Neurotech News #3: Macro-Neuro-Tech

Updates, research, and analysis by Dynamic Neurotech

Author

Robert Murcko
July 23, 2024

In Today’s Issue

  • Macro-level trends in Neurotech

    • Convergence of BCI and Neuromodulation

    • New Neurotech Startups Emerging

    • Business of BCI

  • Dynamic Neurotech Podcast Launch

Macro-Neuro-Tech (Generated by Google Gemini)

Preview of Issue 4: get ready for a full slate of coverage on groundbreaking work including: a bilingual speech neuroprosthesis, organ neuroprosthetics, and transcranial volumetric imaging using an ultrasound patch.

Research Roundup

by Robert Murcko

The convergence of neuromodulation and brain–computer interfaces (Herron et al., April 2024)

  • This was a short commentary paper that came out in “Nature Reviews: Bioengineering,” reflecting on the current state and increasing convergence of the neurotech sub-domains of neuromodulation and brain-computer interfaces.

  • The early stages of neuromodulation and brain-computer interfaces remain discrete from each other.

  • Neuromodulation research evolved and expanded out of the clinical availability of deep brain stimulation (DBS) and spinal cord stimulation systems (devices meant to modulate and stimulate neural activity).  The clinical world now has adaptive DBS and responsive neurostimulation (RNS) devices and deeper insights into disorders like Parkinson’s and epilepsy thanks to the continued development of research in this realm.

  • Intracortical brain-computer interface (i-BCI) technology evolved out of tools that were used to record and analyze neural activity.  These were initially research tools and rather than stimulating or modulating neural activity, they recorded it.  There are now active clinical trials with patients using i-BCIs for control of prosthetic limbs and communication aids.

  • In recent years, these domains are evolving towards shared goals like continuous, “intuitive, stable closed-loop control.”  Figure 1 from the paper below lists distinct parallel technological developments within these fields converging towards similar goals and desired outcomes.

    Figure 1 (Herron et al., 2024)

  • The trend towards optimization of DBS and clinical translation of i-BCI are pushing these technologies toward a shared location on the spectrum of complexity.  “Neuromodulation devices began with simplicity and are struggling with increasing complexity, BCI systems began with complexity and are struggling to simplify methods for clinical use.”

  • In some cases, recording-enabled DBS or similar platforms are being used as a component in an i-BCI system.  In these cases, local field potentials (extensively characterized in DBS) are the control signal.  In other cases, neuromodulation principles are being used to add sensory feedback features to i-BCIs.

  • Importance: As these fields converge and the lines between them are further blurred they will continue to inform each other.  New developments in neuromodulation will continue to be useful for application in BCI. New developments in BCI will be useful for application in neuromodulation.

  • Next Steps: Due to the increasing convergence of these fields, it's likely that many of the invasive neural interfaces of the future will have the capability to operate both as a closed-loop neuromodulation platform and as an i-BCI.

New Neurotech Startups Emerge

by Robert Murcko

An overview of some relatively new neurotech startups that have emerged onto the scene.

  • Sanmai Technology came out of stealth at the BrainMind conference!  Based on some publicly available clinical trial documentation it looks like they’ll be using transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) to combat anxiety and other mental health disorders.

  • Integral Neuroscience recently appeared on the scene.  They’ve got neurotech veteran Dr. Flip Sabes on the team and are working on building tech to treat neurological and psychiatric disorders.  Their first device is a “miniaturized, implanted, deep-brain interface for severely affected patients.”

  • Vonova’s story has been many years in the making, but lately they are picking up steam and gaining attention across the neurotech landscape.  Based on the inventions of Dr. Jose Morales, Vonova is working “to develop a breakthrough catheter platform that enables neurologists to obtain high-resolution data of neural activity without the risk and discomfort of drilling or cutting through the skull.”  Subscribe to the Dynamic Neurotech YouTube Channel to see upcoming interviews with the Vonova executive team.

  • Nudge.  Awesome name for a neuromod company.  Not a ton of information out on this company yet, but as far as I can tell they plan to build some sort of ultrasound based device focused on non-invasive neuromodulation for mental health and human augmentation or optimization.

  • Twibetu is a “neurotechnology startup developing and commercializing the next-generation brain-computer interface technology.” Not much information out on this company yet either, but their founder is Dr. Liang Guo who spent 8 years as a neural engineering professor at Ohio State and later worked on sensors at Amazon Lab126.

  • Prophetic was launched in June 2023, but I only recently found out about them. They are working on building a device to use non-invasive tFUS neuromodulation (presumably paired with an EEG feedback loop) to “induce and stabilize lucid dreaming.”

Neuro-Business

by Robert Murcko

  • Jacques Vidal, a UCLA computer scientist, published a paper using the term “brain-computer interface” (BCI) over 50 years ago (in 1973).

  • In the modern startup landscape over $1B has been invested into BCI focused companies.

  • Key applications of technology being developed at existing BCI startups are prosthetic control, assistive technology, and communication aids.

  • Non-invasive companies are also exploring gaming.  Could gaming be BCI’s “killer app?”

  • Signal types commonly used by BCI companies include: EEG (non-invasive), fNIRS (non-invasive), ECoG (brain surface electrodes - invasive), and implanted electrodes (invasive).

  • Non-invasive BCIs

    • EEG

      • Neurable and Neurosity have initially pointed their focus at increasing the focus (and productivity) of their users.  [Neurable’s founder and CEO, Ramses Alcaide, has mentioned that their core mission is to “increase signal to noise so that everyday brain wearables work seamlessly.”]*

      • Muse by InteraXon is initially focused on helping their users with mindfulness [and sleep.]*

      • Emotiv provides a variety of monitoring capabilities across their product lines. 

      • NextMind (acquired by Snap) developed an EEG platform that sits on the back of the wearer’s head near the visual cortex.  With this interface users complete tasks like playing basic games or selecting items on a screen.

      • Cognixion is also using EEG electrodes placed near the visual cortex.  They aim to assist with communication for people who have physical constraints to doing so.

      • NextSense is another company in this space. They are developing ear-buds that contain EEG sensors.  [Wisear and even Apple are also developing earbuds with EEG sensing and related capabilities.]* 

      • Neurolutions already has an FDA approved non-invasive BCI.  Their system is used to help stroke patients regain movement and control of a paralyzed hand by encouraging neuroplasticity of the uninjured ipsilateral hemisphere (hand movement is mainly controlled by the contralateral hemisphere). 

      • [While not specifically mentioned in the article, OpenBCI is also a key player in the non-invasive BCI space.]*

    • fNIRS

      • Kernel uses time-domain functional near-infrared spectroscopy (TD-fNRIS) to measure localized increases in neural blood flow.  Their product the “Kernel Flow” resembles a helmet and reportedly includes 52 TD-fNIRS sensor modules spread out across the cortex.  [As of 2024, the Kernel Flow is multi-modal and also includes EEG sensors.  They are working on using this platform to identify precision biomarkers for neural signatures of ketamine, alcohol, depression, and cognitive decline.  They are also aiming to be useful for treatment response prediction and clinical trial optimization.]*

  • Invasive BCIs

    • ECoG (Brain Surface Recordings)

      • Synchron was founded by a cardiologist and a neurologist in 2012. The company has developed a “stentrode” device that is placed into the cerebral circulatory system (specifically into a blood vessel) and from this location can record population level activity in nearby neural cells.  They generally focus on recording from the motor cortex and then use this neural activity as the control signal for devices or computers.  The device is designed to remain in place indefinitely.  As of the publication of the Nature News feature (February 2023), Synchron’s device had been implanted in 7 patients living with paralysis.  Synchron has their sights set on FDA approval and the company is actively working towards this milestone.

      • Precision Neuroscience was founded in 2021 and has designed a thin film electrode array (with 1,024 electrodes) that can conform to the brain’s curvature.  Their procedure uses a minimally invasive surgery (consisting of small incisions to the skin of the head and bone of the skull) to place this array on the surface of the cortex.  They also implant a data hub just below the cranial skin and a battery near this data hub or in the chest (which in future iterations may be completely implanted and miniaturized).  The array reportedly causes no harm to the brain - opening up avenues for movement towards stronger signals and eventual removal and upgrades of older electrodes.  [As of mid-April 2024 Precision Neuroscience had started to test their device in humans and was also targeting FDA approval.]*

    • Implanted Electrodes (Single Neuron Recordings)

      • Blackrock Neurotech is one of the oldest BCI-focused companies still in existence.  Among other products, they offer the Utah array, which is a tiny 10x10 platinum and silicon electrode grid that is designed to penetrate the surface of the cortex and record from single neurons.  The Utah array was the first invasive BCI to be implanted in a human (nearly 20 years ago) and has been an important piece of many foundational BCI studies since then.  The Utah array can often pick up signals from several dozen neurons.  The electrodes on the array are also equipped to stimulate the brain.  Among other applications for this stimulation capability, some studies explore using neural stimulation of the somatosensory cortex via the Utah array to create a synthetic sense of touch for those who have lost this sense through injury or disease.  As of February 2023, 30+ people had received this implant via clinical trials to control robot limbs, computer programs, and more.  Blackrock is working to develop a wireless system (fully implantable) to minimize infection risk and is also looking towards commercializing their system.

      • Paradromics develops implantable electrode arrays as well.  Aiming for increased bandwidth and durability, these arrays are 20x20 and use alternate materials than what can be found on the Utah array.  The arrays from Paradromics also contain active implantable electronics, minimizing the need for more wires as the number of arrays implanted scales up.  [Per CNBC, Paradromics is looking to test its implant in humans starting in 2025]*

      • Neuralink is one of the most highly publicized companies in this sector.  Founded by Elon Musk and others in 2016, some credit Neuralink with adding fuel to the fire in the BCI space via increased public attention towards neurotech which subsequently led to increased investments and collaboration opportunities.  Additionally, it may have functioned as a sort of idea incubator with many former Neuralink employees and executives eventually leaving to focus on other exciting new endeavors within neurotech.  Delving into Neuralink’s actual technology-after exploring a plethora of options-they settled on a “thread” based electrode.  These threads are designed to match the mechanical impedance of the brain and are thin, flexible, polymer electrodes.  Upon implantation, Neuralink weaves these electrodes through neural tissue and they look to target anywhere from 100s to 1000s of neurons.  [In early 2024 the first human was implanted with Neuralink’s N1 device.  There were some issues with “retraction” of these “threads.” The situation and its implications for the neurotech field are covered well by Naveen Rao in his Forbes piece.]*

      • [Other companies in the invasive neurotech space who were not covered in depth in the article include NeuroPace, Motif Neurotech, Science, and Vonova - though all of these companies are not necessarily specifically focused on BCIs.]*

    Figure 3 - Various BCI Modalities (Drew, 2023)

  • [The BCI market still has risks from both a business standpoint and a technical standpoint. The business risks involve the need for expanded adoption and improvements in user experience. The technical risks involve signal to noise optimization, information transfer rate, material biocompatibility (especially for invasive devices).]*

  • Next Steps: While it's not fully clear where the BCI field is heading next, there are many positive developments on the horizon.  Non-invasive systems are being utilized by an increasing number of researchers and clinicians across a variety of domains and the commercial sector is beginning to explore their potential applications.  Several invasive systems have recently entered clinical trials or are scheduled to do so in the near future.  The trials will put the safety and efficacy of these systems to the test. Hopefully these systems will lead to increased quality of life for trial participants and valuable learning for continued improvements in neural interface development. 

    *[Note: Any information included in square brackets was additional context added by Dynamic Neurotech and not directly mentioned in the article being summarized.]

Dynamic Neurotech Podcast Launch

by Robert Murcko and Yuqing Wang (Co-Hosts)

Do you enjoy listening to long form interviews with innovators and visionaries in the neurotech space? If you answered “HECK YES” - then we’ve got a treat for you.

Keeping with the “macro” trend of this issue, we’ve been having deep conversations with people all across neurotechnology.  40 episodes and counting recorded so far with some of the most interesting minds in neurotech! Subscribe on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts so you never miss out on the latest!

Up Next On My Reading List

by Robert Murcko

Disclaimers: This newsletter is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Do not make any medical or financial decisions based on information contained in this newsletter.  Opinions expressed here are solely my own and those of my collaborators.  They do not necessarily represent the opinions of the organizations that we are involved with or affiliated with. Errors in reporting may be present - if errors are identified, corrections will be published in future issues.