Elon Musk’s brain-chip startup is preparing to implant the device in its first human. Here’s how to apply.

• Neuralink opened the application for its human trials in September.
• The company has reportedly received interest from thousands of people.
• Here’s who qualifies and how the application works.

Neuralink began recruiting for its first human trial less than two months ago and thousands of people have reportedly expressed interest in getting one of the company’s brain implants.

The brain chip startup was cofounded by Elon Musk in 2016 and aims to eventually create a device that would allow people to do anything from communicate telepathically to play games using only their mind. But first, Neuralink has said it hopes to help people with severe neurological disorders by allowing them to control devices and communicate using only their brain activity.

The company received approval to begin human trials from the US Food and Drug Administration in May. The device is about the size of a quarter and has several ultra-thin wires that can only be implanted using a robot. Previously, the company has reportedly performed over 150 implantation surgeries, according to Bloomberg, using its robot to insert the brain chip into a variety of animal test subjects, including sheep, pigs, and monkeys.

The surgery requires a surgeon to cut out a portion of the patient’s skull, a process that reportedly takes a “couple of hours” and then a robot inserts the device to replace the portion of the skull that had been removed.

Neuralink is reportedly still looking for its first volunteer, but company is hoping to operate on 11 people next year and more than 22,000 by 2030, according to Bloomberg.

How to apply to Neuralink’s human trial

Not just anyone can apply.

To be eligible for Neuralink’s human trials, you must have one of the following conditions: “quadriplegia, paraplegia, visual impairment or blindness, aphasia or the inability to speak, hearing impairment or deafness, and/or major limb amputation (affecting above or below the elbow and/or above or below the knee),” according to the application.

You also must also be over the age of 18.

Individuals that meet those requirements can fill out Neuralink’s Patient Registry Application on the company’s website.

Prospective patients must first fill out some screening questions to ensure they meet the aforementioned qualifications.

Next, individuals must also fill out a consent form regarding sharing their medical records, as well as provide information regarding their primary care provider and permission to provide Neuralink with CT and MRI scans of their head, HIV test results, records of any drug or alcohol abuse treatment, and genetic testing information, according to the form.

After completing the consent form, the application includes a questionnaire that the company says takes around 45 to 60 minutes to complete.

Applicants who are selected for the trial via the Patient Registry Form will eventually be contacted by Neuralink or a third-party working with Neuralink, the application said.

The study will take about six years and will include several follow-up visits in order for Neuralink to monitor the device and make sure it is working properly, according to the company. Patients will also be expected to participate in at least two hour-long research sessions per week, the company’s brochure says.

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