14 DAY TRIAL // These days being paralyzed is still a life-altering state, with dire and sometimes dramatic consequences for those unfortunate people. What's worse is that once it happens, you can't start using your legs ever again, it's permanent... until now.
Apparently, thanks to researchers at UCLA, victims of accidents with broken spines can actually be helped to regain limited control of their limbs via a robotic suit called Ekso Bionics. Developed since 2013 and costing a hefty $110,000, it helped around a thousand people to partially regain the control of their limbs. Although, at that price, only 30 people managed to get one home, it's the clinics that own such devices that actually helped the largest amount of people overcome their paraplegic issues.
Using a process called "transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation," UCLA scientists use jolts of electricity via electrodes placed on the skin to stimulate the spine. When patients manage to move their limbs for the first time, their legs tingle when exercising. During continuous efforts they can even start flexing their knees and sweat. With this minimal motor movement, the battery-powered exoskeleton will work in tandem to give them a better coordination and balance.
Mark Pollock, one of the patients treated with the Ekso suit, managed to progress incredibly far in just five days of training, managing to walk by himself again, making a couple of thousands of steps.
