Implementation of a telemonitoring system for the control of an EEG-based brain-computer interface.
By the use of a brain-computer interface (BCI), it is possible for completely paralyzed patients, who have lost their ability to speak, to have a new possibility to communicate with their environment. The training with such a BCI system can be performed at the patient's home, if there is a responsible person present who is familiar with the system. This person has to adjust different parameters and to adapt the training individually to each patient. Since this function is usually taken over by the developers of the system, the number of patients who can be included in regular BCI training is restricted due to geographical distances. This paper describes the implementation of a telemonitoring system, which makes it possible for the developer to control and supervise the BCI training from his or her own place of work. First experiences with a patient living far away from the developer's lab are reported.
Müller
Gernot R
GR
Department of Medical Informatics, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria.
Neuper
Christa
C
Pfurtscheller
Gert
G
D000328:Adult; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000379:methods; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014584:User-Computer Interface