Researcher finds electrical stimulation key to rehabilitating paralyzed limbs
By Darren Murph 
posted Mar 21st 2009 8:29PM
posted Mar 21st 2009 8:29PM
We've seen the wonders of electrical stimulation before, so it's no real shock (ahem) to hear that a University of Florida engineer has figured out a method to combine that very tactic with sophisticated computer learning technology in order to assist Earthlings in regaining "more precise, more life-like control of paralyzed limbs." Reportedly, the research could help around 700,000 Americans who suffer from strokes and 11,000 from cord injuries each year. Says the university's Warren Dixon (pictured): "It's an adaptive scheme to do electrical stimulation more efficiently, with less fatigue and more accuracy." Eventually, the dream is to build a wearable, pacemaker-sized device that could output the precise amount of stimulation at the perfect time in order to encourage natural movement, and it would also be able to adapt to each individual as it learns their habits and techniques. Not mentioned in the report, however, was just how beneficial this discovery could be to the scads of preposterously lazy Americans, too.[Via DailyTech]
That's what she said! HEYYOO
Imagine what this could mean for erectile dysfunction!
and nipple shocking. ummm
Oh Engadget! You and your puns!
This is Great!
Good Research
Reminds me of Wall-E, except with sleepwalking instead of hoverchairs.
mmm hoverchairs... and smoothies
Did the researcher get the idea from when some paralyzed guy was bitten by a spider and they used Shock therapy to restore his ability to walk?
They use this to bring back Megatron in the next Transformers movie. Or so I've been told.
Hey! Thats the guy that was going to snitch on the Bruce Wayne!
FCC is hoping to make a jaw control device mandatory by 2025 so you can't say 'bad' words anymore. One assumes.
So Dr. Frankenstein was right all along.
beat me to it >.>
.. or the movie Metropolis!
MORE POWER MOOOOOAAAAR POOOOOWWWWEEEERRRR!
This news is absolutely bulls!
It is not a discovery. In fact I know a therapist who has been doing this for the last 20 years. This is truly bulls. And yes, many of his paralyzed patients have regained a certain amount of control over their previously unusable limbs or bodies. For one I've seen at least 1 such case while 2 others have testified to their amazing recovery.
funny how your "miracle doctor" who's been "doing this for years" doesn't have a name worth mentioning. Oh and hasn't shared his cure for paralysis with the rest of the world. I call bulls on you!
meh, thats not solving any problems associated with have a spinal cord injury. I would though people with very low sci's though.
They also have placed electrical implants into people to help them walk a few years back.
The best looking research being done right now is by Dr.Davies
here's a recent lecture he did on his finding. Very promising stuff.
http://vod.grassrootstv.org/cablecast/public/Show.aspx?ChannelID=1&ShowID=7808
Good job Mr. Dixon
Go Gators!