New spinal treatment from Cambridge company could prevent paralysis

New spinal treatment could prevent paralysis

Nineteen years ago, Frank Reynolds knew firsthand what it was like to be a paraplegic after an accident left him paralyzed.

"You pray for those little things, you know. You pray to be able to walk," said Reynolds.

Amazingly, he's now able to walk again, but with new purpose.

"This is the first time patients, we think, will have real hope," said Reynolds.

That hope is that those facing paralysis will someday walk again, by implanting a small device directly into their spinal cord. The device was developed by Cambridge company, InVivo Therapeutics.

"About 90 percent of all patients who arrive in the emergency room after a spinal cord injury, they can't move. They can't feel, but they are not paralyzed for life. There is actually a three-week window of opportunity where you can intervene," said Reynolds.

Permanent paralysis, instead, happens in the weeks following the original injury while the cord heals. The resulting scarring blocks key pathways the brain uses to communicate.

"If you can just mitigate that inflammation, you get less scarring. And with less scarring, you get more functionality," said Reynolds.

Made of the same material as biodegradable stitches, animal studies have shown the device, called scaffolding, does just that -- temporarily supporting the spinal cord while it heals. Picture a three-lane highway that needs repairs. The scaffolding keeps one lane, open so traffic can get through.

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New spinal treatment from Cambridge company could prevent paralysis