Latest news with #Rapoport
Business Insider
7 hours ago
- Health
- Business Insider
Cofounder of Neuralink rival Precision Neuroscience reveals what people often get wrong about brain implants
At least that's the line from Dr. Ben Rapoport, the cofounder and chief science officer of Precision Neuroscience, a brain-computer interface, or BCI, company. "Many people have the impression that the data that we care about is sort of everywhere inside this dimensional structure," Rapoport, a neurosurgeon and engineer, told Business Insider. That's a big misconception, he said. People often incorrectly assume that "you need electrodes that penetrate deep inside the brain to get that information out," he added. But brain implants don't need to be as invasive as they might sound, he said. Precision is developing a thin film that sits on the brain and records brain activity in patients with paralysis. "We implant modules of 1,024 electrodes on the brain surface in the area that controls movement, especially the hand," Rapoport said. That allows them to have cursor control, typing ability, access the internet, use PowerPoint, play games, and word process, he added. These are actions that require vision, movement, sensation, and executive function — core parts of consciousness that are concentrated in the brain's outermost layer, the cortex, Rapoport said. Deeper inside are "connections, you know, between those activities and also sort of subconscious processes, because the brain coordinates a lot of activities in the body that don't take place consciously," he added. The New York-based startup, which received FDA clearance for part of its wireless brain-computer interface in April, has raised $155 million in funding since it launched in 2021. It is one of a few companies advancing this technology as part of the Implantable BCI Collaborative Community. BCIs are largely classified into two categories: invasive and non-invasive. Non-invasive BCIs, which don't require surgery, often rely on external sensors to detect the electrical signals in the brain. BCS that are implanted record neural activity directly from the brain and are being developed to restore speech, movement, and other complex functions in people with neurological conditions. The buzziest BCI these days is Elon Musk's Neuralink, which has ambitions to create a "symbiosis" between the human brain and AI. But there are a host of other companies working on BCIs as a way to treat neurological diseases, like Precision Neuroscience. The company has tested its temporary device in over forty patients in early clinical studies. Over the next year, it will prepare for the first human studies of its permanently implanted devices. "There are certain internal validation checks and internal milestones that we need to meet for ourselves and for the FDA before we want to start implanting the permanently implanted wireless device in humans," Rapoport said. The company's ultimate goal is to help paralyzed people get "back to a level of functional capacity where they can be significantly independent, economically self-sufficient, and hold a job in the workplace," Rapoport said. Correction: June 27, 2025 — An earlier version of this story said that Dr. Ben Rapoport was the founder and CEO of Precision Neuroscience; Dr. Rapoport is the cofounder and chief science officer. An earlier version also mischaracterized the film that goes on the brain. It is not studded with electrodes; the electrodes are embedded.
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Insider rejects Steelers' T.J. Watt $40 million deal: 'I hadn't heard that number'
The latest T.J. Watt contract update has been dismissed by insider Ian Rapoport. On Friday's episode of The Pat McAfee Show, Rapoport was asked to speak to the legitimacy of insider James Palmer's report that Watt was expected to earn more than Myles Garrett's $40 million per year — and this was his response: "I have not heard that," Rapoport said. "If he gets more than Myles, I would say that is awesome for T.J. These are the guys you pay. He's great. He's a good guy, he is a face of that franchise, and like, these are the kinds of guys who should be paid all the money and should retire as a member of the Steelers. ... I still think it's going to work out, but I hadn't heard that number and I hadn't heard that anything is imminent." Garrett can breathe a sigh of relief, as Rapoport's comments somewhat instill confidence that the Browns superstar will remain the highest-paid defender. It's worth noting that these updates are entirely speculative until Watt puts pen to paper — and hopefully that happens sooner than later, so both parties can put this situation to bed. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Business Insider
17 hours ago
- Health
- Business Insider
Founder of Neuralink rival Precision Neuroscience reveals what people often get wrong about brain-implant surgery
The most important matter, gray matter that is, sits right at the surface. At least that's the line from Dr. Ben Rapoport, the founder and CEO of Precision Neuroscience, a brain-computer interface, or BCI, company. "Many people have the impression that the data that we care about is sort of everywhere inside this dimensional structure," Rapoport, a neurosurgeon and engineer, told Business Insider. That's a big misconception, he said. People often incorrectly assume that "you need electrodes that penetrate deep inside the brain to get that information out," he added. But brain implants don't need to be as invasive as they might sound, he said. Precision is developing a thin, electrode-studded film that sits on the brain and records brain activity in patients with paralysis. Vision, movement, sensation, and executive function — all core parts of consciousness — are concentrated in the brain's outermost layer, the cortex, Rapoport said. Deeper inside are "connections, you know, between those activities and also sort of subconscious processes, because the brain coordinates a lot of activities in the body that don't take place consciously," he added. The New York-based startup, which received FDA clearance for part of its wireless brain-computer interface in April, has raised $155 million in funding since it launched in 2021. It is one of a few companies advancing this technology as part of the Implantable BCI Collaborative Community — an initiative launched by the FDA in 2024 that also includes Elon Musk's Neuralink, Synchron, and BlackRock Neurotech. BCIs are largely classified into two categories: invasive and non-invasive. Non-invasive BCIs, which don't require surgery and often rely on external sensors to detect the electrical signals in the brain, have been in development for decades. Invasive BCIs, which aim to record and stimulate brain function, represent a new frontier for technology. The buzziest BCI these days is Elon Musk's Neuralink, which is developing a device that will be embedded in a person's brain to record and stimulate activity. Musk's ambitions are to create a "symbiosis" between the human brain and AI. But there are a host of other companies working on BCIs as a way to mitigate symptoms or cure terminal diseases, like Precision Neuroscience. Over the next year, the company will prepare for the first human studies of its permanently implanted devices. Its goal is to help paralyzed people get "back to a level of functional capacity where they can be significantly independent, economically self-sufficient, and hold a job in the workplace," Rapoport said. And getting the data for that doesn't have to be as complicated as, well, brain surgery.
USA Today
12-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jaguars' Travis Hunter still unsigned: 'This will take some time,' says Ian Rapoport
Jaguars' Travis Hunter still unsigned: 'This will take some time,' says Ian Rapoport The Jaguars' Travis Hunter remains unsigned at this time, which Ian Rapoport thinks "will take some time" to get done. From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: The buzz is real for the #Jaguars and WR/CB Travis Hunter... though his rookie contract may be among the last signed. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 11, 2025 Jacksonville Jaguars' second overall pick, Travis Hunter, is the only player who was selected in the top 15 of this year's NFL draft that has yet to sign his rookie deal and he is one of four first-round picks in total who still remains unsigned. While NFL insider Ian Rapoport is confident that a deal will get done, it may still take some time before things get to that point. "It feels to me like Travis Hunter will probably be the last first-rounder to sign," Rapoport said on 'The Insiders.' "These things are generally one, not complicated. We know he's going to make $46.6 and change million and we know he's going to get a $30 million signing bonus. These numbers are negotiated; they are basically done. The numbers you can not mess with." As Rapoport mentions, when it comes to rookie deals, there is really very little room for negotiating. The rookie wage scale sets the contract parameters based on where the player was drafted. According to Over the Cap, Hunter will earn $46.649 million as the second overall pick, which includes a signing bonus of $30.556 million. Where there can be some wiggle room in terms of negotiations is when the player receives that guaranteed money, whether it be in a lump sum, or the player receives some now and some more in season. However, even with that being the case, Hunter's deal, in Rapoport's opinion, will be the most difficult to get done. "To me it seems like this is going to be the hardest to get done as Travis Hunter tries to do everything he can to maximize his deal," Rapoport added. "Not just right now, but in the third year and the fourth year. I don't expect a holdout. We rarely, rarely see a holdout, but I do think this will take some time. "But if you're talking about Jaguars' fans, you're talking about Jaguars' people, I don't think they have anything to worry about because he's almost certainly going to be participating in training camp. You think they would figure out a way to get it done by then." This is new territory for the Jaguars and for Hunter, who is looking to be a true two-way player in the NFL at the cornerback and wide receiver positions. While negotiating is limited in terms of total contract value, how Hunter receives that money, both in Year 1 and in Year 4, could be the aspect that is taking time, as he looks to maximize his deal, as Rapoport put it, and reflect as much as possible his two-way impact.
USA Today
06-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL insider says Steelers made call on Falcons TE Kyle Pitts
NFL insider says Steelers made call on Falcons TE Kyle Pitts Lost amidst the drama of the Pittsburgh Steelers' signing of quarterback Aaron Rodgers is that the Steelers were actively looking for another offensive playmaker, and this hasn't changed. According to NFL reporter Ian Rapoport, the Steelers have made a call to the Atlanta Falcons on the availability of tight end Kyle Pitts. Rapoport talked about it on Good Morning Football. "Kyle Pitts, there was a phone call there," Rapoport said. "The Steelers are in the market, it seems, for at least one more playmaker." The Steelers placed tight end Donald Parham on IR less than a week ago after suffering a torn Achilles. Pitts is the second tight end the Steelers have been linked to in a trade. It was also reported that the Steelers reached out to the Miami Dolphins about the availability of Jonnu Smith. "For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like."
