This session demonstrated how patient centered tools, technologies and design are helping patients take control over their health for better outcomes and communication with providers. Leaders in the patient movement, Maria Gjerpe and Charlie Young addressed the audience with their research and work in the field of patient empowerment and shared their stories of successfully engaging the health care system as a patient.

BrainControl operates like a mental joystick, using sensors to measure thoughts related to movement to allow patients in a “locked-in” state to communicate pain and wellbeing to their physician. The tool was developed for patients with ALS, MS who historically have been unable to accurately communicate their wellbeing.

Moderator David Ewing Duncan hosted a panel of speakers including Louis-Philippe Morency from USC, Jonathan Hirsch from Syapse, Adam Gazzaley from UCSF, and Pasquale Fedele of BrainControl. Each speaker demonstrated innovative technology their workplace is developing to include forward-thinking into health care including: robotics, genomics, brain changes, and brain sensors.

Pasquale Fedele invented and demonstrated BrainControl, a device that gives people the ability to control assistive technologies with their thoughts through a headset and tablet. BrainControl’s non-invasive advantage could mean big things for those who are unable to communicate verbally. Previously Pasquale also founded Liquidweb, a start-up company focusing on mobile and pervasive technologies.