What if it was possible to watch a movie and be able to smell, taste and even feel what was being presented? As far-fetched as it may sound, such a reality may not be far off, as entertainment giant Sony Corp. has been granted a patent for transmitting sensory information directly into the brain.

Let's Dig a Little Deeper ...

The technique described in Sony's patent is totally non-invasive. It highlights a device that sends ultrasound pulses to targeted areas of the brain, creating sensory experiences ranging from:

• Moving Images
• Tastes and sounds

The pulsed ultrasonic signal alters the neural timing in the cortex of the brain; this technique could one day give blind or deaf people the chance to see or hear.

Moreover, Sony's technique could be an improvement over one of the more popular means of manipulating the brain non-invasively: transcranial magnetic stimulation, which triggers nerves by using rapidly changing magnetic fields to provoke currents in the brain. The difference between Sony's technique and transcranial magnetic stimulation is that ultrasounds can be focused on small groups of brain cells, whereas magnetic fields cannot.

Will the patent take off? One neuroscientist, who created a device that allows disabled people to communicate via brain waves, believes the patent is credible. Further, if the technique really does work, it could present various uses in research and medicine.

New Scientist April 7, 2005

USA Today April 6, 2005