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Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2009, September 24). Stimulating Sight: Retinal Implant Could Help Restore Useful Level Of Vision To Certain Groups Of Blind People. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 25, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com¬ /releases/2009/09/090923173952.htm The article is about the use of a retinal implant that could restore an individual vision so that they can identify the type of environment they are in. Researchers at MIT are inspired by the cochlear implants success to create an implant that could restore a blind person's vision so that they can identify objects. The research is done by a team of scientists, engineers, and ophthalmologists from MIT, Boston VA Med Center, Cornell, and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. The implant involved placing the implant to the outside of the eye and electrodes within the eye to do less damage. Researchers have developed several working prototypes and used them on pigs for almost a year, although final adjustments need to be made. Scientists are hopeful that human trials can begin so that patients can offer live and understandable feedback to them, so that the algorithm used within the implants can be configured properly.

A paralyzed patient implanted with a brain-computer interface device has allowed scientists to determine the relationship between brain waves and attention.

Research on placing microelectrodes on top of the brain instead of being implanted. Useful for people with paralysis.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have successfully implanted a device in a monkey, giving it control to move a mechanical arm with its brain. This technology could assist disabled people and help them to live a normal life. Oscar Pistorius uses carbon fiber-composite legs and is one of the fastest athletes in the world. He wanted to participate in the Beijing Olympics but was rejected because the bionic prosthetics apparently gave him an advantage over normal athletes. This poses one ethical issue if bionics become mainstream. People might decide to get rid of their human legs and replace them with these for an advantage.

Medical products company Second Sight developed an optical prosthetic, the Argus II, to be used for those who loss their vision due to injuries or diseases. It's a wireless communication system that's implanted into the eye that will capture images and transmit it to the brain. Second Sight has received funding from the U.S federal government.

"A portable, plugless, brain-to-computer interface using electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes strapped to the scalp has been developed by a team in the US. The device may allow paraplegics and others who have lost control of their limbs to control prosthetic devices and other equipment using their thoughts alone."