Sharing an update in a blog post, Neuralink Corp. disclosed that in the weeks following the January surgery on patient Noland Arbaugh, some of the electrode-studded threads implanted in the brain tissue began to retract from it. This retraction caused the device to malfunction. However, the company stated that they compensated for the issue through a series of software fixes, resulting in a rapid and sustained improvement that has surpassed Arbaugh’s initial performance. Neuralink is currently focused on enhancing text entry and cursor control capabilities for the device. Their long-term aim is to expand its application to physical world devices such as robotic arms and wheelchairs. Eric Leuthardt, a neurosurgeon at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, highlighted the significance of understanding brain movement within the intracranial space, as even minor head movements can lead to disruptions. Matt Angle, the chief executive officer of Paradromics Inc., a rival brain-implant company, emphasized that the retraction of threads is not typical for such implants. Neuralink is planning to implant its device in more human subjects, but malfunctions could potentially delay the Food and Drug Administration’s approval process.
Neuralink’s First Human Brain Implant Experiences Mechanical Issues
