This Tiny Implant Could Get Paralyzed Patients Moving Again

Melbourne researchers prepare to test brain stent in 2018
McKinsey sees $2 trillion boost from human augmentation push

University of Melbourne’s David Grayden discusses the paperclip-sized stentrode that could help defeat paralysis.(Source: Bloomberg)

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Jason Gale

November 22, 2017 at 6:00 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Imagine if a matchstick-sized brain implant could circumvent damaged spinal cords and help paralyzed people become mobile -- powered by their own thoughts.

The futuristic technology, which involves a tiny device containing a tangle of electrodes, has been shown to successfully record neural activity in sheep. Next up, it will be tested on up to five volunteers possibly as soon as next September, according to Nick Opie, a biomedical engineer at the University of Melbourne and the Australian project’s chief technical officer.