publish time

28/09/2023

author name Arab Times

publish time

28/09/2023

AI-enhanced implants create revolutionary 'digital bridge' for paralyzed man's arm and hand movement

NEW YORK, Sept 28, (Agencies): A 46-year-old Swiss man, previously paralyzed from a fall on ice, has experienced a remarkable improvement in his mobility thanks to a groundbreaking surgical procedure. This world-first surgery involved the implantation of a device in his brain, empowered by artificial intelligence, which interprets his thoughts and intentions to move. It then transmits these signals to a second implant in his abdomen, stimulating the corresponding muscles to execute the desired movements as directed by his brain.

This innovative process, referred to as "thought-driven movement," is developed by Onward, a Dutch company pioneering in this field. Although the complete results are still pending, the technology has already demonstrated promising outcomes, successfully reanimating the paralyzed individual's arms, hands, and fingers.

The potential impact of this technology is enormous, especially for the more than a quarter-million Americans affected by various degrees of paralysis due to spinal cord injuries. Dr. GregoireCourtine, the French neuroscientist behind this "digital bridge" concept connecting the brain and the body, envisions transformative possibilities, such as enabling individuals with paralyzed hands to perform simple tasks, regaining their independence.

Dr. Jocelyne Bloch, a Swiss neurosurgeon who performed the surgery, explained the procedure involves the replacement of a portion of bone with a set of electrodes, enabling wireless communication and spinal cord stimulation. This technological breakthrough was once considered science fiction, but it has now become a reality.

In a separate achievement, Bloch and Courtine installed similar devices in a Dutch man named Gert-Jan Oskam, who lost the use of his legs in a bike accident. This implant allows him to walk again, although not perfectly. Nevertheless, the more he uses it, the more his body repairs itself, showcasing the regenerative potential of this technology.

Courtine expressed his astonishment at the unexpected discovery that long-term use of the system leads to the growth of nerve fibers, effectively repairing the nervous system — an exciting prospect for regenerative medicine.

Restoring function to the arms and hands remains a greater challenge than restoring the ability to walk, primarily due to the finer motor control required.

Dave Marver, CEO of Onward, acknowledged the need for refinement, especially for finger movements and precise actions like grasping objects or using individual digits.

However, some ethical concerns have arisen regarding the potential misuse of thought-reading technology to invade people's privacy. Courtine and Bloch emphasized that their implant exclusively decodes thoughts related to movement, assuaging concerns about invasive applications.

While the surgery to restore hand and arm movement is currently in trial phases and may take a few more years to complete, the progress achieved so far offers hope for a future where individuals with paralysis can regain significant levels of mobility. Onward aims to learn from the initial trial subject, expand to more participants, and ultimately seek FDA approval to make this life-changing technology widely available.