Researchers at the University of Alberta in Canada are developing an implant that could help patients with spinal cord injuries walk again, reports Global News.
Dr. Vivian Mushahwar, a professor in biomedical engineering, is leading the research team, which is using a tiny wire to send electronic signals from deep inside the spine.
The researchers are mapping the spinal cord to determine which parts of it trigger the hip, knees, ankles and toes.
The implant stimulates the mapped areas of the spinal cord and aims to reactivate the networks and restore motion for patients.
The researchers are testing the implant with animals and hope to reach human clinical trials within five years.
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