New Brain-Computer Interfaces Offer Hope for the Disabled
Individuals who have lost their ability to move or speak might soon have access to a groundbreaking option: surgically implanted devices that connect the brain to a computer.
It’s been over twenty years since researchers first showed that a person could control a computer cursor simply by thinking about it. Now, several companies are gearing up to transform the brain-computer interface (BCI) from a laboratory curiosity into a real product.
Michael Mager, CEO of Precision Neuroscience, stated, “We know it works. The technologies are ready, and it’s time to turn academic research into an industry that really changes lives.”
Currently, experimental BCIs have been implanted in many patients. The newest devices are placed under the skin and can interact wirelessly with smartphones or tablets.
While Elon Musk’s Neuralink is probably the most recognized name in the field, competitors like Precision, Blackrock Neurotech, Paradromics, and Synchron are also in the mix, with some possibly launching products first. Companies like Blackrock have significant experience, while others target less invasive methods, which might ease the FDA approval process.
The initial BCI users will likely be those dealing with paralysis from spinal injuries or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The first products are expected to enable users to control a cursor or even generate artificial speech.
How BCIs Work
Implanted BCIs operate by interpreting signals from the brain areas that manage movement or speech. These signals can show when someone is attempting to move a limb or articulate a word.
A typical BCI setup consists of sensors that detect brain activity, an interface for signal processing, and an external device that converts thoughts into actions, like moving a cursor or controlling a prosthetic limb. “Picture being able to engage with loved ones, surf the web, or even enjoy games simply through thought,” a spokesperson from Neuralink illustrated.
Neuralink thrust BCIs into the limelight when a man named Noland Arbaugh, paralyzed from the shoulders down, became the first person to receive their device. A robot inserted over a thousand electrodes into his brain, allowing him to control a cursor just by thinking about it.
Arbaugh described the experience as “wild,” admitting that it felt surreal to control something with mere thoughts. A video of him garnered millions of views on social media.
However, Neuralink later reported some challenges with the electrodes in Arbaugh’s brain, which have retracted and decreased the device’s sensitivity. They’ve since implanted the BCI in at least six other individuals, but details about those patients remain limited.
A Long Road of Research
While Neuralink’s advanced technology is novel, the concept has roots going back decades. In 2004, Dr. Leigh Hochberg was part of a team that connected a paralyzed patient’s brain to a computer using traditional wires, allowing the patient to send emails with their thoughts. It was remarkable, and despite expectations, there was an element of magic to it.
Nagle, the patient from that earlier experiment, later passed away, but the BrainGate research consortium grew from that work. A recent study reported that a BrainGate system enabled a man with ALS to communicate through synthetic speech, albeit slowly.
The improvements in BCIs are significant — they can monitor thousands of neurons, utilize wireless communications, and interface with simple devices rather than complex systems. As technology progresses, researchers are learning to decode brain patterns more accurately, with some focusing on speech while others work on enhancing the control of robotic limbs.
The Sensation of Touch
The University of Pittsburgh is leading efforts to provide sensory feedback via BCIs. “Fine motor control relies on more than just vision; you need the sense of touch,” said Jennifer Collinger. Users could discern when a robotic limb contacts an object or assesses grip strength.
Collinger has collaborated with Blackrock Neurotech, whose interfaces have been tested in numerous patients. One notable case involved Nathan Copeland, who used a robotic arm to fist-bump President Barack Obama.
In 2021, Copeland highlighted that having the sensation of touch significantly improved his ability to manage objects with his prosthetic hand.
Despite these advancements, such features won’t likely be part of the first generation of implanted devices, which is expected to control a computer cursor — similar to technologies tested in labs over twenty years ago.
“Companies are now ready to offer a functional first-generation device that could be beneficial,” Collinger remarked. One such company, Precision Neuroscience, targets a wireless device that helps paralyzed users interact with computers or smartphones.
Mager emphasized the potential for enhancing quality of life, enabling access to news, entertainment, and productivity software for people with disabilities.
Importantly, Precision’s method differs from Neuralink as its electrodes are surface-mounted rather than inserted into the brain, which enhances safety and might facilitate FDA approval.
Some companies, like Synchron, are even exploring ways to bypass opening the skull altogether.
As exciting as the advancements sound, there are still hurdles to overcome, including massive data processing challenges and funding for necessary clinical trials. Mager is optimistic that the technology can be market-ready within just a couple of years.
