The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

Scientists reverse man’s paralysis using bluetooth

Gert-Jan Oskam, a 40-year old Dutch man paralyzed from the waist down due to a motorcycle accident, regained the ability to stand, walk and climb stairs after Swiss neurosurgeons implanted electrodes in his brain and spinal cord. The electrodes are connected through bluetooth, detecting Oskam’s brain waves and delivering electrical pulses to his spinal cord in a fashion similar to the nervous system. The scientists learned how to correlate his brain signals with the proper spinal cord signals and movements, and Oskam managed to re-learn how to control his hips and legs. This technology allowed Oskam to stand and walk again for the first time in 12 years. Considering the success of this case, scientists hope that devices similar to this one will be able to help more patients in the future.