Surgeons successfully restore touch and movement in quadriplegic man using AI brain implants

Thomas can now scratch his face and wipe his nose, something his sister had to help him with previously.

Transcript

00:00 [music]

00:25 Our goal in this clinical study was to reconnect the brain electronically to the body and also

00:33 the spinal cord to promote what we call plasticity.

00:37 And the goal was to have lasting movements and sensations.

00:40 [music]

01:01 I never thought that was possible.

01:04 I didn't even think touching my two hands together like this was possible.

01:09 So, to get the strength of my right arm is amazing.

01:16 To see the moment when Keith felt Michelle's hand, his sister's hand, I don't think there

01:23 was a dry eye in the lab, including mine.

01:27 I was excited for him because I know how much independence means.

01:31 [music]

01:41 We do feel that it is possible, as mentioned, to apply this kind of technology and this

01:47 new approach to lower parts of the body, lower limbs, legs.

01:53 It's a similar idea where we are in essence supercharging the spinal cord.

01:57 And if we can awaken some of those circuits that are damaged and have been dormant for

02:02 years, then the sky's the limit.

02:05 [music]