In a groundbreaking showcase of technological progress, a patient paralyzed from a spinal cord injury has been fitted with a cutting-edge robotic device at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. This innovative device connects to the knees, thighs, and waist, allowing the patient to initiate movement simply by thinking, guided by animations projected on a screen.
“This robot aids patients with spinal cord injuries in muscle training and helps rebuild neural circuits, which significantly enhances treatment outcomes,” said Dr. Rong Limin, the hospital’s president and a spinal surgery expert. He pointed out that ongoing innovations in clinical practice are expanding treatment possibilities and offering renewed hope to patients dealing with complex medical challenges. As technology progresses, tools like brain-machine interfaces and artificial intelligence are becoming integral to medical environments.
Spinal cord injuries, severe traumas to the central nervous system, can lead to profound impairments in movement, sensation, and functions related to the bowel and bladder, often resulting in paralysis. Prolonged bed rest associated with these injuries can lead to additional complications, such as venous thromboembolism and pressure sores.
Recently, the Guangdong Provincial Health Commission organized a visit to the Third Affiliated Hospital as part of its Health New Quality Productivity initiative. During the visit, it became evident that the hospital is pioneering innovative treatment strategies for spinal cord injuries. While traditional care methods typically include surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and acupuncture, the medical community is now exploring a more holistic approach incorporating stem cells, brain-controlled exoskeletons, and biomaterial transplantation.
“With brain imaging and visual feedback, patients can operate the robot, which facilitates movement,” stated Dr. Rong. He noted that this level of interaction positively impacts the patient’s cortical activity, fostering a more hopeful outlook on their treatment journey.
Chronic sinusitis, notorious for its propensity to recur, often subjects patients to numerous surgeries due to the diverse subtypes of the condition, which undermine the effectiveness of a “one-size-fits-all” diagnostic approach.
In the hospital’s ENT department, an AI-driven diagnostic report has been developed to classify chronic sinusitis. “What used to take a doctor five hours can now be done by AI in just one minute with an accuracy rate of 98%,” explained Dr. Yang Qintai, the hospital’s vice president.
In addressing these complexities, interdisciplinary teams from the hospital’s Allergy Department and AI Center are working on an AI diagnostic system for nasal polyps, which is now being implemented in clinical settings. Building on the AI recognition system for chronic sinusitis, the Allergy and ENT teams have also launched a project to identify pollen types using AI, in collaboration with the Guangdong Meteorological Bureau and the South China Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This new initiative aims to provide timely alerts to allergy sufferers, helping them avoid high pollen concentrations.
“In today’s clinical environment, physicians are expected to nurture cells, care for laboratory animals, and manage data,” stressed Dr. Yang, who expressed a keen interest in exploring multi-modal AI solutions to better meet patient needs.
