Keith Thomas Regains Arm Control After Double Neural Bypass Boosts Strength up to 86%
Updated
Updated · Good News Network · Jul 22
Keith Thomas Regains Arm Control After Double Neural Bypass Boosts Strength up to 86%
3 articles · Updated · Good News Network · Jul 22
Summary
35 weeks of training with a double neural bypass system helped Keith Thomas regain enough arm and hand control to scratch his nose and wipe his mouth after paralysis from the chest down.
Electrodes implanted in his brain detect intended arm movements and route those signals to nerves in his arms and hands, while finger sensors send touch and object-shape information back to his brain.
Thomas' right-arm strength rose 86% and his left-arm strength 62%, and some feeling and function now persist even when the computer is turned off.
The Feinstein Institutes enrolled Thomas in the 3-year trial after he broke his neck in a 2020 diving accident, and the results were recently detailed in a Nature paper.
Researchers say the lasting gains point to broader potential for restoring movement and touch in millions of people living with paralysis.
This technology restored one man’s abilities, but can it overcome the gap between animal models and human brains to help millions?
The implant was switched off, so what is causing this paralyzed man's nervous system to keep healing itself?
Historic Recovery: How Double Neural Bypass Technology Restored Touch and Movement for Keith Thomas and What It Means for Millions With Paralysis
Overview
Keith Thomas, who experienced paralysis, became the focus of groundbreaking research at the Feinstein Institutes, where scientists developed a revolutionary double neural bypass system. This advanced brain-computer interface restored both movement and sensation in his hands and arms, transforming his life and providing new insights into the brain's ability to adapt. The system even allowed Thomas to feel sensations from another patient, showing how technology can bridge lost connections in the nervous system. These achievements highlight the potential of neural bypass technology to restore function and independence for people living with paralysis.