The company Neuralink has announced progress of its second PRIME study participant, Alex, has begun using its Neuralink implant implant(Link). The surgery was performed at Barrow Neurological Institute successfully and uneventfully, allowing Alex to be discharged the following day. Since his rapid and smooth recovery, he has been able to improve his ability to play video games and learn to use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create 3D objects and complex animations.
What is the PRIME study?
The PRIME study is a medical device clinical trial to evaluate the safety and functionality of the Neuralink brain-computer interface (BCI). Neuralink. This trial is focused on people with quadriplegia, with the aim of enabling them to control external devices with their thoughts, allowing them to regain some of their autonomy.
From the moment Alex connected his implant to his computer, it took him less than five minutes to begin controlling a cursor with his mind. A few hours later, he surpassed the speed and accuracy he had previously achieved with other assistive technologies. In fact, he broke the previous world record for “cursor control by BCI” with a non-Neuralink device. His skills allowed him to play the famous and popular video game, “Counter-Strike”, performing “small commands” with just his thoughts.
Before his spinal cord injury, Alex worked as an automotive technician, repairing and adjusting vehicles and machinery. Therefore, his interest in 3D design led him to learn how to use CAD software with his new brain implant, managing to create a customized support for his Neuralink charger. That part was designed and then 3D printed, an interesting development. The company is working to improve Alex’s experience by creating functions that allow the assignment of“different types of clicks” to specific mental movements, augmenting his capabilities for CAD software software more efficiently.
Efficient use of the Link brain implant
Alex has also managed to integrate the use of the Link with his Quadstick assistive device, achieving favorable and positive assistance in first-person shooter games. Previously, the Quadstick allowed him to control only one joystick at a time, restricting him to“scrolling and aiming” simultaneously. Now, with the Link, you can perform both actions at the same time and more fluidly, enhancing your gaming experience.
To reduce the challenges observed in the first study participant first study participant Neuralink implemented measures to mitigate the likelihood of implant thread retraction , a problem that can temporarily affect BCI performance. These measures have proven effective, because Alex has not experienced any thread retraction.
Neuralink continues to work on extending the capabilities of the Link. For example, it continues to develop algorithms to enable decoding of multiple simultaneous clicks and movements, which will provide full mouse and controller functionality for video games. In addition, researchers continue to create and design algorithms to “recognize handwriting intent,” enabling faster and more agile text input. These improvements will help people with quadriplegia, as well as those with neurological conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), by expanding their abilities to communicate and manipulate objects such as devices.
The future of the brain-computer interface looks bright, with plans to allow the ” Link chip” to interact with the physical world, enabling it to control robotic arms, means of transport such as wheelchairs, and a host of household appliances, to give more people greater independence and autonomy.
Follow us on social networks and don’t miss any of our publications!
YouTube LinkedIn Facebook Instagram X
Source and photo: Neuralink
Loading...
