Non-Invasive Spinal Cord Stimulation
Scientists at the University of California, LA used non-invasive spinal cord stimulation to provide a completely paralyzed man, the ability to step out in a bionic device.
Breakthrough for paralysis patients
Mark Pollock, a 39 year-old man who was paralyzed from the waist down for four years prior to the study, was able to voluntarily control a robotic exoskeleton to take a few thousand steps. This is the first time that a person with paralysis was able to voluntarily control his muscles and work in tandem with a robotic device to take steps in a rhythmic fashion. The scientists also used a non-invasive electrical stimulation of the spinal cord to assist the process. Pollock was trained on the bionic exoskeleton for five days followed by the spinal cord stimulation for two weeks …show more content…
The spinal cord stimulation technique doesn’t require surgery and helps initiate leg movements by conveying nerve signals to the cord.
Assisted walking provides hope for paraplegics
The researchers found that external stimulation significantly improved Pollock’s control of the exoskeleton. They believe that both the robotic exoskeleton and the stimulation work synergistically to offer better volitional control of movements. Moreover, the combination also greatly improved his cardiovascular function and muscle tone.
He achieved a heart rate of 138 beats per minute, which, being in the aerobic zone is impressive. This achievement was not only exhilarating but also emotional considering that Pollock was an athlete before the accident in 2010 that injured his spinal cord and rendered him paraplegic. This invention provides hope to the 6 million Americans who live with paralysis, of a life with improved mobility and control, albeit with assistance.
How does a bionic ear
Breakthrough for paralysis patients
Mark Pollock, a 39 year-old man who was paralyzed from the waist down for four years prior to the study, was able to voluntarily control a robotic exoskeleton to take a few thousand steps. This is the first time that a person with paralysis was able to voluntarily control his muscles and work in tandem with a robotic device to take steps in a rhythmic fashion. The scientists also used a non-invasive electrical stimulation of the spinal cord to assist the process. Pollock was trained on the bionic exoskeleton for five days followed by the spinal cord stimulation for two weeks …show more content…
The spinal cord stimulation technique doesn’t require surgery and helps initiate leg movements by conveying nerve signals to the cord.
Assisted walking provides hope for paraplegics
The researchers found that external stimulation significantly improved Pollock’s control of the exoskeleton. They believe that both the robotic exoskeleton and the stimulation work synergistically to offer better volitional control of movements. Moreover, the combination also greatly improved his cardiovascular function and muscle tone.
He achieved a heart rate of 138 beats per minute, which, being in the aerobic zone is impressive. This achievement was not only exhilarating but also emotional considering that Pollock was an athlete before the accident in 2010 that injured his spinal cord and rendered him paraplegic. This invention provides hope to the 6 million Americans who live with paralysis, of a life with improved mobility and control, albeit with assistance.
How does a bionic ear