A novel robot-assisted method for implanting intracortical sensorimotor devices for brain-computer interface studies: principles, surgical techniques, and challenges.

Precise anatomical implantation of a microelectrode array is fundamental for successful brain-computer interface (BCI) surgery, ensuring high-quality, robust signal communication between the brain and the computer interface. Robotic neurosurgery can contribute to this goal, but its application in BCI surgery has been underexplored. Here, the authors present a novel robot-assisted surgical technique to implant rigid intracortical microelectrode arrays for the BCI.

Motor somatotopy impacts imagery strategy success in human intracortical brain-computer interfaces.

The notion of a somatotopically organized motor cortex, with movements of different body parts being controlled by spatially distinct areas of cortex, is well known. However, recent studies have challenged this notion and suggested a more distributed representation of movement control. This shift in perspective has significant implications, particularly when considering the implantation location of electrode arrays for intracortical brain-computer interfaces (iBCIs).

How different immersive environments affect intracortical brain computer interfaces.

As brain-computer interface (BCI) research advances, many new applications are being developed. Tasks can be performed in different environments, and whether a BCI user can switch environments seamlessly will influence the ultimate utility of a clinical device. Here we investigate the importance of the immersiveness of the virtual environment used to train BCI decoders on the resulting decoder and its generalizability between environments.

Layer-dependent stability of intracortical recordings and neuronal cell loss.

Intracortical recordings can be used to voluntarily control external devices brain-machine interfaces (BMI). Multiple factors, including the foreign body response (FBR), limit the stability of these neural signals over time. Current clinically approved devices consist of multi-electrode arrays with a single electrode site at the tip of each shank, confining the recording interface to a single layer of the cortex.

Reducing Behavioral Detection Thresholds per Electrode Synchronous, Spatially-Dependent Intracortical Microstimulation.

Intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) has shown promise in restoring quality of life to patients suffering from paralysis, specifically when used in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1). However, these benefits can be hampered by long-term degradation of electrode performance due to the brain's foreign body response. Advances in microfabrication techniques have allowed for the development of neuroprostheses with subcellular electrodes, which are characterized by greater versatility and a less detrimental immune response during chronic use.