Brain Implant Restores Autonomyโ for โParalyzed Man
A man paralyzed from โฃthe shoulders down โคisโ experiencing a meaningful advancementโฃ in his quality of life thanks to a brain-computer interface (BCI) developed byโค Neuralink. The โindividual, identified as Albau, received the implant several years ago, undergoing a procedure that connected thousandsโฃ of ultra-fine wires to neurons in his brain. The โsurgery, completed in under twoโค hoursโ using a surgical robot,โ allows him to control computersโข and external devices using onlyโฃ his thoughts.
Albau now utilizes the device for approximately 10 hours daily,enabling him to study,read,playโ video games,and manage daily routines without physical movement. He reports the โtechnology has โคfundamentally changed his life, providing him โคwith a renewed sense โคof independence. Prior to the โคimplant, he felt โdirectionless; now, he is โenrolled in courses at a communityโค college in Arizona, pursuing pre-requisites for a โคneuroscience degree, and plans to launch a businessโ alongside offering professional speaking engagements.he emphasizes regaining autonomyโค lost due to his โฃdisability,stating he โฃfeels empowered to โrealize his potential. Albau was the first human subject in Neuralink’s trials, โขand as his triumphantโฃ implantation, eight additional participantsโฃ – including one โคwoman – have received the device in U.S. โhospitals.โค Approximately 80 โindividuals globally have received similar BCI devices from variousโข companies.
Despite beingโฃ theโ initial test case, carrying inherent risks, Albau expressed no reservations about โparticipating, believing the potentialโฃ benefits forโ future patients outweighed any personal concerns. โขHe describes himself asโ a “cyborg,” โacknowledgingโข the technologicalโ enhancement of his capabilities, โbut maintains a sense โขof self as an ordinary person.
Neuralink โfounder Elon Musk has acknowledgedโ criticism regarding the invasive nature of the technology. โขHe โฃstated the company is proceeding cautiously with human trials, prioritizing safety over โrapid advancement.
(Editor: Zhang Zhixuan) 1140825