Stent rode (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, 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.
The device was conceived by Australian neurologist Thomas Oxley, who has been developing the medical implant since 2010, using sheep for testing. Human trials started in November 2020 with two participants that suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a type of motor neuron Disease. The two patients were able to wirelessly control an operating system to text, email, Shop, and bank using direct thought through the Stent rode 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.
MINIMALLY INVASIVE
The Stent rode is designed for minimally invasive implantation to the brain via blood vessels, without the need for open-brain surgery.
BROADBAND SIGNALS
The Stent rode is designed to capture brain activity associated with intended movement.
WIRELESS
Designed for wireless transmission of high-resolution data.
ATRAUMATIC
Specific contours are designed for atraumatic insertion and stability.
RELIABLE
Brain Port incorporates advanced hardware and software for reliable and durable communication.
The Internal Receiver Transmitter Unit is under investigation and not approved by the FDA.
Minimally invasive endovascular stent-electrode array for high-fidelity, chronic recordings of cortical neural activity
This news has been contributed by Assoc. Prof. Bradford Coffey of the Melbourne Brain Center Imaging Unit, Department of Radiology and Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville.
National Imaging Facility Fellow, Assoc. Prof. Bradford Coffey collaborated with Dr. Tom Oxley’s group at the University of Melbourne for this high profile publication[1] that appeared in the journal “Nature Biotechnology”.
High-fidelity intracranial electrode arrays for recording and stimulating brain activity have facilitated major advances in the treatment of neurological conditions over the past decade. Traditional arrays require direct implantation into the brain via open craniectomy, which can lead to inflammatory tissue responses, necessitating the development of minimally invasive approaches that avoid brain trauma. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of chronically recording brain activity from within a vein using a passive stent-electrode recording array (stent rode). We achieved implantation into a superficial cortical vein overlying the motor cortex via catheter angiography and demonstrate neural recordings in freely moving sheep for up to 190 d. Spectral content and bandwidth of vascular electrocardiography were comparable to those of recordings from epidural surface arrays. Venous internal lumen patency was maintained for the duration of implantation. Stentons may have wide-ranging applications as a neural interface for treatment of a range of neurological conditions. The following figures are representative images that appear in the article and were generated from data acquired on the 7T MRI scanner at the University of Melbourne node of NIF.
The Stent rode technology has been tested on sheep and humans, with human trials by the St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee, Australia in November 2018. Oxley originally expressed that he expected human clinical trials to help paralyzed people regain movement to operate a motorized wheelchair or even a powered exoskeleton. However, he switched focus before beginning clinical trials. Oxley and colleagues began evaluating the Stent rode for its ability to restore functional independence in patients with paralysis, by enabling them to engage in activities of daily living. Clinical study results demonstrated the capability of two ALS patients, surgically fitted with a Stent rode, to learn to control texting and typing, through direct thought and the assistance of eye-tracking technology for curse navigation. They achieved this with at least 92% accuracy within 3 months of use, and continued to maintain that ability up to 9 months (as of November 2020). This study helped to dispel some criticism that data rates may not be as high as systems requiring open brain surgery, and also pointed out the benefits of using which do not require any automated assistance, dedicated surgical space or expensive machinery.
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