Bionics, in the field of medicine, refers to the replacement or improvement of organs or other parts of the body with mechanical versions. It is the technique of replacing a limb or body part with an electronically or mechanically powered artificial limb or part. This artificial body part is embedded in the nervous system in such a way that it responds to commands from the brain. “Neural prosthetics” is the scientifically appropriate term for these devices, but scientists have become more comfortable with the term “Bionics,” popularized by science fiction writers. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Bionics research began long before it became established as an organized academic field of study. In 1973, at the University of California, Los Angeles, computer scientist Jacques Vidal observed modulations of signals in a patient's electroencephalogram and wrote in the Annual Review of Biophysics and Bioengineering: "These observable brain electrical signals can be used as carriers of information in human-computer communication or for the purpose of controlling external apparatus such as prosthetic devices or spaceships?” While we don't yet have mind-controlled spaceships, neural control of a prosthetic device for medical applications is becoming common in laboratories around the world. The first example of bionics may be a bionic ear, a multi-channel cochlear implant that allows the recipient to hear by mimicking the function of the cochlea, was first used in 1978. Then in 1987 a patient with advanced Parkinson's disease was equipped with a deep brain electrical stimulation implant. Also in 2000 an artificial silicon retina was implanted in a human eye. The artificial retina is made of silicon microchips that contain thousands of tiny light-converting units. Remember: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In 2001, amputee Jesse Sullivan received a fully robotic arm developed by the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. The arm has a nerve muscle graft that allows him to use his thoughts to move the artificial limb.