A milestone has been reached in helping people who are paralyzed to be able to walk again through the use of a new flexible implant. This breakthrough technology overcomes problems encountered when trying to use artificial rigid devices.

In the past, devices have been tried that were rigid. This often caused problems with inflammation and may have even damaged tissue rather than help strengthen it.

Implants that were rigid and applied to the surface of the spinal cord or brain, even when placed beneath the protective envelope surrounding them, called the “dura matter,” could not be left there permanently. The tissue would rub against the rigid objects and reject them, usually within two months.

Research teams in Switzerland, led by professors Stéphanie Lacour and Grégoire Courtine, have overcome this obstacle by developing a highly flexible device called an e-Dura implant. The device is both flexible and able to stretch, and it is attached directly to the spinal cord. It can bend and twist just like the tissue beneath it, preventing the problem of inflammation and the ultimate rejection. The new flexible implant is seen to be able to help paralyzed people to walk again in the future.

The e-Dura implant has electrodes that enable electricity to be applied directly to the place where the injury occurred. They are made out of silicon and gold tracks that can be bent and twisted in any direction, yet still able to conduct electricity. These neuronal surface implants are the first, the researchers testify, that were designed for long term implantation in the body.

Another powerful advantage of the flexible electrode is that they can even be used to deliver neurotransmitters or other pharmacologic materials where needed. This can greatly encourage the growth and reactivity of neurotransmitters in the damaged areas. It can also be used to watch electrical impulses that are sent from the brain.

So far, the devices have only been used in rats. When placed inside, they have been shown to prove bio-compatibility, and they were able to remain implanted without observable inflammation or rejection. They also were used to enable paralyzed rats to be able to walk again on their own, after they had gone through a specialized therapy program.

The technology is seen to have many possible uses. The new flexible implant has already been viewed as a way to help paralyzed people to be able to walk again, but this may only be a start of its possible future uses. Other purposes include the possible treatment of epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and pain reduction in people who have various chronic pain. Much testing remains to be performed on the device and it will take a couple of years before it goes on the market.