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
Release Date: 06/16/2025
Samuel Browd | Venture Studios, BCI, and Digital Neurosurgery
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
Dr. is a pediatric neurosurgeon, at the University of Washington, and Co-CEO/Chief Medical Officer of , a venture studio focused on neurological technologies. In this episode, we discuss his path from early neuroscience research and pediatric neurosurgery into device development, brain-computer interfaces, and the challenge of moving promising neurotechnology from universities into real clinical use. We also explore the idea of “digital neurosurgery”: how neurosurgery still captures enormous amounts of valuable data in analog or siloed ways, why AI and computer vision may reshape...
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Jin Hyung Lee | Visualizing Brain Circuits with EEG and AI
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
is an associate professor at Stanford and founder of , a company translating years of brain circuit research into clinical software for neurological care. In this episode, we discuss how her team thinks about the brain as a circuit system, why neurological disorders can be difficult to diagnose with today’s tools, and how LVIS’s NeuroMatch platform aims to use EEG data to visualize brain network function in a more accessible way. We also talk about why EEG remains clinically useful despite its limitations, how software can help clean and interpret noisy brain signals, and why Dr. Lee...
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JB (NextSense) | Ear EEG Earbuds That Measure and Improve Sleep
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, , founder and CEO of , discusses how his team is transforming ordinary-looking earbuds into wearable brain interfaces capable of recording EEG directly from the ear. Originally incubated inside Google X before spinning out as an independent company, NextSense combines consumer electronics with neuroscience to monitor sleep, enhance slow-wave activity through closed-loop audio stimulation, and explore future applications ranging from epilepsy forecasting to Alzheimer's disease monitoring. We also discuss the engineering challenges of ear EEG,...
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Ali Samiian - The Hidden Barrier That Kills Neurotech Startups
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, host Dr. Ladan Jiracek speaks with , founder of , about one of the most overlooked challenges in neurotechnology and medical devices: reimbursement. Ali has spent over 20 years working across pharma, medical devices, and neuromodulation, including leadership roles at Abbott, Novartis, and Cala Health, where he helped secure reimbursement for a first-in-class wearable neuromodulation therapy for essential tremor. In this conversation, Ali explains why FDA approval alone is often not enough for a company to succeed, and why coding, coverage, and...
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Ellyn Ito - MindVibe and Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Stress and Focus
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, host Dr. Ladan Jiracek speaks with , CEO and co-founder of , about their wearable neurotechnology platform and flagship product, MindVibe. This non-invasive device combines vagus nerve stimulation and acupressure-based neuromodulation to help regulate the body’s stress response and improve overall wellness. Ellyn shares how MindVibe is designed to promote calm, enhance focus, and improve sleep quality through ultra-low electrical stimulation that users don’t even feel. The conversation explores the science behind multi-mode stimulation, why...
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Dr. Christian Iorio-Morin - From Gamma Knife to Neuroprosthetics: The Future of Functional Neurosurgery
Neural Implant podcast - the people behind Brain-Machine Interface revolutions
In this episode of the Neural Implant Podcast, host Dr. Ladan Jiracek speaks with , functional neurosurgeon and professor at the , about the evolving landscape of neurosurgery—from treating movement disorders and chronic pain to pushing the boundaries of paralysis recovery. Christian shares insights from his clinical work using gamma knife surgery, neuromodulation, and microvascular techniques, as well as his leadership on the RE-MOVE project, a large-scale initiative aiming to restore movement by reconnecting the brain and spinal cord through implantable technology. The conversation...
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Omari Bouknight - Resonant Link Medical and the Next Generation of Wirelessly Powered Neurotech
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 , CEO of , to explore how advances in wireless power transfer are reshaping the future of implantable medical devices. Omari shares how traditional power limitations have historically constrained device design—and how Resonant Link Medical’s technology is turning power into an enabler, allowing for smaller, smarter, and longer-lasting implants. The conversation dives into real-world applications across neurotech and beyond, including how faster, more efficient wireless charging could unlock advanced...
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Francesco Petrini - SensArs and the Future of Sensory Neuroprosthetics for Diabetic Neuropathy
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 Francesco Petrini, co-founder and CEO of SensArs, to discuss how intraneural stimulation could help restore sensation in patients with diabetic neuropathy. Francesco explains how loss of feeling in the feet can lead to unnoticed injuries, chronic wounds, and even amputations - and why rebuilding sensory feedback could dramatically improve quality of life. The conversation explores SensArs’ approach to neuromodulation and what it takes to translate sensory neuroprosthetics into real-world clinical impact. Top...
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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...
info_outlineIn this special on-location episode recorded in Leuven, Belgium, we sit down with the co-founders and technical leaders of ReVision Implant—Frederik Ceyssens (CEO), Maarten Schelles (CTO), and Laurens Goyvaerts (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 episode is sponsored by Black Swan IP – patent strategy and legal support for neurotech innovators. Learn more at www.blackswan-ip.com/
Top 3 Takeaways:
- Future users of ReVision's visual prosthesis express diverse goals—from navigating unfamiliar cities independently to recognizing familiar faces—highlighting the need for customizable solutions with both wide fields of view and high resolution.
- The team is exploring adaptive algorithms that could allow users to toggle between broad, low-resolution views and focused, high-resolution modes—such as reading letters or recognizing faces—offering personalized visual strategies even if only a few thousand stimulation points are achievable.
- Restoring vision is one of the most challenging neurotech applications—far beyond simply upgrading existing DBS systems—but taking that bold leap sets ReVision Implant apart in a space where few dare to innovate at this scale.
1:00 Do you want to introduce yourselves and your company?
6:30 What is the device and how is it different than other companies?
11:15 How many pixels or phosphenes are you expecting to get?
16:00 How much processing will be required to handle that many channels?
17:00 What is the form factor of the device?
18:15 How long is the battery expected to last?
23:30 What kind of acceleration would you expect from investment?
26:00 How does your fabrication process look?
31:30 Sponsorship by blackswan-ip
32:15 Are you also looking at vision augmentation?
35:00 There's a large graveyard in this visual neuroprosthetics space, why do you think you will survive where others have died?
40:30 Did some of the other companies have technical issues that caused them to die?
45:30 Is there anything that we didn't talk about that you wanted to mention?