We have been trying to help those who are paralyzed to become ambulatory for a long time.
Now, although it’s a “one-off” solution (VERY expensive), a Dutch citizen, who suffered from a broken neck, can do just that. Gert Jan Oskam has had electrodes implanted in his brain, spinal implants, and a backpack computer.
These afford Gert the ability to stand up (from a seated position), climb stairs, and even perambulate on uneven ground. It also seems that even when the device is turned off, Oskam can traverse short distances using a wheeled walking frame. (It is possible that with all the repeated exercises, there has been a regrowth of spinal nerve cells.)
The brain implant involves 2 five centimeter discs that rest on the brains surface. (These discs replaced circles of bone that have been removed.) Communication is via a helmet worn by the subject (with acts as a receiver), which then transmits those messages to the backpack computer. That computer controls stimulators attached to Oskam’s spinal cord. This then controls the movements of his leg muscles. The entire apparatus is consider to be a digital brain spinal cord bridge.
This is actually version 2; the first version was implanted five years ago, and only involved spinal electrodes. The new version is activated by a heel motion (thankfully, Oskam has been able to effect heel motions, because his spinal cord was not completely severed in his accident.), which is sensed by lightweight motion sensors, which then trigger stepping movements coordinated by neural networks in his lower spinal cord.
These were described in the article, Walking naturally after spinal cord injury using a brain–spine interface (Nature).
Oskam is not alone; there are eight other folks who have had the spinal implants inserted. These folks effect their motion via the same flexures that Oskam makes or by pressing buttons on the wheeled walker.
Unfortunately, the device is still in the early stages; a great deal more development is needed (not to mention cost reduction) to make this a more universal solution.
