For those who have been paralyzed due to a shattered spine, there's hope with a new implant developed by scientists.
The implant, called e-Dura, was designed by bioengineer Stephanie Lacour of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland and her team.
The implant got its name from the dura mater, which is the natural protective membrane surrounding the tissues of the spinal cord.
"Our e-Dura implant can remain for a long period of time on the spinal cord or the cortex, precisely because it has the same mechanical properties as the dura mater itself." Lacour said, according to EPFL News.
Standard implants are usually stiff and they can cause inflammation and damage in the soft tissue before they become effective.
However, the team's design is soft and would be a good match for the body, bringing a future treatment for paralysis.
Made of silicon and electrodes, e-Dura mimics the properties of soft living tissues found around the spinal cord; this means that the device can remain inside the body without causing any discomfort.
The implant is "flexible and stretchy" and is positioned just beneath the dura mater. Because of its elastic nature, it reduces inflammation and friction.
The device was successful in making rats walk again after several weeks of going through electro-chemical stimulation. However, the animals still need the help of a harness so they can walk upright.
When the device was implanted in rats, it didn't cause any rejection or damage even after two months — a period that is already considered critical for conventional implants.
While the device is primarily tested on animal models and for spinal cord injuries, researchers believe that one day it can also be used in Parkinson's disease, pain management, and epilepsy.
Scientists are planning on conducting human clinical trials for the device in the next few years.
The findings of the study were published in the journal Science.
