BioNorth is developing the TrueNorth Neural Headset — a closed-loop, non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) that detects and treats freezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson's disease patients in real time.
Freezing of gait is a sudden, episodic inability to walk despite the brain's full intent to move. It triples fall risk and has zero FDA-cleared EEG-triggered solutions on the market today.
Every prior BCI-FES system stimulates on motor intent alone. TrueNorth stimulates only when a freeze is confirmed — and stops the moment muscle response is verified.
Motor Cortex → EEG (Cz/FCz/Fz) → ADS1299 ADC → nRF5340 DSP
→ Butterworth Filter → Band Power (θ/μ/β) → State Machine
→ [Intent ✓ + EMG ✗] = FREEZE DETECTED
→ FES Pulses → Tibialis Anterior → EMG Confirms → STIM OFF
The closed loop:
| Step | Signal | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | EEG μ/β desynchronization | Detects motor intent |
| 2 | EMG (tibialis anterior) | Monitors muscle response |
| 3 | Intent ✓ + EMG ✗ | Classifies freeze state |
| 4 | Biphasic FES pulses | Drives dorsiflexion |
| 5 | EMG confirmation | Terminates stimulation |
| Stat | Impact |
|---|---|
| 1M+ Americans | Experience freezing of gait |
| ~38% of Parkinson's patients | Report FOG episodes |
| 3× higher fall risk | During a freeze |
| 0 FDA-cleared devices | That use EEG-triggered FES for FOG |
Hardware
Firmware & Signal Processing
Website
[●] P0 — Prototype Stabilization · Baseline Dataset · Patent Docs ← NOW
[ ] P1 — On-Subject Validation · Provisional Patent
[ ] P2 — Custom PCB · Module Integration · Mobile App
[ ] P3 — Clinical Prototype · IRB Pilot (10–20 subjects) · FDA Pre-Sub
[ ] P4 — FDA 510(k) Submission · ISO 13485 · Manufacturing Partner
[ ] P5 — Commercial Launch · Series A
28–36 month path to FDA 510(k) clearance.
| Repo | Description |
|---|---|
| BioNorth-Main | Main website & product documentation |
| AiMetr | Multi-provider AI usage monitor with ESP32-S3 hardware companion |
National Innovator Challenge 2025 — Winner · University of San Diego
Built by high school students in Florida.
📧 biotech@bionorth.us · 🌐 bionorthtech.github.io/BioNorth-Main
Currently seeking clinical partners and early-stage funding.