Joining world-changing breakthroughs such as YouTube, the Apple iPhone, IBM’s Watson, and the Large Hadron Collider, the Double Neural Bypass, a revolutionary brain-computer interface developed at Northwell Health’s Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, has been inducted into TIME’s Best Inventions Hall of Fame. The recognition celebrates 25 groundbreaking innovations from the past quarter century that have had transformative global impact on technology, science, and human life.
Developed through a landmark clinical trial at the Feinstein Institutes — Northwell Health’s scientific hub — the Double Neural Bypass represents a new frontier in restoring mobility and sensation for people living with paralysis. The technology re-establishes communication between the brain, body, and spinal cord, allowing paralyzed individuals to move and feel again.
A Breakthrough Born from Science and Compassion
The Double Neural Bypass first captured worldwide attention in 2023 when TIME named it among the Best Inventions of 2024. Led by Chad Bouton, PhD, Professor at the Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine at the Feinstein Institutes and Vice President of Advanced Engineering at Northwell Health, the clinical trial achieved what was once considered impossible.
Bouton’s team of engineers, neuroscientists, and surgeons successfully implanted five microchips into the brain of Keith Thomas, a man paralyzed from the chest down after a diving accident. Using a combination of custom artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and precision neurostimulation, the team established an electronic “bridge” connecting Thomas’s brain signals to his spinal cord and hand.
The result was extraordinary: Thomas regained not only movement but also sensation in his hand and arm. For the first time since his injury, he could feel the touch of his family’s dog, Bow. Once only able to lift his arm an inch, Thomas can now wipe his face, hold a drink, and perform daily tasks, marking a new era of recovery for spinal cord injuries.
“A Game-Changer for Millions Living with Paralysis”
“Receiving TIME’s Best Inventions Hall of Fame recognition is an immense honor — one that amplifies hope for the millions living with paralysis,” said Dr. Chad Bouton. “This milestone represents the first successful creation of an electronic bridge between the brain, body, and spinal cord to restore lasting movement and sensation. It’s a thought-driven therapy that redefines what’s possible for those with paralysis, envisioning fuller and more independent lives.”
Bouton emphasized that the Double Neural Bypass would not have been possible without the courage and partnership of patients like Thomas. Their participation, he said, drives scientific progress and fuels the human stories behind innovation.
Expanding Human Connection: A “Shared Avatar” Breakthrough
In the next phase of the clinical trial, Bouton’s team achieved another stunning feat — extending the Double Neural Bypass beyond a single body.
In what the researchers describe as a “true human avatar” paradigm, Keith Thomas used his brain interface to control the hand of another quadriplegic participant, Kathy Denapoli. Through thought-guided stimulation, Thomas could make Denapoli’s hand move — and, in a more recent breakthrough, he could feel sensations when she touched an object.
This shared neurological connection has profound implications. It opens a future where brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) could enable collaborative rehabilitation, telepresence, remote therapy, and even shared sensory experiences between individuals.
Remarkably, Denapoli’s hand strength has nearly doubled since beginning the trial, demonstrating that this approach not only connects minds but can also enhance recovery outcomes without requiring brain surgery in every case.
Northwell Health: A Legacy of Innovation and Impact
Northwell Health’s leadership praised the achievement as a shining example of science driven by empathy.
“On behalf of Northwell, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Bouton and his team,” said Dr. John D’Angelo, President and CEO of Northwell Health. “This monumental achievement is a testament to years of relentless scientific dedication and a patient-first philosophy. It’s inspiring to witness how research born in the lab is transforming lives — empowering individuals like Keith and Kathy to reclaim abilities once thought lost. This is the embodiment of compassionate innovation.”
This is not the first time Northwell has been recognized by TIME. The health system was recently named to the TIME100 Most Influential Companies of 2025, reflecting its commitment to pioneering new models of care. The accolade highlighted Northwell Studios, a creative storytelling initiative launched to humanize healthcare and foster meaningful social dialogue.
Additionally, Michael Dowling, Northwell’s former President and CEO and now CEO-Emeritus, was named a “Titan” on the TIME100 Health List for his visionary leadership. In 2024, another Northwell innovation, iNav — an AI-powered cancer detection tool — was also featured among TIME’s Best Inventions.
A Growing Health System with a Research-Driven Core
As New York’s largest healthcare provider and one of the nation’s leading integrated systems, Northwell Health serves more than three million patients annually. In 2025, it further expanded its regional reach by merging with Nuvance Health, forming a unified nonprofit system serving communities across New York and Connecticut.
The combined network now includes over 104,000 employees, 22,000 nurses, and 13,500 providers working across 28 hospitals and 1,000 outpatient locations, making it a cornerstone of patient-centered care in the northeastern United States.
At the core of this expansive system lies the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, home to over 50 laboratories, 3,000 clinical research studies, and a workforce of 5,000 scientists and clinicians. Organized into six specialized institutes — Behavioral Science, Bioelectronic Medicine, Cancer, Health System Science, Molecular Medicine, and Translational Research — the Feinstein Institutes drive innovation from discovery to clinical application.
The Rise of Bioelectronic Medicine
The Feinstein Institutes have been instrumental in defining a new medical frontier known as bioelectronic medicine — an emerging field that uses targeted electrical stimulation of nerves to treat disease. Techniques such as vagus nerve stimulation are already showing potential to replace or enhance traditional drug therapies.
Building on this foundation, Northwell launched the Center for Bioelectronic Medicine in 2025, led by Kevin J. Tracey, MD, President and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes. The center provides access to advanced clinical trials and, when approved, treatments for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammatory disorders.
In August 2025, Northwell became the first health system in the U.S. to implant the FDA-approved SetPoint® System, a bioelectronic device that targets inflammatory pathways to treat RA — another sign of the organization’s pioneering role in making next-generation therapies accessible to patients.
Innovation That Redefines Possibility
The inclusion of the Double Neural Bypass in TIME’s Best Inventions Hall of Fame cements its place as one of the most transformative medical achievements of the modern era. It symbolizes more than just scientific excellence — it represents human resilience, collaboration, and the merging of neuroscience, AI, and compassion to restore what once seemed impossible.
As Dr. Bouton summarized, “Every breakthrough we achieve brings us closer to restoring freedom and dignity to people living with paralysis. The Double Neural Bypass is not just technology — it’s hope, made real.”
