Methods and systems for controlling body parts and devices using ipsilateral motor cortex and motor related cortex

Abstract

A system for controlling a body part includes a number of sensing devices that sense signals from a hemisphere of a brain. A signal translating unit translates the signals into a command signal for controlling the body part, which is on a same side of the body as the hemisphere of the brain. A prosthetic device receives the command signal from the signal translating unit and manipulates the body part in response to the command signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling a body part, comprising the steps of:
 sensing a plurality of signals from a hemisphere of a brain;   translating the sensed signals into a command signal for controlling the body part, which is on a same side of the body as the hemisphere of the brain; and   manipulating the body part in response to the command signal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality signals is selected from the group consisting of electrocorticographic (ECoG) signals, electroencephalography (EEG) signals, local field potentials, single neuron signals, (MEG) magnetoencephalography signals, mu rhythm signals, beta rhythm signals, low gamma rhythm signals, and high gamma rhythm signals. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the ECoG, EEG, local field potentials, and MEG signals include at least one of mu rhythm signals, beta rhythm signals, low gamma rhythm signals, and high gamma rhythm signals. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of signals is sensed from one of the primary motor cortex, the premotor cortex, the frontal lobe, the parietal lobe, the temporal lobe, and the occipital lobe of the brain. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the command signal is communicated to one of a robotic device, a transportation device, and a prosthetic control device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the prosthetic control device is an external robotic assist device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the prosthetic control device utilizes at least one of external nerve and muscle stimulators. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the prosthetic control device utilizes at least one of internally implanted nerve and muscle stimulators. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the prosthetic control device is a prosthetic limb for an amputee. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the prosthetic control device is utilized for one of hand control, arm control, leg control, foot control, and bladder control. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body part is motor-impaired due to one of a unilateral stroke, a spinal cord injury, a neuromuscular disorder, a traumatic brain injury, a limb amputation, and peripheral nerve injury. 
     
     
         12 . A system for controlling a body part comprising:
 a plurality of sensing devices that sense signals from a hemisphere of a brain;   a signal translating unit that translates the sensed signals into a command signal for controlling the body part, which is on a same side of the body as the hemisphere of the brain; and   a device that receives the command signal from the signal unit and manipulates the body part in response to the command signal.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality signals is selected from the group consisting of electrocorticographic (ECoG) signals, electroencephalography (EEG) signals, local field potentials, single neuron signals, (MEG) magnetoencephalography signals, mu rhythm signals, beta rhythm signals, low gamma rhythm signals, and high gamma rhythm signals. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein ECoG, EEG, local field potentials, and MEG signals include at least one of mu rhythm signals, beta rhythm signals, low gamma rhythm signals, low gamma rhythm signals, and high gamma rhythm signals. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of signals is sensed from one of the primary motor cortex, the premotor cortex, the frontal lobe, the parietal lobe, the temporal lobe, and the occipital lobe of the brain. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the command signal is communicated to one of a robotic device, a transportation device, and a prosthetic control device. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the prosthetic control device is an external robotic assist device. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the prosthetic control device utilizes at least one of external nerve and muscle stimulators. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the prosthetic control device utilizes at least one of internally implanted nerve and muscle stimulators. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the prosthetic control device is a prosthetic limb for an amputee.