In the article, “Bionic spine could pave the way for new paralysis treatments”, we can see how sheep were utilized in a research project. In this study, the sheep were inserted with a stentrode device, which was placed in the blood vessel that is associated with the movement part of their brain. The stentrode, which is also known as a bionic spine is able to pick up the motor cortex’s signals by use of electrodes. For 190 days, the stentrode recorded the signals of the sheep’s movement (NHS choices, 2016).
Sheep were chosen for this experiment because their blood vessels are structurally similar to a human’s vessels. In humans, testing of this type of device would have involved high risk brain surgery and may have resulted in infection. Fewer …show more content…
The researchers wanted to see if the device would pick up movement signals. Those with spinal cord injuries have brain signals, but the transmission of these signals to their limbs no longer functions. The bionic spine would fix this problem by providing an alternate route for signals through another device implanted in the shoulder. These signals are then transferred into movement commands by use of Bluetooth technology. This device could eventually make it possible for those who are paralyzed to have use of their limbs (NHS choices, 2016). These results may also be used to treat those with epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, obsessive compulsive disorder, and motor neuron disease. The bionic spine procedure is planned to be available by the middle of the 2020s (Pearlman, 2016). This procedure could be used for treating animals with similar problems, although currently only human trials are …show more content…
Sheep generally live ten to twelve years with an average gestation period of 147 days. Male sheep can weigh up to 350 lbs; while female sheep weigh up to 220 lbs (Bradford, 2015). Sheep are weaned from four to six months. Sheep have a total of 32 teeth with 8 incisors and 24 molars (Merino Sheep). Sheep are precocious and gregarious (onekind). Male sheep tend to live with other males, which are called bachelor herds. Bachelor herds consist of anywhere from 5-50 rams. The dominant male in the herd is the only sheep who can mate with the females. Female sheep live with each other in nursery herds. These herds include 5-100 female sheep with their babies. A sheep’s diet consists of grass, seeds, and plants (Bradford,
Sheep were chosen for this experiment because their blood vessels are structurally similar to a human’s vessels. In humans, testing of this type of device would have involved high risk brain surgery and may have resulted in infection. Fewer …show more content…
The researchers wanted to see if the device would pick up movement signals. Those with spinal cord injuries have brain signals, but the transmission of these signals to their limbs no longer functions. The bionic spine would fix this problem by providing an alternate route for signals through another device implanted in the shoulder. These signals are then transferred into movement commands by use of Bluetooth technology. This device could eventually make it possible for those who are paralyzed to have use of their limbs (NHS choices, 2016). These results may also be used to treat those with epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, obsessive compulsive disorder, and motor neuron disease. The bionic spine procedure is planned to be available by the middle of the 2020s (Pearlman, 2016). This procedure could be used for treating animals with similar problems, although currently only human trials are …show more content…
Sheep generally live ten to twelve years with an average gestation period of 147 days. Male sheep can weigh up to 350 lbs; while female sheep weigh up to 220 lbs (Bradford, 2015). Sheep are weaned from four to six months. Sheep have a total of 32 teeth with 8 incisors and 24 molars (Merino Sheep). Sheep are precocious and gregarious (onekind). Male sheep tend to live with other males, which are called bachelor herds. Bachelor herds consist of anywhere from 5-50 rams. The dominant male in the herd is the only sheep who can mate with the females. Female sheep live with each other in nursery herds. These herds include 5-100 female sheep with their babies. A sheep’s diet consists of grass, seeds, and plants (Bradford,