TapTechNews May 16 news, according to five people familiar with the matter, Elon Musk's brain-machine interface company Neuralink revealed last week that the wiring of its brain-machine interface 'first attempter' had disconnected, an issue the company has known for years.
According to Reuters, three sources said that the company learned from animal tests conducted last year in the United States before approval that these wires may retract, causing the sensitive electrodes that decode brain signals to fail. Sources added that Neuralink believes the risk is low enough not to warrant a redesign.
Neuralink is testing its implant to allow paralyzed patients to use digital devices by thinking alone, a prospect that could help spinal cord injury patients. The company said last week that in the first human trial, the electrodes from the implant (TapTechNews note: thinner than human hair) retracted from the patient's brain, leading to fewer electrodes that can measure brain signals.
These signals are then translated into actions, such as moving a mouse cursor on a computer screen. The company said it successfully restored the ability of the implant to monitor the patient's brain signals by modifying algorithms to make them more sensitive.
Sources declined to be named, citing nondisclosure agreements with the company. Neuralink and its executives did not respond to requests for comment via phone and email.
One of the sources said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was aware of the potential issues with the electrodes, but the FDA declined to comment on whether it was aware of the issue or its potential significance. The agency said it would continue to monitor the safety of patients participating in Neuralink studies.