brain-computer interface Archives - Medical Design Sourcing

InBrain Neuroelectronics leads project to ‘revolutionize’ BCI landscape

The graphene-based, high-resolution cortical brain interface. [Image courtesy of InBrain Neuroelectronics]InBrain Neuroelectronics is leading the GphT-BCI project that it believes could revolutionize the landscape of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs).

The company partnered with the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) for the project. It addresses the limitations currently faced by BCIs as researchers look to bring the technology from the lab to commercial settings.

According to the project’s website, the absence of a technology platform combining all necessary properties for building accurate and scalable BCIs has been a “significant hurdle.” That’s where InBrain and ICN2 come in.

InBrain plans for the project to mature a novel type of graphene-based transistors. Already validated in preclinical settings, the graphene-based transistors offer multiplexing capabilities and sensitivity across frequencies. It requir…

BCI developer Synchron names new chief technology officer

Synchron Chief Technology Officer Riki Banerjee [Photo courtesy of Synchron]Synchron has promoted Riki Banerjee to chief technology officer, replacing co-founder Nick Opie in the role.

Opie will remain on the brain-computer interface (BCI) developer’s board of directors, the company said today.

Banerjee joined Synchron as VP of R&D in September 2021 after 12 years with Medtronic’s neurovascular operating unit. She will now lead all of Synchron R&D activities, including advancing the company’s neuroprosthesis device for patients with severe paralysis.

“Riki has been an instrumental part of Synchron’s growth and has also been the driving force behind our product design,” Synchron CEO and co-founder Dr. Tom Oxley said in a news release. “She is a senior leader at the intersection of neuromodulation innovation, engineering, implantable medical devices and commercialization. Her expertise and leadership will be transfo…

Neuralink raises another $43M for brain-computer interface

Neuralink says its brain-computer interface is fully implantable, cosmetically invisible, and designed to let a person control a computer or mobile device anywhere they go. [Image courtesy of Neuralink]Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain-computer interface (BCI) venture recently filed an SEC Form D confirming the sale of $43 million in equity.

The SEC filing shows a total of more than $323 million raised by the brain implant maker. After Musk announced in August that Neuralink brought in $280 million, the latest investment totals around $43 million.

Neuralink develops an implant called the N1 that comes in at about the size of a coin. Remotely rechargeable, the implant goes along with electrode-laced threads that go further into the brain. Neuralink also has an R1 robot meant to be programmed to implant the BCI system while avoiding vasculature.

The company designed its system to enable the user to control a computer or mobile device anywhere they go. It garn…

5 more brain-computer interface companies you need to know

BCI technology from Cognixion, Precision Neuroscience, InBrain Neuroelectronics and Kandu Health.

The brain-computer interface (BCI) space continues to rise in notoriety, and a number of players are throwing their hats in the ring.

Such technologies could enable users to control a computer with their brain, or even go beyond that. Countless immobile people someday could control a mouse cursor, keyboard, mobile device/tablet, wheelchair or prosthetic device by only thinking.

Big names have already established their presence in the space. Elon Musk’s Neuralink continues to make headway, while Bill Gates- and Jeff Bezos-backed Synchron has an innovative catheter-delivered implant. Blackrock Neurotech, which has a next-generation BCI, has been implanting its Utah Array in patients since 2004.

Those companies and more were covered in last year’s roundup of brain-computer interface companies you need to know. But there are several more companies ou…

Precision Neuroscience wins FDA breakthrough nod for BCI, buys factory in Texas

[Image from Precision Neuroscience]Precision Neuroscience announced today that its brain-computer interface (BCI) technology won FDA breakthrough device designation.

The company also acquired a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) foundry outside Dallas, Texas. Completed through its Precision BioMEMS subsidiary, the acquisition brings its supply chain in-house. It also establishes Precision as a leading-edge manufacturer of biomedical MEMS in the U.S., according to a news release.

Precision Neuroscience develops the Layer 7 Cortical Interface, designed with 1,024 tiny electrodes spanning an area of one square centimeter. The company embedded the electrodes in a flexible film that conforms to the brain surface. This film — one-fifth the thickness of a human hair — is designed for implantation and removal by neurosurgeons without damaging brain tissue.

The company designed it to map a large area of the brain’s surface at resolutions higher than typical neuro…

How Onward is combining spinal cord stimulation with BCI to restore movement

The Onward ARC-IM neurostimulation device. [Image courtesy of Onward] The brain-computer interface space has taken medtech by storm. This novel approach from Onward has the potential to bring it to another level.

Several companies are developing brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), many of which offer people with paralysis a chance to control external devices with their mind. Onward, a Dutch medtech company, develops technology that could utilize BCIs to go even further.

Onward’s ARC-IM stimulation system delivers targeted, programmed therapy to the spinal cord. It aims to restore movement and other functions after spinal cord injury. Combined with BCI technology, the company believes it could restore thought-driven movement.

The BCI works in tandem with ARC-IM to capture the intention of a paralyzed individual to move their upper extremities. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) to decode those thoughts and convert the information into ARC-IM therapy. Precise sti…

Neuralink opens recruitment for first-in-human BCI trial

Neuralink says its brain-computer interface is fully implantable, cosmetically invisible, and designed to let a person control a computer or mobile device anywhere they go. [Image courtesy of Neuralink]Neuralink, the Elon Musk-backed brain-computer interface (BCI) maker, today announced that it opened recruitment for a clinical trial.

The first-in-human trial — the PRIME study — evaluates the company’s fully implantable, wireless BCI and delivering surgical robot. It assesses the initial functionality of the BCI for enabling people with paralysis to control external devices with their thoughts.

According to a blog post on Neuralink’s website, people who have quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may qualify.

Neuralink’s N1 brain implant comes in at about the size of a coin. Remotely rechargeable, the implant goes along with electrode-laced threads that go further into the brain. Neuralink al…

InBrain Neuroelectronics wins FDA breakthrough nod for intelligent network modulation system

The graphene-based, high-resolution cortical brain interface. [Image courtesy of InBrain Neuroelectronics]InBrain Neuroelectronics announced today that it received FDA breakthrough device designation for its intelligent network modulation system.

The breakthrough nod covers the graphene-neural platform as an adjunctive therapy for treating Parkinson’s disease.

InBrain’s system harnesses the power of graphene, a two-dimensional material made of a lattice of carbon atoms. The thin material — stronger than steel, the company says — utilizes a combination of electrical and mechanical properties.

According to InBrain, the neural platform enables ultra-high signal resolution, using machine learning software to decode therapy-specific biomarkers. It delivers highly focused, adaptive neuroelectronic therapy that re-balances pathological neural networks.

The semiconductor-derived brain-computer interface (BCI) technology could decode and modulate …

Synchron completes patient enrollment in brain-computer interface trial

The Stentrode endovascular electrode array for brain-computer interface [Image courtesy of Synchron]Synchron announced today that it completed patient enrollment in the COMMAND clinical trial for its brain-computer interface (BCI).

The U.S.-based trial operating under FDA investigational device exemption (IDE) enrolled six patients in total. Synchron says it’s the first IDE awarded by the FDA to assess a permanently implanted BCI. The early feasibility study assesses safety while evaluating quantified efficacy measures of the Synchron Switch motor neuroprosthesis. It evaluates patients with severe paralysis.

Synchron says the primary goal is to assess if the device can be safely implanted into the blood vessels of the brain through neurointerventional procedures. The company also designed the study to evaluate how BCI may enable the use of thoughts to control digital devices. For patients who can no longer use their hands, this could help achieve daily tasks…

Elon Musk’s Neuralink raises $280M for brain-computer interface tech

Neuralink says its brain-computer interface is fully implantable, cosmetically invisible, and designed to let a person control a computer or mobile device anywhere they go. [Image courtesy of Neuralink]Neuralink, the Elon Musk-backed brain-computer interface (BCI) maker, announced that it raised $280 million in a Series D financing.

The Founders Fund, founded by billionaire Peter Thiel among others, led the round.

Neuralink made its announcement in a post on “X,” (formerly “Twitter”) the social media platform owned by Musk.

“We’re happy to announce our $280M Series D round led by @foundersfund,” the post said. “We’re extremely excited about this next chapter at Neuralink.”

Neuralink develops an implant called the N1 that comes in at about the size of a coin. Remotely rechargeable, the implant goes along with electrode-laced threads that go further into the brain. Neuralink also has an R1 robot meant to …

Precision Neuroscience begins first-in-human trial for brain-computer interface

[Image from Precision Neuroscience]Precision Neuroscience today announced the completion of the first-in-human procedures for a pilot clinical study of its neural implant system.

The study evaluates the company’s brain-computer interface (BCI), the Layer 7 Cortical Interface. Precision Neuroscience designed the Layer 7 with 1,024 tiny electrodes spanning an area of one square centimeter. The company embedded the electrodes in a flexible film that conforms to the brain surface. This film — one-fifth the thickness of a human hair — is designed for implantation and removal by neurosurgeons without damaging brain tissue.

Precision Neuroscience designed the device to map a large area of the brain’s surface at resolutions higher than typical neurosurgical procedures.

The study aims to record and map the brain’s activity in unprecedented detail. Precision Neuroscience partnered with West Virginia University’s Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute to…

Neuralink says FDA has OK’d a human trial

Neuralink says its brain-computer interface is fully implantable, cosmetically invisible, and designed to let a person control a computer or mobile device anywhere they go. [Image courtesy of Neuralink]Elon Musk’s Neuralink says the FDA has approved a first-in-human clinical trial for its brain-computer interface technology.

Neuralink said on Twitter yesterday:

“We are excited to share that we have received the FDA’s approval to launch our first-in-human clinical study!

This is the result of incredible work by the Neuralink team in close collaboration with the FDA and represents an important first step that will one day allow our technology to help many people.

Recruitment is not yet open for our clinical trial. We’ll announce more information on this soon!”

FDA media relations could not be immediately reached for comment.

Citing anonymous current and former employees, Reuters has reported that the FDA previously rejec…