[0:01]The idea of restoring movement after paralysis is one of the greatest quests in neurological medicine.
[0:18]To walk, the brain has to send commands to the muscles. When there's spinal cord damage, this communication is interrupted. Consequence is permanent paralysis. We spent a decade to stimulate the spinal cord in order to reactivate the paralyzed muscles. This enabled many individuals who were paralyzed for many years with a stimulation, could stand and take some steps. But it was very cumbersome to use in daily life, and also it was not felt completely natural to synchronize the intention with the movement.
[1:03]The Rolex Award was recognition and encouragement to continue the challenges that were ahead. The challenge was to go further. Instead of programming the stimulator that was activating the legs, we wanted to have a program coming directly from the brain. So the idea was to record the motor intention and to translate it to the spinal cord stimulator in order to activate the legs. So a digital bridge that converts thoughts into action. The brain implant was a huge step because it means a surgical intervention. Gert-Jan was the very first person to receive this surgery. We're talking about a true pioneer, courageous enough to be the first test pilot of a completely new medical technology. Very early after Gert-Jan was able to have full control over the movement of an avatar on the screen, just thinking about it. And he was controlling his paralyzed leg. Wow, it's incredible. It was one of these unique moments in science, you know, when you see a breakthrough below your eyes. The way I control the stimulation, gives you more control, is more natural. This system gives you the possibility to regain function, and that's what I want to achieve. I'm making a reflection and the stimulation is following my thoughts.
[2:37]And then what we observe is more and more recovery. So not only the digital bridge enabled to perform movement but also repair the nervous system. Of course, at the moment, we are really in the proof of concept, but I will continue on the path until this digital bridge become a treatment available across the world for anyone who need it.
