Spinal Cord Stimulation
Many people who have had a stroke experience long-term arm weakness that makes it difficult to do daily tasks. Although physical therapy can help restore function in the arm for some people who have had a stroke, many do notfully recover.
The purpose of this research is to learn more about the use of spinal cord and spinal nerve neurostimulation to restore arm movement in people who have had a stroke. Researchers hope their findings will lead to better ways to treat people experiencing arm weakness following a stroke in the future. Click here to read news articles pertaining to Spinal Cord Stimulation research at RNEL.
Brain-Computer Interface
Individuals with tetraplegia often have intact brain function but are unable to move due to injury or disease affecting the spinal cord, nerves or muscles. Advanced technology including functional electrical stimulators, robotic assistants and dexterous prosthetic limbs are being developed with the goal of restoring functions that are impaired due to paralysis of the upper limbs.
Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is based on the finding that movement-related activity can be recorded from the motor cortex after paralysis or other impairment. Our laboratory is investigating the feasibility of using intracortical microelectrode arrays implanted in motor cortex for providing high degree of freedom control of a robotic arm. We are also testing the impact of somatosensory feedback, provided via intracortical microstimulation of the somatosensory cortex, on BCI control. Click here to read news articles pertaining to Brain-Computer Interface research at RNEL.