How Brain-Computer Interfaces Are Mapping the Future of Neurotechnology

Ariana Wilson and Mark Drlik seated against a white background, wearing lavalier microphones. The woman on the left has long brown curly hair and is wearing a beige cardigan over a taupe top. The man on the right is wearing glasses and a blue button-up shirt. They appear to be engaged in conversation or a video interview.
Resources

How Brain-Computer Interfaces Are Mapping the Future of Neurotechnology

YouTube video thumbnail

In this episode of MedDevice by Design, we explore the world of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and the challenges of capturing thought into action. Mark Drlik and Ariana Wilson walk through how these systems translate brain activity into control signals for devices—without needing surgical implants.

What Is a Brain-Computer Interface?

A brain-computer interface captures electrical signals in the brain and maps them to physical or digital actions. Many BCIs use EEG (electroencephalography) to read brain activity from outside the skull and convert patterns into commands. These signals are then interpreted in real time to drive assistive technologies or interact with digital systems.

Key Technical and Ethical Challenges

One challenge is signal noise—especially for non-invasive EEG systems that must read through the skull. Another is user variability, since everyone’s brain activity is slightly different. Ethical concerns around data privacy are significant, as BCIs collect sensitive neurological data. Processing speed is also an issue: the brain fires up to 100 million action potentials per second, at speeds reaching 120 meters per second.

How BCIs Are Being Used

Current BCI applications include neurorehabilitation for people with paralysis or ALS, and emerging uses in gaming and virtual reality. Companies like Neuralink are exploring implanted interfaces, while open-source projects like OpenBCI and institutions like MIT and Stanford lead the research front.

Learn more about StarFish Medical.

Futuristic laboratory with multiple glowing blue cylindrical tanks emitting mist. A red arrow points to one tank. Overlay text reads: ‘Bacta tank. For real?’ in bold white letters on a black background.

Star Wars Bacta Tank in Real Life

Ariana Wilson and Mark Drlik take inspiration from a scene in The Empire Strikes Back to talk about real-world parallels to the Star Wars bacta tank.

A medical professional wearing a white coat and blue gloves holds a red cooler labeled ‘Organ Transport.’ Overlay text reads: ‘The call came’ in bold black letters on a white highlight.

Organ Transplant Logistics in Device Design

In this Before the Build episode, Eric Olson and Paul Charlebois dive into the importance of organ transplant logistics when designing effective medical devices.

A vial of orange liquid with a radiation symbol and a syringe sit on a reflective metal surface in front of a large medical imaging machine. The overlay text reads: "Radioactive. On Purpose?" in bold black font on a white rounded background.

Radiopharmaceutical Device Development Explained

Radiopharmaceutical device development is gaining momentum as medical teams explore new frontiers in diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment.

Surgeon practicing on a surgical simulator during a medical training session in a clinical environment

The importance of a user-centered design approach to training: A case study

The simplest and least expensive way to train users of medical devices is to ask them study the Instructions for Use (IFU) beforehand.