A paralysed man has made a remarkable recovery, thanks to a pioneering brain implant that's restored his ability to move his arms and feel sensations. Keith Thomas, from New York, was left unable to lift his arms after a swimming accident in July 2020, but the innovative technology has given him new hope.
Researchers call it a 'double neural bypass', where electrodes implanted in Mr Thomas's brain detect signals that enable movement. These signals are then sent directly to his arms and hands, allowing him to perform everyday tasks like feeding himself and drinking from a cup. At the same time, pressure sensors on his hand and fingers monitor physical contact with objects, sending signals back to his brain to create a sense of touch.
After surgery and extensive training over many months, Mr Thomas has made remarkable progress. According to researchers writing in Nature Medicine, he's seen a significant increase in arm strength – 86% in one arm and 62% in the other. What's more, he can now move his hands independently, including scratching his nose and wiping his face. He's even been able to handle delicate items like eggshells, demonstrating fine motor control.
The technology has also allowed Mr Thomas to regain a sense of touch, which was lost following his accident. He's been able to feel his sister's hand and the fur of his pet dog, thanks to a technique called cortical mirroring. This involves stimulating sensory regions of his brain with patterns of activity recorded when he imagined being touched, alongside simultaneous stimulation of his skin and spinal cord.
According to Professor Chad Bouton, whose team developed the technology at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, this breakthrough represents a 'substantial step forward' in neuroprosthetics. Importantly, the gains in function and sensation have been maintained over two years after treatment began, offering renewed hope for individuals living with severe spinal cord injuries.