Stentrode brain implant to help people with paralysis communicate
SWITCH Trial: Early Feasibility Study of Stentrode BCI for Augmentative Communication
A small, stent-like brain implant called the Stentrode aims to let people with severe paralysis use their thoughts to control a computer for communication.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Carnegie-Mellon University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140500 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have a thin, self-expanding, stent-like sensor placed via a catheter into a blood vessel near the surface of your brain to pick up neural signals from the motor cortex. A fully implanted wireless unit sends those signals to an external mobile processor that converts them into commands for a computer or spelling interface. The device uses a 16-channel sensor array and is designed to be implanted without open brain surgery. The trial will follow participants after implantation to monitor safety, device function, and whether the system enables reliable communication.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with severe paralysis (for example from ALS) who have lost or greatly reduced speech and hand function but are medically stable for an endovascular implant and can participate in training and follow-up visits.
Not a fit: People with intact speech and hand function, those medically ineligible for an implant, or those with cognitive impairments that prevent using the system are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could restore direct thought-controlled communication for people with severe paralysis, improving independence and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Other early human BCI trials, including prior first-in-human work with the Stentrode, have shown promising communication results but the approach remains early and not widely available.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- Carnegie-Mellon University — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weber, Douglas J — Carnegie-Mellon University
- Study coordinator: Weber, Douglas J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.