ElectricalStimulation
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Researcher finds electrical stimulation key to rehabilitating paralyzed limbs
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]
