Historical Background
Neuralink is an implantable, brain-computer interface (BCI) neural device built by an American neurotechnology company called “Neuralink Corp”. Neuralink Corp is based in Fremont, California and was founded by Elon Musk and has a prominent former banker by the name Jared John Birchall as the Chief Executive Officer. Neuralink is a neural device launched in 2016 but was first reported publicly in March 2017.
This coin-sized device equipped with over 1000 electrodes is acclaimed to be capable of translating thoughts into action by providing great insights into brain or nervous system activities of humans, bringing vision to those born blind and also allowing people with paraplegia to regain movement.
But What is Neurotechnology?
Neurotechnology refers to any technology that has the ability to influence the activities of the brain or the central nervous systems function. The brain imaging experiments which helps to provide guide and useful information on sleeping pattern, mental illness and dizziness is a common example of the application of Neurotechnology in research and development while its practical application is exemplified in the rehabilitative medicines for mentally derailed, mentally retarded or addiction patients. Neurotechnology encompasses all technologies developed to understand the brain, visualize its processes and even control, repair or improve its functions.
Clinical Trial Journey
In 2023, The U.S Food and Drug Administration gave the approval to Neuralink to conduct human clinical trial as part of the major development process for the approval and acceptability of the device for human use. Neuralink Corp in a swift response to the approval successfully conducted the implanting of the neural device in a human for the first time on the 28 January, 2024. The trial subject named Noland Arbaugh is a quadriplegic man and was reported to be recovering well. Neuralink Corp via the social media page shared a progress report, the company in a viral blog post shared a progress report after 100 days of the surgery.
The blog post reads in part: “Our goal is to provide a high-performance interface that will enhance the control of digital devices for people with quadriplegia, unlocking their personal and professional potential. The first step toward this goal was achieved just over 100 days ago at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix Arizona, where Noland Arbaugh, the first participant of the PRIME Study, received his Neuralink implant (Link). As noted in our last blog post, the surgery went extremely well, and he was able to go home the following day.” By this consistent and periodic report on progresses and milestones of Neuralink’s development trend, it is possible this device enjoys quick and wide public acceptance if eventually approved for commercial production by FDA.
TECHNOLOGY
The Technology behind the Neuralink Chip is described as fully implantable and “cosmetically invisible”, the Neuralink chip uses thin, flexible threads equipped with 1,024 electrodes that record the activity of neurons, the nerve cells that send messages all over the body to drive nearly all human functions. The coin-sized device is powered by an advanced custom chip within the implant that processes these signals and transmits them to a digital device through a standard Bluetooth connection –– a novel step in BCI development. Surgical robots meticulously weave these threads into the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for the brain’s higher-level processes like learning and emotion, to ensure precise placement of the electrodes.
How the Neuralink Chip Works
Initially focusing on aiding individuals with severe paralysis, the Neuralink chip aims to restore personal control over limbs, prosthetics, or communication devices. By recording and decoding neural signals from individual neurons and then transmitting them back to the brain using electrical stimulation, the chip enables users to control devices solely through thought. Compared to other BCIs, Neuralink’s approach targets individual neurons, providing crucial data for sophisticated thought-decoding. Notably, the company has also developed a robot that can surgically implant the device with more precision and efficiency than a human surgeon.
According to neurobiologists, Neuralink’s device does not offer much in the way of new technological developments –– several companies have been developing surface electrodes offering similar technology for decades. However, Neuralink’s innovation is that its device packages many existing technologies into a single system and connects electrodes with individual neurons.
CHALLENGES
Safety Concerns
There has been various concerns raised about the potential drawbacks to Neuralink, many were hinged on potential health damage that can arise from the health solutions the device is trying to proffer.
Specifically, the major health concern has been related to surgical risk which is likely to occur in the process of the surgical procedure of implanting the chip which may result in bleeding, severe headache, damage to brain tissue etc. It could also result in psychological issue such as mood swing, nausea etc. Also there are indications that the introduction of this device could tell much on the anthropology of human by tending human being towards perfection which in the opinions of some philosophers is not achievable.
Ethical Considerations:
The potential benefits of BCIs are vast, but the ethical considerations are complex. Moving forward requires careful navigation to ensure this technology serves humanity, not the other way around.
Competition
It has been claimed that the invention of neural device and BCIs is not novel to Neuralink as there are existence of closely related product, such assertion poses a competition threat the Neuralink but this competitors will be considered worthy or not in due course based on efficacy.
Such competitive device include: BrainGate, Black rock, Synchron etc.
Does Neuralink have a future? We would like to hear from you!