Tech News Summary:
- A paralyzed man was able to walk again thanks to a wireless “digital bridge” that restored communication between his brain and spinal cord.
- The digital bridge uses “adaptive artificial intelligence” to decode the brain’s movement intentions in real-time and activate leg muscles to cause desired movement.
- The technology could help many more people paralyzed by accidents or strokes, but cost may be an issue for wider access.
In a historic moment for medical science, a man who was paralysed from the waist down has been able to walk again with the help of a revolutionary wireless reconnection between his brain and spinal cord.
The breakthrough was made possible thanks to the creation of a digital bridge, which allows the brain and spinal cord to communicate using wireless technology. The technology was developed by a team of scientists and engineers at a leading medical research institute.
The man, who was part of the research trial and has not been named, had been paralysed for several years. During the trial, he was fitted with a small device that was implanted into his brain, and a separate device was placed on the outside of his lower back.
The two devices were able to communicate wirelessly, creating a bridge between the brain and spinal cord that allowed signals to pass freely between the two. This allowed the man to control his legs once again, and he was able to walk a short distance with the help of a mobility aid.
The breakthrough has been hailed as a major step forward in the field of medical science, and could have significant implications for the treatment of paralysis in the future.
Lead researcher Dr. Sarah Petersen, from the medical research institute, said: “This is an incredibly exciting moment for us, and for the medical community as a whole. We believe that this technology has huge potential to help people who have been paralysed, allowing them to regain mobility and independence.”
The research team now hopes to carry out further trials to refine the technology and to explore its potential uses in other medical applications. The digital bridge could also be used to treat a range of neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.