Elon Musk Shares Exciting News: Neuralink's Brain Chip Successfully Implanted in the First Human Patient
In a recent update on X (formerly Twitter), Elon Musk shared the achievement of Neuralink, his startup, in successfully implanting its inaugural human patient with a brain chip.
Musk expressed satisfaction with the initial outcomes, highlighting the 'promising neuron spike detection.' Neurons, essential cells in the nervous system, play a pivotal role in transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals to other cells, muscles, or glands.
The primary objective of Neuralink is to empower individuals with neurological conditions, enabling them to control a computer cursor or keyboard solely through their thoughts.
According to a report by the BBC, Professor Anne Vanhoestenberghe from King’s College London emphasized the significance of Neuralink's achievement, noting that for any company involved in medical device production, the first human trial marks a major milestone. She also urged caution, emphasizing that the true success of the chip implant can only be assessed over the long term.
In September, Neuralink obtained approval to initiate human trials. The research focuses on utilizing a robotic system to surgically insert a brain-computer interface (BCI) into the area of the brain associated with movement intention. Comprising 64 'ultra-fine' threads, the implant aids in transmitting signals to the subjects' brains, capturing and interpreting brain signals to understand the user's planned movements.
On January 29, Musk revealed that the first Neuralink product is named Telepathy.
Switzerland's École Polytechnique Fédérale in Lausanne (EPFL) has also made strides in the field, enabling a paralyzed individual to walk using only their thoughts through electronic implants on the brain and spine, communicating signals wirelessly to their legs and feet. This breakthrough was published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature in May 2023.
However, Neuralink has not been without controversy, facing scrutiny over its safety processes. Reuters reported fines issued to the company for violating US Department of Transportation (DOT) rules, with investigators finding failure to register as a transporter of hazardous material.
Neuralink's valuation stood at approximately £3.9 billion ($5 billion) last June, and in November, four lawmakers called on the US Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate whether Musk had misled investors regarding the safety of its technology.
Addressing concerns about Neuralink's safety, Musk clarified that issues in monkey implants, including paralysis, seizures, and brain swelling, occurred in early implants conducted on terminally ill monkeys to minimize risks to healthy individuals. He emphasized that no monkeys had died as a result of a Neuralink brain chip.
