How a Brain-Computer Interface Could Help Paralyzed Veterans at Home

Over the course of a five-year study, a paralyzed man was able to regain conscious control of his hand, wrist, and fingers by using a brain-computer interface technology from Battelle called NeuroLife. MD+DI spoke with NeuroLife researchers to find out what they learned during the study and what is next for this game-changing technology.

Ten years ago, an athletic college student from Dublin, Ohio was on vacation with his friends when he dove into a wave, hit the top of his head on a sandbar, and was instantly paralyzed. That young man was Ian Burkhart, the first participant in a five-year study of Battelle's NeuroLife neural bypass technology, a project Battelle has worked on in conjunction with doctors at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Burkhart completed NeuroLife sessions two to three times a week for five years.

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