Podcast Summary: "Sorry, We Left an Implant in Your Brain"
Unexplainable, Hosted by Julia Longoria
Release Date: April 30, 2025
Introduction
In the April 30, 2025 episode of Unexplainable, hosted by Julia Longoria, the focus is on a haunting issue within the realm of neurotechnology: the abandonment of life-changing brain implants. This episode delves deep into the personal stories of individuals whose hope for a better life was shattered when the companies behind their medical devices went out of business, leaving them with unsupported technology implanted in their bodies.
Jen French's Tragic Accident and Journey
The episode opens with Jen French, who was working in the burgeoning consumer tech industry during the dot-com era of the late 1990s. On a memorable full moon night, Jen experienced a severe accident while snowboarding, resulting in a devastating spinal cord injury at the base of her neck. This injury left her paralyzed from the neck down, unable to perform even the simplest daily tasks.
Jen French (03:20):
“Um, well, it, it didn't, to be honest with you. I mean, I was in denial for a while.”
Struggling with her new reality, Jen sought experimental treatments and found hope in a clinical trial led by scientists at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. The trial involved implanting electrodes in her back and major muscle groups, aiming to restore movement through electrical stimulation.
Jen French (05:15):
“The first procedure was seven and a half hours. I just remember the room being full of people because it was an experimental surgery.”
The Promise of Neurocontrol's Technology
The implanted electrodes acted as artificial nerves, bypassing the damaged spinal cord to stimulate muscle contractions. This breakthrough allowed Jen to regain partial mobility, lifting her spirits and offering a glimpse of a future where paralysis could be overcome.
Jen French (06:26):
“This is so cool, right? I mean, she's being able to stand up and look down, and all you see are your legs. And you don't see these big braces around it or any other big supports. It's just you standing.”
The company behind this technology, Neurocontrol, had plans to commercialize the device, potentially offering a permanent cure for paralysis. Encouraged by her initial success, Jen moved to Cleveland to continue her treatment and recovery.
The Devastating Collapse of Neurocontrol
However, in 2001, just two years after Jen's implant, she received heartbreaking news at a conference held by the National Institutes of Health. A lead researcher informed her that Neurocontrol had gone out of business, dashing any hopes for further support or commercialization of the device.
Jen French (08:22):
“Neurocontrol went out of business. The whole aspirations of this being commercialized went down the tubes. It hit me like a brick.”
This abrupt abandonment left Jen and approximately 350 other patients in limbo, reliant on the now-defunct company's support to maintain their life-altering devices. Despite the initial success, without Neurocontrol, the implants could not be sustained, forcing patients to face the grim possibility of losing their regained mobility.
Other Stories of Abandoned Neuro Implants
The episode broadens its scope by introducing two more individuals affected by similar circumstances:
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Rita Leggett:
Suffering from epilepsy, Rita benefited from a brain implant that could predict impending seizures, granting her the ability to take preventive measures. This innovation transformed her life, enabling her to marry and lead a more fulfilling existence. Tragically, when the startup behind her device failed, Rita was left with an unusable implant as the proprietary battery ceased production.Liam Drew (12:14):
“It's like getting a brilliant device that saves your life and then losing it because the battery company went under.” -
Markus Bull:
An electrical engineer from Germany, Markus used an implanted nerve stimulator to combat debilitating cluster headaches. The device proved highly effective, but with the company handling it going bankrupt, Markus had to take matters into his own hands, sourcing rare batteries from abroad to keep his implant functional.Liam Drew (18:03):
“He has been maintaining his own device, sourcing parts from the US and China to replace the batteries.”
Exploring the Phenomenon of Device Abandonment
Freelance science journalist and former academic neuroscientist Liam Drew brings critical insight into this pervasive issue. In his article "Abandoned" published in Nature magazine, Drew highlights how economically driven challenges lead to the abandonment of effective neurotechnologies.
Liam Drew (12:07):
“I mean, it's often the battery that's the problem, something simple. Companies are coming up with proprietary batteries, and when the company goes, all support for that battery system goes with it.”
He underscores the systemic issues that prevent these technologies from sustaining long-term support, emphasizing that while the medical advancements are revolutionary, their commercialization often falls short due to financial constraints.
Liam Drew (21:16):
“Everyone wants that support to be in place. But I think if you're a business person dealing with a startup where margins are small and they hear those plans and they just think that's expensive...”
Potential Solutions and Ongoing Challenges
The conversation shifts towards exploring solutions to prevent such abandonment. Drew and Longoria discuss ideas like escrow accounts, non-profit organizations, and legislative measures to ensure that once a device is implanted, it remains supported regardless of the company's financial status.
Liam Drew (24:04):
“Can't they put money in an escrow account? Can they set up a sort of non-profit parallel organization? Can they take out insurance?”
Despite these suggestions, Drew expresses skepticism about their feasibility, noting that startups may find these additional financial burdens prohibitive without external mandates.
Liam Drew (22:05):
“But it feels like your reporting shows, like the economics don't always work out, even if it's a technology that works.”
The complexity of maintaining and updating neurotechnologies in a rapidly evolving market further exacerbates the issue, making it difficult for any single solution to address all challenges comprehensively.
Jen French's Resilience and Advocacy
Despite the setbacks, Jen French remains steadfast in her resilience and dedication to advancing neurotechnology. She leads a nonprofit, Neurotech Network, focusing on education and advocacy, driven by her experiences and the desire to prevent others from facing similar abandonment.
Jen French (31:13):
“No way in hell. No way. It's been an incredible journey. I wouldn't have taken this career path if I didn't get implanted.”
Her unwavering commitment underscores the human spirit's capacity to turn personal tragedy into a force for positive change, advocating for better support systems for those reliant on life-changing medical devices.
Conclusion: The Need for a Unified Approach
Unexplainable closes by highlighting the collective acknowledgment of the problem within the neurotechnology community. Professionals, patients, and researchers agree on the urgent need to address device abandonment, yet solutions remain elusive. The episode calls for a unified approach, combining innovation, policy, and advocacy to ensure that technological breakthroughs translate into sustainable, long-term benefits for all users.
Jen French (29:20):
“I have to give this back, you know, and I don't want to get too attached to it, even though I know I am.”
Additional Resources
Listeners interested in exploring this critical issue further can read Liam Drew's article "Abandoned" in Nature magazine and visit the Unexplainable episode description for more information.
Produced by: Julia Longoria
Editing: Meredith Hoddinott
Mixing and Sound Design: Christian Ayala
Fact Checking: Melissa Hirsch
Music: Noam Hassenfeld
Editorial Director: Jorge Just
Legal: Byrd Pinkerton
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