Brain Computer Interface (BCI) It can revolutionize the lives of people with severe motor and nervous system disorders. These devices allow users to use computers to communicate and move external devices such as robot hands to avoid nerve damage. However, current BCI technology users face the hurdle of embedding the device in their brains.
To make this technology more accessible, BCI Designer Blackrock Neurotech Partnered with a neurosurgery solution provider ClearPoint Neuro Create an automated surgical solution that facilitates BCI implantation. Technology networks Talked to Professor Florian Solzbacher, Co-founder and Chairman of BlackRock, Learn More.
Ruairi Mackenzie (RM): How is BCI currently transplanted into patients?
Florian Solzbacher (FS): To be clear, of course, there is also a lot of effort to develop a non-portable BCI. For transplantable BCI, so far we have just recorded the Blackrock NeuroPort Array (Utah Array) implant, which has the highest number of transplanted subjects and the longest recorded transplant time, and the first two transplants. There is only Synchron Stentrode. Patience. The latter is essentially based on a stent that is inserted into a blood vessel in the brain and used to record EEG-type data (local electric field potential (LFP)). I believe this is a very clever solution, a surgical approach, and has great potential for a subset of use cases that do not require the high levels of spatial and temporal resolution provided by the electrodes. I am. We also expect long-term performance of the device.
Our device records single unit action potentials (ie, signals from individual neurons) and LFP with high temporal and spatial resolution and high number of channels, enabling important spatial coverage of nervous tissue. To. It is implanted by a neurosurgeon who creates a small craniotomy (that is, makes a small hole in the skull and dura) and inserts the device in a previously determined location by manually placing it in the correct area. .. Surgeons use our pneumatic insertion tools to inject electrodes into tissue in a very clear and reproducible way, while preventing damage to blood vessels. The surgeon properly routes the cables and pedestal connector, screw the connector into the skull, and reclose the dura and bone, and the skin over it.
BlackRock NeuroPort Array (Utah Array) implant, depicted next to the connector. Credit: Blackrock Neurotech
For the wireless version (currently not in the patient), the electrode array (or array if multiple devices are embedded) is as small as a pacemaker or cochlear implant that is placed under the pacemaker or cochlear implant. It connects to a titanium or ceramic enclosure. It’s the skin, but it’s on the bones before closing the skin.
RM: What benefits do automated solutions bring to potential BCI users?
FS: Automated solutions benefit BCI users in the following ways: (1) Access and speed of adoption: Although the number of clinics trained in procedures is increasing, automated solutions will make them much faster to reach the market. Even clinics that are not prestigious research hospitals can quickly provide treatment and equipment to patients who desire it. (2) Automated surgical planning and execution needs to speed up procedures, reduce patient burden, potentially reduce costs, and reduce waiting times for access. (3) Automated procedures are expected to improve results by improving procedure reproducibility and reducing variability in procedures introduced through individual operators. However, it will take several years before it is demonstrated in terms of improved results.
RM: What is the impact on clinical trials of neuropathy using BCI?
FS: This will allow more clinics and research centers to participate in and contribute to clinical trials, speeding use and implementation, and facilitating the development of new use cases. We hope that if we can limit human error and fluctuations and improve the reproducibility of procedures, we will improve the regulation and refund support of procedures.
RM: The BCI field has experienced several seismic changes in recent years. Where do you think the next big change in this technology is?
FS: Some special cases of devices, such as severe quadriplegia and ALS, were first released for commercial medical use, followed by applications and use cases that span a variety of neuropathy, including but not limited to a variety of neuropathy. I expect it to increase. For treatment or relief of hearing recovery, pain, depression, amnesia, etc. This technology continues to reduce the size of the device while improving its functionality and performance. Surgery is less invasive (depending on use case), faster and more automated, and more clinical centers will offer these solutions.
It also pays as growing use cases transcend the unquestioned moral and ethical values of these technologies and devices that support humanity and regain the ability and ability of people to better integrate, contribute and participate. Hope to establish economic value for individuals and insurers Restore social independence and then become the first choice for patients, clinicians and insurers, not as a last resort.
I predict that within 20-30 years, these types of implants will be as common and acceptable as today’s cardiac pacemakers. On the business side, we anticipate that many new players will emerge and even technical approaches will enter the field, creating more options and opportunities for technology users. Now we’re a bit like the Wright brothers, which Kitty Hawk describes as “flying …”, but seems to be at an inflection point where the golden age of jet airliners may be imminent.
Florian Solzbacher spoke with Ruairi J Mackenzie, a senior science writer in the technology network.
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