Neuralink said it changed its surgical approach for its second PRIME Study participant to reduce the chance of implant threads retracting: the company said it reduced brain motion during surgery and narrowed the gap between the implant and the brain’s surface. Its official update did not give a numerical insertion depth, so claims that the threads were placed “deeper” should not be treated as a measured detail.
What Neuralink said it changed for the second implant
Neuralink’s August 21, 2024 update on its second PRIME Study participant described two changes intended to reduce thread retraction:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Million Muskmelons: How To Be Like Elon Musk: Unveiling the Secrets of Elon Musk's Success | $1.03 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Reducing brain motion during surgery.
- Reducing the gap between the implant and the surface of the brain.
The post did not specify an insertion depth in millimeters or say that the threads were placed a stated distance deeper. The title’s “deeper” wording therefore goes beyond what the official update quantified.
Why thread retraction became a concern
After the first participant, Noland Arbaugh, received an implant, threads retracted following surgery, Reuters reported. The change sharply reduced the number of electrodes able to measure brain signals, according to Reuters’ account of the first and second implants. Reuters also reported Neuralink’s statement that the threads had stabilized.
#1 Best Overall
That experience is the context for Neuralink’s stated changes to the second procedure. It does not establish that the second operation was a controlled comparison or prove that the revised approach will prevent retraction over the long term.
What was reported about the second participant
Neuralink said the second participant, Alex, received the implant in July 2024 at Barrow Neurological Institute. The company described the surgery as going well and Alex’s recovery as smooth. As of its August 21, 2024 update, Neuralink said it had observed no thread retraction in Alex. That is a dated company report, not an independent clinical assessment or a statement of current long-term status.
First and second implants: what the reports establish
| Reported point | First participant | Second participant |
|---|---|---|
| Thread retraction | Reuters reported threads retracted after surgery, reducing the number of electrodes then able to measure brain signals. | Neuralink reported no retraction observed as of August 21, 2024. |
| Approach described | The reporting reviewed here does not specify the same mitigation measures for the first procedure. | Neuralink said it reduced brain motion during surgery and the gap between the implant and brain surface to reduce retraction risk. |
| What the comparison can show | It summarizes reported events and the company’s stated changes; it does not establish comparative safety or long-term performance. | |
What Alex reportedly used the implant to do
Neuralink said Alex was improving his video-game use and learning computer-aided design. Its update said he used Fusion 360 to design a custom mount for his charger, which was then 3D printed. These are examples reported by the company, not independent testing of device performance.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The company’s separate PRIME Study explainer describes a device with 1,024 electrodes across 64 flexible threads. That is a company-published device specification, not a measurement of Alex’s outcome.
What PRIME is—and what it is not
Neuralink describes PRIME as an investigational medical-device study intended to evaluate the safety of its implant and surgical robot and assess initial brain-computer interface functionality. The aim is to enable people with quadriplegia to control external devices. Neuralink says participation does not guarantee benefit.
That makes the implant an investigational device in a clinical study, not a consumer product or an established treatment. Neuralink’s post attributes this statement to Alex: “The Link is a big step on the path of regaining freedom and independence for myself.”
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
