Scientists develop flexible spinal implant to restore walking

MANILA, Philippines – Swiss scientists announced Friday, January 9, that they created the e-Dura neuroprosthetic implant, a flexible device that can be attached to the spinal cord to help the paralyzed move again.

There are similar devices out there that have similar functions: sending electrical signals to the spine. However, these are stiff, rigid devices that rub against nerve tissues when it stretches. This causes inflammation and scar tissue buildup that leads to rejection of the device.

The team under Stéphanie Lacour and Grégoire Courtine from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne) were able to create an implant that can be placed directly on the spinal cord.

Its elasticity is similar to the living tissue that will surround it, reducing friction and inflammation, making it last up to two months. Traditional implants would have been rejected sooner or may have otherwise caused nerve tissue damage during its lifecycle.

“Our e-Dura implant can remain for a long period of time on the spinal cord or the cortex, precisely because it has the same mechanical properties as the dura mater itself.” Lacour said. “This opens up new therapeutic possibilities for patients suffering from neurological trauma or disorders, particularly individuals who have become paralyzed following spinal cord injury.”

e-Dura was tested on paralyzed rats which were able to walk again with only a few weeks of training with the implant. The implant has potential in helping patients with epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease, and can potentially be helpful in pain management.

The scientists will soon start trials with human subjects and further develop the prototype for commercialization. – Rappler.com