Firmware for the brain
A "sewing machine" has been invented, implanting electrodes into the brain
Vladimir Guillen, Naked Science
A DARPA-funded group of scientists associated with Elon Musk claims to have invented a new way to "quickly implant" brain electrodes in rats. Their system works on the principle of a sewing machine and will help to create a brain interface capable of reading thoughts. The team's article was published on the bioRxiv preprint server (Hanson et al., The “sewing machine” for minimally invasive neural recording).
The five authors of the study previously worked or were somehow connected with Neuralink, a secret enterprise whose goal is to create a brain interface. In addition, Elon Musk plays a fundamental role in the company. However, part of the research predates the founding of the company, and the article does not mention the connection of scientists with the billionaire.
Researchers are asked to share feedback on the experiment before they submit the article for review and subsequent publication in a scientific journal. The authors of the study and a representative of Neuralink have not yet commented on this work.
The functions of the "sewing machine" developed by scientists are to remove part of the mouse's skull and insert a needle into its brain, which then places flexible electrodes in it. The machine inserts the electrode every few seconds – much faster compared to other methods. A small board placed on the back of the rat's head is connected to the electrodes, which records brain signals.
The scheme of the "sewing machine". A drawing from an article in bioRxiv.
Scientists described in detail the work with adult males of decorative Long-Evans rats. Initially, for two months, experts observed a rat with two dozen implanted electrodes. In other rodents, the implants did not work for so long. Sometimes the little boards attached to the rats' heads just fell off after a couple of weeks.
"Despite the fact that further research is needed to establish the entire interface system and better integrate its components, these developments may eventually open the way to a new generation of developments in robotics, artificial intelligence software and electronics to create an alternative to today's neurosurgical techniques," Justin Sanchez, DARPA Director of Biotechnology, said in an interview with Bloomberg.
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