Stroke Survivor Regains Arm Function with Groundbreaking Implant

In April 2025, Ohio restaurateur Tommy Fello became the first patient at the Cleveland Clinic to receive a Vivistim System implant, a cutting-edge device that uses vagus nerve stimulation to aid stroke recovery. Fello had suffered a severe stroke in 2024 that left him with limited use of his left arm and hand, a common issue for stroke survivors.

Despite extensive physical and occupational therapy, Fello's progress had plateaued, and he struggled with basic tasks like lifting his arm or picking up a cup. That is, until he learned about the Vivistim System, an FDA-approved implant that delivers gentle electrical pulses to the vagus nerve during rehabilitation exercises to enhance neuroplasticity and motor function.

Four months after receiving the implant, Fello has made remarkable progress. He no longer experiences pain or tension in his affected limb, and he is now able to practice using his left arm to carry items - a task he could not have accomplished before the device was implanted. Fello's occupational therapist, Dr. Sharon Covey, believes the Vivistim System is a game-changer for stroke recovery, offering hope to patients like Fello who struggle to regain function through traditional means.

As more stroke survivors receive the Vivistim implant, experts predict an "explosion" of new rehabilitation technologies in the coming years that will help people reclaim their lives after a devastating stroke.