Graphene-based brain chip offers 200x more power for Parkinson’s patients

A novel brain implant has been designed that can both read signals and stimulate brain impulses. This is the promise of a new technology from Inbrain Neuroelectronics, a startup based in Barcelona. Their brain-computer interface (BCI) uses a special material called graphene to create a high-resolution interface with the brain.

Graphene forms a two-dimensional material that is just one atom thick, but tougher than steel. The material is composed of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb lattice. These remarkable properties make it a game-changer for advancements in next-generation brain interfaces.

The company says that this brain implant could significantly benefit Parkinson’s patients. According to IEEE Spectrum, the health-tech company is all set to conduct its first-in-human test shortly.

Inbrain’s graphene chip

BCI technology acts as a bridge between the brain and external devices, like computers. By recording and interpreting brain signals, BCIs have opened doors in medical diagnostics, communication for those with speech limitations, and even controlling external equipment like robotic limbs.

The Inbrain website mentions that roughly 30% of the world’s population is affected by neural disorders. This innovative BCI tool aims to offer therapeutic benefits for patients with Parkinson’s disease and potentially other neurological disorders.

Inbrain’s CEO, Carolina Aguilar, notes a problem with traditional BCIs made of metal. These metals experience a phenomenon called “Faraday reactions” which causes the electrical signals to get scrambled, making it difficult to send information back to the brain. Their new graphene technology avoids this issue.

The company manufactures the chip on a wafer using standard semiconductor techniques, keeping it ultra-thin at 10 micrometers. The chip is embedded with tiny graphene features (not quantum dots) ranging from 25 to 300 micrometers, enabling high-resolution brain signal reading and stimulation.

Interestingly, the new graphene device has the ability to “inject 200 times more charge without creating a Faradic reaction.” This offers stability for “over millions of pulses of stimulation” for brain therapy.

First human test

The first human test of Inbrain’s chip will take place at the University of Manchester. The chip will be used during brain tumor surgery to help surgeons identify cancerous tissue with high micrometric precision. This will allow surgeons to remove the tumor while preserving healthy brain areas for proper speech and cognition.

“The chip is positioned during the tumor resection so that it can read, at a very high resolution, the signals that tell the surgeon where there is a tumor and where there is not a tumor,” Aguilar told IEEE Spectrum.

Aguilar explained their choice for the first human trial, stating that it is a fast way to prove graphene is safe for human usage.

Prior to the human trial, the new graphene chip underwent rigorous biocompatibility testing in animals. These earlier studies paved the way for safe human testing.

Although the Manchester study focuses on brain tumor surgery, Inbrain’s revolutionary chip might eventually be used to treat Parkinson’s.

For this, the chip will be upgraded to work in the part of the brain that controls movement called the nigrostriatal pathway. Reportedly, it will be able to decipher the brain’s signals for actions like stepping or raising an arm (similar to existing BCIs). Moreover, Its micrometer-scale precision allows it to pick up on signs of Parkinson’s, like shaking, stiffness, and problems with walking.

By identifying these indicators, clinicians will be able to fine-tune treatment strategies and optimize their efficacy for each patient.