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The BISC implant shown here is roughly as thick as a human hair. Credit: Columbia Engineering |
By Charles Mkoka
Researchers in the United States have developed an ultra-thin neural implant capable of creating a high-bandwidth wireless connection between the human brain and computers, a breakthrough that could significantly advance the treatment of neurological disorders such as epilepsy, paralysis, and blindness.
The device, known as the Biological Interface System to Cortex (BISC), is a brain-computer interface built around a single silicon chip small enough to be inserted through a minimal opening in the skull. Despite its size, the implant contains tens of thousands of microscopic electrodes designed to record detailed neural activity with high precision.
Developed through a collaboration between Columbia University, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Stanford University, and the University of Pennsylvania, BISC represents a major step toward more scalable and less invasive neural interfaces.
Unlike earlier brain-computer interfaces that rely on bulky hardware and wired connections, BISC uses a wireless, high-bandwidth system that allows large volumes of neural data to be transmitted in real time to external computers. The system is designed to support advanced artificial intelligence models capable of decoding movement, perception, and human intent directly from brain signals.
Early clinical studies indicate that the implant can remain stable inside the brain while continuously capturing high-resolution neural activity. Researchers say its ultra-thin profile reduces physical strain on brain tissue, potentially lowering the risk of inflammation and long-term complications.
“The key innovation is combining extreme miniaturisation with very high data transmission capacity,” researchers involved in the project said, noting that previous devices often required trade-offs between size, stability, and performance.
If further trials prove successful, the technology could enable new therapeutic approaches for patients with severe neurological conditions, including restoring communication for people with paralysis, improving seizure monitoring for epilepsy patients, and potentially enabling visual perception in certain forms of blindness.
While the technology is still in the research and early clinical testing phase, local scientists say BISC could help redefine how the brain interacts with machines, opening the door to next-generation neuroprosthetics and brain-based therapies