Originally published on November 12, 2013 <br /><br />Cambridge researchers have engineered a new device that may restore bladder control to patients paralyzed by traumatic spinal cord injuries.<br /><br />Historically, paralyzed patients rely on catheters to drain urine. If successfully adapted for human use, the neuroprosthetic device will detect a full bladder and generate the stimulus needed for bladder contraction. <br /><br />Under normal circumstances, the full bladder sends signals to the brain through a nerve running up the spinal cord. The brain then signals back down to the bladder, stimulating contraction that results in urination. <br /><br />The damaged spinal cord cannot relay signals between the bladder and the brain, however. The device forms a complete circuit with the nerves running to and from the bladder. When it senses the bladder has reached capacity, it sends an alert to an external sensor and returns a signal to the bladder to prevent it from voiding.<br /><br />When alerted, the patient can then push a button to trigger the neuroprosthetic to stimulate bladder contraction and urination.<br /><br />The system was successful implemented in rats, but it could be years before it is ready for human use.<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />TomoNews is your daily source for top animated news. We've combined animation and video footage with a snarky personality to bring you the biggest and best stories from around the world.<br /><br />For news that's fun and never boring, visit our channel:<br />https://www.youtube.com/user/TomoNewsUS<br /><br />Subscribe to stay updated on all the top stories:<br />http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=TomoNewsUS<br /><br />Stay connected with us here:<br />Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TomoNewsUS<br />Twitter @tomonewsus http://www.twitter.com/TomoNewsUS<br />Google+ http://gplus.to/TomoNewsUS
