27: Neural Engineering, Brain Computer Interfaces, and 3D Printing Combined to Sculpt Neurons to Interface the Optic Nerve to Create an Artificial Eye with Dr. Ben Paul, CEO and Founder of Neuroloom

May 8, 2018

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Neural Engineering, Brain Computer Interfaces, BCI, Neuroscience, and Artificial Eyes

Taking Neurons, combining them with 3D printed materials, and then hooking them into the brain. Dr. Ben Paul and I talk about how he built Neuroloom, how his technology is going to give people back their sight (among other applications), and who he is as a person. This is one of the all-time best conversations I’ve been lucky enough to have on the podcast. His passion and love for what he is doing is evident. This episode is for you: 1) If you want to learn about a new, cutting edge biotech Neuro engineering startup, 2) Want to hear what it takes to build a biotech startup, 3) Get great advice on breaking the mold/box you’ve built yourself into to start living your dream, and 4) If you want to learn about the science.

Linkedin Company Profile 

Neuroloom Website

Neuroloom

OPPORTUNITY

For conditions such as macular degeneration, which affects 14 million people, it is possible to restore sight by stimulating the retina with an image from a camera. However, not only is the resolution of stimulation very low, but the signal loses fidelity as the 2D stimulating arrays activate multiple cell types, including inhibitory circuits which cancel out parts of the signal.
This challenge is not restricted to macular degeneration, but whenever we would like to create an interface between an external sensor and part of the brain. Existing technologies suffer a seemingly inevitable trade-off between the lifetime of the solution (scarring, rejection) and the fidelity of the interface (proximity to nerves).
But, if we overcome these challenges, we open up the possibility of sending and receiving information directly to the brain.

SOLUTION

Neuroloom use living electrodes to interface with the brain. Their approach allows exceptionally high definition transmission of information to the brain with much lower likelihood of rejection and no loss of fidelity from scarring. The team use breakthroughs in photon-scale polymeric 3D printing techniques and insights from developmental neurobiology to create adaptors for the brain. Their first application is in restoring sight.” from Deep Science Ventures website.

Hyperlinked Timestamped Show Notes (only clickable on this website):

  1. [ 02:10 ] *What made him choose Deep Science Ventures, what he got from partnering with them, and how they helped awaken his inner entrepreneur. Also, you will get a sense of his background in this section.
  2. [ 03:30 ] How Deep Science Ventures helped him completely changed his perspective and gave him more lenses to view the world. Quick quote from this section: “Totally different way to view the world”- Ben Paul.
  3. [ 05:10 ] If he has intellectual idols and the issue of meeting your heroes.
  4. [ 06:05 ] Where Neuroloom’s name came from, the goal he is trying to achieve, and how it ties into his ancestors’ entrepreneurial spirit.
  5. [ 07:55 ] Does he have an external versus internal locus of control, and how we view it as a spectrum.
  6. [ 09:00 ] How sometimes we think or need something, and then we start seeing it everywhere.
  7. [ 10:10 ] Why he choose to make Neuroloom over being an accountant and the winding road he took to get to starting it. Three big reasons.
  8. [ 13:00 ] Why he is happy he deviated and went his own way.
  9. [ 14:20 ] What all he needed to bring together and do to create Neuroloom (i.e. validation from people in the field and building a team of advisers.)
  10. [ 17:00 ] **He describes what he has built in a simple, easy to understand way, and how his tech is all about specificity.
  11. [ 21:20 ] How advanced his technology is and on the technology readiness scale.
  12. [ 23:55 ] **What’s making him confident it is going to work out and prove him correct.
  13. [ 25:50 ] *How he has more applications in mind than just the retina and what they are.
  14. [ 28:45 ] The things he thinks about in supporting this type of technology (i.e. crowdfunding and innovate yourself).
  15. [ 30:20 ] *Are there good resources, primer books, or things to think about to learn and get excited about Neural engineering?
  16. [ 33:15 ] **How great is the throughput of data with his technology to the retina, and how it compares to other technology.
  17. [ 34:20 ] How long until he knows it is going to work out.
  18. [ 35:03 ] What the biggest challenges and weaknesses he is facing right now are and what he is thinking about currently.
  19. [ 37:17 ] *What would he advise people do and think to make use of their uniqueness and live their dream.
  20. [ 38:50 ] Our thoughts on breaking the mold to push yourself to grow, and being open to meeting new people.
  21. [ 40:30 ] How to take advice with a grain of salt and have a better locus of control. Quick quote from here:  “Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone” – Ben’s Mom
  22. [ 41:15 ] What can you do and to learn more about Ben and his company, and the people he is looking to get in touch with.
  23. [ 42:20 ] How it’s important to follow your own advice, how to breakdown advice given to you, and plot forward accordingly.

 

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