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Paralyzed Man Can Feed Himself and Pet His Dog Again Thanks to Double Neural Bypass Surgery
Good News Network • • health
Key Points:
- Keith Thomas, paralyzed from the chest down after a 2020 swimming accident, is regaining hand and arm control through a pioneering double neural bypass surgery that connects his brain to nerves in his arms via a computer interface.
- The surgery involves electrodes implanted in Thomas’ brain to detect movement intentions, with sensors in his fingers providing tactile feedback to the brain, enabling him to move, feel textures, and adjust grip pressure on objects.
- After 35 weeks of training, Thomas has seen significant improvements, including an 86% increase in strength in his right arm and 62% in his left, as well as enhanced range of motion allowing basic self-care actions like scratching his nose.
- The technology, developed by Professor Chad Bouton and his team at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, aims to restore both movement and touch, offering hope to millions worldwide suffering from paralysis.
- The long-term potential of this treatment remains uncertain, with ongoing research expected to reveal further recovery milestones in the coming months.
