Paralyzed does not mean can not do anything. As long as men can breathe paralyzed can still do anything even with just blowing air.
The latest technology capable of changing the blowing breath into electrical signals that can move his wheelchair and even the cursor on the computer.
These technologies take advantage of the soft tissue in the palate, which is controlled by cranial nerve (brain). This nerve is the most protected, to continue to function despite a very severe injury.
In addition to connecting with the palate, the same nerve is also connected with the eyelid so that it can control the blink. That's why most people who suffered total paralysis can still be invited to communicate by blinking his eyes.
By exploiting the existence of these nerves, a professor of neurobiology named Noam Sobel Weizmann Institute of technology designed to help people with paralysis. Blowing a breath controlled through the palate and then captured by the sensor electrically transmitted to a machine.
As in lansir from Ninemsn, On Tuesday, 27-7-2010, the device is in the form of a small kanula shaped like a hose on an oxygen tank. Placed in front of the nostrils, and then connected to a pressure sensor that functions to change the blowing breath into electrical signals.
When tested on a woman who was paralyzed by a stroke seven months ago, the tool is functioning properly. Only in three weeks, she could use it to write on the computer.
Tests were conducted on a man who suffered paralysis for 18 years and could only communicate with eye blinks. Only need adaptation for 20 minutes, he can use this tool to write his own name.
Meanwhile, 10 healthy people a chance to try this tool can move the wheelchair through a labyrinth with a remote control (remote control). The same thing can be done by a 30-year-old male patient, who suffered paralysis from the neck down since six years ago.
Prof. Sobel said, for now breathing control equipment is still in development stage. If it can be mass-produced, he estimates would be very affordable price that is between 10-20 U.S. dollars (USD 90-180 thousand).
