Neuralink, the brain-chip technology company owned by Elon Musk, recently revealed that its first human implant encountered an unexpected setback. The device, which was attached to the skull of patient Noland Arbaugh, began to detach from his brain shortly after surgery. The incident raised concerns about the experimental procedure, highlighting the untested and complex nature of brain-chip technology.

Arbaugh underwent the surgery in February to have the Neuralink chip implanted in his brain. However, within a month, the device's functionality started to decrease. It was discovered that some of the threads connecting the miniature computer to the brain had begun to retract. The exact reason for this detachment was not disclosed by Neuralink.

Despite the setback, Neuralink's engineers managed to refine the implant and restore its functionality, according to a blogpost from the company. Although Arbaugh's implant experienced decreased capabilities, it did not pose a danger to his health. The Wall Street Journal reported that Arbaugh could still use the implant to play a game of chess on a computer using his thoughts.

Following the incident, the possibility of removing the implant was considered. Neuralink's blogpost mentioned that in late February, an undisclosed number of the chip's threads retracted from Arbaugh's brain, resulting in a decrease in the number of effective electrodes. This, in turn, affected the device's performance, measured in bits per second.

Neuralink, valued at approximately $5 billion last year, has positioned itself as a world leader in brain-chip technology. This setback serves as a reminder that the technology is still in its early stages, with limited testing and potential complications.

The implant developed by Neuralink consists of a small container embedded in the skull, housing a processing chip, battery, and 64 fine threads that connect with the brain tissue, interacting with its neural signals. Arbaugh, who is quadriplegic, has been able to control computer devices like a keyboard or mouse cursor using his implant.

Arbaugh himself praised the implant during a demonstration in March, stating that it had already changed his life. However, he acknowledged that the technology had not been perfect and encountered some issues.

Neuralink conducted extensive experiments on animals, including sheep, pigs, and monkeys, before carrying out its first human implant. Earlier this year, regulators launched investigations into the company's practices at the animal testing labs, revealing concerns about quality control and recordkeeping problems at one research facility in California.