Idag deltog jag i en föreläsning vid Uppsala universitets Centrum för forskning om funktionshinder (CFF), om en revolutionerande typ av hjärnimplantat och protes som möjliggör tvåvägskommunikation mellan hjärnan och protesen.

Föreläsningen var på svenska, men jag förstod nästan allt – tror jag! PowerPointen hjälpte, även om den också var på svenska.

Mina snabba anteckningar följer på engelska.

Note that the entire lecture was in Swedish, so expect possible mistranslations below.

Brain-controlled hand prostheses with fingertip sensation

• Speaker: Ted Johansson, Associate Professor and University Lecturer at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Uppsala University.
• Host: Center for Disability Research, Uppsala University.

Introduction

• B-CRATOS: Wireless Brain-Connect inteRfAce TO machineS
• EU Project with six partners across five countries.
• 25 specialists in neuroscience, electronics, biomedical technology, and AI.
• Led by Associate Professor Robin Augustine, Uppsala University.
• Budget: 53M SEK
• Timeline: March 2021 - August 2025
• Website: b-cratos.eu

Background and goals

Loss of mobility and function in body parts significantly impacts quality of life. Existing solutions depend on external systems like batteries. B-CRATOS aims to make prostheses feel as natural as possible.

Innovation highlights

B-CRATOS integrates:

• Wireless communication
• Neuroscience
• Bionics
• Sensor technology
• Artificial Intelligence

The platform enables internal signal transmission, restoring natural movement and sensation in prosthetic limbs.

Project goals

Wireless brain implant

• Two-way high-speed communication.
• Wireless energy transfer (like smartphone charging) eliminates the need for batteries.

Fat-IBC (Fat inter-body communication)

• High-speed communication through the body’s fat layer, functioning like an internal WiFi network.

Biomechatronic prostheses

• Prosthetic hands/arms with artificial skin for sensory feedback.

Sensory feedback

• Transmitting sensation back to the brain improves user experience and acceptance of prosthetics.

Technology breakdown

1. Brain implant for brain-computer interface (BCI)

• Traditional systems like EEG and BrainGate have limitations.
• B-CRATOS leverages the Utah array (developed by Blackrock Neurotech, a project partner with 20+ years of expertise.)

2. Wireless brain-to-computer communication

• Data transfer: High-speed (up to 32 Mbit/s).
• Energy transfer: No batteries, reducing surgical risks.

3. Fat-IBC: internal communication network

• The fat layer beneath the skin serves as a communication highway.
• Functions like a private WiFi network inside the body.
• Small skin-embedded antenna for connectivity and safety.

4. Electronic skin

Star Wars-inspired!

• E-skin: Flexible, stretchable, and self-repairing.
• Sensors on flexible circuit boards mimic the nervous system’s pulse-based communication.
• Machine learning bridges the signal gap between sensors and the brain.

5. AI and machine learning

• Used to optimize prosthesis control and interpret sensory data for natural responses.

6. Smart prosthetic hand

• B-CRATOS utilizes a hand prosthesis developed by Sant’Anna Institute in Pisa, Italy.
• Six fingertip sensors deliver detailed touch and pressure feedback.

Animal experiments

• Electrodes implanted in apes’ brains.
• Apes were trained to control prosthetic grips through thought alone.
• The BCI training approach reads “intention” signals, enabling brain-controlled movement.
• See: Accurate neural control of a hand prosthesis by posture-related activity in the primate grasping circuit

Future work

• Clinical trials: Testing in humans with existing brain implants.
• Expanding control beyond limbs to internal organs. (For me this was one of the super exciting parts!!!)
• Preparations underway for a follow-up EU project with similar partners.

Related work

Neuralink (USA)

• Goal: Develop general brain interfaces to restore autonomy and “unlock human potential.”
• Focuses on one-way communication. Clinical trials are ongoing.
• B-CRATOS advantage: Cognitive integration, organ control, peripheral nerve connections, and internal safety mechanisms.

Centre for bionics and pain research (CBPR), Sweden

• Arm prostheses with sensory feedback tested on 4 patients (3-7 years).
• Requires extensive surgery on muscles, nerves, and bones, leading to infection risks.
• Permanently closed due to serious deficiencies

Work packages and responsiblities

• WP1: Management and coordination (UU)
• WP2: Brain interface: Wireless powering and communication (NTNU)
• WP3: Fat-IBC communication (UU)
• WP4: Prosthetic limb (SSSA)
• WP5: System integration (BRME)
• WP6: Non-human primate testing (DPZ)
• WP7: Exploitation, communicationm and dissemination (BRME)
• WP8: Ethics (UU)

Conclusion

B-CRATOS redefines prosthetic technology: brain implants, precise control, and sensory restoration. The long-term vision includes regaining function in lost limbs and internal organs.

But challenges remain. Translating touch, pressure, and temperature into accurate electronic signals is complex. While most progress is still academic, the groundwork for real-world applications is being laid.