Neuralink | EPFL Graph Search

Neuralink Corp. is an American neurotechnology company that is developing implantable brain–computer interfaces (BCIs), based in Fremont, California as of 2022. Founded by Elon Musk and a team of seven scientists and engineers, Neuralink was launched in 2016 and was first publicly reported in March 2017. Since its founding, the company has hired several high-profile neuroscientists from various universities. By July 2019, it had received

158 million in funding (of which

100 million was from Musk) and was employing a staff of 90 employees. At that time, Neuralink announced that it was working on a "sewing machine-like" device capable of implanting very thin (4 to 6 μm in width) threads into the brain, and demonstrated a system that read information from a lab rat via 1,500 electrodes. They had anticipated starting experiments with humans in 2020, but have since moved that projection to 2023. As of May 2023, they have been approved for human trials

Development of a Transient Neural Interface for Minimally Invasive Recording and Stimulation

Adele Fanelli

Transient electronics enabling devices to safely disappear in the environment can be applied not only in green electronics, but also in bioelectronic medicine. Neural implants able to degrade harmlessly inside the body eliminate the need for removal surgery, allow for safe tissue remodelling, and potentially reduce inflammation responses and the chronic adverse reactions hindering device functionality and putting patients' health at risk. Sadly, current transient neurotechnology can be used only for very short-term applications. Fast degrading metals generally used to build these interfaces allow in fact for operations rarely longer than a few days, strongly limiting the available time window for collecting information or for a therapy to be finished.To solve this problem, we propose a transient, all-polymeric neural interface able to work for longer time scales. This would enable new applications of transient neurotechnology, such as recording of brain activity for a prolonged and more useful period of time before resection of epilepsy foci or tumours. The device consists of a polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold with patterned poly 3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene : polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) traces and electrodes. In vivo neural recording demonstrated low noise levels for twelve weeks and histological analysis highlighted the cellular infiltration inside the PCL scaffold over time, hinting to potential tissue remodelling processes, which would not occur with a non-degradable device. To increase the device potential for a clinical translation, a minimally invasive procedure for its implantation has been proposed. The blood vasculature supplying the brain and nerves can be used as an access route to the neural tissue, offering a close enough location without direct damage to the tissue. By re-shaping the all-polymeric transient neural probe using a stent-inspired design, the new interface can be navigated through a 5Fr catheter and deployed inside 2 mm-diameter channels. Characterization showed promising electrodes endurance to pulsatile flow and prolonged stimulation, together with a good safety profile. This device can be used for neural recording or stimulation from within a blood vessel, for either central or peripheral nervous system. By simplifying the implantation procedure of the neural interface and maintaining its transiency, physicians and patients could feel more confident in applying innovative neurotechnology-based treatments, widening for example the access to deep brain stimulation therapy. To enable crossing of complex vasculature without wall ruptures caused by current manual push of guidewires, a new navigation paradigm for endovascular devices has been designed and tested on thin polyimide strips. A physiological pulsatile flow can propel these probes, even at curvatures as high as 0.25 mm-1, and low amplitude magnetic fields can steer their direction. Electrodes and sensors for temperature and flow can be embedded onto these micro-probes, for unprecedented local interrogation of deep vasculature regions. In conclusion, this thesis introduces new neural interfaces in the field of minimally invasive neurotechnology, reducing adverse effects and complications of non-degradable implants and open surgery. These devices and their concepts have the potential one day to be new tools of the bioelectronic medicine toolbox, contributing to the advancement of innovative treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.

EPFL2022

Transient Neurovascular Interface for Minimally Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulation

Adele Fanelli, Laura Ferlauto, Diego Ghezzi, Philippe Reymond, Elodie Geneviève Zollinger

Neural interfaces are used to mitigate the burden of traumatic injuries, neurodegenerative diseases, and mental disorders. However, the transient or permanent placement of an interface in close contact with the neural tissue requires invasive surgery, potentially entailing both short- and long-term complications. To tackle this problem, a transient neurovascular interface for neural recording and stimulation is developed. This endovascular array has been fabricated with facile molding techniques using solely polymeric materials. In vitro experiments have shown promising electrochemical performance for both recording and stimulation, together with a lack of cytotoxicity in cultured cells. The device is compatible with standard endovascular catheters and, once deployed, provide good apposition to a cylindrical structure mimicking a blood vessel. The advantage of this device is twofold. On the one hand, the exploitation of the cerebrovascular system as an access route to the neural tissue avoids invasive surgeries. On the other hand, a transient device may reduce the inflammatory reaction and avoid additional surgeries for removal or replacement. This neurovascular interface combines the benefits of both transient bioelectronics and stent technology in a single device to broaden the range of applications of neural interfaces from neurological diseases and mental disorders to bioelectronics medicine.

2021

A Microfluidic Brain Interface for In Vivo Recording of Neurochemical Activity

Guillaume Cédric Yves Petitpierre

Neurological disorders have a strong negative impact on the quality of life of affected patients, their close relatives as well as on the health economic system. Early diagnosis associated with better treatment outcomes remain difficult to reach. Similarly, misdiagnosis is frequent and can lead to the delivery of the wrong treatment to the patient. As a matter of fact, the therapeutic strategies developed to treat Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD), two major neurodegenerative diseases, are unfortunately only effective for reducing the symptoms. This illustrates the lack of complete understanding of the mechanisms underlining neurodegeneration. In this context, this thesis aims to contribute to a precise comprehension of the synaptic transmission, at the cellular level, by providing a biocompatible brain interface capable of collecting neurochemicals while establishing a tight electrical connection with the cerebral tissues. The first part of this thesis deals with the design and microfabrication of a novel neural probe which includes microelectrodes and a micro-scale droplet generator for the efficient collection of extracellular fluid. The design choices and the microfabrication approach are detailed while the behavior of the device is assessed using fluidic modeling. Experimental results regarding the neural probe's mechanical strength, electrical and fluidic functions are then presented. In particular, the electrode-tissue interface is assessed using impedance spectroscopy. The probe fluidic function and its ability to perform high frequency (6Hz) droplet segmented collection in a rapidly changing environment is experimentally demonstrated. In a second phase is reported the successful in vivo testing of the neural probe in the framework of a pilot animal trial performed on rats. A custom microfabricated analysis platform enabling to efficiently detect the content of the collected brain fluid samples is presented as well. In particular a microfabricated target plate for the distribution and handling of the segmented samples during analysis is reported. This unique approach allows to maintain the temporal history of the flow-segmented samples. Combined with Inductively Coupled (ICP) Mass Spectrometry (MS), the detection results show the presence in significant quantity of Na, Mg, K and Ca, reflecting the neurochemical state of the brain over time. Quantitative measurements are demonstrated, highlighting the power of this approach. Simultaneous cerebral tissues electrical modulation and neurochemical recording during periods of 15 min is demonstrated in a third phase. A significant neurochemical response is detected in correlation with the electrical stimulation periods (2 x 1 min). In particular, the extracellular K+ ion concentration appears to rise during these periods which is further confirmed on each of the 3 implanted subjects. It is stated that the electrical stimulation delivered to the tissues set the neurons in a permanent hyperpolarized state, forcing a strong K+ ions efflux towards the extracellular space. This work sets a basis for the development of novel approaches in the detection of malfunction in synaptic transmission. Future perspectives of this technology include new methods enabling earlier diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases and more efficient treatments based on a closed-loop adjustment of electrical stimulation.

EPFL2017