It is estimated that 180,000 Americans live with quadriplegia, and each year, an additional ~18,000 suffer a paralyzing spinal cord injury. We live in

PRIME Study Progress Update — User Experience

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2024-05-08 22:00:07

It is estimated that 180,000 Americans live with quadriplegia, and each year, an additional ~18,000 suffer a paralyzing spinal cord injury. We live in a digital society where‬‭ much of our work, entertainment, and social lives rely heavily on our use of computers and‬‭ smart devices. People with quadriplegia often find that their needs to engage seamlessly with the digital world go unmet, leading to decreased independence, isolation, and financial challenges. Our goal is to provide a high-performance interface that will enhance the control of digital devices for people with quadriplegia, unlocking their personal and professional potential.

The first step toward this goal was achieved just over 100 days ago at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix Arizona, where Noland Arbaugh, the first participant of the PRIME Study*, received his Neuralink implant (Link). As noted in our last blog post, the surgery went extremely well, and he was able to go home the following day.

The aim of the PRIME Study is to demonstrate that the Link is safe and useful in daily life. We will monitor its technical performance remotely and quantify any benefit it provides by timing the duration of independent use and assessing how it affects study participants’ quality of life.