In a landmark moment for neurotechnology and patient empowerment, Mark Jackson, a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has become the first person in the world to control an iPad solely using his thoughts. The breakthrough was made possible through a brain-computer interface developed by Synchron, a company at the forefront of neural device innovation.
A Minimally Invasive Revolution
Traditional brain-computer interfaces have long required invasive cranial surgery, presenting significant risks and barriers to adoption. Synchron’s approach fundamentally changes this landscape by leveraging existing medical technologies—stents and catheters—to access the brain through the body’s natural vascular pathways.
The implantation procedure begins with inserting a catheter into the jugular vein in the patient’s neck. From there, medical professionals navigate the device through the blood vessel system directly to the brain, where the Stentrode is deployed in a blood vessel adjacent to the motor cortex—the brain region responsible for controlling movement.
The device itself consists of sophisticated sensors built onto a self-expanding stent that engages with the vein wall while maintaining normal blood flow. Over time, the body’s natural healing process may incorporate the sensors into surrounding tissue. Remarkably, this entire deployment process takes approximately 20 minutes, dramatically reducing the complexity and risk associated with traditional brain surgery.
Capturing the Brain’s Intent
The Stentrode’s positioning immediately adjacent to the motor cortex enables it to detect brain activity even in patients with complete paralysis. When these individuals think about moving parts of their body, their motor cortex continues to activate normally, generating electrical signals that represent the brain’s intention to move. The device’s sophisticated antennas capture these neural signals, creating a direct communication pathway between thought and technology.
This process involves building what researchers describe as a “dictionary” of brain signals, with each pattern corresponding to specific intended actions. The system learns to recognize and interpret the unique electrical signatures generated by different thoughts and movements.
From Brain Signal to Digital Command
Once captured, brain signals undergo a sophisticated processing sequence. The Stentrode transmits these neural patterns wirelessly to a receiver unit implanted in the patient’s chest, similar to a cardiac pacemaker. This receiver then forwards the signals to an external decoder that translates brain activity into precise digital commands.
These translated commands can control an impressive array of modern technology, including smartphones and tablets for texting, shopping, and banking activities. Patients can operate computer cursors and keyboard functions, interact with smart home devices through platforms like Amazon Alexa, and even control advanced technology such as the Apple Vision Pro headset.
Practical Applications and Future Potential
Rather than attempting to reanimate paralyzed limbs—which company CEO Tom Oxley characterizes as “overengineering a problem”—Synchron focuses on restoring control over what he terms the “digital ecosystem.” This practical approach recognizes that in our increasingly connected world, the ability to interact with technology independently can dramatically improve quality of life for individuals with mobility limitations.
Current applications already demonstrate significant real-world impact, enabling patients to communicate, manage personal affairs, and maintain social connections through digital platforms. Future developments may extend to controlling exoskeletons and vehicles, potentially expanding mobility options even further.
Clinical Validation and Safety Profile
Synchron’s U.S. clinical trial involved six patients with severe chronic bilateral upper-limb paralysis, providing crucial data on both safety and efficacy. The results paint an encouraging picture: no device-related deaths occurred during the first year of the study, and no serious adverse events related to brain or blood vessel complications were reported.
The technical performance proved equally impressive. All six patients received successful device deployment with accurate motor cortex coverage, and the system consistently captured and converted brain signals into functional digital outputs. Patients demonstrated the ability to perform various digital tasks, validating the practical utility of the technology.
Transforming Daily Life for ALS Patients
ALS, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that gradually robs individuals of voluntary muscle control, including the ability to speak and interact with digital devices.
