Noland Arbaugh, the first recipient of Neuralink’s brain-computer interface (BCI), has provided insights into the transformative impact of the technology. The implant, embedded in his skull, allows him to navigate a computer cursor, text, browse the internet, and play video games through brain signals. Despite a temporary setback with thread retraction, Arbaugh remains optimistic about the potential of BCI to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities or neurodegenerative diseases.
Neuralink has reportedly received approval for implanting its device into a second patient. The company has also addressed an error that occurred during its first trial, according to the Wall Street Journal. The new trial will involve implanting the device’s 64 wires deeper into the brain to prevent them from moving out of place. Neuralink aims to conduct the next implant in June 2023 and plans to carry out a total of 10 implants this year. While the company has not disclosed details about the second patient, the first patient to receive an implant, Noland Arbaugh, was able to control a computer cursor with his thoughts after the procedure.
Neuralink, the neurotechnology company led by Elon Musk, is inviting applications for their second human clinical trial of its brain-computer interface (BCI) implant. The PRIME Study aims to assess the safety and functionality of the N1 implant and R1 surgical robot in individuals with quadriplegia or other severe physical disabilities.
Neuralink’s initial human brain implant encountered a setback when the device partially detached from the patient’s brain. The implant, inserted into Noland Arbaugh’s skull in February, experienced a decline in functionality due to retracting threads that connected it to the brain. Despite the issue, Neuralink engineers addressed the problem and restored the implant’s functionality.
Neuralink Corporation, Elon Musk’s brain technology company, has reported mechanical issues with the device implanted in its first human patient. Weeks after the January surgery, some electrode-studded threads in the brain tissue began to retract, impairing the device’s proper functioning. Neuralink addressed this issue through software fixes, leading to a significant improvement in the patient’s performance. The company is currently working on enhancing text entry and cursor control for the device, with plans to expand its use to physical devices like robotic arms and wheelchairs.
