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Completely Paralyzed Man Walks In Robotic Exoskeleton

Posted by Soulskill on from the awesome-medtech dept.

Zothecula writes: Working with a team of UCLA scientists, a man with protracted and complete paralysis has recovered sufficient voluntary control to take charge of a bionic exoskeleton and take many thousands of steps. Using a non-invasive spinal stimulation system that requires no surgery, this is claimed (abstract) to be the first time that a person with such a comprehensive disability has been able to actively and voluntarily walk with such a device.

13 of 23 comments (clear)

  1. Hats off by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Good. This is absolutely the type of research and technological progress we need in order to make the world a better place. Excellent job by the researchers, and to the patients who've endured this condition and not lost hope as well.

  2. Bet he cost more than $6 million by gurps_npc · · Score: 4, Funny

    But it wouldn't surprise me if his name is Steve and lives in Austin.

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    excitingthingstodo.blogspot.com
  3. What a patient by fred911 · · Score: 4, Informative

    FTA

    "In the latest study, the researchers treated Mark Pollock, who lost his sight in 1998 and later became the first blind man to race to the South Pole. In 2010, Pollock fell from a second-story window and suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down."

    "âoeStepping with the stimulation and having my heart rate increase, along with the awareness of my legs under me, was addictive. I wanted more,â he said."

      Sounds like a pretty strong dude.

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    1. Re:What a patient by Calydor · · Score: 1

      Also sounds like a guy the universe is desperately trying to kill. Do we ... really want to make him mobile again? ;-)

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      -=This sig has nothing to do with my comment. Move along now=-
    2. Re: What a patient by binarylarry · · Score: 5, Funny

      In 2016, Mark lost both arms in a freak robotic suit electrocution accident.

      Scientists are working on on a tritium powered, eight limbed robotic exo skeleton and prerequisite inhibitor chip to help him overcome his latest disability.

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      Mod me down, my New Earth Global Warmingist friends!
    3. Re:What a patient by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      "In the latest study, the researchers treated Mark Pollock, who lost his sight in 1998 and later became the first blind man to race to the South Pole. In 2010, Pollock fell from a second-story window and suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down."

      Answers to the name of "Lucky"

    4. Re: What a patient by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      When asked to comment he replied "it's just a flesh wound".

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      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  4. *Completely* paralyzed? by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Completely Paralyzed Man Walks In Robotic Exoskeleton

    Not to take away from the achievements that are the subject of the story, which are frankly brilliant, but is someone who clearly has control over their upper body completely paralyzed?

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    systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
    1. Re:*Completely* paralyzed? by Firethorn · · Score: 2

      "below the waist" was probably cut in editing.

      My grandfather's legs are partially paralyzed, he can still walk, but it's pretty obvious if you watch him that he doesn't have full control.

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      I don't read AC A human right
    2. Re:*Completely* paralyzed? by Doub · · Score: 1

      It's pure click bait since legs-only exoskeletons are hardly news. And then they complain when we use ad blockers...

  5. Welcome ... by gstoddart · · Score: 1

    I for one welcome our new paralyzed, exoskeleton-wearing overlords.

    No, seriously, this is pretty damned awesome.

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    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  6. Re:Damn - I misread it by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 1

    I don't get it.

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    systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
  7. Help! by vinaychittora · · Score: 2

    I can't express how happy I am to hear this news. It's been 26 years since I felt my legs down there. I am from India, and just another engineer in the crowd. I don't think I can afford that right now but can anyone give me directions, should I contact these people to make me the part of experiments or something? It would be great if slashdot people help me to find out a path to reach there. Thanks to the researchers who made it possible and showing a silver-lining to the people suffering from such conditions.