Neuralink, the brain-computer software company owned by Elon Musk, is moving ahead with programs for a second person despite facing significant failures with its first human brain-chip implant.
Ars Technica reports that , Neuralink, the brain- computer software company owned by Elon Musk, has encountered challenges with its first individual patient, 29- year- ancient Noland Arbaugh. Only about 15 % of the electrode-bearing threads implanted in Arbaugh’s brain are still functional, according to a recent report from The Wall Street Journal. The remaining 85 percent of the threads moved, and many of the ones that were left with much signal processing were left off.
The agency’s brain- device consists of 64 strands, each thinner than a animal hair and carrying several electrodes. In total, the device boasts 1, 024 sensors, which are surgically implanted near cells of interest to document signs that can be decoded into designed actions. Neuralink had previously disclosed in a May 8 blog post that” a number” of these threads had “retracted” in the first patient’s brain.
Elon Musk, billionaire and chief executive officer of Tesla, at the Viva Tech fair in Paris, France, on Friday, June 16, 2023. Musk predicted his , Neuralink Corp.  , would carry out its first brain implant later this year. Photographer: Nathan Laine/Bloomberg
Arbaugh admitted to crying when he learned of the setback and requested that Neuralink have a different procedure to repair or replace the implant after speaking with the Journal about how he had felt. However, the company declined, stating that it wanted to wait for more information. Arbaugh has since recovered from the initial disappointment and remains hopeful about the technology’s potential, stating,” I thought that I had just gotten to, you know, scratch the surface of this amazing technology, and then it was all going to be taken away. However, it only took me a few days to fully recover from that and come to terms with the fact that everything I’ve done up until that point would benefit everyone who followed me.
Neuralink believes it can prevent thread movement by inserting the fine wires deeper into brain tissue as it prepares to implant its chip into a second trial participant. The FDA, which regulates clinical trials, reportedly approved Neuralink to insert the threads 8 millimeters into the second patient’s brain, a significant improvement from the 3 mm to 5 mm depth used in Arbaugh’s implantation. The second operation is anticipated to be performed by the company in June.
Brain-computer interface chips have existed for many years, it should be noted. Researchers discovered the first instance of a brain chip that allowed a tetraplegic patient to operate a “neural cursor” that could be used to open emails, control devices, and control a prosthetic hand and robotic arm in 2006. The chip used was a Utah Array containing 96 electrodes, which can penetrate up to 1.5 mm into brain tissue.
Read more here at Ars Technica.
For Breitbart News, Lucas Nolan is a reporter covering issues involving free speech and online censorship.
