Computer Brain Chip

 Synchron says it's the first to implant a human brain-computer interface in the US

According to an article from Yahoo news, “Brain-computer interfaces have become a practical (if limited) reality in the US. Synchron says it has become the first in the country to implant a BCI in a human patient. Doctors in New York's Mount Sinai West implanted the company's Stentrode in the motor cortex of a participant in Synchron's COMMAND trial, which aims to gauge the usefulness and safety of BCIs for providing hands-free device control to people with severe paralysis. Ideally, technology like Stentrode will offer independence to people who want to email, text, and otherwise handle digital tasks that others take for granted.

Surgeons installed the implant using an endovascular procedure that avoids the intrusiveness of open-brain surgery by going through the jugular vein. The operation went "extremely well" and let the patient return home 48 hours later, according to Synchron. An ongoing Australian trial has also proven successful so far, with four patients still safe a year after receiving their implants.

It may take a long time before doctors can offer Synchron's BCIs to patients. The company received FDA approval for human trials in July 2021, and it's still expanding the COMMAND trial as of this writing. Still, the US procedure represents a significant step toward greater autonomy for people with paralysis. It also represents a competitive victory — Elon Musk's Neuralink has yet to receive FDA permission for its own implant.”

This is exciting news for someone like me, who requires the use of technology for everyday processes (including using my computer.) I depend on speech recognition software to write, browse the web, control household activities, etc. This would also give people in my situation more independence, as they wouldn’t have to rely on others to help them. There might come a day when this implant may become available to the public. 

It’s an interesting concept. Technology is always evolving and advancing. Nothing is ever going to stay the same. Companies are always working on different and easier ways to do things. According to an article on the Tech Evaluate website, “technology is evolving so fast because of a phenomenon known as Accelerating Change. Each technological improvement can create the next, stronger generations of technology at a faster rate. As each generation of technology is better than the last, it builds new technology faster.”

Ultimately, I believe massive, future technological changes are still yet to come. With every new advancement comes an easier way to do things. For someone who’s life is dependent on so many other people to do things for them, the more independence that’s out there, the easier it will be to do things themselves.

Jenni

My Little Buddy

A week from this past Thursday, we had to put Brody down. Around 6 AM that morning, my night nurse and aunt Sandy, both heard him making a couple of loud yelping noises. When they went to look at him in his bed, he was still sleeping, so they thought he just had a dream. When it came time for breakfast, he didn’t go over to eat it. Later when I went over to look at him, he didn’t look at me or wag his tail, which was very odd.

Sandy took him out of his bed, and he was walking very slowly and side to side. She looked up some symptoms, and one that stood out was possibly a stroke. We decided to have him go to the vet since he wasn’t acting like himself. They took some blood work and did an ultrasound on him. About 45 minutes later, she brought him back and said, “it is in good.”

When I saw him, I could see the pain and sadness on his face. Sandy put Brody on my lap then let me know what the vet said. Apparently, he had many tumors throughout his body and in the morning one of them ruptured; from that point there was internal bleeding, and by the blood work they could tell that he had cancer everywhere. 

Sandy told me the options the vet told her: I could have him home with me, but he probably would only last through the night or there is a medicine he could take where he may live 3 or 4 days. I chose the 3rd option, to put him down right away because I did not want him to suffer any longer. 

The role Brody played in my life as a companion dog, causes me to grieve, not only for the loss of him, but his emotional support. Adjusting to the fact that I’ll never spend time with him again is painful, and I know it will take a lot of time to adjust. He was a special dog; we shared a bond and affection like no other. He is also missed by my family, caregivers, and everyone’s life in which he touched.

It’s taken me some time to write this blog post because I’m still grieving. His presence in our house is greatly missed. I was in such a routine with him that I’ve caught myself during certain times. I still look at the time at 5 PM, his suppertime. I still want to call him when I’m going from room to room. I also know it will hit me even harder when springtime comes and it’s warm enough to go for a “walk and roll.” 

I know there will never be another “Brody”, but at some point, I know I’ll come across another dog to be a companion to me. I miss my little buddy so much! 

Jenni

A poem I wrote about Brody:

My Companion Dog

My mom takes me for walks

pulling on the leash to makes her wheels go faster

I’m dependent on her to give me affection and protection

I look into her blue eyes, hopelessly devoted

she is my family

I’m a dog, I’m fun, all I want to do is have fun 

when she is sad or crying, she really messes with my mojo 

That’s when I like to jump all over her, lay on her lap 

comforting her until she gets over it and takes me outside

for the most part, I love the simple pleasures of life 

One thing about me is I don’t judge 

if she makes a mistake, I forgive her

if she forgets something, it’s no big deal

when she has doubts, I will politely disagree

I see her for what she really is, pure awesome!

I know how to make her feel guilty

I just sit in front of her or at the window 

she knows what I want, mostly some attention

I know how to speak English, just not verbally

sometimes I choose to ignore her 

My favorite thing to do right now is sleep

I’m most comfortable tucked in tight places

I also like to sleep in my bed, on the couch or 

floor with something covering my face 

The more hidden I am the better

His favorite spot on the couch

Brody loved fresh laundry!

And his beds!