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Brain Implant Turns Thoughts Into Voice
27 Nov
Summary
- A new brain implant can convert neural signals into speech or text.
- The device, Connexus BCI, uses over 400 tiny electrodes to capture brain activity.
- The FDA approved a clinical trial to test the speech restoration technology.
Paradromics, a neurotechnology startup, is advancing brain-computer interfaces with its Connexus BCI, a fully implantable device designed to restore speech. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has greenlit its first human trial, marking a significant step towards clinical application for individuals with paralysis.
The Connexus BCI system features over 400 platinum-iridium electrodes, each thinner than a human hair, implanted to capture intricate neural firing patterns associated with speech. These signals are wirelessly transmitted to a computer that deciphers them into text or a synthetic voice, offering a new communication channel for those unable to speak.
This pioneering trial will initially involve two participants, evaluating the device's safety and its capability to translate neural activity into audible speech and even cursor control. If successful, the study may expand, potentially transforming assistive communication and restoring independence for many.
