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Elon Musk's biotech company Neuralink is expanding its operations to Canada and is looking for six patients with quadriplegia to receive its flagship N1 brain implant following Health Canada's approval of the plans.
The study, dubbed CAN-PRIME, will implant the chips in approved Canadian patients and monitor their health and abilities long-term. The chip is designed to help people who can't use their hands operate phones and computers using their thoughts. This appears to be virtually identical to Neuralink's US study in terms of eligibility and purpose of the human testing.
Toronto, Ontario's University Health Network will conduct the first Canadian Neuralink study. "We are incredibly proud to be at the forefront of this research advancement in neurosurgery," Dr. Kevin Smith, UHN's President and CEO, said in a statement. "This progress is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our world-leading medical and research professionals, as well as our commitment to providing the most innovative and effective treatments for patients. As the first and exclusive surgical site in Canada to perform this procedure, we will be continuing to shape the future of neurological care and further defining our track record for doing what hasn't been done."
The UHN is affiliated with the University of Toronto. Its network includes Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education, and West Park Healthcare Centre.
Neuralink's R1 Robot attaches the chip's threads to the patient. Once implanted, it's basically invisible and the tiny threads can transmit brain activity. In Neuralink's early human trials, many of these threads have detached, but the device has still proven functional.
Its first US-based patient, Noland Arbaugh, is now able to use a computer, play video games with his friends, and do other things he couldn't before thanks to the chip. In August, Neuralink implanted the chip in a second human patient, who now uses it to play Counter-Strike 2.
Of course, these implants have more utility than just helping people play video games, but given the good reflexes and lightning-fast response times required for some games, that alone is impressive.
Based on Neuralink's website, it looks like the firm may be currently seeking approval to expand its operations to the United Kingdom. The website shows the US, Canada, and the UK as the only countries for its brain chip studies. The UK page confirms that Neuralink doesn't have any active clinical trials in the country yet, but has already opened applications to UK residents and may begin a trial there at some point in the future.