Technology advances in a way that many might even fear if guided by science fiction and the threats of robots controlling the world, but the truth is that it takes a lot for something similar to happen (if it ever does), particularly I think it's best to bet on the advance and see how good it can bring us.
Such is the case of Thibault, a 30-year-old man who, in 2016, after a fall from a height of 15 meters, presented a spinal cord injury that caused the loss of mobility (as well as sensitivity) of his arms and legs.
To handle the same information, I clarify the following:
The spinal cord is located inside the spine, it is a branch of the nerve that allows all body sensations to reach the brain and be processed by the brain and transmits the signal from the brain to the rest of the body, allowing the body to move as required.
In 1987, a film called Robocop was released, for those who did not know it, it was something that at the time was a total invention of man, something dreamed of, that few thought could be real at some point. A policeman is mortally wounded in procedure, and his brain is used to install it in a humanoid robot and in a certain way give life to this policeman but in a robotic body... crazy, True?
You're probably wondering what the release of that movie has to do with this publication. Don't worry, I'll explain.
But if I told you that this was an inspiration for an investment, a project that is currently underway would you believe it? In 2017, the French center for biomedical research Clinatec and the University of Grenoble made public a preview of what they had done so far, and it was certainly something that left the whole scientific world with an open mouth.
It was in this project that Thibault participated, who after two years in bed managed to stand up and take some steps thanks to this developing team. This is a great advance of science, because here there is a very interesting question, and that is where the art is in this project:
How was it possible for him to move his arms and legs if his spinal cord is severed?
The answer to this is what remains impressive and fills many with hope.
The process explained in a simple way is as follows:
- By means of neurosurgery, brain implants 1 were placed in the specific areas that control the movements of the upper and lower limbs.
1"These are technological devices that are connected to a person's brain; they are usually placed on the surface of the brain or the cerebral cortex. They act as biomedical prostheses in SPECIFIC areas of the brain."Source
These are golden electrodes capable of registering the small electrical impulses that are produced in the cerebral cortex and transmitting them to a computer that will be in charge of deciphering and codifying these impulses to transmit them in a computer language understandable by the exoskeleton.
These messages are transmitted to the mechanical exoskeleton so that it can execute the command that is sent from Thibault's brain.
And all this must happen in a matter of milliseconds.
For the first time after the accident he was able to stand up, thanks to this structure, so he said:
"I forgot what it was like to stand up."
With these moving words I close this part of the publication, many times, because of the same daily routine, we do not know how to take advantage of these things that are given to us by nature, and that unfortunately many only value when they do not have them...
But all of the above, while certainly great news for the world at large, has its nuances to consider.
I must point out the following:
• All this is still in the testing phase, it is only possible to use it in the laboratory, as it must be (For safety reasons, avoid falls) fastened with a harness tied to the ceiling.
- There is one point against it and that is the weight of the structure, 65 kg.
- The high cost makes very unlikely that in the future it will really be an option for most patients in a paraplegic condition. Even more so if we consider that even something as basic as a wheelchair is not within everyone's reach.
There is still a long way to go in this area, because being able to move your arms is an improvement in itself, but getting control of what is medically called "fine motor skills", i.e. moving your fingers accurately, is much more complex.
I say goodbye, grateful for your visit.
I'd love to hear your opinion on this, let me know in the comments.