Canada gives Neuralink the green light for brain chip implant trials
On Wednesday, it was revealed that Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, has obtained regulatory approval from Health Canada to initiate its first clinical trial in the country. This trial is intended to assess a brain implant that enables paralyzed individuals to operate digital devices through thought alone.
TroibNews 
On Wednesday, it was announced that Elon Musk's Neuralink obtained regulatory approval from Health Canada to initiate its first clinical trial in the country. This trial is intended to assess a brain implant that enables paralyzed individuals to manipulate digital devices simply through thought.
The focus of the trial is on evaluating the safety and initial functionality of the implant, which is designed to assist individuals with quadriplegia—those who are paralyzed in all four limbs—in controlling external devices with their minds.
Health Canada has yet to release an official statement concerning the approval.
In the United States, Neuralink has already implanted devices in two patients. The first, Noland Arbaugh, received his implant in January and has since utilized it to play video games, navigate the internet, and participate on social media. The second, who underwent the procedure in August and prefers to remain anonymous, has been using the device for learning 3D design and gaming.
Read more: Neuralink implants brain chip in first human, Musk says.
Elon Musk, the founder of Neuralink, stated that 400 of the implant's electrodes are operational in the second patient, contributing to its effective performance. The company intends to expand its trials to include eight more participants by the end of the year.
Neuralink, established in 2016, is dedicated to advancing brain-computer interface technology with the goal of enhancing the lives of individuals with severe disabilities. In addition to facilitating movement and communication, the company is exploring applications for restoring vision, having earned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's "breakthrough device" designation for its implant earlier this year.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
The focus of the trial is on evaluating the safety and initial functionality of the implant, which is designed to assist individuals with quadriplegia—those who are paralyzed in all four limbs—in controlling external devices with their minds.
Health Canada has yet to release an official statement concerning the approval.
In the United States, Neuralink has already implanted devices in two patients. The first, Noland Arbaugh, received his implant in January and has since utilized it to play video games, navigate the internet, and participate on social media. The second, who underwent the procedure in August and prefers to remain anonymous, has been using the device for learning 3D design and gaming.
Read more: Neuralink implants brain chip in first human, Musk says.
Elon Musk, the founder of Neuralink, stated that 400 of the implant's electrodes are operational in the second patient, contributing to its effective performance. The company intends to expand its trials to include eight more participants by the end of the year.
Neuralink, established in 2016, is dedicated to advancing brain-computer interface technology with the goal of enhancing the lives of individuals with severe disabilities. In addition to facilitating movement and communication, the company is exploring applications for restoring vision, having earned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's "breakthrough device" designation for its implant earlier this year.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
