Neuralink, a startup from Elon Musk, earned FDA clearance to begin in-human clinical trials.
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One of Elon Musk’s lesser known endeavors, the brain implant startup Neuralink, took a major step forward Thursday when the FDA cleared the company to begin in-human clinical trials.
Neuralink says its brain implant, designed as an interface to connect brain function with an outboard electronic device, has the potential to aid those with severe disabilities.
We are excited to share that we have received the FDA’s approval to launch our first-in-human clinical study!
This is the result of incredible work by the Neuralink team in close collaboration with the FDA and represents an important first step that will one day allow our…
— Neuralink (@neuralink) May 25, 2023
Neuralink’s brain-machine interface device uses small electrodes implanted into the brain to record the electrical activity of neurons, according to a breakdown on the Findlight blog. This information is then sent to a computer for analysis, which uses it to control external devices such as a robotic arm or a computer cursor. The electrodes are made of a flexible, biocompatible material that can detect the electrical signals, also called “spikes” or “action potentials,” produced by neurons when they communicate with one another. The chip processes the signals from the electrodes and sends them wirelessly to a small computer worn behind the ear, which would then connect to the internet and other devices.
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Source:: Deseret News – Utah News
