A pioneering advance in medical technology has been achieved at Salford Royal Hospital in Manchester, where INBRAIN Neuroelectronics has successfully conducted the world’s first human procedure involving a graphene-based brain-computer interface (BCI). The procedure took place during a patient’s brain tumour resection, where the BCI technology demonstrated the ability to differentiate between healthy and cancerous brain tissue with remarkable precision at the micrometre scale.
This significant milestone highlights the potential of graphene-based BCI technology, which extends beyond mere brain signal decoding to become a valuable tool in precision surgery, particularly in the treatment of diseases such as cancer. The clinical investigation was sponsored by the University of Manchester and funded by the European Commission’s Graphene Flagship project.
The study was led by Dr. David Coope, a neurosurgeon at the Manchester Centre for Clinical Neuroscience, and Kostas Kostarelos, Ph.D., a Professor of Nanomedicine at the University of Manchester and Co-Founder of INBRAIN. Dr. Coope expressed his excitement about the implications of this innovative technology: “Graphene provides ultra-high density for sensing and stimulating, which is critical to conduct high precision resections while preserving the patient’s functional capacities, such as movement, language, or cognition.”
Carolina Aguilar, CEO and Co-Founder of INBRAIN, praised the achievement, stating, “The world’s first human application of a graphene-based BCI highlights the transformative impact of graphene-based neural technologies in medicine. This clinical milestone opens a new era for BCI technology, paving the way for advancements in both neural decoding and its application as a therapeutic intervention.”
INBRAIN’s BCI platform takes advantage of graphene’s exceptional properties—its unique combination of electronic and mechanical features makes it an ideal candidate for neurotechnology innovation. Despite being the thinnest known material, graphene is stronger than steel and facilitates enhanced signal fidelity in brain activity capture, particularly in areas where traditional materials face challenges.
As part of the first-in-human study, INBRAIN plans to involve 8 to 10 patients, primarily to assess the safety of using graphene in direct contact with human brain tissue. This study aims to demonstrate the material’s superiority over others in decoding brain functionality, both in awake and asleep states. Dr. Kostarelos noted, “After extensive engineering development and pre-clinical trials, this study is a crucial step toward understanding graphene’s capabilities.”
The integration of graphene with advanced semiconductor technology has enabled INBRAIN to pioneer minimally invasive BCI therapeutics aimed at personalised treatment for neurological disorders. Professor Sir Kostya Novoselov, a Nobel Laureate and Vision Board member of INBRAIN, reflected on the breakthrough, stating, “Witnessing graphene’s exceptional properties unlock new frontiers in medical technology is truly rewarding.”
The study is supported by INBRAIN’s Intelligent Network Decoding & Modulation (BCI-Tx) Platform, which has received Breakthrough Device Designation for Parkinson’s disease from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This platform leverages graphene’s unique characteristics to deliver ultra-high signal resolution and precise modulation of neural networks.
As the study progresses, INBRAIN aims to position itself at the forefront of precision neurology, integrating BCI decoding with high-precision neuromodulation to provide continuous, personalised treatment for patients.
