| ssistive technology device, called the Tongue Drive | | | | The researchers said that they chose the tongue to |
| system, could revolutionize the way powered | | | | operate the system because the tongue is directly |
| wheelchairs are operated. The system, developed by | | | | connected to the brain by a cranial nerve that |
| engineers at the Georgia Institute of Technology, | | | | typically doesn't get damaged in severe spinal cord |
| allows people with disabilities to easily operate a | | | | injuries and neuromuscular diseases. Another reason is |
| powered wheelchair using simple tongue movements. | | | | because tongue movements are fast and people do |
| Tongue Drive works by implanting a small magnetic | | | | not have to concentrate very hard to make them. |
| tracer, about the size of a grain of rice, into the | | | | The system was tested on six able-bodied testers |
| powered wheelchair users tongue via implantation, | | | | and the outcome was pretty astounding. The results |
| piercing, or tissue adhesive. When the magnetic | | | | showed a response time of less than one second |
| tracer is moved, it is detected by a field of sensors | | | | with almost 100 percent accuracy. The next step is |
| that are mounted on either a headset worn outside | | | | to test the system on people with severe disabilities. |
| the mouth or an orthodontic brace worn inside of the | | | | Here at Orbit Medical we are constantly striving to |
| wheelchair user's mouth. These magnetic tracers | | | | stay up-to-date with the latest and greatest |
| broadcast a signal wirelessly to a portable computer | | | | powered wheelchair innovations. We are excited |
| that can be carried on the wheelchair. This | | | | about the possibility of more people gaining |
| information is then used to move the powered | | | | independence through the assistance of a powered |
| wheelchair, omitting the need for a joystick. | | | | wheelchair. |