Second implantation at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center signals ongoing progress in the FDA-approved trial, building on positive outcomes from the first study participant
FREIBURG, Germany, Feb. 10, 2026 — CorTec GmbH, a leader in active implantable medical technologies, today revealed the successful second human implantation of its proprietary Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) system, the Brain Interchange™, in an FDA-approved clinical trial for stroke patients at Harborview Medical Center (a key UW Medicine facility). This procedure comes after promising neurological improvements were seen in the trial’s first participant, whose rehabilitation progress has boosted confidence in CorTec’s fully implantable stroke recovery platform. It marks another critical milestone in the collaborative effort to assess CorTec’s German-developed and -manufactured fully implantable closed-loop BCI platform for treating neurological disorders.
The second procedure occurred in early February at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center under an FDA Investigational Device Exemption (IDE). Led by Principal Investigator Dr. Jeffrey G. Ojemann (University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle) and Co-Principal Investigator Prof. Steven C. Cramer (University of California, Los Angeles), the trial collects initial safety data and tests whether direct cortical electrical stimulation can improve upper-limb motor recovery in stroke patients. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds this study.
“The procedure proceeded without issues, and the participant is recovering as anticipated,” stated Dr. Martin Schuettler, CorTec’s Chief Technology Officer. “Having supported the on-site implantation of our BCI system for the second time, it’s motivating to witness the smooth collaboration between CorTec and UW Medicine teams. This type of clinical and technical research partnership is vital for safely performing these procedures. Every step gives us key insights that deepen our confidence in this technology’s future.”
Dr. Jeffrey G. Ojemann, Vice Chair and Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine, commented: “We’re highly encouraged by the second implantation’s result and happy with the participant’s consistent recovery. The significant rehabilitation progress and meaningful neurological improvements in our first trial participant with CorTec’s BCI system have paved the way for this next phase. Each procedure helps us refine safe clinical protocols for this emerging neurotechnology and explore its potential to enhance patient outcomes down the line.”
Following two successful surgeries at Harborview Medical Center, the study will recruit additional participants and keep collecting neural and behavioral data. CorTec’s implantable closed-loop BCI platform is engineered to continuously record and analyze neural activity with high accuracy, plus deliver targeted electrical stimulation in real time. This innovative method enables highly precise, personalized neurotherapeutic treatments by boosting neuroplasticity — the brain’s capacity to reorganize neural networks — and investigates whether lost functions can be regained, potentially speeding up and enhancing patient rehabilitation via the combination of engineering, neurophysiology, and machine learning.
“This second implantation is a milestone for our technology and the advancement of our clinical program,” noted Dr. Frank Desiere, CorTec’s Chief Executive Officer. “Most importantly, it brings us nearer to unlocking the potential of a new category of neurotherapeutic solutions — ones that could significantly improve outcomes for patients with neurological disorders — and sets the stage for the next phase of clinical and technological development.”
CorTec will keep providing updates as the study advances and new insights surface.
About CorTec
CorTec GmbH, established in 2010 in Freiburg, Germany, is a pioneer in active implantable technologies and brain-computer interface (BCI) systems. The firm is a trusted partner for medical device development and manufacturing of advanced components and active implantable systems. Its state-of-the-art technologies fuel innovation across the neurotechnology field — empowering researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders to explore new clinical frontiers and design next-generation medical devices tailored exactly to specific therapeutic needs. Central to CorTec’s portfolio is the Brain Interchange™ System: a fully implantable, wireless investigational device that can sense neural tissue long-term and deliver adaptive stimulation. This system serves as a flexible platform to speed up the creation of new, personalized neuromodulation therapies and BCI applications. CorTec’s growth is backed by a robust network of strategic investors, including High-Tech Gruenderfonds, KfW, K&SW Invest, LBBW Venture Capital, Mangold Invest, M-Invest, and Santo Venture Capital GmbH. Visit us on or at .
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Disclaimer: The research featured in this release is supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (part of the National Institutes of Health) under Award Number UH3NS121565. The content is solely the authors’ responsibility and does not necessarily reflect the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
