Science & Technology

Paralyzed man uses brain power to walk again

By T.K. Randall
September 24, 2015 ·  8 comments

A special brain interface has enabled to a paralyzed man to walk. Image Credit: CC BY 2.0 Allan Ajifo The impressive achievement was made possible by doctors in Southern California who have developed a new system that effectively bypasses the patient's severed spinal cord and sends messages directly from the brain to electrodes placed around the knees.

The signals then trigger controlled leg movements that enable the patient to walk.In the video below student Adam Fritz, who injured his back in a motorcycle accident, can be seen walking almost twelve feet across the floor of the research facility while using a harness and walking frame to help keep him standing upright.

It is the first time that a paraplegic has been able to walk again without the use of robotics and the scientists behind the project believe that this technology could eventually make it possible for patients with this type of injury to regain at least some of their lost mobility.


Source: Japan Times | Comments (8)

Tags: Paralysis, Brain