Neuralink continues its efforts in implanting neural chips despite malfunctions in the first implantee. The setbacks do not stop there for Elon Musk’s company since the second human implantation surgery is canceled.
Second Human Settlement Cancelled
Neuralink has discovered additional medical problems in the second patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, who was to receive the brain chip, reports Bloomberg.
The exact medical conditions were not disclosed due to patient confidentiality laws. Michael Lawton, director of Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix where the first Neuralink implant took place, said the candidate is unfit for this second human trial. He said it is important to select the right candidate so that all parties involved can get things right clinically and surgically.
A replacement patient will be implanted
Michael Lawton says a replacement patient will undergo a Neuralink chip implantation next month, without giving further information on his condition. This is a new setback for Elon Musk’s company as the first implanted patient is experiencing malfunctions of his chip implanted in early 2024. The problem, related to the retraction of the wires, was known to the company, which proceeded with the surgery anyway.