Elon Musk’s Neuralink sought FDA permission in early 2022 for human clinical trials of its brain-computer interface — and received an application rejection, Reuters reports.
The news service cited seven current and former employees. Musk and other Neuralink officials declined to talk to Reuters.
During a Nov. 30, 2022 show and tell, Musk said that Neuralink would have the first in-human implant of its N1 device within the next six months.
The N1 implant is about the size of a coin. It’s rechargeable remotely and goes along with electrode-laced threads that go further into the brain. In addition, Neuralink has an R1 robot that’s supposed to be programmed to implant the BCI system while avoiding vasculature.
Musk, in November, said the Neuralink team has been busy improving and miniaturizing the system.
Brain-computer interfaces are a hot space. (Here are seven companies you need to know.) For example, Blackrock Neurotech has a next-gen BCI — called Neuralace — that visually looks like a piece of lace. It is thinner than an eyelash.
Meanwhile, Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos are among those investing in Synchron and its stent-like Stentrode that is implanted through a minimally invasive endovascular procedure.