Graz Brain-Computer Interface: Control of neuroprostheses for the upper extremity

The consequences of a spinal cord injury (SCI) are tremendous for the patients. The loss of motor functions especially of the grasping function leads to a life-long dependency on helping persons and thereby to a dramatic decrease in quality of life. With the help of so-called neuroprostheses, the grasp function can be substantially improved. Nowadys, systems for grasp restoration can only be used by patients with preserved voluntary shoulder and elbow function. In patients with a higher SCI the ability to move the elbow is lost and the number of active control movements decreases. A Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) offers a method to overcome this problem. This work gives an overview of the Graz BCI used for the control of neuroprosthetic devices.