Onward Medical, a pioneering startup, achieved a remarkable milestone as it announced the successful installation of its revolutionary brainwave-driven implantable electrode array. This groundbreaking achievement aims to restore function and sensation to a patient’s hands and arms, offering newfound hope in the realm of medical innovation. It follows a similar milestone just five months ago when the company implanted a comparable system to aid a patient in regaining a more natural walking gait.
Versatile ARC Nerve Stimulation System
The ARC nerve stimulation therapy system developed by Onward Medical offers multiple applications, catering to a range of medical issues. The ARC-EX, an external, non-invasive stimulator array, is designed to sit on the lower back, assisting in regulating bladder control, blood pressure, and enhancing limb function and control. In a previous study conducted in May, the ARC-EX, in conjunction with a BCI controller from CEA-Clinatec, created a “digital bridge” to address spinal column deficits, enabling a more natural walking gait for the patient.
Implantable ARC-IM Transforms Lives
The latest achievement involves the ARC-IM, an implantable version of Onward Medical’s stimulator array. This device is strategically positioned near the spinal cord and is operated through wearable components and a smartwatch. Notably, the ARC-IM had previously empowered paralyzed patients to stand and walk short distances independently, earning it an FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in 2020.
The Intricate Process: Bridging Brain and Movement
A team of medical professionals, led by neurosurgeon Dr. Jocelyne Bloch, performed the implantation of the ARC-IM and the Clinatec BCI into a 46-year-old patient suffering from a C4 spinal injury in mid-August. The Clinatec BCI, equipped with hair-thin leads, captures electrical signals in the patient’s brain, converting them into digital format for machine interpretation. A machine learning AI then deciphers the patient’s electrical signals and sends commands to the implanted stimulator array. This collaborative system translates the patient’s intentions into computer-controlled movement.
Hope for the Future
While the effectiveness of this translation remains to be fully realized, the patient is expected to adapt to the new system over time. Dr. Bloch stated, “We are now working with the patient to use this cutting-edge innovation to recover movement of his arms, hands, and fingers. We look forward to sharing more information in due course.”
Onward CEO Dave Marver expressed optimism about the therapy’s potential, stating, “If the therapy continues to show promise, it is possible it could reach patients by the end of the decade.” Importantly, Onward aims to expedite the commercialization of its external spinal cord stimulation solution, ARC-EX Therapy, to restore hand and arm function, with a targeted release in the second half of 2024.
Onward Medical is part of a growing field of BCI-based startups that are harnessing this emerging technology to address various medical conditions. Their applications encompass limb loss, self-regulatory function recovery post-stroke or spinal cord injury, physical rehabilitation, and communication assistance for individuals with Locked-In Syndrome. The transformative potential of brainwave-driven implants offers a glimpse into a future where medical breakthroughs redefine the boundaries of possibility in healthcare.
