Combinations with pharmaceuticals
by using the extensive knowledge of drugs to augment ESB treatments a new generation of therapies could be produced. For instance drugs that improve brain plasticity through neurotrophin up-regulation could improve integration of complex electrode arrays into the brain, especially in older patients. The possibilities are only limited by our understanding of how ESB and drugs can interact.

Nanotechnology
will revolutionise the nature of implants altogether. At first nanotechnology could provide ways of introducing ultra-fine electrodes into highly targeted regions in the brain and nervous system. It is also possible that autonomous stimulators could be introduced, which use bodily resources to generate electrical pulses in the target brain region. The implants could also be adaptable, moving and reshaping to deliver better stimulation and monitoring.

Flexible implants
Devices that have movable electrodes can adapt and refine their connections with the brain automatically to attain optimal communication. These would be ideal for paralytic patients who would gradually gain control of their implant, which would in turn adapt synergistically.
[Andersen,2004]

Fine fibre electrodes
constructed from modern substances like carbon nano-tubes would open possibilities for integration of neuro-prosthetic devices. Ultra fine electrode arrays would be smaller and have greater flexibility for stimulating and monitoring neurons, having many times more electrodes in a given space. They could be introduced with less damage to surrounding tissue, by virtue of their nanoscopic size.

Viral vectors
could be used in a variety of ways, most prominently to highlight brain areas for targeting. Using a vector that expresses a marker specific for target tissues to infect the host would allow imagining methods to pin-point a region beyond what is currently possible.

Improved resolution
in brain imaging would allow finer analysis of target regions, distinguishing between tissues. The ultimate goal is to have a resolution of individual neurons. Enhanced imaging resolution would also lead to more targets for ESB being identified by improving our knowledge of functional anatomy.

Individual brain function
could be assessed using a variety of functional imaging and genetic analysis techniques. A patient-specific functional topographic map would be created, enabling therapies to be tailored perfectly to each individual.

Smart controllers
Devices that detect internal states of the body can be used, which react in programmable ways to certain events, and apply stimulation accordingly. For instance in epilepsy a smart controller could anticipate an oncoming seizure and offset it with directed stimulation of the vagus nerve.
Integrating electronics with modified biological molecules could further extend the possibilities, by allowing the device to detect chemical signals like neurotransmitters, hormones and cytokines.
Already wireless implants are being used in animals, communicating between the implant and a handheld controller via radio or infrared modems. Implants are gradually becoming more and more autonomous.
[Mavoori et al,2005]