The Synchron Switch, a brain-computer interface (BCI) developed by Synchron, aims to revolutionize the field of controlling computers with brain waves. Unlike previous technologies that required invasive open brain surgery, the Synchron Switch can be implanted into the brain without such procedures.
Synchron CEO, Tom Oxley, explained that the device is inserted into the brain through the jugular vein in the neck and is guided to the motor cortex using a stent. Once in place, the implant wirelessly communicates with external devices, allowing users to control them by simply thinking about moving parts of their body. This technology has the potential to greatly benefit individuals with conditions like Lou Gehrig’s disease, stroke, or paralysis, who would otherwise find touchscreens and computers inaccessible.
The Synchron Switch has already been tested on 10 individuals, and the company is in the final stages of its current round of clinical testing. Additional trials, including a pivotal trial, will be necessary before the device can receive market approval from the US Food and Drug Administration.
In addition to its potential applications for individuals with paralysis, the less-invasive method of accessing the brain through blood vessels could have implications for other neurological treatments, such as deep-brain stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease and seizure monitoring for epilepsy.
To see a demonstration of how the Synchron Switch implant is inserted into the brain, watch the video attached to this article.
