Paralyzed man voluntarily moves his legs in exoskeleton
(Photo credit: Reuters, 9/4/15 http://reut.rs/1EF7QXj)
Mark Pollock gets back on his feet - five years after becoming paralysed from the waist down. The Briton is wearing a battery-powered exoskeleton that allows him to move his legs in a step-like fashion. The device captures data that allows scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles to see whether he's moving his limbs independently or being aided by the suit. Data showed Pollock - who's also blind - is the first person with complete paralysis to regain enough voluntary control to actively work with an exoskeleton. The Commonwealth Games medallist was also able to flex his knee with the aid of electrical spinal stimulation. The researchers do not describe his steps as "walking" because of the need for the robotic device and stimulation. But the 39-year-old has now taken thousands of steps, describing his training as "addictive".
Story via Reuters: http://reut.rs/1EF7QXj
The demented science behind the prosthetic implants my characters are running around with isn't nearly as "futuristic" today as they were when I conceptualized the plot. Read Participants of the Project by D.S. Kirchen today!
~ cre8tvdeb
