Page 91 - ITU Journal Future and evolving technologies Volume 2 (2021), Issue 3 – Internet of Bio-Nano Things for health applications

ITU Journal on Future and Evolving Technologies, Volume 2 (2021), Issue 3

BRAINWAVE ASSISTIVE SYSTEM FOR PARALYZED INDIVIDUALS

Md Ahnaf Shariar , Syeda Maliha Monowara , Md. Shafayat Ul Islam ,
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Muhammed Junaid Noor Jawad , Saifur Rahman Sabuj
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1,2,3,4 Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, BRAC University, Bangladesh, Department of Electronics and
Control Engineering, Hanbat National University, South Korea
NOTE: Corresponding author: Md Ahnaf Shariar, md.ahnaf.shariar@g.bracu.ac.bd

Abstract – The Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is a system based on brainwaves that can be used to
translate and comprehend the innumerable activities of the brain. Brainwave refers to the bioelectric
impulses invariably produced in the human brain during neurotransmission, often measured as the action
potential. Moreover, BCI essentially uses the widely studied Electroencephalography (EEG) technique to
capture brainwave data. Paralysis generally occurs when there is a disturbance in the central nervous
system prompted by a neurodegenerative or unforeseen event. To overcome the obstacles associated with
paralysis, this paper on the brainwave-assistive system is based on the BCI incorporated with Internet-of-
things. BCI can be implemented to achieve control over external devices and applications. For instance, the
process of cursor control, motor control, neuroprosthetics and wheelchair control, etc. In this paper, the
OpenBCI Cyton-biosensing board has been used for the collection of the EEG data. The accumulated EEG
data is executed subsequently to obtain control over the respective systems in real-time. Hence, it can be
concluded that the experiments of the paper support the idea of controlling an interfaced system through
the real-time application of EEG data.
Keywords – Action potential, brain-computer interface, brain wave, central nervous system,
electroencephalography data

1. INTRODUCTION muscles, and the spinal cord [3]. Provided the
contingency factors, the non-invasive approaches
The Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) has have greater possibilities of being embraced,
articulated a phenomenon that bridges the neural especially in the middle-income countries around
activities in the human brain with the computer the world.
system. The study of brainwave oscillations has
been conducted by pioneers since the early 1900s. The brainwave impulses generated during
However, the research on BCI technology neurotransmission in the Central Nervous System
progresses towards non-traditional advancement (CNS) can be computed and interpreted using the
in recent times due to the availability of wireless BCI convention. Thus, the plausibility of the system
means of communication [1]. Nonetheless, the is inherently conditioned to the user's brain
emerging research on implantation for interfacing functionality [5, 6]. BCI essentially uses the
with the neural system in [2], suggests an Electroencephalography (EEG) technique for the
enhancement in the brainwave data acquisition retrieval of the aforementioned signals, in the form
process. In hindsight, the asserted techniques of of frequencies and electric bio-signals [7]. Recent
accumulating data through conventional invasive studies suggest that the brain's peripheral
methods can be substituted by biomedical mechanism for motor functionalities is not as
treatments as discussed in [3]. The application of imperative as anticipated over the years. Generally,
the Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT), expedited the EEG data produced in a paralyzed individual is
the implantation of the electrodes of artificial indistinguishable from that of a non-paralyzed
neurons to provide state-of-the-art technological person. Therefore, BCI can be employed to obtain
facilities. Besides, [4] proposes how a nano- Neurofeedback (NFB) of the complex brain
generated neural network can provide improved activities by restoring the envisioned stimulation
stimulation of brainwave signals for an optimized [8]. Consequently, successful task completion can
control system. Nevertheless, the high risk of tissue be facilitated by utilizing brainwave signals alone,
damage might considerably precede the favorable without requiring any physical actions. Hence, it
features of direct stimulation of prosthesis, can considerably assist paralyzed and physically

© International Telecommunication Union, 2021 79