Synchron has paused clinical trials of its brain-computer interface after the latest version of the implant underperformed. The startup confirmed the hold and said it will upgrade the device’s hardware.
The company is also developing a new device to replace the current model. No timeline has been given for when trials might resume or when the new implant will be ready.
Synchron’s implant is inserted through a blood vessel rather than open-brain surgery. This less invasive approach had set the company apart from competitors in the brain-computer interface field.
The device is designed to help people with severe paralysis control digital tools using thought. It reads neural signals and converts them into commands for computers and other devices.
The trial pause marks a setback for Synchron, which had been viewed as a leading contender in the sector. Its catheter-based method was seen as a safer alternative to implants requiring craniotomy.
Performance problems with the latest hardware prompted the decision to stop testing in human patients. Details on the specific issues were not disclosed.
The company says the upgrade work is already underway. It has not indicated whether existing trial participants will be affected by the pause.
