Spinal Implant Helps People with Paraplegia to Exercise Paralyzed Limbs

University College London (UK) team has developed a new microchip muscle stimulator implant that will enable people with paraplegia to exercise their paralyzed leg muscles. The size of a child’s fingernail, the new device is small enough to be implanted into the spinal canal and incorporates the electrodes and muscle stimulator in one unit. Lead researcher Andreas Demosthenous explained that: "Stimulation of more muscle groups means users can perform enough movement to carry out controlled exercise such as cycling or rowing." The devices could also be used for a wide range of restorative functions such as stimulating bladder muscles to help overcome incontinence and stimulating nerves to improve bowel capacity and suppress spasms.