How spinal cord stimulation can restore walking in humans

1

Some small signals from the brain – though not enough to generate voluntary movement – can cross the site of the spinal cord injury

2

An electrode array connected to a pulse generator targets electrical pulses to the part of the spinal cord that controls

the leg muscles

Pulse generator

Spinal cord injury

Electrode

array

Watch

responds to voice commands

3

Patient can contol leg movements via a watch that responds to voice commands. This switches the electrical stimulation on and off using wireless technology

1

Some small signals from the brain – though not enough to generate voluntary movement – can cross the site of the spinal cord injury

2

An electrode array connected to a pulse generator sends electrical pulses to the part of the spinal cord that controls leg muscles

Pulse generator

Spinal cord injury

Electrode

array

Watch

responds to voice commands

3

Patient can contol leg movements via a watch that responds to voice commands. This switches the electrical stimulation on and off using wireless technology