New Technology Restores Function for Restaurant Owner Post-Stroke

In a remarkable story of resilience, restaurateur Tommy Fello faced a life-altering event after suffering a stroke on Christmas Eve. While on his way home, he realized that his physical state was deteriorating, ultimately leading to significant loss of movement. Through innovative treatment involving the FDA-approved Vivistim System, Fello has begun to regain functionality and hope. This breakthrough technology, which employs vagus nerve stimulation during rehabilitation, marks a significant advancement in stroke recovery.

Article Subheadings
1) Fello’s Initial Stroke Experience
2) The Innovative Vivistim System
3) The Implant Surgery and Recovery
4) Progress and Future Prospects
5) Implications for Stroke Rehabilitation

Fello’s Initial Stroke Experience

On Christmas Eve, at 71 years old, Tommy Fello experienced a life-changing stroke after a long day of preparing a holiday buffet at his restaurant in Ohio. Fello had been awake since 4 a.m. and thought the heavy fatigue and difficulty steering his truck home was simply due to a flat tire. However, once he arrived home and attempted to disembark from his vehicle, he struggled to maintain his balance.

Realizing that his unsteadiness was not related to the vehicle but rather a result of his own health, Fello consulted his family. Concerned, they called 911 just five minutes after he reached home. Paramedics quickly took him to a nearby hospital, where he tragically lost all movement in his left arm and leg. Describing his condition, Fello remarked,

“They were literally just like appendages on me. I could not feel them and could not do anything.”

Despite the efficiency of a clot-busting drug that reversed the stroke, Fello continued to face challenges, including numbness on the left side of his body and difficulty swallowing, eating, or drinking. Physical and occupational therapy provided minimal improvements, leading Fello to reflect on his ordeal and evaluate the severity of his limitations. His occupational therapist, Dr. Sharon Covey, noted the extensive pain he experienced due to the position of his arm, which had become stuck in a bent position with curled fingers.

The Innovative Vivistim System

In January 2024, while participating in a rehabilitation program, another stroke survivor mentioned the Vivistim System to Fello, sparking his interest. This FDA-approved device, developed by MicroTransponder Inc., employs vagus nerve stimulation to enhance rehabilitation outcomes for stroke survivors. The vagus nerves control involuntary bodily functions and are the longest cranial nerves, with one present on each side of the body.

The Vivistim System operates by having therapists send wireless signals to the device, which then delivers a brief pulse to the vagus nerve in conjunction with rehabilitative tasks. Patients are also required to perform at-home exercises. The goal is to leverage the increased neuroplasticity associated with vagus nerve stimulation, potentially leading to more significant and quicker improvements in motor function.

Neurosurgeon Dr. Erez Nossek, who specializes in stroke recovery, commented on the potential of this therapy, stating,

“There is no other FDA-approved technology proven to boost neuroplasticity for stroke survivors, creating new connections in the brain, which is theirs to keep, even after the device is no longer in use.”

This sentiment has been echoed by many in the medical community, as it represents a critical advancement in stroke recovery techniques.

The Implant Surgery and Recovery

Fello made the decision to consult with the Cleveland Clinic, where he met Dr. Mark Bain, a cerebrovascular neurosurgeon experienced in stroke recovery. Fello qualified as a candidate for the Vivistim System, making him the first patient at the Cleveland Clinic to receive the implant on April 29, 2025. Describing his feelings about the surgery, Fello admitted, “It didn’t really scare me to try and do it. I was anxious to see how it worked.”

The hour-long surgical procedure involved placing the device close to the vagus nerve, which resides just below the carotid artery. The surgical team made a small incision to conceal the scar in a natural fold of Fello’s neck. Less than a week later, the device was activated, allowing Fello to resume rehabilitative therapies with Dr. Covey.

In the four months following the surgery, Dr. Covey reported substantial improvement in Fello’s condition, noting that the pain and tension in his arm had vanished. He was able to begin utilizing his left arm to perform actual tasks, an achievement that would have seemed impossible just a few months prior. Fello expressed his exhilaration, stating, “I’m very, very happy to do it, very proud to do it, and I’m glad I did it.”

Progress and Future Prospects

Every year, approximately 800,000 individuals in the United States suffer ischemic strokes, according to Dr. Bain. Technologies like the Vivistim System hold promise for those who struggle to recover through traditional rehabilitation methods. Discussions among experts suggest that the next five to ten years will see an influx of innovative devices and protocols that enable stroke survivors to regain their independence.

Dr. Bain remarked,

“I think the sky’s the limit for what we can expect for stroke recovery.”

At the time of the report, Bain had implanted the device in seven other patients, and Dr. Covey indicated that she was managing the rehabilitation of eight patients currently utilizing the Vivistim System.

While MicroTransponder Inc. did not disclose the precise number of patients who have received the implant, they provided information about numerous healthcare professionals incorporating the technology into their practices. This highlights the growing interest and potential impact of the device across the nation.

Implications for Stroke Rehabilitation

According to Dr. Covey, the Vivistim System signifies not only a new advancement in technology but also a groundbreaking shift in stroke rehabilitation. She stated,

“This is the first real technique that has been available, at least in the last 20 years, for stroke rehab.”

Historically, methods employed by practitioners to enhance the use of affected limbs have not changed substantially over several decades, making this innovation particularly important for the medical field.

As more patients like Fello benefit from the Vivistim’s functionalities, it becomes clear that this technology could revolutionize how stroke rehabilitation is approached. The excitement around the Vivistim System amongst both patients and medical professionals indicates a bright future for rehabilitation strategies that assist stroke survivors in reclaiming their lives.