Neuralink- Elon Musk’s brain-computer interface company is hiring a clinical trial director. Company affirms that it will soon start testing its implantable brain chip in humans. Neuralink was founded in 2016 and Musk during that time promised that the technology “will enable someone with paralysis to use a smartphone with their mind faster than someone using thumbs”.
Bloomberg first reported that the clinical trial director that will be hired by the company will work with engineers, doctors, and “Neuralink’s first clinical trial participants”.
What are the requirements to apply for the job position?
There are few requirements that a candidate for this job role needs to fulfil. The candidate should have:
- Mastery of the clinical trial process from starting till the end
- Experience with implantable Class II or Class III medical devices
- Experience in medical device regulatory for at least three years
- Experience and knowledge in designing
- Also, experience in leading studies. This is to clear the FDA’s Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) studies
Along with hiring a clinical trial director, Neuralink has a position for a Fremont-based clinical trial coordinator. For this role, the candidate should have a detailed knowledge of applicable regulations. Also, the candidate should understand the implantable medical devices.
Main products of Neuralink
There are two products of Neuralink. These are:
- “Link”- Link is a wireless chip which is as small as a coin
- Surgical robot: The robot which can work as a neurosurgeon
Neuralink’s achievements
The technology was tried on animals with great success!
- Neuralink in August 2020 reported that a robot surgeon had implanted “Link” chips. These link were implanted in three pigs that too successfully.
- Two “Link” devices were also implanted in a macaque monkey’s brain in April 2021.
Last month Elon Musk tweeted that with Neuralink we now have a chance to restore full-body functionality to the person who has a spinal cord injury. It’s not an easy task to implant a chip in human. However, to do so Neuralink must undergo a feasibility test with the FDA. After the test, agency’s approval is needed to test a pivotal device.
