In order to create the ringtone, there are several “proven” means: you can play it on any musical instrument manually, perform a Cappella or generate on the computer. But there is another way, which offer scientists from the University of Washington. They have created encephalon is a musical instrument to play on which requires only the power of thought.
Naturally created encephalin was not for fun, but for rehabilitation and treatment of patients with impaired motor skills. For example, after a stroke, amputation of limbs, spinal cord injuries and so on. The idea of this method of rehabilitation came neurologist Thomas Duelo, after he learned that many patients before the occurrence, played musical instruments and was very upset that will no longer be able to pursue a favorite hobby.
Encephalon reads the signals of the brain using special electrodes built into the helmet. These signals are converted to notes which are played using the synthesizer. This, in fact, the description of the principle of operation of a musical instrument ends. The device itself is able to accept 2 types of signals from the visual cortex of the brain (the tool is controlled by the eyes), or from the region, which is responsible for motor skills — in this case, the device operates on the basis of thinking about the movement of a particular limb.
Thomas Duel together with his colleague Felix Darvas conducted a series of experiments involving 15 healthy adults. All of them made it to play tunes. Currently, scientists plan to improve encephalon and prepare for more large-scale trials on patients with disorders of motor activity.
Encephalon: this musical instrument you just have not seen!
Vladimir Kuznetsov