Synchron, a brain-computer interface (BCI) developer, is progressing towards a pivotal trial for its catheter-delivered Stentrode BCI implant, following encouraging outcomes from the Command trial. The company is actively collaborating with the FDA to define appropriate endpoints for this pivotal trial, which, if successful, could lead to the first premarket approval of a BCI implant by the agency.
Command Trial Highlights Safety and Efficacy
The Command study, a critical step in the Stentrode's development, reported no serious adverse effects or impacts on the brain or vasculature in the six patients who received the implant. Researchers also observed reliable capture and conversion of brain signals into digital motor outputs (DMOs), enabling control of devices such as mouse cursors, Apple Vision Pro, and Amazon Alexa. These findings underscore the potential of the Stentrode to restore communication and control for individuals with paralysis.
Key Learnings from the Command Study
Dr. Tom Oxley, co-founder and CEO of Synchron, highlighted the importance of cross-platform compatibility and seamless integration in BCI design. "We've seen us going from Apple products to Alexa products to OpenAI products, and it's not obvious that the system can be generalizable across different systems... In particular, making Bluetooth seamless has taken a lot of work," Oxley noted, emphasizing the effort invested in ensuring interoperability.
Nitinol Innovation
Synchron's Stentrode utilizes nitinol, a shape memory alloy, in a unique way. According to Oxley, the device requires less shape memory compared to traditional stents due to its placement in the venous system. This allows for a thinner nitinol construction. "We're learning how to build electrical tracks on nitinol, which hasn't really been done before, and we're learning how to do new things in three-dimensional construction with nitinol," Oxley explained.
Design Simplicity for User Accessibility
Synchron places a strong emphasis on design simplicity to ensure ease of use for patients. Oxley stated, "Simple means the patient shouldn't need to troubleshoot. It needs to be easy to onboard, simple to use, low training requirements, low cognitive burden, reliable, easy to turn on and off." He further elaborated on the challenges of enabling intuitive control, such as turning the system on and off using brain activity, and accommodating the needs of users who may not be technologically proficient.
Addressing Nighttime Brain Activity
Recognizing that brain activity during sleep can interfere with BCI function, Synchron is developing methods to differentiate between intentional signals and background noise. "We are learning that nighttime is a very electrically active portion of the day... We're contemplating dream activity as noise, and we just have to be able to clarify signal from noise," Oxley explained.
Future Applications and Market Potential
While acknowledging the potential for BCIs in consumer applications, Synchron is currently focused on addressing the needs of individuals with paralysis and impaired activities of daily living. Oxley estimates that approximately 3 million people in the U.S. and 12 million globally could benefit from endovascular BCIs. He anticipates significant growth in the neurotechnology field, potentially surpassing the scale of cochlear implants and deep brain stimulation in the coming years.
