“A Neuralink Rival Just Tested a Brain Implant in a Person”

Austin-based neurotechnology company Paradromics has taken a significant step forward in its efforts to develop a high-resolution brain-computer interface (BCI) for individuals with severe speech and motor impairments. On May 14, surgeons at the University of Michigan temporarily implanted Paradromics’ Connexus device in a human patient, marking the company’s first human test after years of preclinical research.

The procedure, conducted during an unrelated brain surgery for epilepsy treatment, involved the insertion and removal of the device over a 10-minute window. With informed consent from the patient, the Connexus implant was placed in the temporal lobe—a region involved in auditory processing and memory encoding. Researchers were able to confirm that the device successfully recorded neural signals during the brief implant period.

“This was a unique opportunity to test the device in a real-world surgical setting with minimal added risk to the patient,” said Matt Angle, CEO of Paradromics. “It allowed us to validate the core functionality of the implant and refine our surgical protocols.”

Paradromics’ Connexus is a small device—smaller than a dime—with 420 microelectrodes designed to record electrical activity from individual neurons. These electrodes are embedded into the brain using a specialized delivery tool developed by the company. By capturing high-resolution neural signals, the device aims to decode intended speech, cursor movements, and other forms of digital communication for individuals with conditions such as spinal cord injury, stroke, or ALS.

Unlike less invasive BCI approaches, such as Synchron’s blood vessel-implanted device or Precision Neuroscience’s surface-level sensors, Paradromics’ device is inserted directly into brain tissue to optimize signal fidelity. This invasive approach shares similarities with Neuralink, which has also begun human testing with an implant that features over 1,000 electrodes across flexible threads.

“The closer you are to the source—the individual neuron—the better the signal quality,” said Angle. “And for decoding speech or movement, quality matters.”

Brain-computer interfaces interpret neural signals associated with motor intent, not abstract thought. In cases of paralysis, where a person may be unable to physically speak or move, the brain still generates movement-related signals. BCIs capture and translate those patterns into digital outputs, such as synthesized speech or cursor control.

Paradromics’ device builds on two decades of BCI research, which relied heavily on the Utah array—a device with 100 electrodes that enabled early breakthroughs in mind-controlled prosthetics and computer interfaces. However, the Utah array had drawbacks, including the need for external hardware and potential tissue damage over time. Paradromics and others are working to improve on those limitations with more electrodes, longer-lasting materials, and fully implantable systems.

Matt Willsey, the neurosurgeon who performed the Connexus insertion, noted that greater electrode density could improve the performance and utility of future BCIs. “More electrodes mean more data—and that translates to better decoding and user control,” he said.

Paradromics is planning to initiate a clinical trial by the end of 2025, which will involve long-term implantation in individuals with paralysis. The goal is to demonstrate that the Connexus device can reliably decode intended speech and communication, potentially restoring vital functions to people who have lost them.

“This test was a dress rehearsal,” said Jennifer Collinger, a BCI researcher at the University of Pittsburgh. “It confirmed the device can be safely delivered to the operating room, implanted, tested, and removed—key milestones before full clinical deployment.”

Angle confirmed that future studies may explore implanting multiple Connexus units to expand coverage across brain regions. But the immediate priority, he emphasized, is safety and functionality in long-term human use.

“Developing a medical-grade brain implant is one of the most ambitious challenges in neurotechnology,” said Justin Sanchez, a neurotech expert at Battelle. “This step shows that Paradromics is on a viable path forward.”

With growing interest in neurointerfaces—from medical rehabilitation to potential consumer applications—Paradromics joins a competitive and rapidly evolving field. But for now, its focus remains squarely on patients whose voices and abilities could one day be restored through direct neural communication.

Source article posted here: https://www.wired.com/story/paradromics-neuralink-rival-tested-brain-implant

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