Biotech
Tuesday, May 28th, 2024 3:40 pm EDT
Key Points
- Dr. Joshua Bederson, a highly experienced neurosurgeon at The Mount Sinai Hospital, conducted a groundbreaking surgery involving the placement of four electrode arrays from Precision Neuroscience onto a patient’s brain surface, setting a record for real-time electrode placement.
- Precision Neuroscience, a startup specializing in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, aims to decode neural signals to aid patients with severe paralysis in restoring functions like speech and movement, utilizing their flagship BCI, the Layer 7 Cortical Interface, comprising 1,024 electrodes per array.
- Bederson’s surgery, part of Precision’s ongoing human trials, signifies a significant step in advancing BCI technology. Despite regulatory hurdles, Precision aims for FDA approval for its wired BCI version in a few months and plans to implant “a few dozen” patients by year-end, paving the way for enhanced real-time signal decoding and future iterations of the technology.
Dr. Joshua Bederson, a renowned neurosurgeon at The Mount Sinai Hospital, embarked on a groundbreaking surgery in April that showcased Precision Neuroscience’s innovative brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. With over 6,500 procedures under his belt, Bederson prepared to remove a benign brain tumor while simultaneously testing Precision’s electrode arrays. These arrays, thinner than a human hair, boasted 1,024 electrodes each and promised unparalleled precision in monitoring brain activity. Bederson’s surgery set a record for real-time electrode placement, demonstrating the potential for detecting signals with unprecedented detail, down to individual fingers. Precision aims to utilize this level of detail to help patients with severe paralysis regain functions like speech and movement. While this surgery marked Precision’s 14th human trial, the company is still striving for FDA approval and has yet to implement a permanent version of its technology. However, the ultimate goal of advancing brain-computer interface technology appears promising, with Precision’s wired version nearing FDA approval and plans for permanent wireless implants on the horizon. As the BCI industry gains momentum, fueled by companies like Precision, Bederson and other experts foresee an explosion of knowledge about the brain in the coming years, heralding a future filled with exciting possibilities.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/25/neuralink-competitor-precision-neuroscience-is-testing-its-brain-implant-in-humans.html
