Mind-controlled technology has taken another leap forward after brain implants enabled a man paralysed from the neck down to move his arms and hands again.
Keith Thomas, who was paralysed after a diving accident, was part of a first-of-its-kind clinical trial aimed at restoring lasting physical movement and sense of touch in patients.
The 45-year-old is the first human to use the technology.
In addition to the brain implants, the team of bioelectronic medicine researchers, engineers and surgeons developed artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to re-link his brain to his body and spinal cord.
This ‘double neural bypass’ forms an electronic bridge that allows information to flow once again between Mr Thomas’s body and brain to restore movement and sensations in his hand, even outside the laboratory.
‘This is the first time the brain, body and spinal cord have been linked together electronically in a paralysed human to restore lasting movement and sensation,’ said Chad Bouton, principal investigator of the trial.
The research team unveiled Mr Thomas’ remarkable progress four months after a 15-hour, open-brain surgery in March.
‘When the study participant thinks about moving his arm or hand, we “supercharge” his spinal cord and stimulate his brain and muscles to help rebuild connections, provide sensory feedback, and promote recovery,’ said Mr Bouton.
‘This type of thought-driven therapy is a game-changer.’
Mr Bouton also noted that some of the sensations remain even when the computer is switched off.
During the height of the pandemic in 2020, a diving accident caused Mr Thomas to suffer spinal injuries leaving him unable to move and feel from the chest down.
Alone and isolated in the hospital for more than six months, he found new hope by participating in Professor Bouton’s clinical trial.
‘There was a time that I didn’t know if I was even going to live, or if I wanted to, frankly. And now, I can feel the touch of someone holding my hand. It’s overwhelming,’ said Mr Thomas.
‘The only thing I want to do is to help others. That’s always been the thing I’m best at. If this can help someone even more than it’s helped me somewhere down the line, it’s all worth it.’
Over a hundred million people worldwide live with some form of movement impairment or paralysis. Researchers hope the technology could one day give them the ability to live fuller, more independent lives.
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