FREMONT, California: Elon Musk’s brain tech startup, Neuralink, said that its implant, designed to enable paralyzed patients to use digital devices by thinking alone, is working well in a second trial patient.
The company stated that the second patient, identified as Alex, has not encountered the “thread retraction” issue that affected the first patient, Noland Arbaugh, who received the implant in January.
For Arbaugh, tiny wires from the implant retracted after surgery, significantly reducing the number of electrodes capable of detecting brain signals. However, Neuralink mentioned that the threads have since stabilized.
Earlier, Reuters reported that Neuralink was aware of this issue from its animal trials. In response, the company has implemented measures for the second patient, such as reducing brain movement during surgery and minimizing the gap between the implant and the brain’s surface to prevent similar complications.
Neuralink is currently testing its device, which is designed to assist people with spinal cord injuries. The device has enabled the first patient to play video games, browse the internet, post on social media, and control a cursor on his laptop.
Last month, the company successfully implanted the device in the second patient, who has since been using it to play video games and learn 3D design.
