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Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again

economist.com

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Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again

#11

Post by resonious »

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #3

My 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…

Do you have any ideas or advice on how these products should be developed instead?

Sorry if that came off as antagonistic. I think I actually agree with the overall sentiment that luck and popularity shouldn't be barriers to healthcare, but experimentation is a necessary part of the process. And at the very least, luck is inherent to experimentation.

Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again

#12

Post by thaumasiotes »

resonious wrote: post #11
Cthulhu_ wrote: post #3

My 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…

Do you have any ideas or advice on how these products should be developed instead? Sorry if that came off as antagonistic. I think I actually agree with the overall sentiment that luck and popularity shouldn't be barriers to healthcare, but experimentation is a necessary part of the process. And at the very least, luck is inherent to experimentation.

Obviously, medical experiments should only be done on the poorest and neediest segment of the population. There's no way to spin THAT as exploitative. ;D

Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again

#13

Post by DeWilde »

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #3

My 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…

I see it differently, I think articles like are important by making people aware of solutions like these which will speed up the time needed to get them to people not as fortunate to have access to them now. More awareness means more people will work towards making the solution, lowering their cost.

Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again

#14

Post by BelleOfTheBall »

DeWilde wrote: post #13
Cthulhu_ wrote: post #3

My 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…

I see it differently, I think articles like are important by making people aware of solutions like these which will speed up the time needed to get them to people not as fortunate to have access to them now. More awareness means more people will work towards making the solution, lowering their cost.

I'd agree with this sentiment. These articles make people excited and bring awareness plus, if you allow me to speculate, I bet someone with paralysis who at least sees these articles and realizes they might have a chance to walk in the future will feel better than someone who doesn't see them. Knowing there is a chance makes it easier to cope with problems. Or maybe I'm wrong, tell me if I am, I fully understand my perspective may be skewed.

Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again

#15

Post by huhtenberg »

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #3

My 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…

Oh, knock it off.

What these people did is nothing short of amazing.

Yet, here we are - a completely generic and trivial "critique" comment is the highest upvoted sentiment. On the HN of all places. Jesus.

The same "complaint" can be lodged against ANY novel treatment before it's fully productized for mass adoption.

Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again

#16

Post by twayt »

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #3

My 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…

You don’t have to worry about that. If it’s possible, the market will solve that. Think of this as a proof of concept that viable tech and a potential market exists.

Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again

#17

Post by twayt »

I wonder if this could be used for a truly immersive vr experience.

1. Hook up said implant, convert analog impulse to digital 2. Chemically induce paralysis of the peripheral motor neurons (??) 3. Truly immersive VR experience where participant controls embodied avatar

Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again

#18

Post by vba »

unnouinceput wrote: post #6
mgreb wrote: post #4

Walk, 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. Thos…

Why is this post downvoted? Is it inaccurate.

Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again

#19

Post by jcun4128 »

twayt wrote: post #17

I wonder if this could be used for a truly immersive vr experience. 1. Hook up said implant, convert analog impulse to digital 2. Chemically induce paralysis of the peripheral motor neurons (??) 3. Truly immersive VR experience where participant controls embodied avatar

SAO

Wonder if you use your mind vs. a display, then are the visuals as good as real life. Or maybe you feed the image and your mind upscales it.

Re: Spinal implants allow paralysed people to walk, swim and cycle again

#20

Post by eerikkivistik »

I have a colleague who could benefit from this type of new treatment. Since HN is a wonderful place with a multitude of experts in various fields, I'll throw a question in the air:

Who and how would I contact, if I wanted to know more about these kinds of clinical trials and participation?

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