Neuralink is prepared to take things to the unavoidable next level by experimenting with its brain-reading chip in human beings.
After acquiring approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Neuralink, Elon Musk’s firm, is prepared to experiment with its contentious brain chip implants in paralyzed human participants.
Via an official blog post, the company claimed it is currently enlisting participants for a clinical trial to assess the technology’s functionality and safety.
Neuralink Prime Study Granted Investigational Device Exemption (IDE)
The firm wrote that the PRIME Study is being carried out under the investigational device exemption (IDE) granted by the Foods and Drug Administration in May 2023 and reflects a critical stage in its mission to develop a generalized brain interface to reinstate independence to persons with unfulfilled medical needs. The BCI’s first goal is to allow individuals to utilize their thoughts to control a keyboard or computer cursor.
To attain this objective, minute flexible threads containing electrodes would be surgically placed in the brain’s region that guides movement. According to the firm, the study will involve the R1 Robot surgically positioning the R1 Implant in an area of the brain responsible for movement intention controls. Participants will be requested to utilize the NI User App and N1 Implant to control a computer and offer feedback regarding the system.
Neuralink Capable of Restoring Mobility to Control Devices
After implementation, Neuralink asserts its device could read a user’s planned finger and hand movements and interpret them into commands to control outside devices. The firm claims that the N1 Implant records neural activity. Despite having an 8mm diameter, each of its 1024 electrodes is thinner compared to human hair.
Despite the highly invasive method being risky, other researchers have experienced success by using less intrusive methods to reinstate mobility in incapacitated patients. A previous report shows that Keith Thomas, who has quadriplegia, had his arm movement restored by just thinking about it. Northwell Health scientists had embedded sensors on the brain’s surface.
Neuralink’s Brain Chips Restoring Autonomy to Paralysed Individuals
If confirmed effective and harmless, Neuralink’s brain chips could provide new autonomy to persons affected by paralysis linked to spine injuries or health conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Nevertheless, this technology also evokes concerns regarding the ethics of implants with the ability to read persons’ thoughts.
The announcement by Neuralink comes after a debatable history of animal testing. A comprehensive report shows that the firm has been accused of failed experiments that killed over 1,500 animals. Persons ready to test the device will get compensation for ‘study-associated costs’ over the six years the study will last.
This experiment, referred to as ‘The Prime Study (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface), has been endorsed to begin at an unnamed hospital location. However, Neuralink has significant objectives for its technology, lately generating funding amounting to $280M.
Neuralink suggests a future that involves artificial intelligence-powered and thought-reading chips being the standard. Besides, the technology will supplement human abilities.
Elon Musk’s vision still encounters many regulatory and ethical challenges before it becomes a reality. Despite improvements such as Neuralink’s holding promise for persons with restricted movement, the line between human progress and treatment could be indistinct.
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