For injured workers recovering from a spinal cord injury, the prospect of never walking again is a harsh reality to face. But what if paraplegics and quadriplegics could power an exoskeleton with their thoughts – without the need for complex and invasive brain surgery?

An exoskeleton, similar to this one, will be used by patients implanted with a stentrode. Picture: Rex Bionics.

A New Development in Bionics Research

Researchers at the University of Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health have created a new device, called a stentrode. This device, which measures only three millimeters wide, is implanted into a blood vessel next to the motor cortex in a patient who has suffered a spinal cord injury. The stentrode then picks up brain signals, and the injured worker is able to move a robotic exoskeleton attached to their limbs simply by thinking about it.

Dr. Thomas Oxley began working on the stentrode in 2011 after meeting with DARPA to discuss how people with spinal cord injuries could power an exoskeleton without complex or invasive brain surgery. Dr. Oxley brought together a team of scientists, surgeons, neuroscientists, doctors, and engineers to create this new device.

Terry O’Brien, Head of the University’s Department of Medicine at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, said, “The most obvious benefit is for people who are paralyzed following a stroke or spinal cord injury. It is simple and non-invasive and much safer for patients.”

How the Stentrode Works

The stentrode is inserted into the blood vessel of a paralyzed patient with a catheter. The catheter is removed, and the stentrode expands to press the electrodes against the wall of the blood vessel, enabling it to record neural information and translate it into commands to control the exoskeleton.

“As the device absorbed into the vein wall after nine or so days, the electrical signals continued to become clearer and stronger,” explained Clive May from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials will begin in 2017 when a group of young people who have suffered a spinal cord injury will be implanted with the stentrode. It will take time for the stentrode to receive the neural signals and translate them.

“With our device, you’ve essentially connected an electronic limb to the patient’s brain, but they have to learn how to use it,” Dr. Oxley said.

This research could mean a world of difference for injured workers in the future. Paradigm Outcomes continually monitors medical advances that may one day improve clinical results for catastrophically injured workers. Stay up to date with all the news by connecting with Paradigm on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.