World-First High Data-Rate BCI for Long-Term Medical Use

Image credit: Paradromics

Brain-computer interface (BCI) developer, Paradromics is working to bring to market what it touts as the world’s “first high data-rate BCI platform for long-term medical use”.

The Connexus Direct Data Interface, which received Breakthrough Device Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2023, has the potential to transform the treatment of various neurological and brain-related conditions.

The Connexus system is comprised of an array of tiny electrodes which is surgically implanted into a patient’s brain tissue, where it sends neural signals to external devices for decoding into text or synthesised speech via a transceiver that sits under the skin in the chest.

“Our first clinical application will enable severely motor-impaired people to communicate and independently use a computer, translating their neural signals into synthesized speech, text, and cursor control,” the US-based company notes on its website.

“We will continue to expand the capabilities of our massively scalable platform to support a pipeline of future applications that could benefit millions.”

Last year, Paradromics successfully held a Series A funding round of almost $50 million ($US33 million) to help launch its first-in-human clinical trial for the BCI.

For more information and updates, check out the Paradromics website.