This Company Sets a New Milestone with World’s First Human Graphene Brain-Computer Interface

INBRAIN Neuroelectronics has announced the successful completion of the world’s first human procedure using their graphene-based brain-computer interface (BCI), a key milestone in the advancement of neurotechnology. This procedure, performed during a brain tumor resection at Salford Royal Hospital in the UK, demonstrates the capabilities of INBRAIN’s BCI platform to precisely differentiate between healthy and cancerous brain tissue at the micrometer scale. The clinical study is part of a broader investigation led by the University of Manchester and funded by the Graphene Flagship project.

Graphene, a monolayer of carbon atoms, is central to INBRAIN's technology due to its unique combination of strength, flexibility, and electronic conductivity, surpassing traditional materials like metals in neural signal fidelity. Its exceptional mechanical and electronic properties enable ultra-high-density sensing and stimulation of brain activity. These features allow for precise modulation of brain functions without compromising vital abilities such as movement or cognition.

Read also: Top 10 Companies Shaping the Brain-Computer Interface Landscape: Invasive vs Non-Invasive BCI Technology

Key Technological Advancements:

1. Precision Neuromodulation: INBRAIN’s BCI system is capable of neural decoding and high-precision neuromodulation, enabling the real-time modulation of brain activity to restore lost functions, particularly in neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.

2. Graphene's Superiority: The integration of graphene enables ultra-high signal resolution and micrometer-scale modulation that surpasses traditional neural interfaces. The thinness and flexibility of graphene make it an ideal material for minimally-invasive brain surgeries, preserving more healthy tissue during tumor resections and other procedures.

3. Clinical Trials: The initial clinical study will involve 8-10 patients, with a primary objective of proving the safety of graphene in direct contact with brain tissue. Additionally, the study aims to establish graphene’s superiority in decoding brain functionality both in awake and asleep states, highlighting its potential across a range of neurosurgical and neurotherapeutic applications.

The success of this procedure positions graphene-based BCIs as a promising tool for precision surgery, brain signal decoding, and adaptive neuromodulation for treating complex conditions like Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and even neuro-oncological applications. The technology’s ability to adjust therapeutic interventions in real-time holds promise for personalized treatment in neurology.

The study was conducted in collaboration with the University of Manchester, Salford Royal Hospital, and was primarily funded through the European Commission’s Graphene Flagship project, underscoring a significant step forward in nanomedicine. The procedure was spearheaded by Dr. David Coope and Prof. Kostas Kostarelos, leveraging graphene’s unique properties for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.

INBRAIN’s BCI-Tx platform combines graphene-based sensors with artificial intelligence and semiconductor technology, allowing for real-time biomarker decoding and neuroelectronic therapy. It has already received the FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its application in Parkinson’s disease, and this recent development marks an expansion of its potential in oncology and other neurological disorders.

This breakthrough underscores graphene's potential to revolutionize brain-computer interfaces and precision neurology, with the long-term vision of delivering adaptive, minimally-invasive therapeutic solutions for neurological diseases.

Topics: NeuroTech