An estimated 23,890 adults in the United States will be diagnosed with cancerous tumors of the brain and spinal cord in 2020. However, while tubular retractors allow neurosurgeons to reach affected brain tissue, the openings of these retractors are incredibly small and restrict the precise movements required of surgeons during operations. The researcher explores the possibility of designing a tubular retractor with an expandable working end to allow neurosurgeons greater freedom of movement during critical surgery operations.
One in five people in the United States alone suffer from neurological damage which can lead to complications such as cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, and many other disorders. However, while these issues cause the function of the brain to be of great interest to medical scientists, all current procedures to study the brain are either incredibly invasive or have significant potential to cause patient health complications following the procedure. The researcher explores the capability of a wireless neural recorder with no onboard power components to record on multiple channels, thereby reducing the invasiveness and risk of studying complex brain signals.