[fortran77]

How do they get a locked-in patient to consent to the surgery?

It's interesting that the "audio" approached worked. There are people who believe that listening to sounds at various "brainwave frequencies" (alpha, beta, etc.) can cause your brain to enter the states associated with them. While intriguing, I thought it was probably nonsense. Well, maybe not....

[rurban]

they cannot. that's why it's a big ethical outcry also. it's a pretty invasive operation.

but practically let the relatives decide, and when the patient can communicate, check the consent later. or find patients which can consent before losing communication.