A male quadriplegia patient’s movement and sensation were partially restored in his hands and wrists after a clinical trial. The trial was the first of its kind, in which microchips were implanted into his brain. Moreover, the implant formed an electronic bridge, which uses AI algorithms for translating thoughts into actions. It formed a connection between his brain and body worsened because of injury.
Principal investigator of the study, Chad Bouton said in a statement,
Keith Thomas had been suffering from quadriplegia since he had gotten into an accident in July 2020. He injured the C4 and C5 vertebrae of his spine. When the injuries are this high up, they can lead to quadriplegia and tetraplegia. They are patterns of paralysis that affect the hands, legs, arms, torso, respiratory, and bowel functions. Patients lose movement and sensation in all four limbs. However, a novel brain implant has been developed that can restore the feeling. It can control Thomas’s hands and wrists after the accident.
Thomas said,
Installing the Implant
A 15-hour-long open-brain surgery was required for installing the implant, which was completed on 9th March 2023. Furthermore, the double neural bypass serves the purpose of an electric bridge. It reconnects the brain, spinal cord, and body, which enables the information to flow freely.
The implant is made of five-minute microchips that go into the brain directly. It forms a critical portion of the double neural bypass, which uses AI for translating thoughts into actions.
In conclusion, Thomas benefited from the brain implant. He can now move freely and feel his hands and wrists again without being connected to computers.
In addition, researchers and developers of the implant hope that it can encourage new neural pathways to help overcome physical injury and disease using bioelectric medicine.
Dr. Kevin Tracey president and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes and Karches Family Distinguished Chair in Medical Research said,