Medical Breakthrough: Paralyzed Man Moves His Hand

Medical Breakthrough: An American youth who was paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury successfully moved his hand for the first time using a computerized chip implanted in his brain, as reported in the journal Nature.

The technology company Battelle, in collaboration with scientists and doctors from Ohio State University, developed a device marking a medical milestone. Although the device does not cure paralysis, it is considered the first of its kind technology that allows paralyzed individuals to move their muscles.

At the age of 19, Ian Burkhart, a student at Ohio State University, sustained a severe spinal cord injury in a diving accident, resulting in paralysis from the chest down. "I became trapped in my own body, but I always had hope that in the future, things would move in the right direction," shared Burkhart.

About two years ago, Burkhart joined a trial for a new device. It involves a pea-sized computer chip that bypasses the spinal cord. The chip is implanted in the brain and reads its commands. The brain signals are captured by the chip and transmitted through a cable to a computer. The computer sends electrical signals to the sleeve on the arm, resulting in muscle and tendon movement.

Shortly after the initial surgery two years ago, Burkhart was able to open and close his hand. Two years later, his movements have improved. He was able to lift a credit card and "swipe" it, raise a coffee cup to his mouth, and even hold a toothbrush.

Burkhart, now 24, expressed pride in participating in the research "to help advance the research." He added that he hopes it will lead to improving the quality of life for people suffering from paralysis and other injuries.

The next step is to make the device mobile to enable disabled individuals to function and operate on a daily basis.

"Burkhart's hand movements may seem simple to most people, but for the paralyzed, it is a tremendous achievement. It's amazing to see the lifeless hand of a patient paralyzed for five years move again on command. We hope to provide this accomplishment and a better future not only for Ian but for millions of others in the world suffering from disabilities," said Dr. Ali Rezai, a neurosurgeon at Ohio State University.