A research team from the Feinstein Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine in the United States has developed a technology that will be very useful for people with paralysis. In one-of-a-kind clinical trials, a paralyzed person was restored to feel and be able to move.
A New York man named Keith Thomas injured his spine in a car accident in 2020. After the accident, he experienced a complete loss of sensation and movement below the chest.
Paralyzed Thomas was able to move his hand thanks to AI-assisted brain implants
Thanks to the artificial intelligence-supported brain implant technology developed by the team, Thomas began to be able to move his arm. He could also feel his sister holding his hand.
The team spent months pinpointing the parts of the brain responsible for arm movements and the sense of touch in the hands. Four months ago, following studies through MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), microchips were inserted into Thomas’s brain after a 15-hour operation. At the same time, let’s add that chips are placed in their hands.
The scientists also put external ports on the top of the head while the chips were in the body. These ports were connected to a computer with artificial intelligence algorithms designed to interpret Thomas’ thoughts and turn them into action.
Researchers refer to this method as “thought-working therapy” because everything happens with the patient’s intention. For example; When the patient wants to move his hand, the brain implant sends a signal to the computer, and the computer sends a signal to the electrodes in the hand muscles to create the movement.
Technology could help people with paralysis live more independently in the future
Thanks to this method, Thomas was able to move his arms and feel his sister’s hand. But for all this he had to stay connected to a computer. Despite this, the researchers reported that Thomas got better when untethered, and his arm strength “more than doubled”.
It is obvious that much more work is needed for this method. Nevertheless, it is possible to say that such a technology has the potential to change the lives of people living with paralysis in the future. This is the hope of the team conducting the study.
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