Today, NEUROBITE Technologies had the privilege of visiting key experts in the field of neurotechnology. Myself and David Nugent visited Dr. Mohammed Akbar Hussain, Neurosurgeon at The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Luke Bashford, Lecturer in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology at Newcastle University. The purpose of our visit was to observe a stereo-electroencephalography (sEEG) procedure, an advanced technique used to localise seizure foci in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.
One of the biggest challenges in the neurotech field is the lack of effective communication between engineers developing neural interfaces and the clinicians who will ultimately use them in treatment. The visit underscored the importance of establishing strong partnerships between these two groups from the very beginning of the R&D process. Ensuring this connection is critical to developing clinically relevant and scalable neurotechnology solutions.
The sEEG procedure itself was both humbling and inspiring. Watching the precision required for this procedure and seeing the seamless teamwork between neurosurgeons, neuroscientists, and engineers was an eye-opening experience. The meticulous planning and careful placement of depth electrodes showcased the incredible fusion of clinical excellence and technological innovation.
For NEUROBITE, this visit reinforced the need for our work to be closely aligned with clinicians’ needs and to support their efforts in improving patient outcomes and comfort. We are committed to ensuring that the bioresorbable neural interfaces we develop are directly relevant to the challenges and opportunities faced by those on the front lines of neurosurgery.
A heartfelt thanks to Akbar, Luke, and the NHS team for their generosity and openness. The valuable insights we gained will directly influence our approach to developing bioresorbable neural interfaces that are tailored to meet clinical needs.