A cybernetic implant, also called cybernetic device, artificial implant, or body modification, was any piece of technology designed to be implanted within a living organism and function seamlessly alongside, or in place of, their biological systems. A lifeform modified with mechanical components was known as a cyborg, short for cybernetic organism.
The Borg were heavily augmented with cybernetic implants. (TNG: "Q Who")
Mecha dysmorphia was a psychological condition that created a compulsion to replace one's body parts with technology. (Star Trek: Section 31)
History
In 2365, prior to the rule of Lieutenant Commander Data's sentience, Captain Jean-Luc Picard considered Starfleet's interests in Commander Bruce Maddox's attempt to disassemble and analyze the Soong-type android in hopes of duplicating the android technology. Data, however, argued against the idea, citing, "Lieutenant La Forge's eyes [in terms of his VISOR] are far superior to Human biological eyes. True? Then why are not all Human officers required to have their eyes replaced with cybernetic implants?" (TNG: "The Measure Of A Man")
In an alternate 2390, Chakotay and Harry Kim reactivated The Doctor in order to determine the time of death of the frozen Seven of Nine, specifically, they wanted him to access her "chronometric node and pinpoint the exact moment her cybernetic implants disengaged from her organic systems." (VOY: "Timeless")
In the 2380s, Ensign Sam Rutherford received a cybernetic implant a few weeks before Ensign D'Vana Tendi arrived to serve aboard the USS Cerritos. The implant was referred to as an oculus. (LD: "Second Contact", "Fissure Quest")
In 2380, Rutherford used his implant to come up with an optimal combat strategy to defeat Lieutenant Shaxs' Combat Simulation Smorgasborg program. (LD: "Envoys")
The Vulcan Sprocket was fitted with a bionic arm at a fairly young age. The arm was primarily silver in color, and featured a Starfleet insignia. It could increase considerably in length, via a feature called "reacher mode", and could function as a blower when in "air mode". (SCO: "Asteroid Blasters, Part 2", "Asteroid Blasters, Part 4")
Examples
Borg
- Assimilation tubules
- Auditory processor
- Bionetic implant
- Bio-synthetic glands
- Biradial clamps
- Chronometric node
- Cortical array
- Cranial implant
- Dataport
- Exo-plating
- Internal transporter node
- Microcircuit fibers
- Neural processor
- Neuro-processing adjunct
- Occipital implants
- Spinal clamps
- Synaptic relay
- Thoracic assembly
Bynar
Cardassian
Federation
- Bionic arm
- Biosynthetic limb
- Neural implants
- Neural transducer
- Neuro-depolarizing device
- Ocular implants
- Parthenogenetic implant
- Sensor web
- Synaptic transceiver
- VISOR