From Labs to Implants: EPFL, Science Corp & Inner Cosmos Take BCI to New Heights – Issue #19
Welcome to Neurotech Pulse – Issue #19! In this edition, we explore the latest advancements shaping neurotechnology. Precision Neuroscience’s Layer 7 Cortical Interface earns FDA approval, marking a new milestone for minimally invasive, wireless BCIs, while EPFL introduces a soft brainstem implant for patients who can’t benefit from cochlear implants. Georgia Tech’s microneedle sensors promise seamless brain monitoring, and the MICrONS project unveils an ultra-detailed 3D brain map to decode neural circuits.
This issue’s Case Study Spotlight features Flow Neuroscience, a company developing at-home depression treatment through a brain stimulation headset paired with a behavioral therapy app. We also cover Science Corp’s vision-restoring retinal implant, EEG-to-speech systems enhancing communication, and Inner Cosmos’ minimalist brain implant targeting mental health. Plus, don’t miss our coverage on trends in spinal stimulation, robotic neurorehabilitation, and key investments shaping the neurotech space. Join us as we explore these breakthroughs, funding updates, and thought-provoking insights shaping the future of neurotech!
⚡️Neurotech Newsflash
Precision Neuroscience Gets FDA Clearance for Wireless Brain Implant: Precision Neuroscience has received FDA approval for its Layer 7 Cortical Interface, a microelectrode array thinner than a human hair that can record and stimulate brain activity without damaging tissue. While not the full BCI system, the clearance allows the device to be implanted in patients for up to 30 days in clinical settings. This marks the first full regulatory approval for a wireless BCI system and allows for broader clinical use and data collection. (Read more)
Soft Brainstem Implant Enables Clearer Hearing: EPFL has developed a soft auditory brainstem implant that conforms to brain tissue, improving comfort and precision. Successfully tested in macaques, it offers a promising alternative for those who can’t use cochlear implants. (Read more)
Georgia Tech's Microneedle Brain Sensors for Seamless BCI Use: Georgia Tech has developed ultra-small microneedle sensors that capture neural signals during everyday activities. In a study with AR video calls, the sensors achieved 96.4% accuracy in detecting visual attention, even while participants walked or ran. This breakthrough paves the way for seamless, continuous BCI use outside clinical settings. (Read more)
A Connectomic Milestone: MICrONS Unveils Most Detailed Brain Map: The MICrONS program has mapped a cubic millimeter of mouse cortex in stunning detail—200,000 cells, 4 km of axons, and 500M synapses—marking a major leap for connectomics. Dubbed neuroscience’s AlphaFold moment, it could reshape our understanding of brain function. (Know more)
FDA Grants Authorization to Epiminder’s Implantable Continuous EEG Monitor for Epilepsy Treatment: Epiminder’s Minder, an implantable continuous EEG system, has received FDA De Novo authorization, marking it as the first device of its kind approved for drug-resistant epilepsy. The FDA's breakthrough device designation emphasizes its potential to enhance epilepsy care through more effective diagnosis and management. The system's utility was validated by the UMPIRE study, which demonstrated improved seizure tracking and management. The device is expected to launch in late 2025 at leading epilepsy centers. (Read more)
💰Notable Funding
Science Corp. Raises $104M Led by Khosla Ventures: Science Corp., founded by Neuralink co-founder Max Hodak, has raised $104 million in a funding round led by Khosla Ventures to advance its retina and brain implant technologies. This brings the company’s total funding to $290 million. (Read more)
Ivory Raises $1M to Advance Cognitive Health Tech: Brain health startup Ivory secured $1M led by IIM-A Ventures and Capital A. Funds will boost AI-powered assessments and expand access across India. (Read more)
Phantom Neuro Raises $19M to Advance AI-Powered Prosthetics: Backed by Ottobock and others, Phantom Neuro will use the funds to advance its minimally invasive neural interface, Phantom X, toward clinical trials. The tech enables near-natural control of robotic limbs. (Read more)
Neuranics Raises $8M to Advance Magnetic Sensing Tech: Scottish deep-tech startup Neuranics has raised $8M in seed funding to scale its TMR-based magnetic sensing technology for next-gen XR, wearables, and digital health. Backed by Blackfinch Ventures, Archangels, Par Equity, and university funds, Neuranics aims to redefine human-machine interaction with ultra-sensitive, low-power, contactless sensors. (Read more)
🧠 Neurotech Trends:
Robotics and Spinal Stimulation Restore Movement in Paralysis: Researchers at .NeuroRestore have developed an integrated system that combines spinal cord stimulation with rehabilitation robotics to restore movement in individuals with spinal cord injuries. The approach uses an implanted neuroprosthesis that delivers biomimetic electrical pulses, working in sync with robotic devices like exoskeletons and stationary bikes. In a proof-of-concept study, participants regained muscle activation during therapy and showed improvements in voluntary movements even after stimulation was turned off. The technology promises to enhance both immediate mobility and long-term recovery, offering new hope for those with paralysis. (Read more)
Brain Implant Restores Speech After 18 Years of Silence: A new brain implant has enabled a 47-year-old woman with quadriplegia, who lost her ability to speak after a stroke, to regain her voice. The device converts her thoughts into real-time speech, overcoming delays seen in previous systems. By recording brain activity and synthesizing her pre-stroke voice, the system translates her intent into fluent sentences in under 80 milliseconds, enabling natural conversations. This advancement could have significant implications for speech restoration, with a potential clinical rollout within the next decade. (Read more)
EEG-to-Speech: Synthesis of Imagined Speech from Brain Activity: Researchers from the Harbin Institute of Technology have developed a system that synthesizes audible, highly understandable speech directly from the brain's EEG signals of imagined speech. Using a specially designed deep neural network, the system converts EEG data into speech, achieving an impressive 91.23% accuracy on a set of Chinese disyllabic words. This breakthrough is a major step towards non-invasive communication restoration for individuals with conditions like aphasia or paralysis. The system’s scalability to continuous speech and various languages opens up vast potential for improving communication in patients with limited verbal ability. (Read more)
📘 Neurotech Articles:
Neural Fingerprints Predict Team Flow in Social Interactions: Researchers from Toyohashi University of Technology and Caltech have developed an algorithm that maps a person’s brain activity into a stable, individual-specific “neural fingerprint.” In a rhythm-based video game experiment, participants with similar neural signatures were more likely to achieve team flow—a state of deep, synchronized focus—even amid distractions. The study bridges long-term neural traits and real-time social dynamics, with potential applications in high-performance teamwork across fields like space exploration, corporate leadership, and creative collaboration. (Read more)
Science Corp Lands Big Funding Round to Advance BCI Technology: Science Corporation, founded by Neuralink co-founder Max Hodak, is advancing neural engineering devices to support vision, communication, and cognition. Its PRIMA retinal implant system—featuring a wireless sub-retinal device paired with specialized glasses and a pocket processor—has shown encouraging results in restoring vision for patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Clinical trials report restored abilities to read and recognize faces, and the technology is now progressing toward regulatory approval in Europe.. (Read more)
Inner Cosmos: A Minimalist Brain Implant for Depression Treatment: Inner Cosmos is developing a neural implant the size of a penny, placed under the skin (not in the brain), designed to treat depression by delivering precise electrical stimulation to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Unlike companies like Neuralink that require invasive procedures, Inner Cosmos is focused on minimalism and accessibility, prioritizing ease of use, ethical foresight, and scalability. Their approach mimics the simplicity of iOS, aiming to abstract away complex BCI functions so users can focus on outcomes. While still in early stages, Inner Cosmos has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation and completed initial human trials, with plans to expand into broader mental health applications. (Read more)
Sound Waves That Bend Like Rainbows: A Breakthrough for Brain Health: Researchers at Washington University, led by Dr. Hong Chen, have developed a technique called Airy-beam holographic sonogenetics—a method that uses curved ultrasound waves to activate specific neurons, without the need for implants or surgery. In experiments with mice, the approach restored motor function by precisely targeting brain areas associated with movement disorders like Parkinson’s. The technique uses a harmless virus to make select neurons sensitive to sound and activates them using a wearable device that emits “rainbow-shaped” sound beams. This breakthrough could eventually lead to wearable, non-invasive alternatives to deep brain stimulation for neurological and even metabolic disorders. Though human trials are still ahead, the method represents a significant step toward precision medicine using sound. (Read more)
🌐 Neurotech Edu. and Events:
Neural Interfaces 2025
📅 Date: June 12–14, 2025 | Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA
Why Attend the Event?
Join Neural Interfaces 2025, the premier conference on neurotechnology, BCIs, and neuromodulation, bringing together scientists, engineers, clinicians, and industry leaders to advance the field.
Link to register: Register hereNeuroNext 2025: Neurotech, Networking, and Innovation
📅 Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025 | UCL Roberts Building, London WC1E 7JE
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (GMT+1)Why Attend?
Join NeuroNext 2025 for an evening of innovation, keynote talks, startup showcases, and networking with leading researchers, founders, and investors in the neurotech space. Register here
🎬Case Studies
🎬 Case Study Spotlight: Flow Neuroscience – A Smarter Way to Treat Depression at Home
In this edition’s case study spotlight, we explore Flow Neuroscience, a leading healthtech company redefining how depression is treated. With its clinically validated brain stimulation headset and companion therapy app, Flow brings neuroscience-driven treatment into the home, making it more accessible and personalized. Founded in 2016, Flow is at the forefront of non-invasive mental health care solutions, offering a unique approach to managing Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) by combining tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) and digital behavioral therapy.
Overview: Flow Neuroscience offers a non-invasive brain stimulation headset that targets brain regions associated with mood regulation, specifically the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The headset is paired with a therapy app rooted in behavioral science, designed to help users adopt healthier habits alongside their stimulation sessions. Used both privately and within UK health services, including the NHS, Flow has shown promise as a complementary or standalone treatment for individuals suffering from depression, especially those for whom traditional medication has not worked.
Use Case Highlights:
Brain Stimulation Meets Behavior Change: Flow delivers gentle electrical pulses to mood-regulating areas of the brain using tDCS, addressing regions typically underactive in individuals with depression. Backed by neuroscience research, this brain stimulation is reinforced by the Flow app’s cognitive-behavioral techniques, helping users build sustainable mental health habits over time.
NHS-backed Implementation: Flow is in active use by NHS services in West London, Northamptonshire, and Leicestershire. As reported by NHS teams using Flow, one crisis team reported up to a 75% reduction in thoughts of self-harm and suicide. Clinicians also observed positive results in cases of treatment-resistant and postnatal depression, with NHS Practitioner Health staff also adopting the tool.
Clinical Evidence of Efficacy: A 2024 clinical trial published in Nature Medicine reported that 57% of Flow users reached full remission within 10 weeks. Additionally, 64% experienced a 50% or greater reduction in symptoms, with no serious side effects documented throughout the study.
At-Home Accessibility: The Flow solution enables patients to manage their mental health from the comfort of home. Daily sessions, guided routines, and personalized behavioral goals offer an experience that blends science with everyday usability, empowering users and reducing barriers to care.
Target Audience: Flow is designed for use by:-
Individuals diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, including those who prefer or require non-pharmaceutical treatment options
Clinicians seeking adjunctive therapies for their patients
Healthcare systems exploring scalable, tech-enabled solutions for mental health
Mental health professionals looking to complement traditional therapies with neuroscience-based tools
Key Partnerships: Flow Neuroscience collaborates with renowned academic institutions, healthcare providers, and mental health services to support the ongoing validation and development of its treatment. These partnerships ensure that the Flow solution remains rooted in clinical research and continues to evolve in alignment with the latest findings in neuroscience and mental health care. Through these collaborations, Flow strengthens its commitment to delivering safe, effective, and accessible treatment options for depression..
Leadership Team: The vision behind Flow Neuroscience comes from its co-founders, Daniel Månsson, a clinical psychologist, and Erik Rehn, an engineer with a background in neuroscience. Their combined expertise in mental health and technology laid the foundation for Flow’s unique approach to treating depression. Under the leadership of CEO Erin Lee, who brings experience from global tech and health platforms, the team continues to blend clinical insight with user-focused innovation. Supported by seasoned professionals in psychiatry and research, Flow maintains a strong commitment to evidence-based care and mental health advancement.
For more information about Flow Neuroscience and its home-based depression treatment system, visit www.flowneuroscience.com.
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