Extraordinary life-changing surgery allows paralyzed man to regain body control

'It's crazy because I had lost sensation in my hands, and I had to watch my hand to know whether I was squeezing or extending the fingers.'

Ian Burkhart underwent experimental brain surgery to help scientists pioneer technology aimed at reanimating paralyzed limbs - and it worked!

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Six years ago, Burkhart severed his spine when he went for a swim and was slammed into a sandbar. He became a C5 quadriplegic, which meant he was classified as having full neck and head movement with good muscle strength, but was unable to move the muscles from his chest down.

Though life was difficult for Burkhart, who required assistance with even the simplest of tasks such as brushing his teeth, he never gave up hope.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Burkhart stated, "I know firsthand what was taken away from me after my injury."

Scientists from Ohio State University asked Burkhart if he was willing to participate in an experiment involving brain surgery to implant up to 96 electrodes to monitor his brain cells that also had the ability to send signals to his right hand.

Burkhart decided to participate and the results were amazing.

In 2013, the experiment began. Burkhart's brain was imaged as he visualized moving his hand in a variety of motions. The signals emitted from his brain were carefully recorded in relation to specific movements. The next year, doctors spent three hours to carefully place the tiny implant - which is about the size of a pencil eraser - in his brain.

Two months following the surgery, Burkhart's arm was wrapped in a sleeve that transfers electrical impulses to move muscles and for the first time in years, he was able to move his fingers.

Since then, Burkhart progressed to picking up and holding spoons, playing video games with plastic guitars and swiping credit cards.

"[T]he first time when I was able to open and close my hand, it really gave me that sense of hope for the future," Burkhart explained.

Chad Bouton, a neuroscientist at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, who co-authored the study published in the journal Nature, described: "He's not only picking up objects, but he's manipulating the objects. He can switch between a power grasp such as picking up a glass and then he can switch to a fine pinch grasp to pick up a small object such as [a] stir stick, and actually manipulate that and a few finer motor skills.

"This is a first; it's the first time this has been done and it's a very big step forward in this field."

Though the breakthrough is pregnant with possibilities, the technology is not currently affordable and is limited to in-lab sessions only.

The tech remains highly experimental and there is no knowing how long it will last.

Nick Anetta, an engineer and co-author explained: "To be honest there just haven't been enough people that have had it in [their brain] to know how long truly this will last. But we think it can stay in the brain for five years."

Researchers are currently working on creating a way for Burkhart to use all hours from the comfort of his home, giving him hope for the future.

"If I could take the thing home, it would give me so much more independence ... I just want other people to hear about this and know that there's hope. Something will come around that makes living with this injury better."

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