A man who was paralyzed from the lower half of his body in a car accident was able to walk again by inserting electronic devices into his brain and spinal cord to communicate wirelessly.
According to the BBC and the New York Times (NYT) on the 24th (local time), 40-year-old Gert Jan Oskam, a Dutch man who was paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident 12 years ago, underwent brain-spinal cord wireless digital connection surgery led by Swiss researchers. I started walking just thinking about it.
In the future, this operation is expected to be of great help in the rehabilitation of patients suffering from lower body or full body paralysis due to spinal nerve damage caused by a traffic accident or industrial accident.
The study, led by Swiss researchers, was also published in the scientific journal Nature.
Professor Jocelyn Bloch, a neurosurgeon at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland who performed the surgery, told the BBC, “It is still in the basic research stage, and it will take several years before it is applied to actual paralyzed patients. However, we will do it as soon as possible. “The goal is to get this system out of the lab and into the hospital.”
The gist of this research is to convert severed nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord into electronic signals by inserting a digital device capable of wireless communication. For example, when Oscam intends to move his legs, signals from the brain are converted into electronic signals through electronic devices in the brain, which are transmitted to electronic devices in the spinal cord and converted into commands for the leg muscles.
In July 2021, Oscam underwent surgery to insert electronic devices through circular holes with a diameter of 5 cm on both sides of the skull.
In an interview with the BBC, he said, “I feel like a child learning to walk again. Now I can stand up and have a beer with a friend.”
Previously, in February of last year, three patients, including Michelle Locati, who were paralyzed from the lower body, were able to walk using the same technology.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.