<h3><strong>Who got the brain implants?</strong></h3><p>Gert-Jan Oskam, a 40-year-old Dutchman, received electronic implants in his brain and spinal cord. Mr. Oskam was paralysed due to a cycling accident 12 years ago. In July 2021, Professor Jocelyne Bloch, a Swiss researcher at Lausanne University, performed a delicate implant surgery on him, allowing him to move again.</p><p>Professor Bloch cut two circular holes, 5 cm in diameter, above the brain region involved in controlling movement. She then inserted two disc-shaped implants that wirelessly transmit his brain’s signals to a helmet on his head. A second implant was also put in his spinal cord.</p><h3><strong>How do these implants work?</strong></h3><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/brain-implants-help-paralysed-man-walk-again%2FImplants.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=bce82b73-45cb-4bbe-802d-1cbb65e8e74f"><figcaption>The functioning of the implants. Photo by BBC.</figcaption></figure><p>The Swiss team developed an algorithm that translates the brain’s signals into instructions to move the leg and foot muscles with the help of a spinal cord implant. Professor Bloch has carefully placed the other implant on the nerve ending that is related to walking.</p><p>After a few weeks of training, Mr. Oskam was successfully able to stand and walk with the help of a walker. He uses the system for an hour or so a few times a week. This has helped train his muscles and restored some movement in his legs even when the system is off, suggesting a regeneration of his spinal nerves.</p><h3><strong>Can other patients use these implants yet?</strong></h3><p>Professor Bloch has claimed that the system is still at an experimental stage and will take many years before it can be made available to paralysed patients. The next step is to conduct a clinical trial of the system as soon as possible.</p><p>Earlier, only spinal cord implants were used to help paralysed patients move. However, the issue with this technology was that the patient's walking motion was pre-programmed and looked robotic. The new brain-spinal implant technology gives the patient a lot more control over their movement.</p><p>A company called Oward Medical hopes to improve spinal implant technology with the aim of commercialising it so that people can use it in their day-to-day lives.<br>&nbsp;</p>

The implants converted his brain’s signals to instructions that helped him move.

Brain Implants Help Paralysed Man Walk Again

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Brain Implants Help Paralysed Man Walk Again

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