(ECNS) -- A 12-year-old Russian girl who suffered lower-limb paralysis in a car accident has regained the ability to walk with walking assistance, after receiving treatment with a China-developed closed-loop spinal neural interface in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.
Vera was admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine in April 2026. Neurological examinations revealed severe yet incomplete damage to her spinal neural pathways, rendering her a suitable candidate for the innovative treatment.
The system uses implanted stimulation electrodes and a wireless rechargeable pulse generator. Rather than replacing commands from the brain, it amplifies weakened neural signals to help them pass the injured section of the spinal cord and reactivate lower-limb muscles.
Her rehabilitation combined electrical stimulation with targeted movement training, while AI algorithms were used to adjust stimulation parameters as her condition changed. One month after surgery, she was able to stand steadily with support and showed improved sensation in her feet.
After three months of rehabilitation, Vera was able to take voluntary steps with an assistive device. She became the first international patient with a severe spinal cord injury in China to achieve voluntary stepping with the aid of the technology.
(By Intern Yang Hongran, Zhang Dongfang)
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