Neuralink recently revealed that it chose to postpone the insertion of a second brain chip implant in a procedure that had been eagerly anticipated by the medical and tech communities.
According to Michael Lawton, CEO of the Barrow Neurological Institute, the individual who was to become the company’s second brain-computer implant (BCI) patient had to withdraw from testing originally scheduled for Monday, June 24.
The patient’s involvement with the surgery was canceled due to health concerns unrelated to plans involving the brain implant device. Lawton confirmed in a statement to Bloomberg that Neuralink planned to find a new candidate.
Lawton said that the next patient chosen will likely undergo surgery next month at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona.
“Selecting the right patient for a trial like this is important. Everybody involved, clinically and surgically, wants to get it right,” Lawton said.
Last year, Neuralink made groundbreaking advancements by implanting its brain chip in its first human patient. Noland Arbaugh, a 30-year-old quadriplegic who volunteered to receive the technology known as “The Link,” demonstrated the ability to play video games and chess using only his mind with help from the device.
The Barrow Neurological Institute inserted the first Neuralink brain implant in Arbaugh during his January surgery. Well regarded in the health and science communities for its success in treating complicated neurological conditions, the Barrow facility has been praised by Neuralink President DJ Seo for its quality and speed of care.
Neuralink has said that the company would like to have as many as ten people participate by the end of the year as part of its clinical trials. To date, more than 1,000 quadriplegics have registered to take part in the brain chip implant surgery.
Chrissy Newton is a PR professional and founder of VOCAB Communications. She hosts the Rebelliously Curious podcast, which can be found on The Debrief’s YouTube Channel. Follow her on X: @ChrissyNewton and at chrissynewton.com.