Neuralink's debut implant experiences partial detachment
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Neuralink's implants operate by inserting a compact container into the skull containing a processing chip, battery, and 64 thin threads that link to the brain tissue.
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Neuralink’s brain chip (X)
Neuralink encountered an unexpected setback with its first human brain chip implant when the device began to detach from the patient's brain, as revealed by the company on Wednesday.
The patient, Noland Arbaugh, underwent surgery in February for the Neuralink chip implantation, but within a month, the device's functionality started to decline. Some threads of the device connecting the brain to the miniature computer began to retract.
Although Neuralink did not disclose the reason behind this issue, it stated in a blog post that engineers refined the implant and restored its functionality.
Despite the decrease in capabilities, Arbaugh was not endangered, and he could still use the implant to play chess on a computer using his thoughts, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the chip's issue. The possibility of removing the implant was considered after the detachment occurred, according to The Journal.
In late February, issues with Arbaugh's implant arose, as stated in Neuralink's blog post, when a certain number of threads from the chip retracted from the brain. This led to a reduction in the number of functional electrodes, resulting in a decrease in the device's bits per second, a measure of its performance capability.
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Neuralink, owned by Elon Musk and valued at approximately $5 billion last year, has extensively promoted the achievements of its initial implant, positioning itself as a global frontrunner in brain-chip technology. However, with the device still in its infancy, the company's announcement draws increased focus on the unproven and intricate aspects of the experimental procedure.
Neuralink's implants operate by inserting a compact container into the skull containing a processing chip, battery, and 64 thin threads that link to the brain tissue, engaging with its neural signals.
Despite encountering some problems, Arbaugh, who is quadriplegic, expressed satisfaction with the implant during a March demonstration, asserting that it had significantly improved his life.
Prior to Neuralink's inaugural human implant, the company conducted extensive experimentation for years on various animals, such as sheep, pigs, and monkeys. Earlier this year, regulatory bodies initiated multiple investigations into the company's practices at these animal testing facilities. They identified issues related to quality control and recordkeeping at one research facility in California.
