In 2011, Gert-Jan Oskam was involved in a motorbike accident that left him unable to walk. The damage to his spinal cord severed the connection between his brain and legs, making it impossible for him to move his lower body. Dr. Jocelyne Bloch, a neurosurgeon at Lausanne University Hospital in Switzerland, explained that individuals with spinal cord injuries experience interruptions in the signals sent from the brain to the legs.
In 2018, Dr. Bloch implanted a device on Oskam’s spine that could send out electrical impulses, allowing him to walk with a walker after intensive training. However, the movement was awkward and required Oskam to push a button. In 2023, Dr. Bloch implanted additional devices inside Oskam’s brain to create a “digital bridge” between his legs and brain. With continued training, Oskam has regained more natural movement, precise joint control, and can now stand and walk with a walker, including up stairs. Surprisingly, Oskam can even walk without the device turned on, suggesting that it may be assisting in the rebuilding of his nervous system.
Neuroscientist Grégoire Courtine, along with Dr. Bloch, hopes to make this technology safe and effective for widespread use within the next decade. Their ultimate goal is to enable paralyzed individuals to walk normally without any assistance. The team continues to explore ways to further enhance the technology and unlock its full potential for those with mobility limitations.