Part 4/8:
The pivotal tool in this research is the epidural stimulator—a device surgically implanted over the spinal cord. This device includes a paddle electrode positioned precisely on the spinal cord surface, connected to a Bluetooth-enabled battery that controls electrical impulses.
During procedures, surgeons make a minimal incision spanning from the lower thoracic to upper lumbar vertebrae. Once implanted, the stimulator sends electrical impulses that increase the excitability of the spinal cord's neural networks. When combined with sensory cues and physical training, this stimulation encourages the spinal cord to relearn and perform movements it had previously lost.