The Stentrode™ System by Synchron: Architectural Design and Clinical Translation of a Minimally Invasive Brain–Computer Interface

The Stentrode™ system, developed by Synchron, introduces a minimally invasive endovascular architecture for brain–computer interfacing by enabling chronic electrocorticographic recording from within the superior sagittal sinus adjacent to the motor cortex. This review analyzes the system’s engineering framework, emphasizing the integration of mechanical design, materials science, signal conditioning, and chronic biostability. The device consists of a self-expanding nitinol stent embedded with thin-film platinum–iridium electrodes, delivered transvenously via the internal jugular vein and deployed without penetrating cortical tissue. Neural signals are amplified and digitized through a subcutaneous telemetry unit designed for low-noise, high-fidelity acquisition, particularly in the high-gamma band. Preclinical and clinical data confirm endothelialization of the implant, preserving venous patency and ensuring long-term signal stability. While the system sacrifices the spatial resolution of intracortical arrays, it offers a lower-risk, outpatient-compatible alternative that redefines the trade space between signal fidelity, procedural complexity, and translational scalability. By shifting the neurointerface paradigm from neurosurgical to endovascular access, the Stentrode™ establishes a new class of BCIs optimized for chronic deployment with minimal disruption to neural architecture.