Neuralink Successfully Implants Brain Chip in Second Trial Patient

Neuralink has successfully implanted its device in a second patient. This device is designed to give paralyzed patients the ability to use digital devices by thinking alone, according to Elon Musk, the startup’s owner.

Neuralink is testing its device to help people with spinal cord injuries. The first patient has used the device to play video games, browse the internet, post on social media, and move a cursor on his laptop.

Musk shared this news during a podcast released late on Friday. The podcast lasted over eight hours. He gave few details about the second participant. Musk mentioned that the person had a spinal cord injury similar to the first patient, who was paralyzed in a diving accident. Musk said 400 electrodes of the implant are working in the second patient’s brain. Neuralink’s website states that its implant uses 1,024 electrodes.

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Musk told podcast host Lex Fridman, “I don’t want to jinx it, but it seems to have gone extremely well with the second implant. There’s a lot of signal, a lot of electrodes. It’s working very well.”

Musk did not disclose when the second patient’s surgery took place. He expects Neuralink to provide implants to eight more patients this year as part of its clinical trials. The first patient, Noland Arbaugh, was also interviewed on the podcast. Three Neuralink executives joined him. They gave details about the implant and the robot-led surgery.

Before receiving his implant in January, Arbaugh used a stick in his mouth to tap a tablet screen. With the implant, he can now control the computer by thinking. The device has given him some independence and reduced his reliance on caregivers.

Arbaugh initially faced issues after surgery. The tiny wires of his implant retracted, reducing the electrodes that could measure brain signals. Reuters reported that Neuralink was aware of this issue from its animal trials.

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Neuralink restored the implant’s ability to monitor Arbaugh’s brain signals by modifying its algorithm. Arbaugh has improved his speed at controlling a cursor with thoughts alone, even with only 10 to 15 percent of the electrodes working.

Musk said he has spoken with Republican candidate Donald Trump. They talked about forming a commission to improve government efficiency through reduced business regulation. Musk, who endorses Trump in the U.S. presidential race, believes U.S. regulations hamper innovation.

Source: Neuralink Implanted Second Trial Patient With Brain Chip