The brain-implant startup owned by Elon Musk has implanted its device in a second patient. The implant is aimed at allowing paralyzed individuals to control digital devices purely through thought, which is a major leap in the journey of the company to help people with spinal cord injuries.
In a podcast released late last Friday, Musk revealed the success of the second implant, noting that 400 of the device’s electrodes are functional in the patient, who, like the first, has a spinal cord injury. While Musk provided few details about the second patient, he expressed optimism about the outcome, stating “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.”
Neuralink’s website indicates that each implant utilizes 1,024 electrodes. The device aims to allow patients to engage in activities such as playing video games, browsing the internet, posting on social media, and moving a cursor on a laptop, all through thought alone. The first patient, Noland Arbaugh, showcased the implant’s potential by demonstrating his ability to control a computer cursor with his mind. Before receiving the implant, Arbaugh used a stick held in his mouth to interact with a tablet device. The implant has provided him with a degree of independence and reduced his reliance on caregivers.
Arbaugh faced initial challenges post-surgery when the implant’s tiny wires retracted, reducing the number of electrodes that could measure brain signals. Neuralink addressed this by modifying the implant’s algorithm to enhance sensitivity, restoring its functionality. Arbaugh has since improved his record for cursor control speed, despite having only a fraction of the electrodes working.
As part of its clinical trials, Neuralink intends to implant devices in eight additional patients this year, according to Musk. He also talked about his discussion with Republican contender Donald Trump regarding the creation of a commission to lower business rules and increase government efficiency, highlighting his opinion that American regulations frequently stifle innovation.
