Musk's Neuralink: Second implant attempt went well, no problem with thread retraction

(Reuters) – Elon Musk's brain technology startup Neuralink said its implant designed to enable paralyzed patients to use digital devices by thinking alone was working well in a second test patient.

The company said the patient, named Alex, had no problems with “thread retraction,” unlike Noland Arbaugh, Neuralink's first patient to receive the implant in January.

The implant's tiny wires retracted after Arbaugh's surgery, leading to a severe reduction in the number of electrodes that could measure brain signals. The threads have stabilized in Arbaugh, Neuralink said.

Reuters had reported that Neuralink was aware of this problem through its animal testing.

The company said Wednesday that it had taken measures such as reducing brain movement during surgery and reducing the distance between the implant and the brain surface to prevent similar problems in its second patient.

Neuralink is currently testing its device to help people with spinal cord injuries. The device has already enabled the first patient to play video games, browse the internet, post on social media and move a cursor on their laptop.

Last month, the company successfully implanted the device in a second patient, who used it to play video games and learn how to design 3D objects.

(Reporting by Christy Santhosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)