Neuralink Begins Trials in Canada
Date: 2024-11-21 Author: Oliver Abernathy Categories: IN WORLD
University Health Network (UHN), the largest research and healthcare centre in Canada, announced that its Toronto Western Hospital will be the first institution outside the United States to perform the wireless brain-computer interface (BCI) implant from Neuralink. The institution is active in neuroscience, psychiatry and genetics research, as well as developing new treatments and technologies.
Kevin Smith, president and CEO of UHN, noted the importance of the event, saying the hospital is proud to be at the forefront of medical advances in neurosurgery. He added that Toronto Western Hospital will be the first and only surgical centre in Canada to perform the procedure, opening up new horizons in neurological care.
The aim of the CAN-PRIME study is to evaluate the safety of the neurochip and the surgical robot, as well as to test the functionality of the BCI interface and its ability to allow patients to control external devices with their thoughts. The study's leader, Andres Lozano, emphasized that this surgery could significantly improve the quality of life of patients who previously had limited capabilities.
Neuralink has already begun recruiting volunteers to test the new Blindsight implant, which can restore vision, and in September reported the success of a second patient who successfully underwent neurochip implantation surgery.
Kevin Smith, president and CEO of UHN, noted the importance of the event, saying the hospital is proud to be at the forefront of medical advances in neurosurgery. He added that Toronto Western Hospital will be the first and only surgical centre in Canada to perform the procedure, opening up new horizons in neurological care.
The aim of the CAN-PRIME study is to evaluate the safety of the neurochip and the surgical robot, as well as to test the functionality of the BCI interface and its ability to allow patients to control external devices with their thoughts. The study's leader, Andres Lozano, emphasized that this surgery could significantly improve the quality of life of patients who previously had limited capabilities.
Neuralink has already begun recruiting volunteers to test the new Blindsight implant, which can restore vision, and in September reported the success of a second patient who successfully underwent neurochip implantation surgery.
