Sydney researchers are getting ready to conduct human trials next year of a smart chip, which, when implanted in the spinal cord, can measure and stop pain signals from traveling to the brain.
The technology, targeting chronic pain, was developed in Sydney by National ICT Australia (NICTA) over the last two years by experts in biomedical, electrical and mechanical engineering, as well as textile technology and software applications.
The smart chip is put into a bio-compatible device, which is a little smaller than the head of a match. A couple of the devices are sewn into a 1.22mm wide micro-lead made from polymer yarn and electronic wires. The wires are then inserted into the spine (or elsewhere) and connected to a device containing a battery and a computer processor. The battery can be charged wirelessly.
Oh goody, when you grab that hot pot you won’t feel the pain while your skin burns. I can’t wait for the lawsuits.
I think medical marijuana is cheaper, safer and more fun.
this is spinal tap.. our pain goes to 11..
Give me a knife and I make your pain go away forever for cheap.
Just call me at 1 800 CUT-CORD. I never had a customer complain after surgery. I accept all major credit cards and give a 5% cash discount.
And if you call in the next 5 min I will also throw in a free tonsillectomy, ice cream not included.
Can someone say military use?
# 5 Angel H. Wong
I think I can
mil..ita…ry u…se
Hows that for first try.
Sign me up!
This could open up a whole nest of problems. #1 has it right. Pain is your body’s way of stopping you from harming yourself.
All teh people on compo now have no excuse, except the fact they will damage themselves more if they are unable to feel the pain.
there is a reason we have pain sensors.
this is the equivalent of putting fluoride or lithium in the water. we will feel better because we wont be able to think about nor comprehend all the bad things being done to us by the gov.
I’m reminded of the movie “Terminal Man”. Though that was about a chip stopping brain seizures. But it was badly programmed, and ended up rewarding the brain for having seizures. Zapping the spinal cord according to certain parameters, probably won’t result in violent robotic actions. But I’d still be wary of what I could do, without having an off switch.
BTW, I’ll just bet the US Army is taking a look at this tech, in regards to their ongoing “super soldier” research.
No Pain, no Gain.
Chronic back pain can be torture.
Some phantom pain can do the same thing and yes an amputated nerve can still tell your brain that your arm/whatever hurts.
I thought it read “Sydney Scientists Beat Palin with Spinal Chip”…my bad.
Sorry to be waxing pedantic above, but I find the brain and CNS fascinating…
Oh, #14, I thought it said “Palin” too at first. 🙂
This technology is not new. It is based as far as I understand on neuromodulation for the treatment of Chronic Pain which I have. Neuromodulation for the treatment of pain has been used now for decades.
This is like an upgraded version of your mobile phone. Instead of leads in the case of eg a spinal cord stimulator, chips are now going to be used. Less invasive for the patient. Plus if it works it gives your live back to you.
Chronic Pain is pain that lasts for more than 3 months. In many and most cases it is life long torture. Meds just dull the pain and in the case of CRPS it ranks higher on the pain scale than having a baby for the first time or having a digit amputated. It is like having constant boiling water being poured on your skin. Up to 17% of the pop. are in constant pain.
Soon to be used for Women’s “Push-Button Orgasm” system ?
sweet bio-cuffs.
i veto everyone getting one of these, additionally to their standard identification rfid chip. you just wont do a single step if some control freak prefers you to stay where you are.