2025-10-08 L6U3-Reading-How Tech Improves Life

Paralyzed people can now control artificial limbs by thought alone.
瘫痪者现在仅靠思维就能控制假肢。
This is possible because of the development of technologies which involve connecting the brain to a computer or other electronic devices.
这得益于一项技术的发展，该技术涉及将大脑与计算机或其他电子设备连接起来。
One well-known use of such technology enables deaf people to hear.
这种技术的一个著名应用是帮助聋人恢复听力。
The device has several parts.
该设备由多个部件组成。
One part is surgically implanted into the inner ear.
其中一个部件通过手术植入内耳。
There it stimulates nerves to cause the sensation of sound.
它在那里刺激神经，从而产生听觉。
The other part sits behind the ear and works like a miniature microphone.
另一部分位于耳后，作用类似于微型麦克风。
Another new device allows those who have lost an arm or a leg to control their artificial limb just by thinking.
另一种新设备能让失去手臂或腿的人仅靠思维来控制他们的假肢。
The first human volunteer to try this out was Matt Nagle.
首位尝试这项技术的人类志愿者是马特·纳格尔。
Matt was paralyzed from the neck down due to a vicious knife attack.
马特因一次严重的刀伤导致颈部以下瘫痪。
The process of implanting the device into Matt was quite involved.
将设备植入马特体内的过程相当复杂。
First, a circular piece of his skull was removed.
首先，医生移除了他颅骨上的一小块圆形骨片。
Then a tiny plate with hair-thin electrodes was inserted into his brain.
然后，一块带有发丝般细电极的小型芯片被插入他的大脑。
It was placed in the motor cortex, the brain region that controls movement.
它被放置在大脑的运动皮层，即控制身体运动的区域。
This plate detects the electrical signals in the brain that usually control hand movement.
这块芯片可以检测大脑中通常控制手部运动的电信号。
From the plate, thin cables were connected to a small computer which decodes the signals from the plate and converts them into commands.
从芯片引出细小的导线，连接到一台小型计算机，该计算机对芯片传来的信号进行解码，并将其转化为指令。
Hopefully, these commands would control the artificial hand attached to Matt’s arm.
这些指令有望控制连接在马特手臂上的假手。
Shortly after the operation, Matt was surrounded by the surgeons as he stared at his artificial hand with hope.
手术后不久，马特满怀希望地凝视着自己的假手，周围围满了外科医生。
To the delight of the crowd, the hand started moving, and the fingers closed, becoming a fist.
令在场所有人欣喜的是，假手开始移动，手指合拢，握成了拳头。
At that moment Matt made history.
那一刻，马特创造了历史。
He became the first person to control an artificial limb by using a device surgically inserted into his brain.
他成为第一个通过植入大脑的设备仅靠思维控制假肢的人。
Since the operation, Nagle has continued to test the technology and further investigate its capabilities.
自手术以来，纳格尔一直持续测试这项技术，并进一步探索其能力。
Using thought alone, he can now perform a variety of tasks.
现在，仅靠思维，他就能完成各种任务。
He can control a TV and even open emails.
他可以控制电视，甚至打开电子邮件。
Such uses of technology are inspiring and bring joy to our hearts.
这种技术的应用令人鼓舞，也让我们内心充满喜悦。
It is powerful evidence that technological advancements will improve our lives.
这是强有力的证据，证明技术进步将改善我们的生活。