Robot arm for people with paralysis

US scientists have reportedly transplanted artificial neural devices into a brain region of people with paralytic paralysis or loss of limb, enabling the patient to transmit signals to a robotic arm to perform. every move as desired .

US research robotic arm success for people with paralysis

The study, published in the May 21 issue of the journal Science, was conducted by researchers from the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine and the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center.

Illustration. (Source: topnews.ae)

In the past, doctors have just transplanted artificial neural devices into the primary motor cortex of the brain. This is the part that governs some muscles. After surgery, through a computer, the patient transmits the information that moves to a robotic arm. However, these movements are not definitive and quite simple.

In order to help the patient perform more difficult tasks, doctors transplanted into another part of the brain. Two microelectrodes are implanted into the vertebral cortex. Unlike the pre-mobilization cradle, this unit is responsible for handling information on the movements.

According to the scientists, the computer receives and decodes information transmitted from two microplate electrodes that are implanted on a particular movement and performs that action. According to Prof. Richard Andersen, a professor of neurology at the University of Southern California, the success of this study is that the patient only needs to imagine the intent of the action and the robot arm will " materialize" That intention is more natural and easier.

The results, published in the journal Nature, show that after a 34-year-old Erick Sorto, a paralyzed patient from the neck, was able to easily drink beer or shake hands with implantable implants on the vertebral column.

The researchers say these early experiments open up new hopes for patients with neurological diseases and uncontrolled chi.