Advance
NeuroKey
Real-time neural signal processing platform
A software platform to graphically author, execute and monitor brain-computer interface (BCI) workflows for research and clinical applications.
NeuroKey is software that combines and processes data from brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and other monitoring devices in real time. It extracts information and generates commands to control assistive devices that can help restore mobility, communication and independence for people with paralysis or other nervous system disorders.
Developed as a medical-grade platform, NeuroKey aims to be a complete and single solution for neural interface research and clinical use, working directly with devices to collect brain signals. NeuroKey is optimized for the analysis of large data streams from high channel count implantable BCIs but can also be integrated with multiple other acquisition devices to process data such as temperature and blood flow.
![David Ibáñez Soria]()
"We believe that bringing devices and data together with user-friendly medical-grade software will help drive adoption of BCI technologies by clinicians and patients alike. Importantly, we hope NeuroKey will bring home-use of BCIs closer to reality."
The software is modular allowing complex algorithms to be divided into smaller steps. The basic units are called processors. These independent software modules interface with external data sources, manage assistive devices or process incoming data. Users select NeuroKey processors in the graphical user interface to easily build and interconnect their own processing pipelines.
In addition to its own default apps, which include a speller for communication, NeuroKey has an Application Programming Interface (API) to enable development of custom-made apps. The NeuroKey API allows full pipeline control and secure real-time access to large streams of data at every processor and can hence deliver results to third party applications.
Example NeuroKey pipeline - Researchers and clinicians can use the NeuroKey processor blocks to quickly configure, process and combine data from multiple sources, for example from electrodes in the brain and heart rate monitors. NeuroKey displays the signals as they are recorded in real time. It extracts information and generates control signals to, for example, drive assistive devices, stimulate nerves to restore movement or select letters in a speller.
NeuroKey features
Medical grade: NeuroKey is being developed as medical software to allow fast prototyping and deployment of BCI applications in accordance with the international standard IEC 62304.
Flexibility: The processing blocks are customizable so they can be easily integrated into BCI applications.
Modularity: Users drag and drop the NeuroKey processors in the graphical user interface to build and interconnect their own processing pipeline.
Data Integration: NeuroKey can interface with multiple commercial or custom-made data acquisition devices and sources in a simultaneous, scalable and synchronized way.
Developers API: Secure, controlled access to all data generated within processing pipelines at every block and in real-time.
Researchers and clinicians can use the NeuroKey software to combine and analyze patient data from BCIs and other monitoring devices. NeuroKey controls devices in the clinic or at home with apps that can be refined in the platform to achieve the best results for the patient.
NeuroKey clinical use cases
The NeuroKey software is suitable for use in the clinic or at home so has the potential to give people with paralysis a new level of independence.
Communication - Restore communication in completely locked-in patients by combining diverse neural and physical data sources and decoding them in real-time to enable use of a speller.
Stroke rehabilitation - Gather movement intention data to help reinforce neural pathways during stroke therapy.
Recovery from spinal cord injury - Help restore leg movement following injury by processing multiple data streams and generating spinal cord stimulation commands.
Control assistive devices in the home - Process data from multiple sources and provide command signals to activate assistive devices that help with daily activities, build independence, and improve safety and well-being at home.
If you’d like to find out more about NeuroKey and clinical applications, please contact busdev@wysscenter.ch
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