Neurostimulation - a new word in the treatment of neurological diseases

The human brain is a highly complex network of approximately 100 billion neurons. It controls the work of our body, as well as conscious and subconscious processes. During communication, neurons generate measurable electrical discharges. Such signals occur in certain patterns, so they can be used to study the deep mechanisms of brain activity. CorTec Brain Interchange – it is an implantable technology that allows you to continuously record and stimulate brain activity over a long period of time. The closed system CorTec Brain Interchange allows you to control neurostimulation online based on constantly recorded brain activity.

CorTec Brain Interchange – innovative brain neurostimulation implant

Movements, even imaginary ones, respond with characteristic patterns that can be seen in brain signals. Thus, for example, it is possible to trace the mechanism of occurrence of epileptic seizures. On the other hand, brain activity can be influenced by stimulus impulses directed from outside. This is the starting point of neurotherapy.

Neurotherapy – the ability to treat certain diseases through neurostimulation of the brain and control the course of therapy.

While the neurotechnological implants available on the market today work through fixed, continuous brain stimulation, CorTec Brain Interchange allows for gentler and more effective treatment through direct communication with the brain.

The CorTec Brain Interchange system consists of 3 components:

Intelligent Implant
1. consisting of:

multichannel electrodes designed to record and stimulate brain activity (ECoG microelectrodes or deep stimulation wire electrodes);

• the electrodes are connected to a sealed electronic unit that receives and digitizes the brain signals recorded by the electrodes; this unit also generates electrical impulses and sends them through the electrodes to stimulate the brain.

The telemetry unit
2. , which is attached to the skin opposite the sealed electronic unit, controls the optical communication with the implant and supplies it with energy. Via wireless communication or a USB cable, the telemetry unit communicates with
adaptive, portable software
3. that analyzes and processes the recorded signals in real time in order to determine the current need for patient brain stimulation or send signals for purposes device diagnostics and management.
As with a cochlear implant, certain parts of the system (depending on the application) must be implanted: the electrode covers different areas of the sensory and motor cortex. It connects to an internal control device that can be placed subcutaneously (i.e. under the skin behind the patient's ear). Outside, the user wears a small connector device that is connected to the central control system and transmits data and power.

What makes the CorTec Brain Interchange neurostimulation device unique

CorTec Brain Interchange – main innovative features:

closed system: possibility to adjust therapy according to current needs;

• large number of channels: large database;
• does not penetrate the brain tissue: long-term treatment and no scarring;
• no batteries: power supply by induction;
• Long service life due to selection of special materials.

New technology will help in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological diseases.

In the treatment of which diseases the presented neurostimulation device can be used:

muscular dystrophy;

• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis;
• spinal paralysis;
• epilepsy;
• brain tumors (for diagnosis and precision in surgery).
The developers of the CorTec Brain Interchange technology (CorTec GmbH, Germany), based on the latest research, are convinced that neurostimulation to influence brain activity will help in the treatment of a number of neurological diseases.