With a high risk for aspiration, it may be necessary to physically move the cartilage of the vocal cord as well as place an implant.

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The devices would also circumvent many existing challenges that hamper implantable electronics, namely concerns over longterm effects inside the body, as well as painful or costly implant removal and replacement.

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And, as I say, when I go in tomorrow, the first thing we'll do is the test and assuming the test shows what we think it will show, then we'll go forward and actually implant the device as well.

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The group hopes to implant electrodes that can detect electrical activity as well as stimulate it.

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Though no one tracks the total number of noninvasive or minimally invasive surgeries across the board, medical device makers say the trend is similar for other types of surgery as well--be it to relieve back pain, implant coronary stents, or shrink the stomachs of very obese people.

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Surgeons at the hospital said Saturday's operation, which also involved fitting a cochlear implant to help her get over deafness on her left-hand side, had gone well.

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