Mind-controlled Neurobridge technology allows quadriplegic to move his hand

28 Jan 2015

Ian Burkhart, aged 23, makes history by moving his hand using Neurobridge technology at the Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center (via MedicalCenter)

In June 2014, Ian Burkhart's life was altered as he was able to move his hand for the first time since a car accident which left him a quadriplegic in 2010.

Due to a collaboration with truly talented doctors, at the Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, and engineers from Battelle Memorial Institute, history was made.

This is more groundbreaking than the mind-controlled bio-skeleton which allowed a paralyzed teen to kick the 2014 World Cup football - although that was nice too. This discovery may actually have a real-world impact on treatment of paralyzed limbs in 10 year’s time. Heck - it has already changed Ian's life forever!

Neurobridge technology is essentially 'bridging' the gap between the brain's neurological impulses and the transfer of this signal through the spinal cord to the muscles. For a quadriplegic, like Ian, bridging this gap is crucial, as his spinal cord is damaged and cannot relay these neurological impulses. Neurobridge tech bypasses the spinal cord via a sensor microchip and a special sleeve which stimulates the muscles directly based upon the signals it receives from the chip-. - talk about wireless communication!

The sensor microchip is surgically implanted in the part of the brain which controls motor function. The microchip implantation is necessary because it allows the neurological impulses of the user to communicate directly with the chip, which then relays the information to the sleeve. Hence, this is mind-controlled technology in its truest sense.

The sleeve is important because it interprets the sensor data from the brain, and then stimulates the muscles directly to generate impulses which cause the muscles to move. Not only does this technology bypass the spine, but it also allows the user more motor control than a robotic skeleton. Ian can already move his hand and hold a pen! With further development of this technology, Ian could be able to feed and groom himself easily.

All this technology has me thinking about Marshall McLuhan's, The Medium is the Message, with wires as extensions of nerves and CPUs as an extension of the brain. It seems sci-fi just became more science than fiction. While the brain is certainly proving to be 'the final frontier' which remains full of uncharted space, it is amazing that we know enough to relay brain information to the rest of the body.

I can't wait to see what other breakthroughs Ian will make as he becomes the first quadriplegic to regain his muscle function through the power of Neurobridge technology.

Stay tuned on the Wexner Medical Center website for more updates on their technology.