With a neuroprosthesis, achieve a quadriplegic control a … – Clarín.com

Erik Sorto is 34 years and for more than a decade could not move his legs and arms after being shot that left him paralyzed from the neck down.

But science recently returned his the ability to move a robotic arm on their own and achieve total control have thought. For that, they introduced one neuroprosthesis in the brain region in which the intentions are realized.

Just think of something, Sorto was able to control a robotic arm and drinking from a bottle using a straw.

Before this achievement, the first of its kind in the world, what Erik had wanted most: “I want to make my own beer, take it at my own pace, to take a sip when I want, without having to ask someone to take me. Strange that independence “.

After the test laboratory, Erik said he” wanted to get out for a run and hitting hands with everyone. “

This breakthrough, which blurs the boundary between man and machine, opens a window of hope for patients with spinal injuries as they could reach such perfect control robotic limbs.

The key to getting this important scientific achievement Brain is the place where the neuro was introduced. Until now, scientists had been working in the motor cortex of the brain, where the electrical signals that are sent through the spinal cord and control muscle movement is generated. The result of implants in this area were temporarily phased out, jerky movements.

In the case of Erik worked in the region of the brain called Bark posterior parietal, resulting in the intention of moving and where are realized . the signs of how we execute movements

Richard Andersen, who led the study at the California Institute of Technology, said: “When the arm moves, you do not really think about which muscles are activated and the details of each movement, lifting the arm, reach out, grab the cup, close the hand around the glass, and so on. Instead, think about the goal of the movement, for example, ‘I want to pick up that a glass of water. ‘ “By decoding the real intention of a person, the scientists were able to improve the way of achieving your goal.