In Israel, a scientific team led by Prof. Noam Sobel of the Weizmann Institute has developed a device which makes use of sniff-sensing to allow the severely disabled to communicate and even steer their wheelchair. The device works by sensing changes in air pressure in the nostrils which translates these into electrical signals for writing and steering.

To bring about this innovative device, Prof. Sobel and his team found a close link between the skill of sniffing and the braincase. Specifically, it is because sniffing is a motor skill controlled in part by the soft palate, which moves to direct air in or out through the nose or mouth. The soft palate then is controlled by several nerves that connect it straight through the braincase. The team’s theory then was that this motor skill might still be preserved even in the most acute cases of paralysis.

Their further findings also showed a link between a number of brain areas and soft palate control. This included a significant overlap between soft palate control and the language areas of the brain, which hinted to the use of sniffing to communicate.

In initial tests, both with healthy volunteers and the severely disabled, the device worked favorably. One of the most stirring results came from a test with patients with unimpaired cognitive functions but were completely paralyzed, thus ‘locked into’ their bodies. In the test, these patients found themselves able to communicate with the world and with their family, sharing thoughts and feelings after a long time of not being able to do so.

So far, this device that the disabled has found to be simple to learn has also been found relatively inexpensive to produce. Currently, Yeda Research and Development Company, the Weizmann’s technology transfer arm, is exploring the possibility of commercializing the device.

This amazing discovery is a breakthrough that can’t be ignored. As some have found that this device is more accurate than one controlled by blinking, I feel that researchers, scientists and technology developers are on their way to creating better methods for the severely disabled to reconnect with the world. It would allow great minds to flourish despite of acute paralysis.