Brain interface for the iPad: Synchron shows demos from BCI-HDI

The US manufacturer Synchron In the future, will use a standardized human interface device protocol (HDI) for its Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) that can interact with Apple devices. The technology created in cooperation with the MAC producer communicates via Bluetooth, for example, with an iPad, like the BCI specialist in a video demonstrates. It shows a man of paralyzed due to an alternative disease who can fully control an iPad with his brain-it starts apps, navigated by this or enters text. BCI-HDI uses Apple’s well-known barrier-free feature Switch Control. The work takes place as part of a Clinical study in the USA called “Command”that has been running for several years.

Minimally invasive establishment of the “Stentrode”

What is special about the approach of synchronous is the use of a comparatively simple sensor, the so -called stentrode. This can be implanted minimally invasively – in contrast to more complex (but also more data -rich) solutions, such as those of Elon Musk’s company Neuralink.

The stent of synchronous is inserted over the throat via the blood vessels (jugular vein) and is then placed in the area of the motorcortex. This allows the system to absorb and interpret the electrical signals there. Synchron has developed his own machine learning model for this. If the user thinks of certain movements, the BCI accepts them and then converts them on the screen using BCI-HDI via Bluetooth.

Interface becomes part of all systems

Apple has been working with Apple for several years. In 2024, Apple showed for the first time how the Vision Pro can be controlled with its BCI. Other platforms such as the MAC could be added via BCI-HID this year. According to their own statements, Synchron has currently used ten patients the stentrode. They are in the USA and Australia. It is still unclear whether the technology can be carried permanently.

Synchron indicates that the approach of the stentrode ensures that scarring is less frequent than with “big” BCIs, some of which have to be removed after a few years because this deteriorates. It is still unclear when there can be commercial marketing. The current attempts run within the framework of special rules of US medicine supervision FDA (“Investigational Device Exemption”).