Keith Thomas, 48, of  Massapequa, New York, agreed to trial new “double neural bypass” technology after being involved in a swimming accident that left him quadriplegic. 

This summer, findings were published in the Nature Medicine journal, that showed that, using the experimental brain-computer interface, Mr Thomas regained the ability to move and feel his previously paralyzed hand.  Mr Thomas was able to feel and pet his dog, Bow, for the first time since the accident occurred.

Over 35 weeks of intervention, Mr Thomas achieved significant increases, with the strength in his right arm increasing by 86%, and his left being 62% stronger. These improvements in strength and sensation persisted for months during the study after the intervention ended. Gains were said to still be present after more than two years.

This clinical trial was led by researchers at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research in New York. The technology is a hybrid brain computer interface (BCI) system that combine BCI technology with artificial intelligence, and high-precision electrical stimulation of the spinal cord and brain.

Chad Bouton, PhD, professor in the Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine at the Feinstein Institutes, is quoted to say “This approach is a new way to treat severe paralysis — we’re not just bypassing the injury; we’re actually rewiring the nervous system. Our team of engineers, neurosurgeons and clinical research staff accomplished something that’s never been done before.”