What is Neuroprosthetics?

Devices that replace or restore lost neural function by interfacing with the nervous system, encompassing both motor prosthetics (restoring movement or communication) and sensory prosthetics (restoring vision, hearing, or touch).

What category does Neuroprosthetics belong to in BCI?

Neuroprosthetics is a Core Concepts concept in brain-computer interface science.

Neuroprosthetics — BCI Glossary

Neuroprosthetics is the field of devices that interface with the nervous system to restore lost sensory or motor function. The term encompasses both BCIs (which decode neural signals to generate outputs) and neurostimulators (which deliver electrical signals to the nervous system). In practice, the most advanced neuroprosthetic systems do both — recording neural activity to decode intent and delivering stimulation to muscles or sensory areas to restore function.

Motor Neuroprosthetics

Motor neuroprosthetics restore movement or communication abilities lost to neurological injury or disease:

Brain-to-computer BCIs: Decode motor cortex signals to control computers, cursors, and communication devices (Neuralink N1, BrainGate, Synchron Stentrode)
Functional electrical stimulation (FES): Electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves or muscles, triggered by decoded neural intent, to drive limb movement in paralyzed patients. Ian Burkhart (2016) restored voluntary hand movement using a Utah Array BCI combined with a sleeve of FES electrodes.
Robotic arm control: Decoded motor cortex signals drive a prosthetic or external robotic arm, providing reach and grasp function for paralyzed individuals.

Sensory Neuroprosthetics

Sensory neuroprosthetics restore or create sensory perception by stimulating sensory pathways:

Cochlear implants: The most successful neuroprosthetic device, with ~700,000 patients worldwide. Electrically stimulates the auditory nerve to restore hearing in profoundly deaf individuals.
Retinal implants: Argus II (Second Sight) stimulated the retina to restore rudimentary vision in blind patients.
Cortical visual prosthetics: Orion (Second Sight) stimulates visual cortex directly, bypassing the eye and optic nerve.
Somatosensory feedback: Bidirectional BCIs that deliver somatosensory cortex stimulation synchronized with prosthetic limb touch sensors, restoring tactile perception.

Closed-Loop Neuroprosthetics

The most advanced neuroprosthetic systems close the loop between recording and stimulation — decoding neural intent to drive stimulation that itself alters neural activity or produces therapeutic effects. Examples include NeuroPace RNS (detects and responds to seizures), Medtronic Percept PC adaptive DBS (adjusts stimulation based on beta LFP), and ONWARD Medical's brain-spine interface (decodes locomotor intent to drive spinal cord stimulation enabling walking).