Second implantation at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle marks continued progress in the FDA-approved study informed by promising results from the first participant.

Freiburg, Germany, February 10, 2026 – CorTec GmbH, a pioneer in active implantable medical technologies, today announced the successful second implantation of its proprietary BrainComputer Interface (BCI) system, the Brain Interchange™, in an FDA-approved clinical trial involving stroke patients at Harborview Medical Center, a major site of UW Medicine. The implantation follows encouraging neurological gains observed in the study’s first participant, whose rehabilitation progress has strengthened confidence in CorTec’s fully implantable platform for stroke recovery. This represents another key milestone in the joint effort to evaluate CorTec’s fully implantable closed-loop BCI platform, developed and manufactured entirely in Germany, for  therapeutic applications in neurological disorders.

This second procedure took place in early February at Harborview Medical Center (Seattle) under an  FDA Investigational Device Exemption (IDE). Led by Principal Investigator Jeffrey G. Ojemann, MD, from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle and Co PI Professor Steven C. Cramer  from the University of California, Los Angeles, the trial gathers initial safety data and evaluates whether direct cortical electrical stimulation can enhance upper-limb motor recovery in stroke patients. The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“The procedure went smoothly, and the participant is recovering as expected,” said Dr. Martin Schuettler, CTO of CorTec. “Having supported the implantation of our BCI system on site for a second  time, it is inspiring to see how seamlessly our teams at CorTec and UW Medicine work together. This kind of clinical and technical research collaboration is essential to deliver these procedures safely. With each step, we gain important insights that strengthen our confidence in the future of this technology.”

Jeffrey G. Ojemann, MD, Vice Chair and Professor of Neurological Surgery, University of  Washington School of Medicine, commented: “We are very encouraged by the outcome of this second implantation and pleased with the participant’s steady recovery. The notable rehabilitation progress and meaningful neurological gains observed in our first study participant using CorTec’s BCI system has led us to this next phase. Each procedure helps us refine safe clinical practices for this emerging neurotechnology and explore its potential to improve outcomes for patients in the future.”

With two successful surgeries completed at Harborview Medical Center, the study will enroll further participants and continue to gather neural and behavioral data. CorTec’s implantable closed-loop BCI platform is designed to continuously record and interpret neural activity with high fidelity and deliver targeted electrical stimulation in real time. This novel approach enables highly precise and personalized neurotherapeutic interventions by enhancing neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to reorganize neural networks – and explores whether lost functions can be relearned, potentially accelerating and improving patient rehabilitation through the integration of engineering, neurophysiology, and machine learning.

“This second implantation is a milestone for our technology and the progress of our clinical program,” said Dr. Frank Desiere, CEO of CorTec. “More importantly, it brings us closer to realizing the potential of a new class of neurotherapeutic solutions that could meaningfully improve outcomes for patients with neurological conditions and lays the groundwork for the next phase of clinical and technology development.”

CorTec will continue to share updates as the study progresses, and additional insights emerge.

Go to the PDF download of this press release (English Version).

Go to the PDF download of this press release (German Version).

 

Contact:

CorTec GmbH
Carolina Remke – Head of Marketing
pr@cortec-neuro.com
www.cortec-neuro.com
Fon.: +49 (0)761 70 888 200

Media Support:

MC Services AG
Katja Arnold, Dr. Johanna Kobler, Kaja Skorka
cortec@mc-services.eu
Phone.: +49 (0)89- 210 228-0

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Disclaimer: The research reported in this publication is supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number UH3NS121565. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
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Der Beitrag CorTec Announces Successful Second Human Implantation of Its Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) System erschien zuerst auf CorTec | Thinking ahead – Innovation in Neurotechnology.

Early in the year, we entered into a strategic partnership with Heraeus Medevio. Together combine our strengths in development, prototyping, small series production and large series production.  This way both companies create scalable, high-quality solutions, ensure seamless transition from development to production and bring more innovations to our customer.

Another important step was welcoming Frank Desiere as our new CEO, who together with our leadership team is shaping the next chapter of CorTec. Looking ahead, this leadership team is laying the groundwork for scaling our impact and advancing bold ambitions in neurotechnology.

The biggest highlight of the year was undoubtedly the First in Human implantation of our Brain Interchange System, a historic achievement not only for our company but also for the field of neurotechnology. This milestone demonstrates how close we are to bringing our technology into clinical application and how impactful it can be for the future of medicine. In December 2025 the University of Washington shared the inspiring journey of the patient Matt, who received our Brain Interchange System in July. Movements that were restricted by a stroke are returning thanks to our technology.

Beyond this breakthrough, we experienced many other memorable moments: our CTO Martin Schuettler delivered an inspiring TEDx Talk in Freiburg, sharing the possibility of our technology. Under the Titel “Brain Implants – Blessing for Patients – Superpower for all?” he demonstrated that these implants not only help people with neurological disorders, but also can have applications outside the field of medicine.

We showcased our innovations at major international conferences and trade fairs such as SfN, MD&M, and Compamed, where we connected with partners, experts, and visionaries from around the world. Under the leadership of our COO Oliver Bärtl, numerous exciting projects took shape, laying the foundation for what is to come in 2026.

Yet above all, the greatest highlight remains our amazing team. With passion, creativity, and dedication, you made 2025 a year we will never forget. A huge THANK YOU also goes out to our customers and partners – with your trust, collaboration, and support, we reached one of the most important milestones in company history. Without you, none of this would have been possible. 🙌

Here’s to a 2026 full of smart solutions, exciting collaborations, and perhaps a surprise or two that we already have in mind. Together, we are shaping the future of neurotechnology.

Thank you for an unforgettable year and cheers to a successful 2026! 🎉

Link to Press Releases:

Strategic Partnership Medevio: https://cortec-neuro.com/marking-a-new-era-in-medical-device-development-cortec-announces-strategic-partnership-with-us-based-heraeus-medevio/

Frank joins leadership Team at CorTec: https://cortec-neuro.com/cortec-welcomes-dr-frank-desiere-as-chief-executive-officer/

First in Human Implantation: https://cortec-neuro.com/first-human-implantation-of-a-bci-made-in-germany/

TedXTalk by Martin: https://cortec-neuro.com/a-breakthrough-after-a-stroke/

UW Update on Patient Matt: https://cortec-neuro.com/a-breakthrough-after-a-stroke/

Der Beitrag 2025 in Review erschien zuerst auf CorTec | Thinking ahead – Innovation in Neurotechnology.

Freiburg, Germany, July 29, 2025 – CorTec GmbH, a pioneer in active implantable medical technologies, today announced the first human implantation of its proprietary BCI system, Brain  Interchange™, marking a pivotal advance in translating laboratory research into real-world clinical applications.

The procedure took place in late July at Harborview Medical Center (Seattle) under an FDA  Investigational Device Exemption (IDE). Led by Principal Investigator Jeffrey G. Ojemann, MD, from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle and Co PI Professor Steven C. Cramer from the University of California, Los Angeles, this trial will gather initial safety data and evaluate whether direct cortical electrical stimulation can enhance upper-limb motor recovery in stroke patients. The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“We’re thrilled to share that the implantation procedure was a success and, most importantly, the patient is in good condition and recovering well from the surgery. We’re incredibly grateful for this initial outcome in our first study participant. Both the therapeutic strategy and the technology we are using are entirely novel. While we proceed with careful optimism, the potential benefits for patients are promising,” commented Jeffrey G. Ojemann, MD, Vice Chair and Professor of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine.

This novel approach offers highly precise and personalized treatment for neurological conditions. The implant system continuously records brain activity, instantly interpreting signals and delivering targeted electrical stimulation in real time to enhance neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize neural networks. The study explores whether this can help the brain relearn lost functions, thereby accelerating and improving rehabilitation of patients.

“The first implantation of our BCI marks a milestone for European medical neurotechnology and underscores CorTec’s emergence as Germany’s first implantable BCI developer, ready to compete on the global stage,” said Dr. Frank Desiere, CEO of CorTec. “Building on our extensive experience in developing advanced components and active implantable systems, our proprietary cutting-edge BCI system is now entering human clinical testing, aiming to help people affected by neurological diseases recover lost function and enhance their quality of life. We are proud of this new era of innovation and are committed to expanding the possibilities of neurotechnology to improve outcomes for patients.”

Today in the US and Europe alone, 1.7 million people annually have a stroke that frequently involves loss of upper limb function. While physical therapy alone can help many patients regain function, it is sometimes not sufficient. Patients with a BCI may benefit from neuroplasticity-inducing stimulation during their rehabilitation. Regaining control of their upper limbs would enable patients to be more independent and have a better quality of life.

“This breakthrough opens the door to therapies that were once unimaginable,” added Dr. Martin Schuettler, CTO of CorTec. “For the first time, our BCI system connects wirelessly to external hardware – no cables, no physical links. This approach is part of the transformation of neurological therapies worldwide, built on a technology platform that can be tailored to multiple neurological conditions, delivering real-time, patient-specific treatment. I’m incredibly proud of our team and our partners, in particular Jeffrey G. Ojemann and Jeffrey Herron of UW Medicine, who turned years of research into real hope for patients.

Go to the PDF download of this press release (English Version).

Go to the PDF download of this press release (German Version).

Contact:

CorTec GmbH
Carolina Remke – Head of Marketing
pr@cortec-neuro.com
www.cortec-neuro.com
Fon.: +49 (0)761 70 888 200

Media Support:

MC Services AG
Katja Arnold, Dr. Johanna Kobler, Kaja Skorka
cortec@mc-services.eu
Phone.: +49 (0)89- 210 228-0

______________________________________________________________________________________
Disclaimer: The research reported in this publication is supported by the National Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number UH3NS121565. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
______________________________________________________________________________________

Der Beitrag CorTec Announces Neurotech Milestone: First Human Implantation of a Brain-Computer Interface made in Germany erschien zuerst auf CorTec | Thinking ahead – Innovation in Neurotechnology.