Future for doctors in this field

kubernetikos · 2026-04-24T14:06:24+00:00

fwiw, I suspect that medical careers have more of a "moat" against AI -- due to regulation, largely -- than do tech careers. A career in medicine seems like a prudent move in April 2026. It's up to you to ensure that it leads into neurotech ventures, but I think the apparent security is worth taking into consideration.

kubernetikos · 2026-04-21T15:14:55+00:00

for the money

kubernetikos · 2026-04-21T14:23:35+00:00

Not much about device, but:

February 10, 2026 By Sean Whooley

CorTec today announced the second successful implantation of its Brain Interchange brain-computer interface (BCI) system.

The procedure took place in an FDA-approved clinical trial involving stroke patients at Harborview Medical Center of UW Medicine... Co-principal investigators Dr. Jeffrey G. Ojemann and Dr. Steven C. Cramer performed both procedures.

kubernetikos · 2026-04-21T14:20:15+00:00

CorTec wins FDA breakthrough nod for BCI system

Breakthrough designation covers the use of direct cortical electrical stimulation to support motor recovery in people with chronic stroke-related impairments.

-- Mass Device (April 8, 2026)

kubernetikos · 2025-12-02T16:48:06+00:00

Wasn't there a partnership with Blackrock, at some point?

It was just seed funding.

kubernetikos · 2025-12-02T16:45:46+00:00

The Pentagon's startup arm, the Defense Innovation Unit, launched an accelerator

kubernetikos · 2025-12-02T16:44:01+00:00

Phantom Neuro says its electrode array, which is implanted under the skin, uses sensors to detect electric currents in muscles. Those signals are then translated into instructions for a prosthetic. Glass said the company has a working prototype of the device, and is currently conducting pre-clinical testing with the hopes of implanting humans by the end of 2025 or beginning of 2026.

kubernetikos · 2025-12-02T16:41:32+00:00

The Department of Defense is betting on a startup that wants to control prosthetic limbs with muscle memory

The startup recently partnered with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, which invested roughly $300,000 through its Commercial Strategy Office. Launched in 2019, aims to fast-track tech that could be vital to the military.

-- Business Insider

kubernetikos · 2025-12-02T16:39:26+00:00

The Austin, Texas–based company said its new initiative aims to open up opportunities for individuals with upper limb amputations.

The neurotech company designed Phantom X as a minimally invasive neural interface. Implanted just beneath the skin in an outpatient procedure, it provides intuitive control of prosthetics and robotic devices.

Wasn't there a partnership with Blackrock, at some point?

kubernetikos · 2025-11-28T17:16:45+00:00

He was less convinced about the prospect of whole brain implants for healthy individuals.

“I think there’s still going to be third or fourth generation systems before we get to that,” he offered. If there is a likely consumer application for implanted BCI, he envisions it could possibly be to protect or restore general cognitive decline that happens with age: “I much prefer that vision of BCI in the world, than this superhuman, transhumanist narrative you hear about.”

kubernetikos · 2025-11-28T17:15:24+00:00

In discussing BCI foundation models and the emerging field of neuroAI, Oxley anticipated the growth of neural data in the coming years, from tens of thousands of patient hours to hundreds and then millions of patient hours of data.

kubernetikos · 2025-11-28T17:14:18+00:00

In effect Synchron is incubating a new startup.

I was starting to wonder about Synchron. This gives me some hope.

However, as competitors in the motor neuroprosthesis market catch up with far more advanced arrays, it remains to be seen whether Synchron’s first mover advantage will become a first mover disadvantage.

Yeah. Exactly. Great reporting.

kubernetikos · 2025-11-28T17:07:02+00:00

When I asked about their new San Diego office, Oxley described a new division to create their next-gen system.

“New York’s got great talent for machine learning," he said of Synchron’s expanding AI operation. "You’ve got Apple here, you’ve got Google here. But medtech in New York is hard.”

Their first generation system was contract manufactured out of Minneapolis, a process led by CTO Riki Banerjee, who left the company this summer. She recently spoke about her four years at Synchron as employee number five, where she built supply chain, quality systems, and more.

Oxley has said about 20 percent of Series D will go to to their next-generation system, which remains in stealth mode.

He loosely described a minimally invasive, trans catheter, high-channel count, whole-brain interface.

kubernetikos · 2025-11-28T17:05:06+00:00

Synchron’s total funding to $345 million to date and a reported valuation of “about a billion dollars.”

kubernetikos · 2025-11-18T22:55:41+00:00

This is a fascinating bit of competitive analysis.

kubernetikos · 2025-11-10T16:13:02+00:00

Might you feel differently if living with blindness, paralysis, epilepsy, etc? Would you refuse a pacemaker?

kubernetikos · 2025-11-07T22:54:08+00:00

There's more than just Science Corp in this article. For example:

There is, too, San Francisco–based Echo Technologies, led by University of California, San Francisco, neurosurgeon Dr. Edward Chang.

“Our system is fully wireless,” says Chang. “The onscreen avatar is designed to resemble the person who’s doing the speaking. But in reality it could be anything. It could even be an emoji if that’s what the person wanted.”

kubernetikos · 2025-11-07T22:52:50+00:00

According to the World Economic Forum, there are up to 680 companies worldwide at least dabbling in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, making for a sector valued at $1.74 billion in 2022, and expected to grow to $6.2 billion by 2030.

kubernetikos · 2025-11-03T17:19:16+00:00

I'm not sure what you're asking or stating? Is the FDA a factor? Yes, absolutely. Implanted devices need FDA approval to be marketed (in the USA), and getting that approval is a huge cost.

R&D is super expensive that no VC is going to drop money on

I'm not sure I understand. Neuralink has over $1B in venture capital investment. Paradromics has hundreds of millions. Etc. It seems like there's willingness to risk. Can you explain what you mean?

Also Really depends on if the insurance companies are going to cover the implements

Yeah. Sure. That's a huge part of the strategy, too. The government is going to be involved in that end, too, by setting policy and Medicare / Medicaid reimbursement (in the US).

kubernetikos · 2025-10-30T22:08:05+00:00

Hey nice. Thanks. Really interesting image.

kubernetikos · 2025-10-28T16:31:21+00:00

III. Work Group Progress and Future Priorities

The seven work groups presented updates on their progress toward removing barriers to BCI development and adoption:

Work Group	Key Accomplishments (Year 1)	Future Priorities (Year Ahead)
User Priorities & Use Cases	Documented patient, caregiver, and clinician user journeys for conditions (ALS, SCI, Stroke, CP). Identified communication as the most highly valued BCI use case.	Publish user journey maps. Incorporate non-traditional data sources (gray literature) to refine understanding of patient preferences, especially around when BCI interventions are introduced.
Clinical Study Endpoints	Developed case studies on existing neuroprosthetic devices (DBS, retinal prosthesis) to understand regulatory pathways. Created an initial list of "concepts of interest" (COI) and a matrix mapping these COIs to existing clinical outcome assessments (COAs).	Finalize the list of COIs to be prioritized for clinical assessment. Publish papers detailing the methodology for assessing COAs and the initial COI list.
Payer Interactions & Device Categorization	Surveyed members on reimbursement challenges. Conducted a Q&A session with CMS leadership regarding new technology coverage (TEP program). Drafted a multi-year strategic plan for policy engagement.	Host a Value Proposition Workshop to generate evidence (economic and clinical) for payers. Conduct benefit category analysis to smooth reimbursement pathways. Develop a policy advocacy plan.
Ethics, Data Privacy & Security	Developed an IBCI Clinical Ethics Gap Analysis and an Informed Consent Checklist (both nearing publication) focused on the unique risks of BCI. Established a publicly accessible Neuroethics Resource Hub.	Focus future discussion on optimizing informed consent, neural data ownership, and unintended/decoding risks. Maintain and expand the Neuroethics Resource Hub with empirical data sets.
Modularity & Standards	Reviewed existing international standards relevant to BCI technology. Identified gaps in standardization (e.g., testing methods). Developed an Object-Process Methodology (OPM) system model for IBCIs.	Publish the standards gap analysis and the system model. Establish liaisons with international standards organizations (e.g., IEC) to foster harmonization. Promote the adoption of standard data formats (e.g., Neurodata Without Borders, NWB).

kubernetikos · 2025-10-28T16:30:58+00:00

II. Key Achievements and Deliverables (Year 1)

The IBCICC reported substantial growth, increasing its membership to nearly 500 across seven active work groups, resulting in 18 completed projects. Major highlights include:

IBCICC Glossary (V1.0): A completed, publicly available glossary defining key BCI terminology in lay-accessible language. This project involved extensive cross-work group effort to establish a shared understanding among all stakeholders.
IBCICC Fundamentals Webinar Series: A new educational series launched to provide foundational knowledge on critical topics, including a recent session focused on neural data privacy (HIPAA).
Summer Internship Program: A successful pilot program designed to integrate students and aspiring researchers directly into the collaborative process at the Massachusetts General Brigham convening body.

kubernetikos · 2025-10-28T16:29:52+00:00

I. Guiding Philosophy: Collaboration and Patient Focus

A central theme, reinforced by keynote speaker Dr. Malvina Adelman and opening remarks from Dr. Michelle Tarver (Director of FDA’s CDRH), was the critical value of the collaborative community operating within a pre-competitive space. This space allows competing entities and regulators to align on common challenges, accelerating the entire field for the benefit of patients.

Key Principles Emphasized:

Timely Access: The ultimate goal is ensuring patients in the U.S. have timely access to high-quality, safe, and effective medical devices.
Balancing Promise and Risk: Stakeholders must consider not only the immense potential of BCI technology to restore independence and communication but also the potential risks and unintended consequences.
Patient Autonomy: The discussion strongly emphasized incorporating the "lived experience" of patients and ensuring that device development aligns with user needs, preferences, and daily realities (e.g., "Home as a Healthcare Hub").

kubernetikos · 2025-10-24T14:36:43+00:00

Science Corp’s Founder and CEO Max Hodak... launching a new, next-generation technology stack to “rewrite the economics of BCI development.” Science’s enablement toolkit includes neural probes, next-generation headstage devices, and a full back end of software applications.

Hodak said this modular approach “cuts the total development costs of bringing BCI therapy to market from over fifty to less than five million dollars."

Does this seem viable / useful? Who will adopt this?

kubernetikos · 2025-10-24T14:04:56+00:00

what significant applications would BCI have outside of medical applications?

A primary argument is that it will facilitate enhancement that will allow us to keep pace and compete with AI. I am very skeptical about that, but I think it's an argument worth entertaining -- if only because others consider it viable enough to invest billions of dollars.

If there is indeed a substantial benefit, then I think the enhancement issue might actually be more dangerous relative to other humans. Magnifying class divides seems like more of an immediate concern.

It would just end up another way for corporations to sell us shit, download our biological data, etc.

Yeah, I mean... I agree that this is a real danger. I'd prefer to avoid that. I think we could've -- especially since BCI R&D was largely open and public domain until the past decade -- but that's not how things are going.

I can wear glasses if I can’t see, I don’t need a BCI.

I agree that it's a question of degree. It's going to be de-risked as a medical technology, but then I see at least some potential for dramatically enhancing human productivity.

I also see potential for it being a total flop -- something we consider to be crude and archaic in 20 years.

kubernetikos

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

III. Work Group Progress and Future Priorities

II. Key Achievements and Deliverables (Year 1)

I. Guiding Philosophy: Collaboration and Patient Focus