Neuralink Corp., the brain technology company founded by Elon Musk, hit a significant obstacle when its first human implant encountered mechanical problems. After surgery in January, the device implanted in patient Noland Arbaugh began showing signs of malfunction, with some of the electrode-studded wires retracting from brain tissue, the company said in a recent blog post.
The glitch compromised the device's functionality, forcing Neuralink to implement a series of software solutions to resolve the issue. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the incident.
Neuralink said these software tweaks helped improve the device's performance, ultimately leading to “a rapid and sustained improvement that has now replaced Noland's original performance.”
Neuralink is currently focused on improving text input and cursor control for its brain-computer interface, with long-term plans to control physical devices such as robotic arms and wheelchairs. However, this recent glitch has raised concerns within the brain implant community.
Experts suggest the complication could be related to Neuralink's unique design, in which the electrode-studded wires connect to a device that sits in the skull bone rather than on the surface of the brain tissue. Eric Leuthardt, a neurosurgeon at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, noted that even small head movements can cause significant shifts in the brain. He explained that brain implants traditionally rest on top of brain tissue, allowing them to move more fluidly with the brain's natural movements.
Matt Angle, CEO of brain implant competitor Paradromics Inc., pointed out that retracting the wires is unusual for brain implants, suggesting this design approach may require further refinement. Neuralink's preclinical testing was conducted on animals with smaller brains, which could have affected its observed stability, Leuthardt added.
The timing of this disruption could impact Neuralink's plans for broader human trials, potentially causing delays in gaining FDA approval. Despite these setbacks, the company remains committed to advancing its technology and expanding its research into brain-computer interfaces for a broader range of applications.
(With input from Bloomberg)
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Published: May 9, 2024 6:04 PM IST