Advancing Science to Help Paralyzed People Walk Again

                         

Born of an age of science, Rolex employs the ever-advancing frontier of human knowledge in the creation of its instruments – but we also enable science itself, bringing the dimension of measured time to the exploration and discovery of new worlds. Rolex supports individuals and organizations working across the sciences. Now, supporting a French medical scientist based in Switzerland helping paralysed patients to walk again.

Grégoire Courtine is developing an electronic “bridge” that can reconnect the patient’s brain with the lumbar spinal cord after injury. Supported by wireless technology, the system records the brain signals controlling movement to drive electrical stimulation of the lower spinal cord. This targeted stimulation of the lumbar spinal cord can generate leg movements coinciding with the natural motor intention signals from the brain. The neuroprosthetic bridge could restore immediate voluntary control over leg muscles allowing intensive gait rehabilitation.