Synchron Inc. is a medical technology company developing the Stentrode, a minimally invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) that records neural activity from within the blood vessel of the motor cortex. Founded in 2012, Synchron is pioneering an endovascular approach to neural recording that combines the benefits of invasive recording with reduced surgical risk[1].
The Stentrode represents a breakthrough in BCI technology by avoiding the need for open brain surgery while still providing high-quality neural signals from the motor cortex.
The Stentrode is a platinum-iridium electrode array mounted on a nitinol self-expanding stent. Key features include:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Electrode Contacts | 16 |
| Length | 8 cm |
| Material | Platinum-Iridium |
| Scaffold | Nitinol (self-expanding) |
| Implantation Route | Endovascular (jugular vein) |
| Data Transmission | Wireless |
Synchron's technology for Huntington's:
The Stentrode enables patients with paralysis to control digital devices through thought alone:
Stentrode applications for epilepsy:
Synchron has conducted the COMMAND trial to evaluate safety and efficacy:
Planning for additional clinical studies including:
Compared to other invasive BCI systems like Neuralink or Blackrock Neurotech:
| Feature | Synchron | Other Invasive |
|---|---|---|
| Surgery Type | Minimally invasive (endovascular) | Major craniotomy |
| Recovery Time | Days | Weeks |
| Scalability | High (leveraging existing cath lab infrastructure) | Limited by surgical capacity |
| Reversibility | Fully reversible | Limited reversibility |
| Hospital Stay | Overnight or outpatient | Multi-day hospitalization |
| MRI Compatibility | Yes | Depends on device |
Synchron collaborates with leading institutions:
Synchron's endovascular approach offers unique advantages:
Synchron's Stentrode technology interfaces with key neurodegenerative disease mechanisms: