Functional electrical stimulation to re-learn how to execute impaired functions, instead of making the consumer dependent on neuroprostheses for the rest of her/his life. Neurons are electrically active cells. In neurons, information is coded and transmitted as a series of electrical impulses called action potentials, which represent a brief change in cell electric potential of approximately 80–90 mV. Nerve signals are frequency modulated; i.e. the number of action potentials that occur in a unit of time is proportional to the intensity of the transmitted signal. Typical action potential frequency is between 4 and 12 Hz. An electrical stimulation can artificially elicit this action
Neurotrophic electrode by the intended listener. The standard advantages and disadvantages of invasive versus non-invasive interfaces still apply. However, for this particular application, the neurotrophic electrode has an advantage in that it has already been shown to be effective for restoring communication to disabled patients. Neurotrophic electrode The neurotrophic electrode is an intracortical device designed to read the electrical signals that the brain uses to process information. It consists of a small, hollow glass cone attached to several electrically conductive gold wires. The term "neurotrophic" means "relating to the nutrition and maintenance of nerve tissue" and the device gets its name from