Breakthrough for Spinal Cord Injuries
A device that was once used to treat chronic pain was modified to provide an opportunity for spinal cord injury patients to stand, walk, swim and even ride a bike.
The paralyzation of an individual is caused when the spinal cord is severed and signals from the brain no longer reach the extremities. The healed break is like a dam created within the spinal cord that interrupts communication from the brain. There are active neurons above and below the injury but are dead at the break site. The implanted spinal stimulator activates electrodes that work with the nerves that control movement. The implant is controlled through an application on tablet or cell phone. In case of loss wireless connection, two handheld buttons can be used.
The first prototypes of the implant are being tested in Switzerland. The study includes three men who had the spinal surgery to place the implant. Within a day of receiving the implant, these men were able to stand and take their first steps. What a great advancement in treatment for spinal cord injuries. The trial is set to add 50 more participants in the next year.
“According to Grégoire Courtine, a professor of neuroscience at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, who co-authored the new research, the team is also investigating how a specialized spinal cord stimulator could connect directly to the motor cortex, the area of the brain that controls voluntary movements. Simply thinking about wanting to stand up would make it happen, no button or tablet necessary.” (Sullivan, 2022)
This technological breakthrough is life-changing. Could this technology be reversed to open more medical breakthroughs such as stopping tremors or restless movements? Think of the possibilities. Isn’t technology great!
Read more at:
Implanted spinal stimulation device allows patients to stand, walk and swim (nbcnews.com.)
Scientists Heal Paralyzed Mice With Spinal Cord Implants
Works Cited:
Al-Sibai, N. (2022, February 7). Spine implants allow paralyzed man to control legs using app. Futurism. Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://futurism.com/neoscope/implant-spinal-injury-walk-again
Ellis, R. (2022, February 7). Spinal cord implant allows paraplegics to walk again, scientists say. WebMD. Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20220207/spinal-cord-implant-allows-paraplegics-to-walk-again-scientists-say
Sullivan, K. (2022, February 7). Implanted spinal stimulation device allows patients to stand, walk and swim . NBCNews.com. Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://www.nbcnews.com./health/health-news/implanted-spinal-stimulation-device-allows-patients-stand-walk-swim-rcna15132
