Neuroprosthetics for paralysis: Biocompatible, flexible implant slips into the spinal cord

Science magazine, Medical Xpress, Phys.org ^ | Jan. 8, 2015 | Stéphanie Lacour, Grégoire Courtine

[Patriot777]

http://img.medicalxpress.com/newman/gfx/news/hires/2015/54aed437e8f45.jpg

New therapies are on the horizon for individuals paralyzed following spinal cord injury. The e-Dura implant developed by EPFL scientists can be applied directly to the spinal cord without causing damage and inflammation. The device is described in an article appearing online Jan. 8, 2015, in Science magazine.EPFL scientists have managed to get rats walking on their own again using a combination of electrical and chemical stimulation. But applying this method to humans would require multifunctional implants that could be installed for long periods of time on the spinal cord without causing any tissue damage. This is precisely what the teams of professors Stéphanie Lacour and Grégoire Courtine have developed. Their e-Dura implant is designed specifically for implantation on the surface of the brain or spinal cord. The small device closely imitates the mechanical properties of living tissue, and can simultaneously deliver electric impulses and pharmacological substances. The risks of rejection and/or damage to the spinal cord have been drastically reduced. So-called "surface implants" have reached a roadblock; they cannot be applied long term to the spinal cord or brain, beneath the nervous system's protective envelope, otherwise known as the "dura mater," because when nerve tissues move or stretch, they rub against these rigid devices. After a while, this repeated friction causes inflammation, scar tissue buildup, and rejection.

An easy-does-it implant

Flexible and stretchy, the implant developed at EPFL is placed beneath the dura mater, directly onto the spinal cord. Its elasticity and its potential for deformation are almost identical to the living tissue surrounding it. This reduces friction and inflammation to a minimum. When implanted into rats, the e-Dura prototype caused neither damage nor rejection, even after two months. More rigid traditional implants would have caused significant nerve tissue damage during this period of time.

http://img.medicalxpress.com/newman/gfx/news/hires/2015/54aed445288db.jpg

[Patriot777]

When I saw and then read this article, I was nearly brought to tears; this could very well be the answer for literally thousands of people who have paralysis, especially those who are quadriplegic.

[Patriot777]

I apologize for how I tried to post the two images, but please do read the article and view the images there—they are really awesome.

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Way cool! Thanks Cynwoody!

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

Wow amazing, but do I even have to guess some government regulation and bureaucratic red tape will hold up its use for years and years?

[ROCKLOBSTER]

Little tag meltdown there?

[SZonian]

My optimist in me says; I agree and do hope that this proves viable.

The cynic in me says; As cool as this is...I suspect that in about 10 years we will be seeing commercials from 1-800-bad-drug soliciting clients who have been “harmed” by using this.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

Sorry, must have more coffee.

[Patriot777]

THANKS!!! :-)

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Sorry, must have more coffee.

Darksheare can set you up...

[TangoLimaSierra]

We should buy a bunch of these and send them to Congress.

[Scutter]

Thanks for posting this. I forwarded it to my Dad, who long did research in this area. He is retired now, but I am sure will be happy to hear of this development.

[dadfly]

bookmark

[C210N]

We should buy a bunch of these and send them to Congress.

No place to implant these devices, as they are designed to be inserted into an existing spine.

[Darksheare]

Coffee?

“WARNING - Not to be taken internally!” - Slings and Arrows

In 12 cup drip percolator pot, fill to 6 cup mark with water.
In filter, put 6 heaping scoops of coffee.
Medium roast works best, just make sure it’s a robust blend.
Found a maxwellhouse ‘medium roast’ that was rather anemic.
Put pinch of salt in filter, about as much as it would take to cover the surface of a dime with one even layer.
This keeps the coffee from tasting burned too quickly, it doesn’t age well brewed this way.

Brew, recirculate if need be, usually not.
Add sugar and dairy creamer.
Creamora and coffeemate are not recommended unless you like the heart racing that Ranger Pudding gives.
That, and the nondairy creamer will give you both a headache and a buzz with the coffee.

I usually put about 8 spoons of sugar in this stuff, it ends up being like Russian Kava, thick and sweet with that bitter overtone to it.

Oh, and I am NOT responsible for seeming demonic possession of the coffeepot, or the coffeepot ending up acting as if it has been damaged.

Be sure NOT to add creamora or coffeemate to the brew, unless you LIKE ranger pudding style heart racing.
When I brew that stuff for myself, I recirculate the stuff to brew a second time, but that’s me for my own personal enjoyment, and it may wreck the coffeepot.
Don’t forget the salt, it’s important to the finished brew.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

I generally have Chock full-o Nuts, strong, black...several cups. Sometimes I get roasted beans and grind them into powder.

Heh heh heh...

[Darksheare]

I sense a bad idea.