The revolutionary device has received breakthrough status from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which will allow for a faster start to human testing.
Photo: Neuralink
The Blindsight device uses Neuralink technology and transmits the image directly to the brain, bypassing the eyes.
Neuralink, a startup founded by the well-known visionary and founder of Space X and Tesla Elon Musk, is one of the most ambitious projects in the field of neurotechnology. The company is focused on developing technology that could connect the human brain to a computer using implants. One of the company’s key projects is a sight restoration device that could change the lives of millions of blind people around the world.
Sight through technology
One of Neuralink’s most exciting and promising areas of research is a device that has the potential to restore sight to people with blindness. The device uses electrodes implanted in the brain that communicate directly with the visual center. In this way, it should be possible to convert signals from a camera or other sensor into images that the brain can interpret.
Also known as a blindsight device, this technology could give blind people the ability to “see” without traditional vision. Although the patient may not perceive the image in the same way as a sighted person, the device should enable the identification of obstacles, objects and even movement, which would significantly improve their quality of life.
The device consists of miniature electrodes that are implanted directly into the brain, particularly the visual cortex. The electrodes are connected to an external device that is used to capture and interpret visual signals. These signals are then converted into pulses that the brain can recognize and process as visual information.
This approach is revolutionary mainly because it focuses on direct communication with the brain, bypassing damaged eyes or optic nerves. The technology could thus also be applicable to those who have lost their sight due to injuries or genetic diseases.
The potential of technology
Although Neuralink research is still in its early stages, results from animal experiments are promising. Even so that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted its Blindsight technology breakthrough device status. This designation speeds up approval processes and allows a faster process to start human testing.
But society still faces many challenges, including the safety and long-term effects of brain implants. Another big question is how effectively the brain will be able to adapt to new ways of perceiving.
However, Elon Musk believes that Neuralink can not only restore sight, but also help people with various neurological diseases, such as spinal injuries or epilepsy. If he succeeds in his goal, the technology could open the door to a new era in medicine where the brain and technology can work hand in hand.
Source: vat.pravda.sk
