Neuralink's "Blindsight" Eyesight Revolution: FDA Endorsement Sparks Hope for the Blind
1min read Neuralink Corp., Elon Musk's brain-machine interface company, recently announced that it has received FDA Breakthrough Device designation for its "Blindsight" project. This landmark certification is aimed at helping blind individuals regain vision, marking a significant step towards innovation in this field. With this designation, the FED can offer more support, potentially speeding up the development and market approval process for devices addressing life-threatening conditions.
In a post on X, Musk elaborated on the capabilities of the Blindsight device, emphasizing its potential to enable sight for those who have lost their eyes and optic nerves. If the visual cortex remains intact, the device could allow individuals born blind to perceive images for the first time.
Founded in 2016, Neuralink set its sights on establishing a communication pathway between the human brain and external devices. This involves implanting ultra-fine threads into the brain, which connect to a custom-designed chip capable of reading neuronal activity. Though this technology has roots stretching back decades, Neuralink distinguishes itself with wireless implants and a greater number of electrodes. These advancements cater primarily to patients with paralysis.
Musk has indicated that Neuralink's short-term objectives include enabling paralyzed individuals to type with their minds. Looking forward, the company aspires to help paralyzed people walk, restore vision to the blind, and eventually achieve a "symbiosis" between humans and machines. He mentioned that Blindsight could become a successor to other telepathic innovations.
While Neuralink has not immediately provided details on the timeline for human trials of the Blindsight device, it appears the project is closer to this important phase. Information from the U.S. government’s clinical trial database suggests the trial will involve three patients to evaluate the device, taking several years for completion.