Tech billionaire Elon Musk announced that his company Neuralink has successfully implanted a wireless brain chip into the human body. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the surgery had shown "promising" brain activity and that the patient's condition was "improving." The company aims to connect the human brain to computers to help fight complex neurological diseases. Many competitors already offer similar devices. Professor Anne van Hastenberg of King's College London said: Many companies are creating interesting products while making their devices available to everyone. There are only a few companies. Therefore, Neuralink joins a very limited group. »
However, he also advises caution, as "true success" can only be measured over the long term. He further added: “We know that Elon Musk is very good at building a company's reputation. Another company that has made similar progress in this area is Switzerland's Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne ( EPFL) is a company that specializes in helping paralyzed people regain their ability to walk and think. This is done by implanting electronic devices in the brain and spine that wirelessly transmit thoughts to the legs and feet. Details of the results will be published in the May 2023 issue of Nature. Mr. Musk's claims have not been independently verified, and Neuralink has not disclosed details of the alleged lawsuit. BBC News has contacted Neuralink and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for comment. Check nerve connections
Neuralink has faced criticism in the past. Reuters reported in December 2022 that about 1,500 animals, including sheep, monkeys and pigs, died during the company's tests. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's secretary, which investigates animal welfare issues, said in July 2023 that it had not found any companies violating animal research regulations. However, the incident is being investigated by another agency. Musk's company has received approval from the United States. The Food and Drug Administration is planning human trials of the chip in May 2023. He gave the green light to a six-year study that used robots to surgically insert 64 thinner, more flexible wires. phone. From human hair to the part of the brain that controls "target movement."
The company says these cables will allow the experimental implant, powered by a wirelessly rechargeable battery, to record brain signals and send them wirelessly to an app that can interpret how people want to move. Professor Tara Spears-Jones, President of the British Society of Neurology, said: "This has huge potential to help people with neurological conditions in the future and is a great example of how we can advance scientific research." Ta. This neuroscience can be used to motivate clinicians. ”
"However, many of these interfaces require invasive brain surgery and are still in testing stages, so it could be years before they are widely available."
telepathy
Neuralink's first product will be called Telepathy, Musk said in a separate document. He said that with telepathy, "you can control almost any device, including your cell phone or computer, just by thinking."
"The first adopters of this program will be those who do not need to be members," he continued. “Imagine if Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than writers and auctioneers. That's the goal," he said, referring to a British scientist who suffers from motor neuron disease. While Musk's involvement has boosted Neuralink's reputation, some of its competitors have also found success. Utah-based Blackrock Neurotech launched the first BrainHe computer interface in 2004. Precision Neuroscience, founded by the co-founders of Neuralink, is working to help people living with paralysis. He explained that his implant is like a very thin bandage placed on the surface of the brain and can be inserted through a "small incision in the skull" in a simpler procedure. Even with the current system, results can still be achieved. Two recent scientific studies conducted in the United States used implanted devices to monitor and measure brain activity when a person attempts to speak.
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