Chip implanted in brain, helps paralyzed man regain control of hand

Doctors reported that Ian Burkhart, 24, who broke his neck five years ago, had regained control over his right hand and fingers, using technology that transmits his thoughts directly to his hand muscles and bypasses his spinal injury. This study is the first account of limb reanimation, as it is known, in a person with quadriplegia.
Doctors implanted a chip in Mr. Burkhart’s brain two years ago. Seated in a lab with the implant connected through a computer to a sleeve on his arm, he was able to learn by repetition and arduous practice to focus his thoughts to make his hand pour from a bottle, and to pick up a straw and stir. He was even able to play a guitar video game.
However, the new technology is not a cure for paralysis. Mr. Burkhart could use his hand only when connected to computers in the lab, and the researchers said there was much work to do before the system could provide significant mobile independence.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/14/health/paralysis-limb-reanimation-brain-chip.html?_r=0

Study: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature17435.html