Uploaded February 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND — Patients whose spinal columns had been severed in accidents can now walk again, thanks to an amazing medical invention. Here are the details:
The BBC reports that scientists in Switzerland have created a spinal implant system that is allowing paraplegic patients with severed spinal columns to walk and cycle.
The breakthrough system revolves around a soft gel pack filled with electric leads that has been personally tailored for each patient.
During surgery, the leads pack is implanted underneath the vertebrae, directly on the spinal cord. The leads are powered by a pacemaker implanted in the abdomen.
A wireless signal connects the pacemaker to software on a tablet. The patients use the software to select if they want to stand, walk, cycle or even swim.
The software sends instructions wirelessly to the pacemaker inside the patient’s abdomen, which then pulses electricity to different points in the spinal column.
These electrical pulses stimulate the nerves that used to control the patients’ leg and trunk muscles.
This causes the muscles to react in a sequence that allows the patient to move their legs in accordance with the activity they selected.
None of the nine people who have received the implant use it to help them walk in their everyday lives — because that is too complicated at this stage.
Instead, they use it to practice walking — which exercises their muscles, improves their health and often restores a little bit of movement.
SOURCES: BBC, NBC News, ABC
bbc.com/news/science-environment-60258620
nbcnews.com/health/health-news/implanted-spinal-stimulation-device-allows-patients-stand-walk-swim-rcna15132
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2022-02-08/spinal-cord-paralysis-walking-electrode-surgery-stimulation-ai/100809376
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND — Patients whose spinal columns had been severed in accidents can now walk again, thanks to an amazing medical invention. Here are the details:
The BBC reports that scientists in Switzerland have created a spinal implant system that is allowing paraplegic patients with severed spinal columns to walk and cycle.
The breakthrough system revolves around a soft gel pack filled with electric leads that has been personally tailored for each patient.
During surgery, the leads pack is implanted underneath the vertebrae, directly on the spinal cord. The leads are powered by a pacemaker implanted in the abdomen.
A wireless signal connects the pacemaker to software on a tablet. The patients use the software to select if they want to stand, walk, cycle or even swim.
The software sends instructions wirelessly to the pacemaker inside the patient’s abdomen, which then pulses electricity to different points in the spinal column.
These electrical pulses stimulate the nerves that used to control the patients’ leg and trunk muscles.
This causes the muscles to react in a sequence that allows the patient to move their legs in accordance with the activity they selected.
None of the nine people who have received the implant use it to help them walk in their everyday lives — because that is too complicated at this stage.
Instead, they use it to practice walking — which exercises their muscles, improves their health and often restores a little bit of movement.
SOURCES: BBC, NBC News, ABC
bbc.com/news/science-environment-60258620
nbcnews.com/health/health-news/implanted-spinal-stimulation-device-allows-patients-stand-walk-swim-rcna15132
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2022-02-08/spinal-cord-paralysis-walking-electrode-surgery-stimulation-ai/100809376
