Seminar On

BRAIN COMPUTER INTERFACE

2009 - 2010

Prepared By:
Visarg shah
B.sc electronics, M.G.Science Instiute, Ahemedabad

INDEX
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Abstract Introduction BLOCK DIAGRAM SIGNAL PROCESSING TRAINING ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES FUTURE CONCLUSION 3 4 5 7 8 9 9 10

ABSTRACT:
The idea of connecting the human brain to a computer or machine directly is not novel and its potential has been explored in science fiction. With the rapid advances in the areas of information technology, miniaturization and neurosciences there has been a surge of interest in turning fiction into reality. A Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) provides a new communication channel between the human brain and the computer. It is a. method of communication based on voluntary neural activity generated by the brain and independent of its normal output pathways of peripheral nerves and muscles thus it implements the principle of Think and make it happen without any physical effort. This technology will be extremely valuable to people with devastating neuro-motor handicaps as they offer new augmentative communication technology to those who are paralyzed. Over the past decade, productive BCI research programs have arisen, facilitated and encouraged by new understanding of brain function, by the advent of powerful low-cost computer equipment, and by growing recognition of the needs and potentials of people with disabilities. The technology driving this breakthrough in the Brain Computer Interface field has a myriad of potential applications, including the development of human augmentation for military and commercial purposes. Many of these systems are being improved and will soon be of value to many different people in a wide variety of environments and situations.

We must develop as quickly as possible technologies that make possible a direct connection between brain and computer, so that artificial brains contribute to human intelligence rather than opposing it.-Stephen Hawking

INTRODUCTION:
A group of technologies exploring the possibilities of alternate control interfaces using the brain as the initial signal generator are called brain computer interfaces or BCI. A BCI is a system that acquires and analyzes neural (brain) signals with the goal of creating a high bandwidth communications channel directly between the brain and the computer. To better understand BCI one must understand the technology that comes together to create all of the different BCI systems. There are a few basic components to all brain computer interfaces, and they are signal capture system, signal processing system, pattern recognition system, and device control system. . Each system must have a way to gather and hold data in order to respond to humans commands. The signal capture system includes the electrodes themselves & the isolated electronic amplifiers. The signal is obtained by any brain function mapping technique such as EEG (Electro encephalogram), MEG (Magneto encephalogram), PET (Positron Emission Tomography) or FMRI (Functional MRI). Generally EEG is preferred to measure brain activity. It is proved that according to different brain activities, EEG patterns will be different. The signal processing system often used to be on a dedicated DSP board but now PCs are fast enough to do everything on the main processor. The algorithms that are implemented are Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs) for spectral estimation, band pass filtering and Autoregressive (AR) modeling for linear prediction of the signal. AR models can also be used to derive spectral information. The pattern recognition system often used to be composed of a linear classifier such as a logistic discriminant or a classical nonlinear classifier such as the Bayes quadratic classifier or linear vector quantiser (LVQ). Nowadays, neural networks are most commonly used. Interfaces have been developed to control many different devices in device control system. Various softwares or tracking technology can be used to control the motion of output device. The display unit can be auditory, tactile or visual but there must be a way to show the data to the user so that they may respond and interact with the technology. While existing technologies are still available to control a BCIs improve upon the computer interface to allow even the most severely handicapped to communicate with a computer. Thus, Brain computer interface is the developing technology that can provide a new way of communication and control for paralyzed persons. It is a powerful technology that uses brain computer interface.

BLOCK DIAGRAM:

A block diagram of brain computer interface is shown in the figure above. For measuring brain function, neuroimaging modalities such as fMRI, EEG and MEG are providing clinicians and neuroscientists with a variety of powerful tools. Without a doubt EEGs have been the best tool so far for this type of research. From the different parts of the brain such as frontal, occipital, parietal & cortical different brain activities are measured with either invasive or non-invasive real time techniques. After obtaining EEG signals they are applied to signal processing unit, which includes amplifier, special function filters, ICA components (artifact rejection), ADC etc. Now our task is to classify different EEG patterns according to its features such as frequency and amplitude in different states of consciousness like alertness, lethargy and dreaming. Our approach is generally based on an artificial neural network that recognizes and classifies different brain activation patterns associated with carefully selected mental tasks. Then the classified signal is translated into the control command signal using software to perform mental recognized task and is applied to the control device. By watching the control action of the device on the computer screen, visual feedback from the eye is given to brain and the next control action can be decided by the user. This whole close loop system is known as brain computer interface .

When needle electrodes or electrode cap is used to obtain EEG from the scalp surface, we will be able to get overall brain activity. Well known free running EEGs include: Delta (1-4 Hz), found in deep sleep Theta (4-8 Hz), found in sleep, meditation, hypnosis Alpha (8-14 Hz), indicate relaxation and closed eyes Mu (8-14 Hz), largest when individual is not moving Beta (non specific higher frequencies), indicate alertness Event related potentials (ERPs): Brains response to a specific event, such as a tone or flash Commonly studied ERPs include the P300 and N400. Spontaneous or free-running EEG: Naturally produced, rhythmic brainwaves; do not require outside activity.

There are some limitations of macroelectrode (electrode cap) recording from the scalp: Scalp smears electrical signal Only measures neurons near the scalp Only measures neurons perpendicular to scalp Neurons aligned opposite each other cancel each other Neurons must be active in synchrony to be detected

Macroelectrodes only measure the coordinated activity of many millions of neurons so we cant obtain brain signals from any particular area of the brain, which is sometimes necessary in brain computer interface so that different signals can be used to control different devices. We can also control the devices even by using overall brain activity signal but it provides limited applications because of very few different types of patterns that are available whereas microelectrodes only measure the activity of one of very few neurons that means the signals obtained using brain chip we can obtain brain signal generated from any particular area which is just impossible using electrode cap. From different parts of brain different type of patterns can be obtained so we can classify these signals and control different devices by assigning different activities to the different patterns of brain signals. "The impressive non-invasive multidimensional control achieved in the present study suggests that a non-invasive brain control interface could support clinically useful operation of a robotic arm, a motorized wheelchair or a neuroprosthesis," said the researchers.

SIGNAL PROCESSING:
One of the most significant obstacles that must be overcome in pursuing the utilization of brain signals for control is the establishment of a signal processing method that can extract event related information from a real-time EEG. Lab must be specialized in advanced, real-time statistical signal processing techniques, including robust, time-series methods, pattern recognition methods, and various custom and standard transformations (including Wavelet Transforms and Time-Frequency Transforms) for data analysis.

The EEG signal obtained from electrode cap must be amplified before further processing. Many EEG frequencies are not of interest because they do not provide the information about cognitive processes (involving psychological result of learning and reasoning).These frequencies are filtered out of the data very early in the recording process. In order for the signals to be filtered it is important to find a reference point that helps to represent better the brain activity coming from the motor-related mental tasks. This can be accomplished using spatial filtering. Spatial filters are used when we need to rely on nearby, adjacent, values to estimate the value at a given point. Filters take out variability in a data set while retaining the local features of data. By varying the size of the filter, features in the data that vary at different spatial scales can be differentially removed. After filtering surface laplacian technique is applied. Surface Laplacian is a technique that has been utilized to improve the spatial resolution of EEGs and even MEGs. By examining and understanding spatial filters, which describe the relationship between cortical current sources and the surface Laplacian, the amount of improvement to the spatial resolution afforded by the surface Laplacian can be investigated. The surface Laplacian spatial filters extend into higher spatial frequencies than do raw signal spatial filters, particularly for EEG Laplacian spatial filters, indicating that substantial improvement in spatial resolution is possible. However, the response of the surface Laplacian operation to the nature and amount of noise in the raw EEG and MEG signals is of paramount importance. Spatially correlated noise, coupled with uncorrelated noise, requires additional regularization of inverse spatial filters resulting in a decrease in spatial resolution. Substantial improvements in spatial resolution may be obtained using the surface Laplacian techniques as long as correlated noise levels are small and raw signals have relatively high signal-to-noise ratios. The next step is to band-limit the signal using a second order butterworth bandpass filter to obtain a smooth response the cut-off frequency.

TRAINING:
An interesting question for the development of a BCI is how to handle two learning systems: The machine should learn to discriminate between different patterns of brain activity as accurate as possible and the user of the BCI should learn to perform different mental tasks in order to produce distinct brain signals. BCI research makes high demands on the system and software used. Parameter extraction, pattern recognition and classification as well as the generation of neurofeedback for a successful training of the user has to run in real-time. The whole training process can be described stepwise as below. Step 1 (initial training): Based on a cue (arrow on the screen pointing to the left or to the right) the subject performs left and right hand movement imageries (duration 3 -4 seconds). To train the classifier between 40 and 160 trials are recommended. EEG should be recorded from electrode positions. Step 2 (offline analysis and classifier generation): Alpha and beta bandpower parameters for both EEG channels are computed to build the feature matrix. Multi Layer Perceptron Neural Network (MLP -NN) is used for classification and cross -validation shows the usability of the best classifier.

Step 3 (training with neuro-feedback): If cross-validation results yield a classification error below approx. 20 %, the classifier can be used to generate neuro-feedback for further training. For this case data are online classified and the result is graphically presented to the subject on the screen of the monitor and according to that subject will generate control action that will eliminate the classification error.

Step 4 (classifier update): The continuous feedback should help the subject to train the motor imageries leading to a correct classification. To improve the performance the classifier should be updated after some successful sessions. A new classifier can also be computed from the data of a feedback session. Offline analysis of the recorded data supports feature optimization. The four steps described above are used to improve the "feature set" of the data being fed into the neural network.

ADVANTAGES:
Easy to Use Natural, intuitive, direct, hands-free Functional Flexibility Works when hands, eyes, or voice are damaged or busy Information Content Faster access/retrieval and higher density Customized to each user Provides security/secrecy Excellent interactive tool

DISADVANTAGES:
The speed of communication on computer is very limited compared to the brain. BCIs are very susceptible to artifacts. Hence BCIs can only be used in very limited situations. EEG recording produces a lot of noise. Highly relevant pattern recognition techniques are currently being invented and modified. More EEG research is necessary to determine where and how electrophysiological states correlate with mental states, and how this varies in different subjects, recording conditions, time of day, fatigue, experience, and more. EEG caps are expensive, look silly, and require an experienced human to prep. Other EEGs recording equipment (such as amplifiers and filters) is expensive, complicated, and not very portable. It often takes a long time to train the user to interact with the BCI properly. It often takes a long time to train the BCI to interact with the user properly. Difficulty with a microelectrode array is that it probably would only be able to provide black and white vision. Braingate implant may include possibility of infection, bleeding, stroke & pain.

FUTURE:
The most important issue in future Brain computer interface research will be how to assist people to accessing, managing, and understanding the vast amount of data and information that is available to them A scientist named Nicolelis and his team are confident that in five years they will be able to build a robot arm that can be controlled by a person with electrodes implanted in his or her brain. Their chief focus is medical they aim to give people with paralyzed limbs a new tool to make everyday life easier.

CONCLUSION:
Although far from mature, progress is being made in this field of biomedical engineering. Defining the self in the postmodern world through the brain computer interface is a new challenge. When a high resolution brain computer interface (BCI) is successfully completed, there will be profound benefits to be made in almost every disability related field. One day people may be capable of communicating through thought processes

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CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Mr. Visarg j shah Of B.sc Electronics has successfully worked upon the topic
BRAIN COPUTER INTERFACE

and has delivered a satisfactory seminar on the same, in the Partial Fulfillment of the Bachelors Degree in science with eiectroics in the academic year 2009 2010.

Prof. U.V.Shah H.O.D, Electronics Department, M.G.Science institute, Ahemedabad.