These are independent reviews of the products mentioned, but TIME receives a commission when purchases are made through affiliate links at no additional cost to the purchaser.
MicroTransponder’s Vivistim Paired VNS system is a chest implant that helps chronic ischemic stroke survivors regain motor function in their arms and hands by stimulating the nearby vagus nerve, the body’s “superhighway” of electrical signals. It’s the first product to do so for strokes, earning it the FDA’s breakthrough device designation. Vivistim works to boost the effects of physical therapy, facilitating the development of strength and dexterity at two to three times the degree of recovery without it. “We can implant something, and six weeks later, people are having clinically improved benefits,” MicroTransponder CEO Richard Foust says.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Breaking Down the 2024 Election Calendar
- How Ukraine Beat Russia in the Battle of the Black Sea
- The Reintroduction of Kamala Harris
- Long COVID Looks Different in Kids
- What a $129 Frying Pan Says About America’s Eating Habits
- The 1 Heart-Health Habit You Should Start When You’re Young
- Cuddling Might Help You Get Better Sleep
- The 50 Best Romance Novels to Read Right Now