Dr Ulrich Hofmann on staying in the mainstream but exploring the fringes of Neurotechnology
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
Release Date: 06/28/2021
Ignacio Sáez - Neurotechnology for Cognition: Recording and Modulating the Human Brain
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, host Dr. Ladan Jiracek sits down with Dr. , , whose lab uses intracranial brain recordings to study the biology of human cognition. Ignacio shares how cutting-edge neurotechnology like iEEG can reveal the neural dynamics behind decision-making, risk, memory, and brain states - and how those insights could unlock more targeted neuromodulation therapies for psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. Top 3 Takeaways: Epilepsy patients undergoing seizure monitoring often have 100-200 electrodes implanted in their brains and may...
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Dr. Ladan Jiracek - My PhD Defense, LCP Neural Implants, and What’s Next
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this solo episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, host Dr. Ladan Jiracek shares the story behind finally completing his PhD at the University of Florida - from the highs of passing his dissertation defense to the long, frustrating, and deeply technical journey of developing liquid crystal polymer (LCP)-based neural implants. I break down why LCP is so promising for long-term implantable devices, how delamination and bonding challenges became the core focus of his dissertation, and what it took to fabricate ultra-thin polymer electrodes approaching “biological invisibility.” I also...
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Paul Goode: Implantable Glucose Monitoring—and a Neural Interface Twist
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode, Paul Goode (Glucotrack) dives into the next wave of continuous glucose monitoring: an active, fully implantable CGM designed to deliver long-term, pacemaker-style reliability without external wearables. We discuss first-in-human progress, why implantables may change diabetes care at home, and a fascinating neural angle—how similar chemistry and form factors could be adapted to epidural glucose sensing and even paired with neural recording electrodes to capture metabolic and neural data together. If you care about closed-loop systems, chronic implants, or bridging...
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Fabio Boi on Corticale’s Ultra-Dense, Minimally Invasive Brain Interfaces
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, I speak with , Co-Founder and CSO of , an Italian neurotech company that is redefining the landscape of brain-computer interfaces. Corticale is pioneering a new generation of minimally invasive, CMOS-based neural implants that can record from thousands of neurons simultaneously—introducing their flagship technology, SiNAPS. Fabio walks us through how SiNAPS achieves single-cell resolution recordings via its 1024-electrode array, enabling high-fidelity access to both action potentials and local field potentials deep within cortical tissue. We...
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Ben Woodington on Coherence Bio's Revolutionary Cancer Reprogramming Approach
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, we sit down with , co-founder of , a groundbreaking medical technology company pioneering a new frontier in cancer treatment. By integrating neurotechnology, neurobiology, and machine learning, Coherence is building a platform that doesn't just fight cancer—it manages it in real time. Ben shares how Coherence is moving beyond the traditional "cut, burn, poison" model of oncology, and instead focusing on precision neuromodulation to monitor and control cancer progression—offering hope for 24/7 adaptive treatment with fewer side effects and...
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Dr Christian Wende on European IP Strategy, Medtech Patents & the UPC
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode, we dive into the world of European intellectual property and medtech innovation with , a German and European Patent Attorney specializing in medical technology at . With a background in mechanical engineering, a Ph.D. in liver dialysis research, and a Master of Laws in European IP law, Christian brings a rare and powerful combination of technical, legal, and clinical insight. We explore how startups and investors should think about IP strategy in Europe, the impact of the new Unified Patent Court (UPC), the nuances between U.S. and EU patent landscapes, and how IP due...
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Inside AIMD: Building the Future of Implantable Devices with Nicolas Barabino & Antoni Ivarra
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this special episode recorded after the workshop in Barcelona, I talk with and , two of the key organizers behind the . We dive into the vision behind this growing event, which brings together top researchers, engineers, clinicians, and entrepreneurs to explore the cutting edge of implantable medical devices. Nicolas and Antoni share insights on the evolution of AIMD technologies, the role of multidisciplinary collaboration, and how this annual workshop is shaping the next generation of innovators. We also touch on the challenges that startups face in the space—regulatory hurdles, IP...
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Chad Andresen on Lunosa’s Injectable Neurostimulator and Lessons from Stimwave
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode, we sit down with , Chief Business Officer of , to explore a groundbreaking approach to treating obstructive sleep apnea. Lunosa is developing a self-expanding, injectable neurostimulator that aims to replace invasive facial surgeries with a minimally invasive, high-impact solution — tapping into a $10 billion market. Chad also reflects on his time at , a pioneering neuromodulation company that saw both innovation and controversy. He shares insights from testifying against Stimwave’s former CEO, lessons learned from the company’s collapse, and how those experiences shape...
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Frederik Ceyssens and the ReVision Implant Team: Building a Visual Cortical Prosthesis to Restore Sight
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this special on-location episode recorded in Leuven, Belgium, we sit down with the co-founders and technical leaders of — (CEO), (CTO), and (CSO). The team shares their journey developing a high-density, intracortical visual prosthesis aimed at restoring vision for the blind. From developing reliable insertion technology to achieving long-term biocompatibility in nonhuman primate models, ReVision Implant is at the forefront of neurotech innovation. Tune in to hear about their challenges, breakthroughs, and what’s next in the race to cure blindness through brain stimulation. This...
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Julio Martinez-Clark: Accelerating Clinical Trials Through Latin America with Bioaccess
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode, we speak with , CEO and co-founder of , a contract research organization helping Medtech and Biopharma startups slash months off their clinical timelines. With a focus on Latin America, Bioaccess enables early feasibility and first-in-human trials to be conducted faster, more affordably, and with high-quality data suitable for FDA and EU submissions. Julio shares how their global site network—built over 20 years—helps startups navigate regulatory hurdles, reduce costs, and de-risk innovation, all while improving patient lives in emerging markets. This episode is sponsored...
info_outlineUlrich Hofmann is a Professor at the University of Freiburg in Germany working on some of the cutting edge and newest things in the field of neurotechnology.
Top Three Takeaways
- The 8 micron limit for not causing a foreign body response might actually be closer to 1 micron
- Magnetoelectric nanoparticles might be the solution towards getting to the dream of having a 0 dimensional neural probe
- Neural Implants seem to activate those genes found in brain tumors
3:00 "You're working in Freiburg, which is bottom southwest corner of Germany, but I actually just found out that you don't live there. Where do you live?"
4:00 "Do you want to describe your work a little bit and how you've gotten into neural implants?"
6:30 "So do you want to talk a little bit about how, what you've been, what you've been up to the last few years, if you want to, the direction you're going?"
11:45 " What I was taught is below eight microns it's invisible to the body, but before the show started, you were saying, it actually might be one micron. Do you want to explain this a little bit?"
15:00 "So I want to go back to the transcriptomics, what have you been finding out?
19:45 "So deep brain stimulators, DBS has been around for decades. Wouldn't, we have seen it in something like that?"
21:00 "It seems like you've had a lot of transitions in your career and even now you seem to have these four or five-year sections and then you completely switch. Is that accurate?"
24:00 "So what did you tell the selection committee when you were becoming a professor, what was the purpose or what was the disease that you were trying to cure with that?"
31:00 "Is there anything that we didn't talk about that you wanted to mention?"