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Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, is set to conduct its second human trial. The new surgery is expected to occur within the next week or so, marking a crucial step in Neuralink’s ongoing feasibility study aimed at helping paralyzed individuals and potentially providing artificial vision to the blind.
The company has been refining its procedures following complications encountered by its first participant, Noland Arbaugh. Arbaugh, who is paralysed from the shoulders down, received the first Neuralink implant in January.
Initially, the device functioned as intended, enabling him to control a computer cursor with his thoughts. However, several weeks post-surgery, the implant began to malfunction, with some threads retracting from the brain and reducing the number of effective electrodes.
Neuralink’s executives acknowledged the issue, noting that trapped air inside Arbaugh’s skull post-surgery may have contributed to the malfunction. To prevent similar problems, the surgical team plans to insert the threads deeper into the brain tissue and track their movement more meticulously.
Additionally, they intend to minimise the gap between the implant and the brain by sculpting the skull’s surface, ensuring a closer fit and reducing thread tension.
The coin-sized Neuralink implant features 64 flexible wire threads, each thinner than a human hair, extending into the brain. These threads, equipped with electrodes, collect signals from neurons to interpret intended movements.
Despite the initial setback, Arbaugh has regained some functionality. 15 percent of the implant’s threads are still operational, allowing him to interact with a computer.
Neuralink is also developing a next-generation implant with 128 threads containing eight electrodes. This upgrade aims to double the device’s bandwidth, enhancing its ability to accurately capture and transmit neural signals.
While the current focus is on aiding individuals with disabilities, Musk envisions a broader application for BCI technology. He aims to establish a symbiotic relationship between human intelligence and artificial intelligence, potentially mitigating the risks posed by AI.
Neuralink’s first product, Telepathy, is designed to help paralysed users operate computers through thought alone. The second product, Blindsight, targets restoring vision to blind individuals. Both initiatives are part of a larger strategy to integrate human cognitive functions with advanced digital technologies, reports Wired.
Musk announced plans to implant the device in ‘the high single digits’ of participants this year, signalling a cautious yet progressive approach to the trials.
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