Implantable device may help restore function after spinal cord injury
Researchers from Houston Methodist and the University of Cambridge have developed a flexible device that wraps around the spinal cord and can simultaneously interpret multiple signals related to movement, sensation and internal body functions. The research demonstrates that a single device may be capable of restoring lost functions after spinal cord injury.
A novel implantable device, developed by researchers at Houston Methodist and the University of Cambridge, has the potential to restore multiple functions following a spinal cord injury. This flexible, wrapping device can simultaneously interpret signals related to movement, sensation, and internal body functions. The study, published in Nature Communications, was led by Damiano Barone and George Malliaras.
Unlike current therapies that focus on restoring single functions, this device bypasses the injury itself to create a new pathway for signals to travel. Preclinical tests demonstrated the device's ability to accurately detect and classify signals, including those from internal organs. The technology's success in larger anatomical structures suggests its potential for clinical translation.
Future research will focus on restoring function in chronic spinal cord injury models before advancing the technology into human clinical trials.
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