Brain-computer interfaces have steadily moved beyond the research stage and into early clinical and commercial execution. Over the past year, several BCI developers have shifted focus from optimising core signal performance toward manufacturing, regulatory positioning, and integration into clinical workflows. Partnerships with incumbent med-tech firms have become one of the clearest signals of that transition. This week, Precision Neuroscience announced a product partnership with Medtronic.

Precision develops minimally invasive cortical electrode arrays designed for temporary intraoperative use, while Medtronic operates one of the most widely deployed surgical navigation platforms in neurosurgery. Under the partnership, Precision’s Layer 7 cortical interface will be integrated into Medtronic’s StealthStation system, embedding functional brain signals directly into a navigation environment surgeons already use. Rather than positioning BCI as a standalone tool, the collaboration frames Precision's technology as a modular component of established neurosurgical workflows.

Inside the Medtronic Partnership

This week, Precision Neuroscience and Medtronic announced a product partnership focused on neurosurgical integration. The collaboration centers on co-developing a system that combines Precision’s Layer 7 cortical interface with Medtronic’s StealthStation surgical navigation platform. The aim is to bring BCI-derived cortical readings into a navigation environment already embedded in operating rooms, aligning cortical interfaces with established neurosurgical workflows rather than positioning them as standalone tools.

Layer 7 is a minimally invasive array designed to sit directly on the surface of the cortex during neurosurgical procedures. The device is used to record brain activity, but can also support stimulation when connected to standard neurophysiology equipment already present in the operating room. It is inserted during open or burr-hole surgeries and removed after use, aligning it with short-term surgical and perioperative workflows rather than long-term implantation. Thus far, Layer 7 has been positioned around applications such as functional mapping of motor and speech areas during tumor and epilepsy surgery.

Medtronic’s StealthStation is a surgical navigation platform used to localize instruments relative to patient anatomy and preoperative imaging during neurosurgical procedures. The system functions as a central visualization and coordination layer in the operating room, supporting multiple tracking modalities and integration with other surgical equipment, including microscopes and imaging tools. 

One notable element highlighted in Bloomberg reporting is that the collaboration would allow Medtronic to draw on neural data generated through use of the integrated system as it develops future products. The coverage frames the near-term value around intraoperative decision support, such as preserving functional areas during tumor resections. Further details on data scope, governance, and downstream use have not been made public.

The Medtronic agreement builds on a year of steady progress for Precision Neuroscience. In December 2024, the company raised a $104 million Series C, bringing total funding to roughly $155 million. It has since advanced clinical use of its cortical interface in surgical settings, secured FDA clearance for temporary mapping applications lasting up to 30 days, and reported participation of several dozen patients in clinical studies. Over the same period, Precision expanded hospital collaborations and positioned Layer 7 primarily as a surgical tool, setting the stage for deeper integration with established neurosurgical infrastructure.

Integration as a Commercialisation Strategy

The strategic significance of the Precision-Medtronic partnership is that it shifts Precision’s commercialization bottleneck from “does this work?” to “does this fit?”. By integrating Layer 7 into StealthStation, Precision avoids asking hospitals to adopt an additional standalone system with its own interface, training burden, and operating-room setup. It turns cortical data into a novel input within an existing platform, already present in neurosurgical workflows. That is a materially different route than building a separate BCI stack and trying to earn a place beside incumbent infrastructure.

The most immediate value shows up in procedures where preserving function is part of the surgical trade-off. A straightforward example is brain tumor surgery near regions associated with speech or motor function, where surgeons aim to remove as much tissue as possible while preserving function. Navigation systems can localize instruments against anatomy and imaging, but they do not on their own provide functional context. Integrating Layer 7 can provide that context while adding little operational burden.

Precision’s emphasis on temporary use also supports this strategy. Short-term placement during surgery fits within perioperative workflows and sidesteps the operational overhead that comes with chronic implantation, follow-up, and long-term reimbursement pathways. Commercially, that positions Precision closer to surgical mapping and navigation tech than to long-term assistive BCIs. The competitive bar shifts to reliability, interpretability, and integration quality, rather than long-term patient management.

This arc aligns with how Precision has been positioning itself since inception. The company was founded by former Neuralink leaders with direct exposure to the chronic implant pathway, but has prioritized surface-based, minimally invasive interfaces and earlier clinical entry points. So far, FDA clearance for temporary brain mapping has provided a regulatory foothold, while surgical deployments have allowed the platform to accumulate clinical experience and data without waiting for long-term trials. Partnering with Medtronic extends that approach by using an established navigation platform as the integration surface and keeping the initial focus on surgical mapping use cases.