now, through sheer thought power alone, a mechanism could be controlled as if it were a patient’s own, but this was a truly revolutionary discovery when it was made mainly because of the possible applications for a machine of this sort that would nearly think for itself. In a world of disability, the desire to fix what is broken drives mankind, and bionics have made that desire more than just a possibility, but rather, a certainty. It is evident that advancements in bionics have minimized the numerous difficulties presented when it comes to the physical and mental rehabilitation of a patient who suffers from disability. For example, “A thin, flexible device [that can] sense a wide range of pressures and [produce] signals that stimulate nerve cells…” (Nature 478). A patient’s rehabilitation used to be hindered by the dull simplicity of prosthetics, but thanks to bionics, that process is one of positivity and ease. To clearly show how neuroprosthetics have benefitted the world, one must understand the various designs of neuroprosthetics that are being utilized, and how they make problems easier to overcome.

What are Neuroprosthetics?

Neuroprosthetics, in the literal sense, are mechanisms that connect with the peripheral nervous system and use electrical signals coming from the brain while at the same time interpreting those signals to appropriately move a limb. What many do not know are exactly how these wonderful inventions work in regards to the complexity of the human body. Most successful neuroprosthetics operate to replace a limb/limb’s functionality with digital nerves, or synthetic nerves that connect to the still living nerves in the host body. The digital nerves receive signals from the already existing nerves through a series of conductible fibers that then send out a stimulus in response to the signal from the brain. They mimic the actions of a nerve in that sense, which causes the motor neurons in the limb to activate and motivate the limb to move in a natural, effortless motion. With an actual prosthesis, to replace the limb is a similar process, but it is not the same because the mechanical apparatus does not function as closely to a limb due to its non-organic structure. Some neuroprosthetics are also connected to the brain tissue itself in rare cases to act as a part of the brain. To act in cooperation with the human body, the neuroprosthetics are programmed with hundreds of different algorithms that seek to copy the chemical and physical processes the body runs on a daily basis. They are able to interpret, and create stimuli that, when compared to the human body, are close to one and the same. In the past 50 years, leaps and bounds have been made in the field of bionics coming from the development of the first kidney dialysis machine all the way to neural implants congruous with the immensity of the human brain.

Be that as it may, neuroprosthetics and the very idea of neuroprosthetics came to fruition in the realm of reality today from their appearances in science fiction, of all places. Without science fiction, a curiosity surrounding this topic could have taken hundreds of years to develop, so it is important to note that, in this genre, the birth of innovative technology was witnessed. In the words of Alan Brown, Professor of Psychiatry and Epidemiology at Columbia University Medical Center “What makes science fiction valuable is not that it produces predictions, but that it provides inspiration” (1). Because of the inspiration science fiction gave, bionics was looked at more closely to produce real world applications that would positively impact individuals. A prosthesis that had the ability to think for itself and move in harmony with a patient was unheard of before its introduction in science fiction. Even once it was introduced, science fiction did not depict a neuroprosthesis as it is thought to be now, a mechanism that cooperates with the human body in a situation of give and take, but rather as a singular machine that could be complete without the addition of a host. In a way, science fiction aided the streamlining of the rehabilitation process by producing the invention of bionics, and, therefore, the creation of neuroprosthetics to be used instead of simple prosthetics because of their much more efficient and practical modes of operation.

2. Exoskeletons

To begin with, exoskeletons are classified as any external skeleton whose functionality or main purpose is to protect the organism. Exoskeletons, however, with respect to human beings, are made to focus on the enhancement of physical capabilities. Designs of exoskeletons differ when looking at various manufacturers, but the basic components are all the same. Visually, the exoskeleton is a metal frame that attaches to the body like a suit of armor, and taps into the existing bone structure of the host like the shell of an insect which is why they are so aptly named even though the two have different reasons for existence. It looks simple enough, but how the exoskeleton works is actually much more complex and intelligent than most exoskeletons found in nature. An exoskeleton designed for humans typically runs off of a system of hydraulics, pneumatics, electric motors, and levers. Challenges are faced with the development of exoskeletons, however, when engineers are asked to develop an exoskeletal suit that is capable of quick and agile movements while still maintaining the safety level required. Due to the external design and movements created by the hydraulics, a powered exoskeleton that could