Today June 21 is the world day of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), one of the rarest diseases in the world that is degenerative of the central nervous system and that today has no cure. This disease is characterized by muscular paralysis that spreads throughout the body, affecting other abilities such as speech, mobility or breathing. However, the movement of the eyes or the mental functions remain intact. Risk factors for contracting this disease are genetic or exposure to heavy metals and chemicals and electromagnetic radiation.
In Spain there are up to 3,000 people who suffer from this cruel disease. In trying to prolong the lives of patients by at least two to three months, the best drug that has been found has been riluzole. However, technology has helped these patients to try to better cope with the disease.
Eye-tracking, very effective
An example is the use of eye tracking technology, which tries to evaluate where the eye fixes its gaze. With this technology , ALS patients can communicate, also using a tablet. Using a camera placed on the tablet, it reads the movement of the pupils on a virtual keyboard and the application converts it into messages so that the patient can communicate. It is something like writing with the pupil. To streamline this entire process, the application has predetermined phrases that the patient can use quickly and thus save time in the process.
Electronic communication
Another technology used is the brain-computer interface, which consists of wirelessly connecting the brain to a computer and by capturing brain waves the patient can carry out activities. This type of technique is used in those people who cannot be understood verbally.
There is another technology that requires the need to perform a surgical intervention on the patient, which consists of implementing a device that resembles a pacemaker near the brain. This technique was used in two patients who after the operation were able to operate a computer using only the movement of the eyes, perform actions that were executed imitating the movement of the mouse or write, combining this technique with the aforementioned eye tracking.
There are different electronic communication systems that are available. These systems can be designed with a specific configuration for each user or they can have general settings. For example, a communication system that works with a desktop computer cannot be transported, but using a laptop makes it easier for the system to travel with the patient.
Exoskeletons, another alternative
Exoskeletons, a technology that is widely applied in medicine and the military, also help these patients to perform tasks as simple as picking up a glass or cutlery. They consist of structures composed of rigid and flexible pieces that cover the paralyzed limbs. This mechanical system allows the assisted gait of the body combining robotics, virtual reality and neurology.
An exoskeleton is controlled in the following way: a helmet placed on the head collects the orders from the brain and sends them to a computer that processes them and transforms them into orders that make the different pieces of the exoskeleton move. There are exoskeletons controlled by the brain, although there are other models that use sensors connected to nerves and tendons to receive orders.
Ramps, wheelchairs, and powered respirators
An electric wheelchair is a good alternative in case an ALS patient loses mobility in the legs. These can be moved using a simple lever or a button, facilitating the patient movement and not having to use the arms to move the wheels of the chair. In addition, there are also ramps or small elevators that are increasingly common in neighborhoods that help patients to access different buildings in a safer way.
When ALS begins to affect the muscles that control the lungs, assisted breathing becomes necessary. Therefore, ALS sufferers can purchase assisted respirators to help them breathe. There are two different types: those that require surgery to connect them to the patient and those that do not require any type of operation.
It is of great help that technology helps these people to cope with their illness in the best possible way. While work and study continue to find a cure, these different systems are of great help in trying to minimize the symptoms of this terrible disease.
