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Brain Computer Interface – an Implant to Record from the Brain and Send Info to the Brain: Dr. Nicolas Vachicouras, Neurosoft Bioelectronics

October 10, 2023 Alex Jani: interviewing visionaries of healthcare innovation
X-Health.show - meet the future of healthcare
Brain Computer Interface – an Implant to Record from the Brain and Send Info to the Brain: Dr. Nicolas Vachicouras, Neurosoft Bioelectronics
Show Notes Chapter Markers

So you have a panna cotta brain
and so do I,
no reason to worry, that's our biology.

Now, how do you even try to place anything on that panna cotta – to record the activities of the brain or to send messages to the brain, like stopping shaking or pain, in severe diseases – so that you won't damage it?

You’ll hear about 

  • how does brain-computer interface work, 
  • epilepsy and stopping drug resistant seizures, 
  • severe tinnitus or ringing in the ears, 
  • the science of making rigid materials stretchable
  • and more.


My guest, Dr. Nicolas Vachicouras, is a micro-engineer fascinated with micro-nanotechnologies for interfaces with the nervous system. Boldly enough he knew he wanted to found a startup even before his PhD.

Neurosoft Bioelectronics work on soft brain electrodes that act as implantable brain-computer interface. They started with SOFT ECoG tested now for epilepsy and SOFT TINNIT to provide relief in severe tinnitus. They have developed technology that allows the manufacturing of extremely compliant neural interfaces that can achieve long-term bio-integration in the body. Meaning, that the "panna cotta" brain seems, so far, to be quite receptive.

Studies continue.

The brain-computer history is just beginning.

Here is where you can follow Neurosoft's developments
http://www.neurosoft-bio.com

Timestamps

0:00 Dr. Nicolas Vachicouras and Neurosoft Bioelectronics

1:10 First Soft Brain Electrodes Tested in a Patient in Houston

6:27 What is Brain-Computer Interface

9:00 Current Gold Standard for Drug-resistant Epilepsy

13:40 What are Soft Brain Electrodes and What Can You Read from the Brain

18:26 Soft Electrodes Other Uses: Block Chronic Back Pain, Stimulate Part of Brain to Stop Shaking in Parkinson's and More

21:10 Minimally Invasive Brain Implant – a Burr Hole Instead of Opening the Skull

24:00 Panna Cota Brain or What is Brain from Microengineering Perspective

28:14 How to Make Metals Stretchable

31:33 Brain Surgeons and New Technologies First Adopters, Regulatory Requirements

40:15 Early Startup Founder Challenges, Transition from Research to Business

48:43 Brain Implant to Treat Severe Tinnitus, What is Tinnitus

52:07 Challenges of Bringing Brain Medical Devices to the Market

55:00 Future of Brain-Computer Interfaces

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The information in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. If you have any medical questions, please consult your healthcare practitioner. The opinions on the show are Alex's or her guests. The podcast does not make any responsibility or warranties about guests statements or credibility. While the podcast makes every effort to ensure that the information shared is accurate, please let us know if you have any comments, suggestions or corrections.

Dr. Nicolas Vachicouras and Neurosoft Bioelectronics
First Soft Brain Electrodes Tested in a Patient in Houston
What is Brain-Computer Interface
Current Gold Standard for Drug-resistant Epilepsy
What are Soft Brain Electrodes and What Can You Read from the Brain
Soft Electrodes Other Uses: Block Chronic Back Pain, Stimulate Part of Brain to Stop Shaking in Parkinson's and More
Minimally Invasive Brain Implant – a Burr Hole Instead of Opening the Skull
Panna Cota Brain or What is Brain from Microengineering Perspective
How to Make Metals Stretchable
Brain Surgeons and New Technologies First Adopters, Regulatory Requirements
Early Startup Founder Challenges, Transition from Research to Business
Brain Implant to Treat Severe Tinnitus, What is Tinnitus
Challenges of Bringing Brain Medical Devices to the Market
Future of Brain-Computer Interfaces
Thank You, Follow Neurosoft Bioelectronics
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