The first participant in the clinical trial at the University of Washington successfully controlled a computer through thought alone. This demonstration included functional use of the video game “Pong,” using the implanted device and cortical electrodes placed to support his motor recovery after stroke.
Brain Interchange delivers fully implantable, closed-loop BCI to clinicians to investigate therapies. CorTec believes the closed-loop functionality enables new possibilities for individualized treatments. The technology continuously records brain activity, instantly interprets signals and delivers targeted electrical stimulation in real time. Recent advances for the system include FDA breakthrough device designation and acceptance into the FDA’s TAP advisory program.
CorTec says this latest milestone marks the first reported instance of a single, fully implanted wireless BCI demonstrating both brain stimulation for therapeutic stroke rehabilitation enhancement and thought-based computer control in the same patient using identical hardware. BCI companies like Neuralink have previously had implanted devices lead to computer control as well.
During the experimental BCI sessions, the participant used thought to move his arm without actual physical movement. Brain Interchange recorded the corresponding cortical activity through its AirRay electrodes on the brain’s surface. It wireless transmitted activity to an external computer, where advanced algorithms decode the signals and translate them into control commands.
Commentary from CorTec officials
Dr. Frank Desiere, CorTec CEO, said:
“This is not a strategic pivot and not a new product. It is empirical proof of what we have been building for more than a decade. The same implant that helped the first participant regain motor function after stroke now also enables him to control a computer through thought alone. We know of no other fully implanted, wireless BCI platform technology worldwide that has demonstrated this dual clinical capability in a single patient.”
Dr. Martin Schuettler, chief technology officer and co-founder of CorTec, said:
“Our wireless implant system delivers both therapeutic stimulation and real-time neural sensing and decoding using soft electrodes that are positioned on the brain surface. Without the need of penetrating brain tissue, our technology enables long-term safety to the patient.”
