Adapted from brain chips developed by Neuralink, the biotechnology company founded by Elon Musk, the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences Columbia University has introduced a similar device.
The aim is to transform the treatment of epilepsy, paralysis and blindness by better understanding the brain function of these diseases.
As the institution details in an article published in Nature, the device is powered wirelessly and, when implanted beneath the dura mater (outer layer of strong tissue that covers and protects the brain), enables two-way communication with an external relay station outside the body.
Although the Columbia University chip has not yet been tested on humans, the researchers note in their paper:
“We show that the device can provide chronic and reliable behavioral recordings from the somatosensory, motor and visual cortices for up to two weeks in pigs and up to two months in non-human primates, and can decode brain signals with high spatiotemporal resolution.”
This means the device was able to record and analyze animals’ brain activity over long periods of time.in key areas of the brain related to touch, movement and vision.
Additionally, the term “high spatiotemporal resolution” indicates that the chip accurately captures brain information, both about where signals occur in the brain and when they occur, enabling detailed and continuous observation of brain activity.
The brain-machine interface developed by Columbia University consists of an extremely small silicon chipwith an approximate thickness of 50 microns.
Tens of thousands of electrodes are integrated inside, which can record neuronal signals from the brain and connect them to an external computer.
“Electrocorticography uses non-penetrating electrodes embedded in flexible substrates to record electrical activity from the surface of the brain,” explains the article titled “A wireless brain-computer interface with subdural content, 65,536 electrodes and 1,024 channels.”
The system has various advanced algorithms that process and analyze these signalsThis makes it possible to decipher both the movement, perception and intention of the subject.
This brain chip is powered wirelessly and inserted into the skull through a minimally invasive incision. It is then placed on the surface of the brain, particularly in the subdural space, without the need for a wire to penetrate directly into the brain tissue.
This feature distinguishes the device from other similar chips as it is housed only in the subdural space to capture the necessary neural signals.
Thanks to this design The tissue reaction is reduced and the deterioration of the device over time is slowed, resulting in longer durability without losing precision in detecting electrical signals from the brain.
Initial tests of the brain chip developed by Columbia University were carried out in the motor and visual cortex of pigs and non-human primates.
These investigations are part of the preclinical phaseTherefore, laboratory animals were used to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the device before human trials were considered.
During the experiments, the chip managed to decode neuronal signals with high spatiotemporal resolution, thanks to its more than 60,000 electrodes.
This technology enables simultaneous recording of a selectable subset of up to 1,024 channels.which enables detailed monitoring of brain activity in real time.
The results obtained were so encouraging that the research team is already looking for means to begin human trials.
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