Neuralink has implanted its device in a second patient, allowing paralyzed patients to use digital devices by thinking alone, as reported by Elon Musk, the startup’s owner.
Neuralink is currently testing this device to assist people with spinal cord injuries. The first patient has already used the device to play video games, browse the internet, post on social media, and control a laptop cursor.
In a lengthy podcast released on Friday, Musk shared that the second patient has a spinal cord injury similar to the first patient, who was paralyzed in a diving accident. He mentioned that 400 of the device’s 1,024 electrodes are functioning well. However, he did not reveal the exact timing of the second surgery.
“I don’t want to jinx it but it seems to have gone extremely well with the second implant,” Musk told podcast host Lex Fridman. “There’s a lot of signal, a lot of electrodes. It’s working very well.”
Musk anticipates that Neuralink will implant its device in eight more patients this year as part of its clinical trials.
The podcast also featured Noland Arbaugh, the first patient, and three Neuralink executives who explained the implant and robot-led surgery process. Before his implant in January, Arbaugh used a stick in his mouth to interact with a tablet. Now, he can control his computer just by thinking, which has given him greater independence and reduced his need for caregivers.
Arbaugh initially experienced problems when the tiny wires of his implant retracted, reducing the number of functional electrodes. Neuralink had identified this issue in animal trials. The company has since restored the implant’s functionality by adjusting its algorithm to detect brain signals better. Despite only about 10-15% of the electrodes working, Arbaugh has improved his cursor control speed, surpassing his previous world record, Musk noted on the podcast.
Additionally, Musk mentioned his discussions with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump about forming a commission to enhance “government efficiency” by reducing business regulations. Musk expressed his belief that U.S. regulations hinder innovation.
