Raphael Thys
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Design of in-ear bioelectronics. a schematic diagram of EEG recording in the ear of SpiralE. b Images of SpiralE conforming to the inner wall of the ear canal. Top right is a photograph taken with a medical endoscope. Bottom right inset shows the irregular three-dimensional structure of SpiralE after removal from the ear. c Exploded view schematic illustration of the functional layers of the proposed SpiralE. Right insets are photographs of the EEG detection layer (EEGDL) and electrothermal activation layer (EAL), respectively. d SpiralE in temporarily fixed form (left) and restored to permanent form (right) with a larger radius. Credit: Nature communication (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39814-6
A multi-institutional team of engineers in China has developed a new type of brain-computer interface (BCI) that can be easily slipped in and out of the ear canal. In their project, reported in the journal nature communication, the group set out to design and build a new kind of BCI that is less invasive than existing devices.
A brain-computer interface is a device that allows communication between the brain and a computer – although to date most such devices are unidirectional. They are used to listen to brain waves for such applications as converting them into text or into electronic signals that can be used to activate another device, such as a wheelchair.
One of the major drawbacks of most BCIs is their invasiveness. Current approaches involve the use of electrodes attached to the scalp, or microneedles or probes that pierce the skull. In this new effort, the team in China has built a BCI that is not only less invasive, but can be easily switched on and off.
The new, corkscrew-shaped BCI is called SpiralE. It is activated by carefully screwing it into the ear canal and deactivated by doing the reverse. It is mainly made of soft material to ensure comfort for the wearer. The design allows the passage of sound waves, ensuring that it does not impair hearing. The soft material that makes up the body also prevents echoes inside the coil.
SpiralE expands and deforms at complex radii of curvature in a right-angled elbow. Credit: Nature communication (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39814-6
The research team suggests that SpiralE could open the door to new BCI applications due to its ease of use. They envision the development of applications that convert full thoughts into text, control objects in both the real and virtual worlds—and perhaps even expanded memory.
More information:
Zhouheng Wang et al., Conformal in-ear bioelectronics for visual and auditory brain-computer interfaces, Nature communication (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39814-6
Journal information:
Nature communication