He was part of a team investigating the use of stem cells, which are able to become any other type of cell in the body from nerve to bone, taken from the amniotic fluid which surrounds a developing foetus in the womb.

BBC: Amniotic fluid 'may heal premature baby gut'

Medtronic 's ( MDT - news - people ) spine surgery business is dominated by a procedure called spinal fusion, in which two of the segments of the backbone, called vertebrae, are fused together using metal rods and cages, bone taken from elsewhere in the body, and protein drugs that stimulate bone growth.

FORBES: Neurosurgery

He also received bone marrow from the deceased donor of his arms, a therapy intended to help his body accept the new limbs with minimal medication.

BBC: Brendan Marrocco, US quadruple amputee, gets new arms