Elon Musk’s Neuralink invites submissions for brain implant trials: Who may apply, and how?
May 17, 2024| 10:14pm|
Neuralink is seeking additional clinical trial applications after completing over 100 days of clinical testing, with the first person receiving his Neuralink implant and the procedure proceeding “extremely well.”
“Neuralink is now accepting applications for the second participant. This is our Telepathy cybernetic brain implant, which allows you to manage your phone and computer simply by thinking’, Elon Musk, the CEO of the neurotechnology business, said in an X post.
Neuralink plans to enable paralysed patients to operate digital gadgets only via their thoughts.
How can I apply for the Neuralink trial?
The PRIME Study, or Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface, is an experimental medical device study for Neuralink’s completely implanted, wireless brain-computer interface (BCI). Its goal is to analyse the safety of the N1 implant and R1 surgical robot, as well as the early functioning of the BCI, which allows people with quadriplegia to operate external equipment with their thoughts.
- Eligibility criteria: Participants in the Patient Registry must be 18 years old or older and have quadriplegia, paraplegia, vision loss, hearing loss, the inability to speak, and/or major limb amputation (above or below the elbow and/or knee) and be able to give consent.
- Registration Procedure: Prospective participants can click here or visit https://neuralink.com/patient-registry/. They will be asked for medical information, demographics, education, employment data, and information on assistive devices utilised. Medical records will be required to participate. If necessary, contact information for legally approved representatives will be sought.
- Neuralink has one clinical study open for recruitment in the United States. Participants who fulfil preliminary eligibility requirements based on the Patient Registry may be contacted to learn about ongoing and/or upcoming clinical studies.
First clinical study is successful.
Neuralink’s first patient, Noland Arbaugh, had his gadget implanted into his brain in January. Arbaugh, who has been paralysed from the shoulders down since a diving accident in 2016, has made remarkable progress with the gadget, according to the business.
He can use Neuralink technology to play video games, access the internet, and operate a computer cursor on his laptop with just his thoughts. According to Neuralink, Arbaugh rapidly broke the world record for cursor control speed following surgery.
Implant wires have shifted out of position
Neuralink announced this week that the implant’s tiny wires within the first patient’s brain shifted out of place during its first human trial, resulting in fewer electrodes to detect brain impulses.
According to reports, the corporation has been aware of the situation for some years. Despite recognising the risk from earlier animal research, Neuralink went forward with its US certification last year. The business concluded that the likelihood of wire retraction was minimal and did not justify a redesign.