Elon Musk’s Neuralink Implants Brain Device In Second Paralysed Patient

The brain-computer interface company Neuralink has successfully implanted its device in a second patient. This breakthrough from Elon Musk’s company is part its ongoing efforts to help paralysed individuals regain control over digital devices using only their thoughts. 

Musk shared the news during a podcast with Lex Fridman, expressing optimism about the procedure's success and the device's performance.

The first patient, Noland Arbaugh, who was paralysed in a diving accident, received his implant in January. Before the implant, Arbaugh relied on a mouth stick to operate a tablet. Now, with the Neuralink device, he can perform various activities such as playing video games, browsing the internet, posting on social media and controlling a laptop cursor merely by thinking. This advancement has hugely increased his independence and reduced his dependence on caregivers.

Despite initial challenges with the implant’s tiny wires retracting and reducing electrode functionality, Neuralink successfully restored the device's performance by enhancing its sensitivity algorithm. Arbaugh’s experience with the device has been notably positive, with improvements in the speed at which he can control a cursor using only a fraction of the electrodes.

The second patient, who also has a spinal cord injury, now has 400 of the device’s 1,024 electrodes working effectively. Although Musk did not disclose the exact timing of this second surgery, he indicated that the procedure went very well and the implant is functioning as intended. 

Neuralink plans to continue its clinical trials by providing implants to eight more patients throughout the year.

In addition to discussing Neuralink’s progress, Musk also revealed his endorsement of Republican candidate Donald Trump in the upcoming US presidential race. He mentioned his conversation with Trump about forming a commission aimed at improving government efficiency by reducing business regulations, which Musk believes are stifling innovation. He expressed his willingness to participate in such initiatives to foster a more innovation-friendly environment.