Stent-mounted electrode array that is permanently implanted into a blood vessel in the brain
Stentrode (Stent-electrode recording array) is a small stent-mounted electrode array permanently implanted into a blood vessel in the brain, without the need for open brain surgery. It is in clinical trials as a brain–computer interface (BCI) for people with paralyzed or missing limbs,[1] who will use their neural signals or thoughts to control external devices, which currently include computer operating systems. The device may ultimately be used to control powered exoskeletons, robotic prosthesis, computers or other devices.[2]
The device was conceived by Australian neurologist Thomas Oxley and built by Australian biomedical engineer Nicholas Opie, who have been developing the medical implant since 2010, using sheep for testing. Human trials started in August 2019[3] with participants who suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a type of motor neuron disease.[1][4] Graeme Felstead was the first person to receive the implant.[5] To date, eight patients have been implanted and are able to wirelessly control an operating system to text, email, shop and bank using direct thought through the Stentrode brain computer interface, marking the first time a brain-computer interface was implanted via the patient's blood vessels, eliminating the need for open brain surgery.
The FDA granted breakthrough designation to the device in August 2020.[6] In January 2023, researchers demonstrated that it can record brain activity from a nearby blood vessel and be used to operate a computer with no serious adverse events during the first year in all four patients.[7][8]