Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again
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Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again
#2There is an article in Nature on this which in my opinion is even better than the submission: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00367-1
Here is the actual paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-021-01663-5 (paywall)
Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again
#3My main criticism and cynicism from articles like these (related: prosthetics) is that they help the few people that are lucky, popular, or rich; lucky to have a doctor or to find a program and get into it; popular because they end up in social media 'feel good' posts and articles; rich because it's experimental, low-volume tech or treatments that require going abroad. Popular can also translate to being able to afford it, but it's shameful that people have to post their stories online to raise money. (shameful to society that is, not the people who are driven by desperation).
But I guess things like this will eventually trickle down to general and widespread availability, just technological advancements like cochlear implants and pacemakers did.
Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again
#4Walk, swim, cycle?
Are we talking about pre-recorded neural commands, "modes" in implant?
Or they actually managed to restore connectivity in nerves, bypassing damaged part?
Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again
#5My main criticism and cynicism from articles like these (related: prosthetics) is that they help the few people that are lucky, popular, or rich; lucky to have a doctor or to find a program and get into it; popular because they end up in social media 'feel good' posts and articles; rich because it's experimental, low-volume tech or treatments that require going abroad. Popular can also translate to being able to affo…
That's generally how things with new tech. Initially expensive; it gets cheaper over time. Eventually patents run out and everybody gets in on the action.
Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again
#6Walk, swim, cycle? Are we talking about pre-recorded neural commands, "modes" in implant? Or they actually managed to restore connectivity in nerves, bypassing damaged part?
No.
Quote from article: "Dr Courtine and Dr Bloch have developed a wafer-thin device with electrodes that could target the dormant nerves. Once implanted into Mr Roccati’s back, the device sent in pulses of electricity that mimicked those normally present in the nerves of an uninjured person as they walk.
By doing this, the device acted like an amplifier for any electrical signals coming from Mr Roccati’s brain. Those brain signals would normally be blocked by his damaged spinal tissue and be incapable of activating the nerves in his lower back. But with the stimulation device in place, Mr Roccati was able to voluntarily control those once-dormant nerves, allowing him to move his legs and walk."
It's his brain, the device is only used as amplifier. The fact that article talks about "Walk, swim, cycle" in its title is only a part of what people fitted with devices can do. It said he can also sit and talk to friends at bar.
Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again
#7This builds upon some solid research in rodents and humans, which had showed very promising results. It is very likely to become a therapeutic option within the next 10 years, in my opinion.
Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again
#8Walk, swim, cycle? Are we talking about pre-recorded neural commands, "modes" in implant? Or they actually managed to restore connectivity in nerves, bypassing damaged part?
They hooked up trodes to the bottom section of the nerves, enabling patients to activate, selectively, respective muscles. Chain those activations together in sequence and you got a walk.
It's described in the Nature article linked from another comment - https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00367-1
Also I heard authors give an interview on the radio and they mention that while walking is impressive, a more practical outcome is an ability to control muscles on the back, because these allow for bending and controlling the balance while sitting on a chair.
Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again
#9No post body was provided.
Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again
#10Walk, swim, cycle? Are we talking about pre-recorded neural commands, "modes" in implant? Or they actually managed to restore connectivity in nerves, bypassing damaged part?
Probably pre-recorded, according to the nature article:
> Once the implant was in place, each person could control the pattern of electrical stimulation, using buttons and a tablet to raise or lower each leg, for example [...] using the device to guide their muscles through preprogrammed movements.