Scientists install the world’s first electronic spine to restore movement after paralysis

Last updated on 6 AUG 2025

For millions of people living with paralysis, the disconnection between brain and body has long represented a permanent boundary—one that science has been unable to cross. Traditional treatment approaches have focused on adaptation, not reversal, offering limited hope for those whose lives are changed by spinal cord injury.

But a pioneering clinical trial out of Northwell Health’s Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research is rewriting that narrative. In a world-first achievement, scientists have developed and successfully implanted an “electronic spine”—a novel system that reconnects the brain, spinal cord, and muscles to restore both movement and sensation in a person living with complete paralysis. 

Breaking the Limits of Paralysis: A Revolutionary Medical Milestone

For decades, spinal cord injuries (SCIs) that result in paralysis have been considered largely irreversible, with treatment focused on adaptation rather than restoration. However, a groundbreaking clinical trial by Northwell Health’s Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research is challenging long-held assumptions with a pioneering fusion of neuroscience, surgery, artificial intelligence, and bioelectronic medicine.

In a world-first, researchers restored both movement and sensation in a paralyzed limb by creating an “electronic spine”—a closed-loop system that reconnects the brain, spinal cord, and body. The trial’s participant, Keith Thomas, had lived with quadriplegia since a 2020 diving accident injured his C4 and C5 vertebrae, severing communication between his brain and much of his body. In March 2023, after a 15-hour brain surgery and months of thought-driven therapy, he moved his paralyzed arm and felt his sister’s touch for the first time in years.

“This is the first time the brain, body and spinal cord have been linked together electronically in a paralyzed human to restore lasting movement and sensation,” said Professor Chad Bouton, the trial’s principal investigator and a leading figure in bioelectronic medicine at Northwell.

Unlike earlier studies that relied on robotic support or limited computer-assisted movement, this trial marks a major leap forward: it created a “double neural bypass”. By combining brain implants, spinal stimulation, and AI-powered signal processing, the system allows the participant to move voluntarily while also regaining tactile feedback—laying a foundation for long-term recovery and independence.

How the Double Neural Bypass Works: Rewiring the Nervous System with Technology

At the heart of this pioneering medical achievement lies a seamless integration of neuroscience and advanced engineering. The innovation, known as a double neural bypass, does more than simulate movement—it reestablishes two-way communication between the brain and body, enabling both motor control and sensory perception. This is a significant advancement over prior technologies, which were largely limited to either movement alone or dependent on external robotics. 

The process began with functional MRI scans to identify the specific brain regions responsible for arm movement and tactile sensation in Keith Thomas. This precision mapping allowed surgeons to pinpoint exactly where to place two motor implants and three sensory implants in his brain. Uniquely, portions of the 15-hour surgery were performed while Thomas was awake, allowing the team to confirm placement in real-time based on his feedback.

The system itself is built on a closed-loop model. When Thomas thinks about moving his hand, AI algorithms decode these brain signals through the implanted chips. These signals are then transmitted to a computer interface, which activates electrode patches on his spine and forearm to stimulate the appropriate muscles. In turn, sensors on his fingertips and palm send data about pressure and touch back to his brain—completing the loop and restoring a sense of touch.

“What we’ve built is a system that doesn’t just read brain signals—it enables dynamic, bidirectional communication,” explained Prof. Bouton. “We stimulate the brain and spinal cord to rebuild neural connections and promote lasting recovery.”

Previous efforts in neural bypass technology had shown promise but were largely limited by their one-way communication structure and reliance on lab-based systems. Some participants could move limbs using thought-controlled robotics, but they remained disconnected from physical sensation and often depended on bulky, non-portable equipment. Northwell’s system, however, demonstrates for the first time that it’s possible to reintegrate motor and sensory circuits directly within the human body, making natural movement and feeling achievable in real time.

A Personal Transformation: Keith Thomas’s Journey from Paralysis to Recovery

The breakthrough technology is not just a scientific marvel—it is a deeply human story. For Keith Thomas, the clinical trial marked a turning point after nearly three years of living with paralysis. In July 2020, a diving accident severely damaged his spinal cord at the C4 and C5 vertebrae, resulting in complete loss of movement and sensation from the chest down.

Before the trial, Thomas was dependent on full-time care and had little hope of regaining autonomy. But following the implant surgery and months of intensive therapy using the double neural bypass, his reality began to shift. He was able to voluntarily move his arms, experience tactile sensations, and even feel the touch of a loved one—milestones previously thought to be out of reach.

Most strikingly, Thomas’s recovery extended beyond the lab. Researchers observed that his natural strength more than doubled during the course of the study. He began to experience new sensations in his wrist and forearm, even when the electronic system was switched off—a possible sign that neural plasticity, or the brain’s ability to rewire itself, was being activated.

While the technology amplified his abilities, it also appeared to stimulate biological recovery, suggesting that the human nervous system—when guided by advanced neurotechnology—might be more resilient than previously believed. “When I was able to move my arm and feel my sister holding my hand again, it felt like I got part of my life back,” Thomas told reporters. His experience is a testament to the emotional and psychological significance of regaining even small degrees of physical independence.

What Comes Next: Scaling Breakthroughs from Lab to Real Life

With the successful implementation of the double neural bypass, researchers at Northwell Health have set the stage for a new chapter in neurorestorative medicine. Yet translating such an advanced intervention from a clinical trial to routine treatment will require careful scaling, validation, and long-term monitoring.

The team behind the study is now focused on refining the system for broader use. Key priorities include reducing the complexity of the hardware, developing wireless interfaces, and minimizing reliance on large laboratory equipment. For instance, replacing the external computer ports in Thomas’s head with fully implantable or wearable systems could significantly improve practicality and user independence.

Another area of interest is expanding the neural bypass to address other types of paralysis and neurological damage, such as strokes or neurodegenerative conditions. To do so, researchers are conducting follow-up studies to examine the extent to which this approach can encourage natural neural regeneration, even after years of injury.

Furthermore, independent clinical evaluations will be necessary to assess long-term outcomes across a wider range of participants. This includes measuring changes in strength, sensation, and functional independence months or even years after therapy begins.

While still early in its trajectory, this research signals a clear direction: combining biological understanding of the nervous system with adaptive neurotechnology may enable new forms of recovery once considered impossible. Ongoing collaborations between engineers, neuroscientists, and rehabilitation specialists will be critical in determining how broadly—and how quickly—this kind of technology can be made accessible to those who need it.

Looking Forward: A Call to Embrace Innovation and Hope

The installation of the world’s first electronic spine is more than a technical milestone—it is a statement of what is possible when science refuses to accept the limits of the past. For those living with paralysis, the story of Keith Thomas opens the door to a future that includes mobility, sensation, and dignity—realities that have long been absent from conventional treatment narratives.

As this research progresses, it raises important conversations about access, ethics, and healthcare equity. If technologies like the double neural bypass are to reshape neurorehabilitation, they must also be developed with scalability and affordability in mind. Public investment, clinical collaboration, and continued innovation will be key to ensuring that the benefits of this technology extend beyond a single patient or trial.

Ultimately, this achievement challenges a deeply rooted assumption in medicine: that a broken spinal cord is an irreversible sentence. Instead, it suggests that with determination, precision, and human compassion, even the most profound neurological barriers can be bridged—literally and figuratively.

As Prof. Bouton put it, “Our goal is to use this technology one day to give people living with paralysis the ability to live fuller, more independent lives.” That future may no longer be a distant hope—it may be just around the corner.

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