Neuralink claims that its second brain implant is functioning correctly in a test patient

Neuralink is testing its device on various patients, with the primary goal of assisting individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain technology startup, announced that its implant, designed to allow paralyzed patients to control digital devices using only their thoughts, has successfully functioned in a second test patient.

The patient, identified as Alex, did not experience the “retraction of threads” issue, unlike Noland Arbaugh, Neuralink’s first patient who received the implant in January.

In Arbaugh’s case, the tiny threads of the implant retracted after the procedure, significantly reducing the number of electrodes able to measure brain signals.

According to Neuralink, the threads have stabilized in Arbaugh’s case. Reuters had previously reported that Neuralink was aware of this issue from its animal trials.

To avoid similar problems with the second patient, Neuralink implemented measures such as reducing brain movement during surgery and minimizing the space between the implant and the brain’s surface.

Neuralink is testing this device, which is intended to assist individuals with spinal cord injuries.

The device allowed the first patient to play video games, browse the internet, post on social media, and move the cursor on his laptop.

Last month, the company successfully implanted the device in the second patient, who has been using it to play video games and learn 3D design.