Unmet Need
Electrical stimulation to the brain is a new emerging field of research with great potential. As neurons within the brain communicate through electrical charges, the ability to manipulate the delivery of such electrical charges through a stimulation machine may be beneficial for neuro-rehabilitation. Examples of such efforts already underway include the application of neural stimulation to individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder (see Brunelin et al. 2018). Aside from health purposes of electrical stimulation of the brain, such stimulations may assist in amplifying sensory perception and provide visual technology such as virtual reality with sensory applications. Therefore, there is a strong need for a new technology that can leverage biological sensory perception of humans for rehabilitation purposes as well as health, sensory augmentation, or live immersion into virtual reality environments.
Technology Overview
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have conceptualized a novel approach of providing electrical stimulation to the brain for the purpose of altering the tactile perception of humans. Specifically, the technology electrically stimulates targeted regions of the brain that correspond to areas of the body while applying constant tactile pressure over flat surfaces. This results in a novel sensation wherein the flat surfaces appear to be indented if electrical stimulation is delivered in the same spatial location at the same time. This invention has the potential to translate to other sensory perceptions including but not limited to vision, hearing, olfaction, taste, and perceptions of movement.
Stage of Development
Conceptual
