Evolution and technology always go hand in hand, giving us fine devices that make human lives better. One such development is Elon Musk’s Neuralink Implant. However, much information about it has not been disclosed, and people want to know What is Neuralink Implant, how it works, what its features are, its cost, and more.
If you have just come across the trending news about this new chip and wish to know more about it, welcome to our blog post. Today, we will discuss everything about this new innovation and its possibilities.
What is Neuralink Implant?
The technical advancements have enabled the human mind to control computers with their brain with Neuralink. Elon Musk founded the brain-chip startup in 2016. People are curious to know what is Neuralink Implant and how it helps patients with paraplegia and blindness to gain improvement.
It is a tiny chip, almost about the size of five stacked coins. Doctors surgically place the chip inside the human brain to create a brain-computer interface (BCI). However, usual surgical procedures cannot implant the link inside the brain.
It requires a “Surgical Robot” that uses a needle–thinner than a human hair to grasp, insert, and release microfibre threads of the chip. The implant had 64 flexible polymer threads, providing 1,024 sites for recording brain activity.
So, people who want to know what is Neuralink Implant should know that the company is working to help paralysis patients communicate. The chip allows the patients to control devices remotely by using brain activity.
Furthermore, it can provide movement to people with spinal cord injuries, move their limbs, and cure blindness, mental illness, and neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
How Neuralink Implant work?
After understanding what is Neuralink Implant, it is time to learn how it works and what is its operating mechanism.
Makers officially call the Neuralink brain implant “The Link.” A robot places this coin-sized chip under the skull, surgically. The chip contains more than 1000 electrodes that can sense electrical signals in the brain. The robot weaves the threads into the cerebral cortex to capture thoughts related to motion.
The more electrodes an implant contains, the more neurons it can list and collect data.
The robot implants the chip very close to the neurons. Typical surgical procedures are not used for the insertion. This is to ensure a higher quality of reading data.
The company has developed a “Surgical Robot” called Neuralink’s R1 to install the chip without disturbing the blood cells in the brain.
The Neuralink Implant or N1 Implant comes completely sealed in a biocompatible chamber designed to withstand very harsh physiological conditions.
Neuralink connects with the neurons that decode for movement. It then sends these signals to the limbs, even if the spinal cord is damaged. The N1 implant records and transmits brain signals to an app called “My Link.” The app then analyzes them and puts them into intended movements.
Elon Musk’s Claim on the First Neuralink Chip
Elon Musk has claimed that the first successful Neuralink Chip has been implanted in the human mind. The company began in 2016, and eight years after its establishment, it claims to implant its first device in the human brain.
This is what Musk commented on X (previously on Twitter) for people to understand what is Neuralink implant better. “Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.” On 29 January, he announced that the first The first
@Neuralink product is called Telepathy.
According to Musk, the first human with an N1 implant is now able to control a mouse with his mind. He added, “Progress was good, and the patient had made a full recovery, with no adverse neural effects that we were aware of. The patient was able to move a mouse around the screen by just thinking.”
How much does the Neuralink cost?
The company has not officially announced the cost of Neuralink Implant yet. However, Bloomberg has given us an estimated price range of the device. It can cost about $10,500. Furthermore, insurers may have to give up to $40,000 for the surgery, exclusively in the US.
In May 2023, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) granted approval to Neuralink for human trials. So, the device is safe for neurological reasons.
Who is Eligible for Neuralink?
People who understand what is Neuralink Implant should know that the company has recently opened gates for human trials with a set criteria for eligibility. The company is providing trial compensation and study costs, such as travel expenses, medication, and more.
Eligibility criteria for Neuralink Clinical Trial
- Have quadriplegia (dysfunctioning of all 4 limbs)
- Spinal cord injury
- At least 1 year post-injury without improvement
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Are at least 22 years old
- Have a caretaker
The following individuals are not eligible
Patients who already have an implanted device
- People with a history of seizures
- Individuals with ongoing MRI treatment
- Patients receiving transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment
Neuralink Clinical Trial Time Duration
The study will take about 6 years to complete the first N1 implant to work on the human brain. Throughout the study, patients will have to come for regular follow-ups with Nerualink’s team.
The first successful implantation has already been done, and the whole team is closely examining the patient. Musk says that the patient is healing really well.
Documents such as CT scans and MRI scans of the brain, HIV test results, drug/alcohol abuse treatment records, and genetic testing information will be required from volunteers.
Neuralink dangers and controversies
Very few people know what is Neuralink Implant, its possibilities, and the actual process that led to its development.
So far, the Neuralink hardware has been only tested on animals. For the first time, the chip was successfully implanted in January 2024 in a human skull. Earlier in 2020, the company demonstrated the implantation of a pig called Gertrude.
Makers have successfully used the chip on a human with a neurological disorder after 4 years of further testing and improvement.
However, people are still questioning the safe side of the chip. Reuters investigation has reported that scientists have killed over 1,500 animals so far on testing.
The unethical killing of animals led to a federal investigation in December 2022. However, this forwent the company’s FDA approval for humans.
What is the risk of Neuralink?
There is a risk of infection and brain damage associated with the procedure.
Some bio-conservatives say that the “Neuralink” brain implant bridges the gap between natural and artificial, human and machine, and living and non-living frontiers.
The chip sought to merge human intelligence and artificial intelligence, resulting in the artificialization of the human and the humanization of the machine.
Furthermore, the procedure involved in surgically implanting the chip carries significant risks, including infections, bleeding, and damage to brain tissue.
At Last
We hope you must have understood what is Neuralink Implant, its uses, possibilities, the procedure involved, and its value in the medical field. It is a revolutionary device giving hope to people struggling with paralysis, spinal cord injuries, blindness, and more.
However, experts are still examining the project and conducting human trial tests. Though the FDA has approved it, its safety for humans still needs to be reviewed.
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