While companies like Neuralink popularize assistive BCIs for controlling external devices, a different segment is focused on therapeutic applications. Companies like InBrain aim not to control computers but to use high-resolution interfaces to directly heal or modulate neural circuits for treating diseases.
For decades, the efficacy of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) has been hampered by metal electrodes that are too rigid for soft brain tissue. This mechanical mismatch causes chronic inflammation, scar tissue, and signal degradation, creating a significant obstacle for long-term therapeutic implants.
Graphene's combination of extreme flexibility, superior conductivity, and biocompatibility directly addresses the failures of rigid metal electrodes. This allows for high-resolution BCIs that conform to the brain's surface, enabling more precise and stable neural stimulation and recording for long-term treatment.