Restoring Function in Spinal Cord Injury Patients: The ONWARD External Stimulation Device

Photo Credit: ONWARD ARC Brain Spine Interface (Graphic: Business Wire)

ONWARD Medical, a pioneering company in medical technology, has announced a significant milestone in the treatment of spinal cord injuries (SCI). They have successfully completed the first human implantation of their ARC-IM Stimulator, aimed at restoring upper extremity function in SCI patients. This innovative approach, coupled with a wireless brain-computer interface (BCI), is designed to facilitate movement driven by the patient’s thoughts.

The ARC-IM Stimulator delivers targeted, programmed therapy directly to the spinal cord, aiming to restore not only movement but also other critical functions that may be impaired following a spinal cord injury. This therapy has demonstrated potential in various clinical feasibility studies, showing improvements in mobility and stabilization of blood pressure post-SCI. For the first time, this technology has been utilized to enhance upper limb functionality.

The groundbreaking procedures were performed by Dr. Jocelyne Bloch, a neurosurgeon at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) in Lausanne, Switzerland. The ARC-IM implant was successfully placed on August 14, 2023, followed by the implantation of the BCI WIMAGINE® from CEA-Clinatec nine days later.

The BCI works in harmony with the ARC-IM system by capturing the user's intent to move their upper limbs. It employs artificial intelligence to interpret these thoughts, which the ARC-IM device then translates into precise spinal cord stimulation, enabling thought-driven movement. This synergy between mind and technology marks a significant advancement in neurorehabilitation.

Dr. Bloch expressed optimism about the procedure, noting that the operations proceeded smoothly. She and her team are now focusing on assisting the patient in regaining arm, hand, and finger movements through this advanced technology. Detailed outcomes from this innovative approach will be shared as the study progresses.

This recent achievement is part of an extensive clinical study aimed at evaluating the safety and effectiveness of thought-initiated spinal cord stimulation in SCI patients. This study expands on a previous announcement by ONWARD in May 2023, where combining ARC Therapy with a BCI implant allowed a patient to regain enhanced control over their paralyzed legs. The study receives support from the European Innovation Council under the Reverse Paralysis project and is coordinated by NeuroRestore co-directors Professor Grégoire Courtine and Dr. Jocelyne Bloch, along with Guillaume Charvet from CEA-Clinatec.

Dave Marver, CEO of ONWARD, praised the collaborative efforts of the teams at EPFL, CHUV, and CEA-Clinatec, expressing excitement about the potential of ARC-IM Therapy to restore upper extremity function and the promising role of BCI in enhancing this therapy.

This breakthrough represents a significant leap towards improving the quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries, offering new hope for restored independence and functionality through cutting-edge medical technology.

References

ONWARD Medical N.V. (2023, September 27). ONWARD Announces First-in-Human Use of ARC-IM™ to Restore Upper Extremity Function in Spinal Cord Injury [Press release]. GLOBE NEWSWIRE.