US Food and Drug Administration granted breakthrough device status to Neuralink ‘Blindsight’

Posted 19 Sep 2024

2 min read

Blindsight is an experimental vision-restoring implant which aims to assist individuals who have lost their sight or were born blind (Initially offering low-resolution vision).

Breakthrough device designation is intended to accelerate development of devices that offer promising new treatments or diagnostic capabilities for life-threatening conditions.
Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk in 2016, is a company working on Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs) with a focus on healthcare applications.

About BCIs:

It allows users to communicate or control external devices using brain signals without any physical movement.
Types of BCIs:
- Invasive: Chips/Sensors are placed directly into the cortex E.g. Neuralink’s Implant.
- Non-Invasive: Sensors are placed on scalp
- Partially invasive: implanted inside skull but rest outside brain.

The diagram illustrates the working of a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI). Brain signals are acquired, processed through feature extraction and pattern recognition, and then converted into control signals. These signals are used to operate external devices like robotic hands or computer systems, with feedback sent back to the brain.

Applications of BCIs:

Medical: Help restore lost functions e.g. controlling prosthetic limbs or aiding patients with neurological disorders like paralysis
Mental wellness: Real-time feedback on users’ mental well-being and facilitates effective mental health practices.
Defense: Improved battlespace awareness, enhanced management of autonomous systems etc.
Gaming and entertainment: Immersive gaming experiences through uni- or bi-directional neural communication.

Issues with BCIs:

Cybersecurity risks: E.g. Brain tapping(intercepting signals transmitted from brain)
Ethical Concerns: concerns regarding informed consent
Safety Issues: E.g. tissue damage, seizures, cognitive impairment etc.