Second Human Implantation of CorTec’s Brain-Computer Interface Completed

CorTec has announced the second successful implantation of its Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) system, Brain Interchange™, as part of an FDA-approved clinical study. The procedure was carried out in early February at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and represents another step in the clinical evaluation of a fully implantable closed-loop system for stroke rehabilitation.

Real-time neural signal recording and targeted stimulation

The system is designed to continuously record neural activity from the cerebral cortex and analyze these signals in real time. Based on this data, the implant can deliver precisely controlled electrical stimulation intended to support damaged motor networks following a stroke.

The technical focus lies on the integration of signal acquisition, on-board data processing, and stimulation control within a fully implantable platform. The goal is an adaptive therapeutic approach in which stimulation is not delivered in a fixed manner, but is dynamically adjusted according to measured neural activity patterns.

Clinical evaluation of an implantable closed-loop BCI

The implantation was performed under an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) granted by the FDA. The study is led by the University of Washington School of Medicine in collaboration with the University of California, Los Angeles, and is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The trial is initially assessing the safety of the system and evaluating whether cortical stimulation, combined with rehabilitation protocols, can improve upper-limb motor function in stroke patients. Following two successful implantations, additional participants will be enrolled to generate further data on neural signal changes and functional recovery outcomes.

CorTec plans to provide updates on technical and clinical findings as the study progresses.