Revolutionary Implants Allow Paralyzed Man to Walk Again.
Researchers in Switzerland have developed a "digital bridge" between a paralyzed patient's brain and spinal cord, allowing him to stand, walk, and ascend a steep ramp with only the assistance of a walker. The brain-spine interface uses an artificial intelligence thought decoder to read the patient's intentions and match them to muscle movements. The patient has retained these abilities for over a year and has even showed signs of neurological recovery, walking with crutches even when the implant was switched off. The treatment is invasive and requires multiple surgeries and hours of physical therapy, but the researchers hope to make the technology more accessible and effective for all patients who need it.