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Brain-on-Chip or chip-on-brain?

Digital illustration of a human head with the brain exposed, emitting wireless signals as digital waveforms.
Chipped brain. Generated by OpenAI.

Imagine this: a sci-fi dream come true, where our minds seamlessly connect with technology. That’s precisely what’s happening with Neuralink’s latest clinical trial. One of the latest Elon Musk’s companies successfully implanted a wireless chip straight into someone’s brain, and the first outcomes are very promising.

 

Noland Arbaugh is a 29-year-old who got into a free diving accident that left him unable to move from the shoulders down. Last January 28th, he became the first human patient implanted with a wireless Brain-computer Interface (BCI). Just weeks after the surgery, he’s playing chess with his mind, controlling music, and basically managing any computer command independently. He said: “It’s like I became a wizard overnight!”

Brain Computer Interface (BIC) chip from Neuralink held between two fingers
Neuralink's Brain-Computer Interface (BIC) adapted from the company's brochure.

The technology is composed of 64 threads thinner than a hair, implanted about 2 mm deep into the motor cortex, that control movement intention, with the assistance of a Neuralink surgical robot. The device communicates with the user app via Bluetooth, translating your thoughts into actions, such as making calls or gaming, just by thinking about an associated movement. According to Neuralink’s engineers, this first implant has provided invaluable feedback for further device improvements. The PRIME (Precise Robotically implanted Brain-Computer Interface) clinical trial is designed to last for 6 years with plans to enroll 11 patients in 2024 with an expected exponential growth of 22,204 patients in 2030. While currently focused on enhancing the quality of life for individuals with specific conditions (such as quadriplegia, paraplegia, visual impairment, inability to speak or hear, and/or major limb amputation); one can’t help but wonder: how far will this technology ultimately lead us?

In the meantime, check out ou review about microfluidic “mini-brains” !

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