Medicine has overcome many conditions, but spinal cord injuries still pose a high risk of paralysis, taking away a patient’s ability to walk. Technology is doing everything possible to repair that kind of damage, and one of the most promising efforts is E-Dura, a flexible implant that has already achieved favorable results in the laboratory.
The search for an alternative to the wheelchair
In the past we have explored different options to do away with the wheelchair once and for all. The most publicized example is probably the exoskeleton, which has already had more than a live test. Needless to say, the definitive solution to paralysis would be restoring nerve connections; however, that is still a bit far off. As an alternative, scientists have investigated the possibility of creating secondary pathways. If science has managed to develop things like a mind-controlled arm, or the Cochlear implants that restore hearing, it is not at all far-fetched to think of an implant that acts as a “bridge” in a damaged area of the nervous system.
E-Dura: a flexible implant that works
The latest news takes us to the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, where they have created E-Dura, a flexible implant that integrates electrical and chemical stimulation without losing elasticity. The researchers obtained positive results in laboratory tests, restoring movement in paralyzed rodents without damaging the spinal cord. A very positive aspect of E-Dura is that its tests were not short, but it managed to maintain its functioning for weeks. The implant can adapt without major problems to a person’s daily movements, since it mimics the mechanical properties of the dura mater on which it is installed. E-Dura is composed of gold conductors and electrodes based on silicon and platinum.
The road to human trials
Despite all this, one detail stands above the rest: the E-Dura implant does not cause rejection, which sets an excellent outlook for the first human trials scheduled for next June. I understand we should take it calmly, but there are many reasons why E-Dura excites us. Exoskeletons will surely fulfill their role as definitive replacements for wheelchairs, but this implant proposes a direct repair of the affected area. Without a doubt, we look forward to more news.
