Neuralink has successfully implanted its brain-computer interface device in a second patient, aimed at enabling paralyzed individuals to control digital devices purely through thought, according to Elon Musk.
This technology, designed for people with spinal cord injuries, is currently in the testing phase and has shown promising results with the first patient.
Noland Arbaugh, the first implant recipient, has demonstrated significant progress since receiving the device in January. He has been able to play video games, browse the internet, post on social media, and move a cursor on his laptop by thinking about these actions. Before the implant, Arbaugh used a stick in his mouth to operate a tablet, but now he experiences newfound independence and reduced reliance on caregivers.
Elon Musk, in a recent podcast with Lex Fridman, discussed the progress with the second patient, who also has a spinal cord injury similar to Arbaugh’s. While Musk did not specify when the second surgery took place, he mentioned that 400 of the implant’s 1,024 electrodes are functioning effectively. “I don’t want to jinx it, but it seems to have gone extremely well with the second implant,” Musk stated. “There’s a lot of signal, a lot of electrodes. It’s working very well.”
Musk revealed plans to implant the device in eight more patients this year as part of Neuralink’s clinical trials, aiming to further demonstrate the device’s efficacy and safety. During the podcast, Arbaugh, along with three Neuralink executives, detailed how the implant and robot-led surgery work, emphasizing the potential of this technology to revolutionize the lives of those with spinal cord injuries.
Despite initial challenges, such as the retraction of tiny wires post-surgery that resulted in reduced measurable brain signals, Neuralink is advancing its technology, promising a new level of independence for individuals with paralysis.
