Neuralink, the brain-computer interface company founded by Elon Musk, is set to test its revolutionary implant on a second patient. Musk announced on Wednesday that the surgery for the unnamed patient is scheduled for “the next week or so.” This development follows a previously delayed surgery intended for late June, which was postponed due to the patient’s health issues.
Stabilization of First Patient’s Implant
On the same day, Neuralink reported that the wires connecting the first patient’s brain to the implant have stabilized after months of detachment. “Once you do the brain surgery, it takes some time for the tissues to anchor the threads in place,” said Dongjin “DJ” Seo, a Neuralink executive, during a live stream on Twitter/X. This update came after earlier reports that some of the wires inside Noland Arbaugh’s head had pulled out of position. Arbaugh, paralyzed from the shoulders down, is the first and only patient to receive the implant so far.
New Risk Mitigation Measures
The detachment and the presence of trapped air in Arbaugh’s head post-surgery prompted Neuralink to introduce new risk mitigation measures. These include sculpting the skull surface to minimize gaps under the implant and ensuring normal levels of carbon dioxide concentration in the blood. “Our plan is to sculpt the surface of the skull very intentionally to minimize the gap under the implant,” said Matthew MacDougall, Neuralink’s head of neurosurgery.
Neuralink’s Ambitious Goals
Neuralink’s implant uses 64 tiny wires, thinner than a human hair, to capture brain signals and translate them into digital actions. Despite initial setbacks, the company demonstrated Arbaugh using his implant to play online chess and control a computer mouse, although functionality had temporarily ceased due to the detachment.
Musk emphasized that the device does not harm the brain, a point of concern for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which initially raised safety issues but ultimately granted approval for human trials last year. The company aims to have a high single-digit number of participants by the end of the year.
Future Innovations and Products
In addition to the current implant, Neuralink is developing a new device that requires fewer electrodes for more efficient and powerful performance. Musk also revealed another product, Blindsight, which aims to restore vision to the blind.
Neuralink’s advancements hold significant potential for transforming the lives of paralyzed individuals and those with neurological disorders. The upcoming surgery on the second patient marks a critical step forward in achieving these groundbreaking goals.