Elon Musk's Neuralink is moving quickly with its brain-chip technology, and it is looking to enlist three more people in a groundbreaking trial.
This experiment, which seeks to alter how paralyzed persons use digital gadgets by changing their thoughts, is detailed in the U.S. Clinical Trials database.
(Photo: Flickr/Daniel Oberhaus)
The PRIME Study
PRIME: An Early Feasibility Study of a Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface for the Control of External Devices is scheduled to complete its first phase by 2026 and its final phase by 2031. The government has not necessarily approved a trial because it is included in the Clinical Trials database; nevertheless, additional information will be disclosed as the investigation progresses.
Neuralink is looking for people between the ages of 22 and 75 who are severely quadriplegic because of an ALS or spinal cord accident. These problems must have been going on for at least a year without improving.
The best options are people whose hands, wrists, and arms don't move at all or very little. The study specifically leaves out healthy people, people who are extremely obese, and people who have active devices implanted.
The journey began in January with the first Neuralink implant recipient. By March, Neuralink demonstrated the device's potential by exhibiting a patient using only their thoughts to play video games.
However, the company later admitted to some technical problems, which showed how complicated and new the technology was.
The Technology Behind Neuralink: First Results and What the Future Holds
The N1 device, which is put into the brain surgically with the R1 robot, is the most important part of the study. To record brain activity, the N1 implant has 1,024 electrodes spread out over 64 flexible lines, or "threads."
Thinner than hair, these threads are put into the brain's cortex near neurons of interest. Because this process needs to be very precise, it must be done with a robotic device.
Through his thoughts alone, the first patient, Noland Arbaugh, who was paralyzed from the shoulders down in a diving accident in 2016, has been able to play video games, browse the internet, and move a computer mouse. These early wins, which were talked about in company blog posts and videos, show how Neuralink's technology has the potential to change everything.
Taking Care of Criticism and Moving Forward
Although these changes look good, Neuralink has been criticized for not sharing additional details about its technology. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the clinical study, they usually push for openness to build trust with the public and recognize the contributions of trial participants.
The FDA wouldn't say anything about Neuralink in particular. Still, the company's recent registration of the details of its trial suggests that it is moving toward being more transparent.
A significant milestone has been reached by brain-computer interface (BCI) technology with the PRIME project, led by Dr. Francisco Ponce of the Arizonan Barrow Neurological Institute. Neuralink aims to enable paralyzed people to utilize digital devices with their thoughts, improving their quality of life.
As research continues, the likelihood that this technology will revolutionize the provision of brain care increases. Neuralink's developments demonstrate the need for medical technology to continue improving and revolutionizing our understanding and treatment of severe neurological disorders.
The world is waiting impatiently for the company to continue its cutting-edge research in quest of discoveries that may revolutionize patient care and medical science.
RELATED ARTICLE: First Neuralink Brain Implant Patient Can Play Games, Use Apps Despite Data Capture Reduction
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