M.D., Peking University Health Science Center
Ph.D., Washington University in St. Louis
Research Interests
My research interests include neural engineering, motor system neurophysiology, movement disorder rehabilitation, and implantable medical devices. Our group focuses on research and development of neural and myoeletric prosthetics, including the acquisition and processing of physiological signals, as well as various prosthesis control schemes and algorithms. There are three major areas that we are actively pursuing:
The first is electrocorticography(ECoG)-based brain-computer interface (BCI). Our goal is to develop a practical ECoG-BCI system and test its feasibility on patients with severe motor disabilities, such as those with high-level spinal cord injury or ALS. To record neural activity, ECoG electrodes are placed underneath the skull and on top of the brain. It has higher spatial and temporal resolution than EEG, which makes it is a promising modality for BCI application.
The second area is magnetoencephalography (MEG). Modern MEG system utilizes SQUID (Super-conducting QUamtum Interference Device) to detect minute changes in magnetic field strength caused by neuronal activity. MEG provides a completely non-invasive and safe method to obtain high-resolution neural recording in humans, and we are using MEG to conduct research in both BCI and sensorimotor control.
The third area is virtual reality (VR) for neural and myoelectric prosthesis user training. Recent advances in robotics have led to the development of sophisticated prosthetic limbs with multiple joints, i.e. degrees of freedom (DOF). However, it is very challenging for a prosthetic user to control multiple joints simultaneously with neural or myoeletric signals. The VR environment makes it possible to safely train prosthesis users and test various prosthesis control schemes.
We work with both able-bodied people and patients with movement disorders. Our research work is conducted through collaboration with investigators from bioengineering, neurology, and neurosurgery departments, as well as those from Carnegie Mellon University. The overall goal is to improve the quality of life and eventually restore lost motor functions with neuroprosthetic devices.
Recent Publications
- Wang W, Chan SS, Heldman DA, and Moran DW: Motor cortical representation of position and velocity during reaching. J Neurophysiol 97(6):4258-70, 2007.
- Thoroughman K, Wang W, and Dimitre T: The influence of inertial and viscous loads on motor planning. J Neurophysiol 98(2):870-7, 2007.
- Heldman DA, Wang W, Chan SS, Moran DW: Local field potential spectral tuning in motor cortex during reaching N. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 14(2):180-3, 2006.
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