Neuralink Human Brain Implant For the First Time

Source-This post on Neuralink Human Brain Implant in human has been created based on the article “Neuralink implants brain chip in first human, Musk says” published in “The Business Standard” on 31 January 2024.

Why in the news?

The first human patient has received an implant from brain-chip startup Neuralink on Sunday and is recovering well. This first product from Neuralink is called Telepathy.

About Neuralink Human Brain Implant – Telepathy

How does it function?

1. Implantation– A small chip called “link” is surgically inserted into a specific area of brain. “Link” has many wires which are even thinner than hair.

2. Neurological signal detection– The electrodes in the wires detect electrical signals in the brain.

3. Interpretation– These signals are used by the device for interpretation of their meaning. For ex- Ascertaining the type of movement represented by a particular sensory input.

4. Communication– Device then transmits this data to an external computer. This is achieved without any physical connections, using advanced wireless technology.

5. Application- The data is then processed by the external devices like computers for performing specific function which has been decoded like speech, movement of artificial limbs etc.

6. Feedback- The system can provide sensory feedback to the brain device, closing the loop of communication. The brain can thus not only be used to control a device but also be used to receive inputs from that device like touch sensations from a robotic hand.

Note – Neurons are nerve cells that use electricity and chemicals to send signals from your brain to the rest of your body to help it move, breathe, talk and eat.

About Neuralink-It was founded in 2016 by Elon Musk.
Some other companies operating in brain implant field – BlackRock Microsystems, Kernel, Medtronic and Synchron.

UPSC Syllabus – Science & Technology