America
A device that turns breath into words
London, Aug 30
Scientists, including an
Indian-origin doctor, have developed a new device that gives words to
the thoughts of severe paralysis victims by analysing and interpreting
their breathing patterns.
The prototype analyses changes in
breathing patterns and converts 'breath signals' into words using
pattern recognition software and an analogue-to-digital converter.
A speech synthesizer then reads the words aloud.
The device can transform the lives of millions of sufferers of severe paralysis and loss of speech, researchers said.
"This
device could transform the way people with severe muscular weakness or
other speech disorders communicate," said Atul Gaur, consultant
anaesthetist at Glenfield Hospital, England.
"In an intensive
care setting, the technology has the potential to be used to make an
early diagnosis of locked-in syndrome (LIS), by allowing patients,
including those on ventilators, to communicate effectively by breathing
-- an almost effortless act," Gaur added.
Co-researchers David
Kerr and Kaddour Bouazza-Marouf from Loughborough University said the
device learns from its user, building up its knowledge as it goes.
It
allows the user to control how he or she wishes to communicate
"effectively enabling them to create their own language by varying the
speed of their breathing.