Concerns in the Blurred Divisions between Medical and Consumer Neurotechnology

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Consumer Technology

Background:

• Neurotechnology has historically been confined to clinical and research settings for neurological disorders.
• Recent advancements have led to portable, user-friendly, and affordable neurotechnology.
• This has enabled consumer-grade wearable devices for brain wave monitoring and interfacing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize neurotechnology based on medical and consumer applications.
• To summarize current uses of consumer-grade wearable neurotechnology.
• To address safety concerns and management strategies for neurotechnologies bridging medical and consumer markets.

Main Methods:

• Review and characterization of neurotechnology applications.
• Summary of currently marketed consumer-grade wearable headsets.
• Analysis of potential risks and market influences.

Main Results:

• Consumer neurotechnology is increasingly accessible to the public.
• Potential exists for consumer devices to be repurposed for medical applications.
• Concerns include similar claims between medical and consumer devices and market influences on employment and self-enhancement.

Conclusions:

• The rise of consumer neurotechnology necessitates careful management and safety considerations.
• Clear guidelines are needed to navigate the dual medical and consumer applications of these brain-interfacing devices.
• Addressing potential misuse and market impacts is crucial for responsible neurotechnology integration.