Competitor of Neuralink recently conducted a trial of a brain implant on a human subject
Bro, check it out! Paradromics, a brain-computer interface (BCI) startup, made some serious headlines today. They successfully placed theirimplant dubbed Connexus into a human patient during surgery, and later safely removed it after around 10 minutes.
This move is a step towards longer trials of the device, which aims to help people with spinal cord injury, stroke, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by restoring speech and communication. Translating neural signals into synthesized speech, text, and cursor control is where it's at. Paradromics, founded in 2015, has been testing its implant in sheep for a few years, but this is the first time it's been used in a human subject.
The operation took place May 14th at the University of Michigan during a brain surgery to treat epilepsy in the patient. The temporal lobe, which processes auditory information and encodes memory, was the targeted area for the Connexus implant. Paradromics' implant is smaller than a dime and has 420 tiny protruding needles that snuggle up to individual neurons in the brain tissue.
According to Matt Angle, CEO of Paradromics, "By having proximity to the individual neurons, you can get the highest-quality signal." Getting a high-resolution signal from the brain is crucial for accurately decoding a person's intended speech. Other BCI companies, like Elon Musk's Neuralink, are taking different approaches – like Neuralink's more than 1,000 electrodes distributed across 64 thin, flexible threads. However, by focusing on individual neurons, Paradromics is gunning for better accuracy and decoding capabilities.
It's important to note that BCIs don't actually read private thoughts. Instead, they work by interpreting the neural signals associated with movement intention. So, don't worry – your deepest, darkest secrets are still safely guarded.
BCIs have made some serious strides in recent years. In 2023, groups from Stanford University and UC San Francisco reported major advances in speech decoding using BCIs. In two women with paralysis, brain implants were able to decode intended speech at rates of 62 and 78 words per minute, which is pretty damn impressive.
Now, let's dive into the deets of some of the key players in this field. Neuralink, Precision Neuroscience, and Synchron are all making waves when it comes to BCI technology, each with their own approach to restoring speech and communication. Neuralink received the FDA's Breakthrough Device designation, has raised $650 million for clinical trials, and is testing a highly sophisticated system for thought-driven communication and device control. Precision Neuroscience is developing a "layered cortical interface" that sits on the brain’s surface with minimal invasiveness, aiming for easier surgical procedures. Synchron's BCI is implanted via the blood vessels to reduce surgical risks, using stentrode technology for stable, long-term neural recording.
Overall, the global BCI market is projected to grow from $3.21 billion in 2025 to a whopping $12.87 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 16.7%. That's some serious growth, bro! However, despite all the progress, technical challenges – like improving accuracy, comfort, and accessibility – still need to be addressed by all major players in this game. Ethical and regulatory considerations, like privacy, consent, and human dignity, are also critically important as BCIs continue to advance.
So, that's the lowdown on the latest BCI developments, featuring Paradromics' Connexus, Neuralink, Precision Neuroscience, and Synchron. This field is radically changing how we'll communicate and interact with technology in the future, especially for individuals with severe neurological impairments. Buckle up, kids, because this is just the beginning! \m/
- The progress of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology in the field of science and technology is evident as Paradromics' newsletters detail the successful testing of their brain-computer interface (BCI), Connexus, in a human subject.
- In the context of climate change, the development of BCIs like Paradromics' Connexus holds significant potential, as it aims to help improve the lives of people with spinal cord injury, stroke, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
- As the global BCI market grows, with Paradromics, Neuralink, Precision Neuroscience, and Synchron being key players, science stories focus on the importance of addressing technical challenges and ethical considerations in order to ensure privacy, consent, and human dignity in this revolutionizing technology.
