The paralyzed patient walked in after reading a mind-blowing robot suit


A paralyzed man has been able to move his paralyzed hands and feet after a 'robotic suit' controlled by his brain.

French researchers say the experiment was carried out on a 6-year-old Frenchman named Thibault, who suffered from paralysis. He was wearing an 'exoskeleton suit'. It was attached to his brain. After that, he was able to walk a few steps.

Thibault likens this experience to his first walk on the moon.

Researchers say that the way Thibault walked was not exactly 100 percent accurate. He wore the exoskeleton suite just inside the lab and conducted this test.
But researchers are optimistic that this test could bring good news for those suffering from paralysis in the future. Can improve their lives dramatically.

How does it work?


Thibault had surgery on his head and placed two implants on his brain. The implants were added to the part of the brain that controls the movement of people.

There were 3 electrodes in each implant. These implants can monitor what's going on inside the brain. Then they send this signal to a nearby computer.

These signals are read with sophisticated computer software. Then the signal goes to the exoskeleton suit as to what to do.

Thibault's body was tied in this exoskeleton suit. Whenever Thibault thinks he will walk, the signal from the brain is going to the computer, then the exoskeleton suit is walking him in the direction of the computer.
That way, Thibault can move his two hands in just a few ways.

How easy is it to use?


Thibault does not want to reveal the last part of his name. He was an optician. He fell down and was hurt in an incident at a nightclub four years ago. Her spinal cord is damaged.

The next two years he was taken to the hospital with a dead body.

However, he took part in the tests at the University of Grenoble and ClinTech in the 21st.

In the beginning, with his brain, he used to play a 'virtual character' in a computer game.
He was then able to walk in an exoskeleton suit.
"This experience was like walking on the first moon ground. I couldn't walk for two years. I forgot how to stand up. I also forgot that my height is higher than many people in my room," Thibault said.
But Thibault takes a long time to learn how to control two hands.
Thibault said, "It was very difficult. Because there are so many muscles moving together, there is so much work to be done with the exoskeleton suit."

How much work is exoskeleton?


The exoskeleton suit weighs about 5 kg. It's practically a sophisticated robotic suit. That can be controlled by brain thinking. This is not to help the paralyzed person in any way.

However, the success of this study will be great progress compared to previous research.

In previous tests, a large force could be shaken with the brain.

This time, however, Thibault was stuck on a rope hanging from the ceiling, so that he would not fall while walking. This indicates that this new technology is not yet suitable for use outside the laboratory.
"It has not yet become a technology to walk on its own," said Alim Lewis Benabid, president of the Executive Board of Clinatech.
Thibault was successful in 5% of the way he was asked to shake hands and wrist after his exoskeleton suit.
Professor Benabid has previously been successful in treating Parkinson's disease by inducing deep stimulation in the brain. "We have solved the problem and have shown that this concept is working. This shows that using exoskeleton can help patients move," he said.

What happens next?


French scientists say they will work to improve this technology.

Some of the major limitations of current technology still remain. For example, they can read only a little of the information going through the brain. After analyzing this information and then sending the computer to the exoskeleton suite, it is very slow.

It takes about 5 milliseconds to manipulate the organs of the body using brain thinking. Otherwise, this method cannot be controlled properly.

That means that 7 electrodes are attached to the brain, and only 12 of them can be used by researchers.
Therefore, it is still possible to know in detail what is happening inside the human brain, which will require more powerful computers and artificial intelligence.
Movement of the fingers in the future so that the brain can be controlled by thinking, that the plan is underway. This will allow Thibault to move and move things with his hands in the future.
In the meantime, Thibault can control a wheelchair with his implant.

Can this technology be used for any evil?


Scientists are researching how to increase human performance using the exoskeleton. This research field is called 'Transhumanism.'

It can also be used in the military.

However, Professor Benabid says their research will never go to the extreme or foolish.

"We are not doing this research with a view to improving human performance. The goal of our research is to help patients with a traumatic disability."

What do the experts say?


Tom Shakespeare, a professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, says, "While this study has been a thrilling success, we have to remember that there is a big difference between proving a concept and applying it in reality."

"Even if it were ever possible to use it, such sophisticated technology would be so expensive that it would be beyond the reach of most of those suffering from a spinal cord injury in the world."

He said only 1 percent of people with physical disabilities in the world have wheelchairs.

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