In January, Neuralink implanted the device in a patient named Noland Arbaugh, 29, as part of a study to test its safety. The company released a live video of Arbaugh using the BCI in March, Neuralink said in a news release April blog post said the operation went “very well”.
But a few weeks later, a series of threads were pulled back from Arbaugh’s brain, Neuralink said in a statement. blog post Wednesday. This meant fewer effective electrodes, which hindered the company’s ability to measure Link’s speed and accuracy.
Neuralink did not say how many threads were pulled back from the tissue. The company did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.
As a solution, Neuralink said it has changed its recording algorithm, improved its user interface, and is working to improve the way it converts signals into cursor movements. Neuralink is reportedly considering removing the implant, but the problem did not pose a direct risk to Arbaugh’s safety. The Wall Street Journal, who reported the problem earlier. According to the report, Neuralink shared the blog post after the Journal asked the company about the matter.
Although some of the threads from Arbaugh’s brain tissue were pulled back, Neuralink said the company uses the BCI system about eight hours a day during the week and 10 hours a day on the weekends.
Arbaugh said Link was like “luxury overload” and helped him “reconnect with the world,” according to a blog post.
Neuralink is not the only company building a BCI system, and the technology has been studied in academic settings for decades.
Neuralink has a long road of safety and efficacy testing before it qualifies for US Food and Drug Administration approval to commercialize the technology.