Brain-controlled body movement assistance devices and methods

A body worn brain-controlled body movement assistance device, the device comprising:

• a body worn brain-computer interface (BCI) component adapted to be mounted to a user, the BCI component configured to (i) receive brain signal information captured from the user by a brain signal acquisition system, (ii) process the captured brain signal information to detect if the captured brain signal information is indicative of an intention by the user related to one or more predefined movements of one or more of the user's body parts, and (iii) when an intention of one of the one or more predefined movements is detected, produce an output signal indicative of a detected predefined movement;
• a body movement assistance component operably connected to the BCI component and adapted to be worn by the user in proximity to and attached with the body parts of the one or more predefined movements, the body movement assistance component being configured to (i) receive from the BCI component the output signal indicative of the detected predefined movement, and (ii) in response thereto, induce or assist in moving the one or more body parts in accordance with the detected predefined movement;
• and
• a prompt mechanism operably connected to the BCI component, the prompt mechanism comprising a display device configured to display information generated by the BCI component to prompt the user to attempt finger movements,
• wherein the body worn brain-controlled body movement assistance device is portable by virtue of the BCI component, the body movement assistance component, and the display device each being wearable on an upper limb of the user, and
• wherein the BCI component, the body movement assistance component, and the display device are each located in a single body worn brain-controlled body movement assistance device adapted to be worn on the upper limb of the user in such a way that the user is able to ambulate freely while wearing the device.