A restaurant owner wasn’t regaining function after a stroke. New technology changed everything.

Restaurateur Tommy Fello faced a life-altering event on Christmas Eve as he drove home from work. What he initially thought was a flat tire turned out to be a stroke that left him unable to move his left arm and leg. Despite receiving clot-busting treatment, Fello struggled with numbness and difficulty in everyday tasks like swallowing and eating.

His occupational therapist, Dr. Sharon Covey, introduced him to a groundbreaking technology called the Vivistim System. This FDA-approved implant uses vagus nerve stimulation to enhance neuroplasticity and improve hand and arm function for stroke survivors. Fello became the first patient at the Cleveland Clinic to receive the implant in April 2025.

The procedure, performed by cerebrovascular neurosurgeon Dr. Mark Bain, involved placing the device near the carotid artery and activating it two weeks later. Fello began working with Covey on rehabilitative tasks, experiencing significant progress in just four months. He no longer felt pain or tension in his limb and was able to start using his left arm for simple tasks.

The Vivistim System has shown promising results in stroke recovery, with a study published in The Lancet demonstrating two to three times greater improvement in hand and arm function compared to traditional rehabilitation. Dr. Bain believes that new technologies like Vivistim offer hope to stroke patients who struggle with recovery.

The future of stroke rehabilitation looks promising, with the potential for advancements in procedures and devices to help patients regain their independence. Dr. Bain and Dr. Covey continue to provide Vivistim therapy to stroke survivors, with the goal of revolutionizing the field of stroke recovery.

Overall, Fello’s journey with the Vivistim System showcases the power of innovative technology in transforming the lives of stroke survivors. With continued advancements in neuroplasticity and rehabilitation techniques, the sky’s the limit for stroke recovery in the years to come.

By Kerry Breen, News Editor at CBSNews.com. A graduate of New York University’s Arthur L. Carter School of Journalism, Breen covers current events, breaking news, and issues including substance use.