Neuralink Implants Brain Chip in Second Trial Patient, Says Musk

Elon Musk announced that Neuralink has successfully implanted a brain chip in its second trial patient. This development signifies a major step forward in the company's quest to enhance brain-computer interface technology, potentially revolutionizing how humans interact with machines and addressing neurological disorders. Neuralink's progress continues to generate significant interest and optimism about the future applications of this groundbreaking technology.

Neuralink has successfully implanted its device in a second patient, designed to enable paralyzed individuals to use digital devices through thought alone, according to the company's owner, Elon Musk. Neuralink is currently testing this device, which aims to assist people with spinal cord injuries. The first patient has been able to play video games, browse the internet, post on social media, and move a cursor on his laptop using the implant.

Musk, speaking during an eight-hour podcast released on Friday, provided limited details about the second participant, only mentioning that this individual had a spinal cord injury similar to the first patient, who was paralyzed in a diving accident. He stated that 400 of the implant's electrodes in the second patient's brain are functioning. Neuralink's website notes that its implant utilizes 1,024 electrodes.

"I don't want to jinx it, but it seems to have gone extremely well with the second implant," Musk told podcast host Lex Fridman. "There's a lot of signal, a lot of electrodes. It's working very well." Musk did not specify when the second patient's surgery took place. He anticipates that Neuralink will 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, along with three Neuralink executives, who detailed how the implant and robot-assisted surgery work. Before receiving his implant in January, Arbaugh used a stick in his mouth to tap the screen of a tablet device. With the implant, he can now simply think about what he wants to happen on the computer screen, and the device makes it happen, granting him some independence and reducing his reliance on caregivers.

Arbaugh initially encountered issues after surgery when the tiny wires of his implant retracted, leading to a significant reduction in the electrodes that could measure brain signals. Reuters reported that Neuralink was aware of this problem from its animal trials.

Neuralink has restored the implant's ability to monitor Arbaugh's brain signals by making modifications, including adjusting its algorithm to be more sensitive. Arbaugh has since improved his previous world record for the speed at which he can control a cursor with thoughts alone, "with only roughly 10, 15% of the electrodes working," Musk said on the podcast.

Additionally, Musk mentioned that he has spoken with Republican candidate Donald Trump, whom he has endorsed in the U.S. presidential race, about forming a commission aimed at enhancing "government efficiency" by reducing business regulation. Musk expressed his willingness to participate, stating that he believes U.S. regulations impede innovation.

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Source: Reuters‍