Onward Medical announced today that it completed the first-in-human implant of its ARC-IM stimulator for restoring upper extremity function.
Eindhoven, The Netherlands-based Onward designed the stimulator to restore function after spinal cord injury (SCI). The patient also received a wireless brain-computer interface (BCI) for initiating thought-driven movement when paired with ARC-IM.
Onward’s ARC-IM delivers targeted, programmed therapy to the spinal cord to restore movement and other functions after SCI. Multiple feasibility studies demonstrated restored mobility and stabilized blood pressure with the device.
Last month, Dr. Jocelyne Bloch performed two procedures at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois in Lausanne, Switzerland. The ARC-IM implant took place on Aug. 14 and Bloch implanted the WImagine BCI from CEA-Clinatec nine days later.
The BCI works in tandem with ARC-IM to capture the intention of a paralyzed individual to move their upper extremities. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) to decode those thoughts and convert the information into ARC-IM therapy. Precise stimulation of the spinal cord with ARC-IM results in thought-driven movement.
“The implant procedures involving the ONWARD ARC-IM and Clinatec BCI went smoothly,” said Bloch. “We are now working with the patient to use this cutting-edge innovation to recover movement of his arms, hands, and fingers. We look forward to sharing more information in due course.”
More about Onward and its spinal cord stimulation-BCI combo
Onward’s latest clinical milestone comes as part of a study investigating thought-initiated spinal cord stimulation after SCI. It adds to data published in May demonstrating how a BCI uses thought to modulate ARC therapy. Researchers said that, when paired with ARC therapy, an implanted BCI allowed an individual to gain augmented control over when and how he moved his paralyzed legs.
The company completed first-in-human use for its movement-restoring lead earlier that month. It said it expects to share more information about its research in the coming months. That includes a peer-reviewed publication describing the procedure and its results.
“This is another impressive piece of research from our partners at .NeuroRestore. We are excited to learn how ARC-IM Therapy may restore upper extremity function after SCI, and we are eager to see how the addition of a BCI might augment our therapy,” said Dave Marver, CEO of Onward. “Congratulations to the teams at EPFL, CHUV, and CEA-Clinatec for this breakthrough. We feel privileged that our technology is part of this research.”