Imagine not being able to move your legs, and then suddenly, you can stand up and walk again! That’s exactly what happened to a 34-year-old man named Lin from China’s Guangdong Province. 🦾
Two years ago, Lin had a bad accident where he fell from a high staircase. He hurt his spine so badly that his legs were completely paralyzed. This means he couldn’t move them at all and had to use a wheelchair.
But here’s the amazing part! Scientists and doctors at a hospital in Shanghai called Zhongshan Hospital did a special and groundbreaking surgery. They used something called a “brain-spine interface” (BSI). This is like creating a bridge between the brain and the spine so that they can talk to each other again.
During the surgery, the doctors put tiny chips, about the size of a small button, into Lin’s brain. These chips can pick up signals from the brain and send them to the spine. They also put special electrodes on his spine. This way, when Lin thinks about moving his legs, the signals go through this bridge, and his legs can move again! 🧠➡️🦵
The surgery was quick—it took only four hours! And guess what? Within just 24 hours after the surgery, Lin could move his legs again! With the help of some training, he was able to stand up and even walk. Isn’t that incredible?
One of the hardest parts of this technology is making sure the brain signals are understood correctly and right away. The scientists had to come up with super-smart computer programs that can decode what the brain wants to do in real time. That means if Lin thinks “lift my leg,” the system knows right away and tells his leg to lift.
This amazing breakthrough brings hope to millions of people around the world who can’t walk because of spinal injuries. The team of scientists and doctors are going to keep working on this technology to help more people stand up and walk again. 🌟
Reference(s):
China conducts 4th brain-spine interface surgery on paralyzed patients
cgtn.com
