Implant lets paralysed man 'play guitar'

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Implant lets paralysed man 'play guitar'

Postby annie » 14 Apr 2016, 09:35

In a world first, a quadriplegic man can once again move his fingers after a chip was implanted in his brain.

Ian Burkhart from Ohio in the US can even move individual fingers to play a guitar-based computer game.

The chip reads brain signals, which are interpreted by a computer. It then precisely stimulates his muscles with electricity to restore movement.

The researchers hope the technology will eventually help millions of people with paralysis, stroke or brain damage.

Ian, 24, was seriously injured in a diving accident nearly six years ago.

The damage to his spinal cord left messages from his brain unable to reach the rest of his body and he was paralysed below the elbows and left unable to walk.

But now he is celebrating the "big shock" of being able to move his hand again after a procedure at Ohio State University.

A sensor was implanted inside his brain to read the activity of hundreds of neurons in his motor cortex.
Video:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36015248
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Re: Implant lets paralysed man 'play guitar'

Postby Rosalind » 15 Apr 2016, 08:41

Saw this on the news, brilliant what they can do these days.
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