Science fiction come true: Moving a paralyzed hand with the power of thought
An accident at the beach left Ian Burkhart paralyzed. Now, the 23-year-old Ohio man is trying to become the first person to move his hand using thoughts and technology. (Lee Powell / The Washington Post)
BY JIM TANKERSLEY
Ohio COLUMBUS, Ohio — First they screwed the end of the gray cord into the metal silo rising out of Ian Burkhart’s skull. Later they laid his right forearm across two foam cylinders, and they wrapped it with thin strips that looked like film from an old home movie camera. They ran him through some practice drills, and then it was time for him to try.
BY JIM TANKERSLEYOhio COLUMBUS, Ohio — First they screwed the end of the gray cord into the metal silo rising out of Ian Burkhart’s skull. Later they laid his right forearm across two foam cylinders, and they wrapped it with thin strips that looked like film from an old home movie camera. They ran him through some practice drills, and then it was time for him to try.
