Hope for the injured? Implant allows paralyzed man to move arm using his thoughts

A paralyzed man has regained the use of an arm using a brain implant wired to his muscles. His thoughts control the implant. He is now able to feed himself. The study is a breakthrough for medical science and brings new hope to the paralyzed.

Bill Kochevar is now able to move his arm again using a brain implant that translates his thoughts into motion.

Highlights

By Marshall Connolly (CALIFORNIA NETWORK)
CALIFORNIA NETWORK (https://www.youtube.com/c/californianetwork)
3/29/2017 (7 years ago)

Published in Technology

Keywords: thought control, paralyzed, implants

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) -- Bill Kochevar, 56 is a quadriplegic. In 2006, he was bicycling in the rain behind a mail truck. The truck stopped suddenly, and he was unable to avoid the impact. The accident left him paralyzed from the shoulders down.

Now, 11 years later, doctors have restored movement to one of his limbs. In a demonstration, Kochevar scooped spoonfuls of mashed potatoes from a bowl into his mouth.

More recently, he underwent a second surgery to wire the electrode to his muscles. Thirty-six electrodes were implanted into his arm, from his shoulder down to his fingers. He then practiced moving his arm with his thoughts.

Doctors found that Kochevar was able to control his arm with virtually 100 percent accuracy.

The procedure marks the first time thoughts have been used to restore movement to a paralyzed limb.

Kochevar also achieved another significant personal milestone; he was able for the first time to drink coffee from a mug.

The study will continue for the next five years, and if practical it may become the working template for future patients.