Brain Blogger posts a scenario from the future, in which the injuries sustained by a football player are reversed using a mapping technology for brain activity that provides the starting point to reconnecting intention and physical action with implants not dissimilar to the ones described here:

A Canadian researcher has been working for 15 years on bionic implants that use electrical signals to command "lifeless" limbs to stand and walk.

The University of Alberta's Read the rest

A 66-year-old Air Force veteran, who was forced to retire for due to back and related medical reasons 15 years ago, has had his DDD-related pain "eliminated" by a spinal implant provided by Dr. Todd Warrick of Sumter, South Carolina's Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Amedica Corp., of Salt Lake City, announced that its Valeo ceramic spinal intervertebral spacers have received European CE mark approval for use in the thoracolumbar spine (upper back, below the neck, or cervical spine). It previously received US Food and Drug Administration in January. Read the rest

Scientific American has a comprehensive article on the state of science in spinal repair and regeneration. A worthwhile read as background for any back-related injuries, particularly severe injuries.

Centinal Spine, a Minneapolis-based seller of medical technologies, is beginning early-stage U.S. testing of its STALIF device for cervical and lumbar spinal fusions. The technology, developed by British medical device developer Surgicraft, is a 'fusion cage" that inserts between a single pair of vertebrae and screws in place to hold the bones in a fixed position. Read the rest

I find myself trying to explain how "minimally invasive" surgery for the spine can be, when I usually start by showing someone the scar on my throat, through which my spine was repaired. The problem with most surgeries of the back is that the spine is well protected by the body, surrounded by organs and dense muscle. This description of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography used by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center's Spine Center explains how Read the rest

Zasona Pharma, Inc., a developer of pharmaceuticals in Fremont, Calif., reported that its transdermal patch technology treatment for osteoporosis produced a statistically significant increase in lumbar spine and hip bone density when used to deliver Read the rest

Surgeons at Institute for Spinal Disorders have discussed new procedures for treatment of spinal degeneration and curvature in older patients. Read the rest