Neuralink Announces First-Ever Human Implant of Brain-Computer Interface Chip

On January 30 local time, Elon Musk (Elon Musk) posted on his personal social media platform that,Precision Robotic Implantation of Brain-Computer Interface: Neuralink Has Completed Its First Human Brain Implant Surgery, and the Volunteer Is Currently Recovering Well.Preliminary results indicate robust neuronal spike detection.

Screenshot of Elon Musk's Personal Social Media Platform

Previously, in May 2023, the official website of Neuralink, the brain-computer interface company founded by Elon Musk, stated that its precise robotic brain-computer interface implant had received Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

2023On September 19, the official website announced that the Precision Robot Implant Brain-Computer Interface Study (PRIME Study) had received approval from an independent institutional review board.The first hospital site was simultaneously approved, initiating recruitment for the study’s first-in-human clinical trial.

Brain-Computer Interface refers to a device that converts neuronal information into commands capable of controlling external software or hardware, such as computers or robotic arms.

Since 2019, Musk has repeatedly stated in public that Neuralink will conduct human trials of brain-computer interfaces to treat intractable conditions such as paralysis and blindness.In 2020, it was publicly announced that the Neuralink brain-computer interface chip had been successfully implanted into a pig's brain without causing damage, and trials would be conducted on patients with paraplegia.

According to the announcement, the human clinical trial aims to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of the implant (N1) and the surgical robot (R1), specifically assessing whether paralyzed patients receiving the implant can control external devices using their thoughts.

In the study, the surgical robot (R1) placed the ultra-fine flexible threads of the implant (N1) into the brain regions controlling motor intent. Once in place,Implant (N1)It is invisible in appearance and can record brain signals, wirelessly transmitting them to an application that decodes motor intent, thereby enabling users to control a computer cursor or keyboard using only their thoughts.

Implant N1 and Surgical Robot R1 (Image source: Screenshot from the Neuralink official website)

The announcement stated,Patients with quadriplegia resulting from cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may be eligible for enrollment.(Planning: z_popeye | Supervision: gyouza, carollero)

Source: Neuralink Official Website

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