Elon Musk's Neuralink has gained approval from US FDA to recruit patients for its first human trial of a brain implant, designed to help paralysis patients.
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Trial's aim
The six-year trial will aim to test the implant's safety and efficacy in controlling a computer cursor or keyboard through thoughts alone.
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BCI implant procedure
To implant the brain-computer interface (BCI) device, researchers will use a robot to surgically place it in a region of the brain that controls the intention to move.
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Translating thoughts to actions
Neuralink's ultimate goal is to develop an implantable BCI that translates thoughts into actions, potentially controlling external devices like prosthetic limbs or computers.
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Regulatory hurdles ahead
Despite FDA's approval, Neuralink faces federal scrutiny over animal testing, and experts estimate it could take over a decade to secure commercial use clearance.