The FDA is evaluating brain-powered prosthetic limbs developed by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency. It's a move "to restore near-natural arm, hand and finger function to patients suffering from spinal cord injury, stroke or amputation," according to an FDA release.
The prosthetic limbs are controlled by a microchip implanted in the patient's brain. The chip will record neuron signals from the brain to control muscles connected to the prosthesis. The devices will be the first tested in the FDA's new Innovation Pathway, which stimulates priority review for breakthrough devices.
- read the LA Times story