Tag: Synchron Stentrode

  • Apple Developing Brain Implants for Disability Device Control

    Apple Developing Brain Implants for Disability Device Control

    Key Takeaways

    1. Apple is collaborating with start-up Synchron to develop brain-computer interface (BCI) technology using thought signals.
    2. The Stentrode implant, created by Synchron, can detect neuronal activities and control devices like the iPhone via 16 electrodes.
    3. Users, like Mark Jackson with ALS, can operate devices using the Stentrode implant, but navigation speed is currently limited compared to traditional methods.
    4. Tom Oxley, CEO of Synchron, emphasizes the need for a standardized approach for BCI devices, which Apple plans to introduce by the end of 2025.
    5. A dedicated standard from Apple could significantly enhance BCI accessibility and impact how individuals with disabilities interact with technology.

    According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Apple is working together with a start-up called Synchron to explore new ways for controlling devices using thought signals, which are basically neural impulses. Synchron has created the Stentrode implant, a brain-computer interface (BCI) that is inserted like a stent into a vein located above the motor cortex in the brain. This device has 16 electrodes that can detect delicate neuronal activities related to movement and turn these signals into commands to control devices like the iPhone. Since 2019, ten individuals have received the Stentrode implant.

    User Experience

    One individual using the Stentrode implant is Mark Jackson, who suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He shared that he can operate an Apple Vision Pro headset with assistance from his implant and special software designed by Apple. The signals from the implant are managed through existing alternative device control options in Apple’s operating systems. However, Jackson notes that the current method of navigation is not as fast as traditional ways because direct cursor control through thought is still not possible.

    Future Plans

    According to Tom Oxley, CEO of Synchron, a standardized approach specifically designed for BCI devices from companies like Apple would greatly enhance the potential of these technologies. Reportedly, Apple intends to roll out such a standard for developers by the end of 2025, making it easier to incorporate brain implant inputs into software.

    Broader Impact

    The creation of a dedicated standard by Apple could be a major advancement in making BCIs more accessible and influencing the future of how humans interact with computers. Morgan Stanley estimates that approximately 150,000 individuals in the United States with severe upper extremity disabilities could be potential early users of BCI devices.

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  • Use Apple Vision Pro to Control Devices with Your Thoughts

    Use Apple Vision Pro to Control Devices with Your Thoughts

    Synchron has created a non-invasive brain-computer interface that allows users to control devices such as the Apple Vision Pro. This technology has been in use for a year and has not led to any serious negative effects for patients.

    Empowering Individuals with Disabilities

    For those who may not know, a brain-computer interface (BCI) is a system that enables individuals to control external devices using signals from their brain. It serves as a valuable tool for people with disabilities, including those who are paralyzed, and is also beneficial for scientific research.

    Synchron’s brain implants, which are minimally invasive, began their clinical trials in 2022. Initially developed to control iPhones and iPads, these implants have now advanced to managing more sophisticated devices like the Apple Vision Pro.

    Safety and Effectiveness

    According to Synchron, six patients who received BCI implants did not encounter significant adverse effects related to the device during the first year. Essentially, the implanted device functioned reliably, successfully capturing signals that indicate brain movement intentions without causing any issues.

    Importantly, the COMMAND study is the first trial approved by the FDA for a permanently implanted brain-computer interface. Unlike other brain implants that necessitate risky, invasive surgery, Synchron’s device is inserted through a minimally invasive endovascular method via the jugular vein.

    A Milestone in Medical Research

    “The outcomes of the COMMAND study represent a significant milestone in medicine, affirming the safety of the Stentrode BCI, with no neurological safety incidents reported throughout the 12-month observation period,” stated Dr. Levy, co-principal investigator of the COMMAND trial and president of UB Neurosurgery (UBNS). “This minimally invasive method could make BCI technology accessible to millions of individuals suffering from paralysis and other mobility challenges.”

    Aiming for Functional Independence

    The primary aim of this implant is to assist individuals paralyzed due to conditions like stroke or severe brain injuries in regaining some level of functional independence. The patients involved in the initial trial all exhibited severe, chronic bilateral upper limb paralysis that did not respond to conventional treatments.

    In conclusion, a brain-computer interface has the ability to interpret brain signals and convert them into actions necessary for operating devices, such as those from Apple, enabling users to perform specific tasks despite physical limitations.

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