Spinal Implant

A new device that directly stimulates spinal nerves has been shown to restore mobility in patients who have suffered “complete” spinal cord injury. The soft implantable electrodes are placed underneath the vertebrae to control specific muscle groups, enabling subjects to stand, walk, swim and even ride a bike.

Known as targeted epidural spinal stimulation (TESS ), the protocols are designed to mimic the signals that are normally generated by the brain. Using a tablet, users select the activity that they wish to perform, and the appropriate stimulations are sent to a pacemaker-type device implanted in the abdomen. Control buttons on a wheeled walking frame send the signals wirelessly to the implant, allowing the patient to activate the electrodes on demand.

So far, the system has been successfully tested on three individuals, all of whom were able to operate the device in just one day after receiving the implants. After several months of following a training regimen, they also showed an increase in muscle mass. The technology has application for the treatment of paraplegia and tetraplegia as well as Parkinson’s, stroke and traumatic brain injury.