Paralysed man now able to play Guitar Hero thanks to computer chip in his brain
Ian Burkhart became paralysed from the shoulders down after a freak diving accident five years ago
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A paralysed man is now able to play video games, pick up objects and stir liquids after a computer chip was installed in his brain.
With the chip and a futuristic looking sleeve, Ian Burkhart from Ohio has been using his own brainwaves to retrain his paralysed right hand in what doctors call a ‘neural bypass’.
“We’re able to turn Ian’s thoughts into signals that bypass his injured spinal cord, and send them directly to the sleeve, causing his muscles to move,” said Dr. Ali Rezai, CEO of Ohio State's Neurological Institute.
“It really is incredible.”
Mr Burkhart made headlines across the globe back in 2014, when he became the first paralysed patient using the technology to pick up a spoon.
Now he is capable of much more, including the demanding dexterity of Guitar Hero, thanks to hundreds of sessions at Ohio State University over the last two years.
“Now it’s just something that’s so fluid, it's kind of like it was before I had my injury, where I just think about what I want to do and now I can do it,” Mr Burkhart reported, having first become paralysed from the shoulders down after a freak diving accident.
The chip was first implanted in Ian’s brain by Dr Rezai in 2014. Wires are connected from that chip to a computer that is capable of decoding his thoughts and translating them into action impulses for his sleeve.
“Several years after a spinal cord injury, his level of function has improved significantly. That has never been demonstrated before,” said Dr Rezai.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments