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When it comes to brain-computer interfaces, Elon Musk’s Neuralink isn’t the only contender. At CES Unveiled during CES 2024, Clinatec showcased its own impressive research. Clinatec brings together multidisciplinary experts to treat neurological diseases and help restore motor functions for individuals who have suffered brain or spinal injuries.
Based in Grenoble, France, Clinatec is a biomedical research center at Polygone Scientifique. It boasts a team of biologists, nanotechnology experts, and more. Clinatec was developed by the research division of France’s CEA, Inserm, and Université Grenoble Alpes.
Clinatec has created a non-invasive brain implant that lies on the brain’s surface and helps restore electrical communication in damaged areas. Abdelmadjid Hihi, Clinatec’s deputy director for scientific affairs and partnerships, explained the breakthrough in an interview. The implant records neurological activity and mimics the signals needed for muscle movement.
Hihi, who holds a doctorate in biological sciences from Lausanne University, stated that they have been working on brain implant technology for some time. The goal is to harness brain activity related to movement intent to assist individuals with severe mobility impairments.
Clinatec’s neural implants aim to restore muscle function. For example, a person with a spinal cord injury who cannot move might benefit from this technology. The system records brain activity using bio-compatible electrodes that can send signals out of the brain. These signals are then decoded in real-time by machine learning algorithms.
This decoded information is used by devices that can help individuals walk, grasp, or hear again. Initially, the system was used with people who had experienced accidents. Hihi presented a video showing an injured man taking steps with an exoskeleton, aided by signals stimulating both his brain and muscles. Clinatec has also worked with paraplegics, providing muscle stimulation to restore some function.
The development of this brain-computer neural interface has been ongoing for over a decade. The first patient received an implant more than six years ago, supported by French government research grants. In the future, Clinatec plans to work with stroke survivors who need rehabilitation.
The implant’s bio-compatible materials are thoroughly tested before use. It sits on top of the brain tissue rather than inside it, which minimizes inflammation and fibrosis, reminiscent of themes from William Gibson’s sci-fi story “Johnny Mnemonic.”
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