Researchers from Houston Methodist and the University of Cambridge in England developed a flexible device designed to bypass spinal cord injuries and interpret multiple signals tied to movement, sensation and internal body functions.
In preclinical studies, the device accurately detected signals related to intended movement, classified multiple types of sensory information and distinguished signals originating from internal organs, according to an Aug. 17 news release.
The device wraps around the spinal cord and is designed to create an alternative route for signals rather than repair the injury itself. Researchers also tested the approach in larger anatomy as a step toward future clinical translation.
Future research will focus on restoring function in lab models with chronic spinal cord injuries before advancing the technology toward human clinical trials.
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