In a remarkable leap forward for neuroscience and technological innovation, Elon Musk’s brain implant company Neuralink has officially received approval from the FDA to begin the first human trials of its groundbreaking brain-computer interface.
The announcement was made via Twitter. However, no details were given at the time of publishing about when the clinical trials or recruitment would begin.
What does this new invention do?
Neuralink’s overall goal is to have the human nervous system be able to communicate with computers. The invention it is developing is called the Neuralink N1 implant. It is slightly larger than a quarter.
What will the N1 implant be used for?
The plan is to start using the device only with quadriplegic patients first. Musk said he’s wanted to see if the device will help people restore their vision as well as people with little or no ability to operate their muscles rapidly to operate computers and control devices. He also said he hoped the device could be used to reconnect the brain’s communication with the spinal cord for someone with a broken neck.
Once clinical trials take place, and there is a better idea of how safe and secure this device is, Musk aims to put it on the market for the public. He said his brain-computer interfaces could have the potential to restore independence and improve lives for the better.
Is this device safe to use?
Well, it has yet to be determined if the device is safe because its clinical trials have not yet begun. The possibilities for what this device can do, however, are endless. This could potentially be used in the future to control bionic limbs, think of a message and send it directly to someone else’s neural implant, play video and audio without the need for displays and more.
However, it has worked extremely well with quadriplegic patients helping them regain tactile function, movement of limbs and prosthetics and the ability to control digital devices. It gives hope that Musk’s N1 implant might really work. Below is a video from Blackrock Neurotech showing how their chip has been successful.
Can I be part of the Neuralink clinical trials?
If you are interested in learning whether you may qualify for future Neuralink clinical trials, you can join their patient registry by logging on here. You will have to fill out a brief screener to determine whether you are eligible to submit a patient registry application. Their website states that:
“Anyone within the United States who is at least 18 years old and the age of majority in their state, who is able to consent, and who has quadriplegia, paraplegia, vision loss, hearing loss, and/or the inability to speak, is invited to participate in the Patient Registry.”
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