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Catheter delivery could enable better brain implants: Synchron’s neuroscience chief explains how

The Synchron brain-computer interface system relays signals from the brain to a device in the chest, then translates the signals into action on a computer. [Image courtesy of Synchron] Synchron’s catheter delivery could make brain-computer interface technology simpler, safer and more accessible than the leading alternative: open-brain surgery.

Officials at Synchron — developer of the catheter-delivered Stentrode brain-computer interface (BCI) implant — believe they’re the only BCI company tapping into blood vessels to capture signals from the brain.

They say they’ve already enabled a small group of paralyzed ALS patients to control a computer with their minds, and hope there will be more technology applications.

Shortly after the New York–based company released new results of a safety study for its implant, Synchron Director of Neuroscience Peter Yoo spoke with Medical Design & Outsourcing about the Stentrode implant and how catheter deliv…

Synchron’s neuroscience director explains the brain implant technology and potential applications

The Synchron brain-computer interface system relays signals from the brain to a device in the chest, then translates the signals into action on a computer. [Image courtesy of Synchron]

Officials at Synchron, the developer of the catheter-delivered Stentrode brain-computer interface (BCI) implant, believe they’re the only BCI company tapping into blood vessels to capture signals from the brain.

They say they’ve already enabled a small group of paralyzed ALS patients to control a computer with their minds, and hope there will be more applications of their technology.

Shortly after the New York-based company released new results of a safety study for its implant, Synchron Director of Neuroscience Peter Yoo spoke with Medical Design & Outsourcing about the Stentrode implant and how catheter delivery could make BCI technology simpler, safer and more accessible than the leading alternative: ope…

Synchron says study shows safety of its brain-computer interface implant

Synchron’s Stentrode device expands inside a blood vessel on the brain to relay motor signals. [Illustration courtesy of Synchron]Four ALS patients with a Synchron Stentrode brain implant had no serious adverse events one year after their procedure, which allowed the paralyzed patients to control a computer for online shopping, banking and text communication without using their hands or voice for input.

New York-based Synchron said this study demonstrated the safety of its brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. The device is delivered by catheter rather than the open-brain surgeries used by other neurotech developers like Elon Musk’s Neuralink.

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Synchron says study shows safety of its brain-computer interface implant

Synchron’s Stentrode device expands inside a blood vessel on the brain to relay motor signals [Illustration courtesy of Synchron]

Four ALS patients with a Synchron Stentrode brain implant had no serious adverse events one year after their procedure, which allowed the paralyzed patients to control a computer for online shopping, banking and text communication without using their hands or voice for input.

New York-based Synchron said the study — allowed by the FDA under an Investigational Device Exemption — demonstrated the safety of its brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. The device is delivered by catheter rather than the open-brain surgeries used by other neurotech developers like Elon Musk’s Neuralink.

Synchron uses the catheter to feed the Stentrode device through a patient’s vein to the blood vessels on the brain (the YouTube video below from 2021 shows the process). Then, th…