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脊椎植入装置改变瘫痪者生活

Severe spinal¹ cord injuries usually lead to total loss of control of lower extremities², as well as bladder, bowel³ and sexual functions. But scientists at the University of Louisville, Kentucky, say an implanted electrical device is helping⁶ the patients regain⁷ at least some of that control.

严重的脊髓损伤通常会导致人的下肢完全失去控制，而且会影响膀胱、肠子和性功能。但是美国肯塔基州路易斯维尔大学的科学家们说，植入一个电装置，能帮助病人恢复至少部分控制。

A dirt bike accident five years ago left Ken⁴ Stephenson paralyzed from the chest down. Doctors told him that he would never be able to stand up again.

五年前，斯蒂芬森骑越野车的时候发生意外，导致胸部以下瘫痪。医生告诉他，他永远都不能再站立了。

“They said, based on what they've diagnosed and how I broke my back and everything, that I wouldn't be able to move my legs again or feel anything ever again,” said Stephenson.

“他们说，根据他们的诊断和我脊背受伤的情况，我永远都不能移动我的腿了，下肢不会再有感觉了。”

Another blow to the young man was the loss of sexual function.

对这个年轻人的另一个打击是，他失去了性功能。

Now, however, thanks to a small device implanted in his back that electrically stimulates⁹ his spinal cord, Stephenson has regained¹⁰ some ability to enjoy activities he thought were left behind forever.

可是现在，因为在背部植入了一个小装置，用电流刺激他的脊髓，斯蒂芬森恢复了部分活动能力。过去他以为这再也不可能了。

Dr. Roderic Pettigrew, of the National Institutes of Health, explained, “The goal was to modulate¹¹ those damaged nerves in the spinal cord so that they once again could, would, become receptive to stimuli¹².”

美国国家卫生研究院的彼提格鲁医生作出了解释： “我们的目标是，调节脊髓内受损的神经。让它们恢复接受刺激的能力。”

The stimulator¹³ is turned on with a remote control and allows Stephenson to move one leg at the time. Other functions improved, too.

刺激是遥控开启的，让斯蒂芬森能够每次动一条腿。其他的功能也改善了。

“The sexual function thing was huge for me because it was basically nothing before and, I mean, now, like, it's a lot better,” said Stephenson.

斯蒂芬森说：“性功能对我非常重要。以前一点都没有，现在好多了。”

Three other patients reported similar improvements, although none of them can walk.

其他三位病人也报告了类似的改善。但是他们都还不能走路。

Pettigrew stresses that the device is not a cure and that more research is needed before it can be widely available. He said a spinal cord injury, though, may no longer mean a lifelong sentence of paralysis¹⁴.

彼提格鲁医生强调，新装置不能治愈瘫痪，还需要更多研究，才能够推广。但是他说，脊髓损伤可能不再意味着终生瘫痪了。

“What we see today with these four individuals now being able to have voluntary motion and voluntary control of their limbs and involuntary control of functions like bladder and bowel is very exciting,” said Pettigrew.

“我们今天看到的是，四位病人都能做自主活动，自主控制肢体，还有对膀胱和肠子功能的非自主控制，这令人兴奋。”

Researchers now plan to implant⁵ the device in eight more patients and try to stimulate⁸ more than one muscle group at the time.

现在研究人员计划在其他八名病人身上植入新装置，试图每次刺激一组以上的肌肉群。