AI Symbiosis (or Human-AI Symbiosis)
Neuralink vision of merging human and AI cognition seamlessly.
ALS Restoration
Neuralink's BCI restoring communication and control for ALS patients via thought.
Accelerated Lifetime Testing
Simulated aging tests to predict long-term implant reliability.
Action Potentials
Rapid electrical discharges from neurons detected as the primary signals in BCIs.
Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)
Component converting analog neural signals to digital data for transmission.
Animal Testing Demonstrations (e.g., Gertrude the pig or Pager the monkey)
Neuralink demos with animals like Pager playing Pong via thoughts.
Assistive Robotic Arms
Robotic limbs controlled by Neuralink implant in CONVOY Study.
Battery Inductive Charging
Wireless charging method using electromagnetic induction for the implant battery.
Bidirectional BCI
Neuralink BCI reading and stimulating brain for feedback loops.
Biocompatibility
Neuralink threads designed to minimize tissue reaction long-term.
Bits-Per-Second (BPS) Metric
Performance metric quantifying information transfer rate in BCI systems.
Blindsight (Neuralink's vision restoration project)
Neuralink project to restore vision by stimulating visual cortex.
Bluetooth Low Energy Protocol
Wireless protocol used for low-energy data transmission from implant to devices.
Brain Signal Stability
Consistent neural recordings over time in implants.
Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)
Tech enabling direct brain-to-device communication via thoughts.
Breakthrough Device Designation
FDA fast-track for Neuralink's vision and speech implants.
Broadband Neural Recording
Recording of neural activity across a wide frequency range including spikes and local field potentials.
CONVOY Study (Robotic Arm Control)
CONVOY trial using N1 implant for thought-controlled robotic arms.
Channel Count Scalability
Ability to increase the number of recording channels in future implant designs.
Chemical Synapse Stimulation
Potential future stimulation mimicking natural synaptic chemical transmission.
Chronic Implant Stability
Long-term maintenance of electrode position and signal quality post-implantation.
Common-Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR)
Measure of amplifier's ability to reject common noise in neural recordings.
Configurable Spike Detection
Adjustable thresholds for detecting neural spikes on the device.
Cortical Layer Targeting
Precise targeting of specific cortical depths for optimal signal recording.
Craniotomy Automation
Robotic automation of skull opening and thread placement in surgery.
Crosstalk Suppression
Techniques to minimize interference between adjacent recording channels.
Cursor Control Records
Neuralink patients setting BPS records in thought cursor tasks.
Custom ASIC
Specialized integrated circuit designed by Neuralink for low-power neural signal processing.
Datarepo Platform
Neuralink's open-source tool for neural dataset management.
Dual Implant
Multiple N1 implants for enhanced bidirectional function.
Electrode Impedance
Electrical resistance at the electrode-tissue interface affecting signal quality in implants.
Electrode Site Geometry
Specific shape and size of recording sites on electrodes for optimal signal capture.
Electrode Threads (or Threads)
Ultra-thin flexible threads with electrodes inserted into the brain.
Electrodes
Sensors on threads capturing electrical signals from neurons.
End-to-End Signal Encryption
Full-path encryption securing neural data from implant to external devices.
Engrafted Cell Layer (L0)
Proposed additional neural layer from engrafted cells for enhanced interfacing.
FDA Approval (or Human Trials)
FDA clearance for Neuralink human implants and trials.
Faraday Cage Testing
Electromagnetic shielding tests to protect implant from external interference.
Force Sensing Insertion
Robotic insertion with real-time force feedback to ensure gentle tissue penetration.
GB-PRIME Study
UK trial evaluating N1 implant with immediate post-op control.
Gold Electrode Sites
Metal used for conductive recording sites on electrode arrays.
Hermetic Sealing or Hermetic Packaging
Airtight encapsulation protecting implant electronics from bodily fluids.
High-Bandwidth Interface
Neuralink's high-channel implant for fast neural data transfer.
Human Enhancement (or Cognitive Enhancement)
Neuralink goal to boost human abilities like memory and speed.
Human-AI Latency Reduction
Neuralink optimizations for sub-100ms human-AI response.
Humidity Monitoring Sensor
Integrated sensor tracking environmental conditions inside the implant.
Impedance Sensing
Monitoring electrode resistance during surgery for placement verification.
Inductive Charging
Wireless charging of N1 implant via external coil.
International Trials (e.g., Canada, UK)
Neuralink PRIME expansions in Canada and UK for paralyzed patients.
Iridium Oxide Coating
Electrode material coating enhancing charge injection and signal fidelity.
Loop-End Thread Design
Thread tip design forming a loop to reduce tissue damage during pull-back.
Low-Power Electronics
Energy-efficient circuitry in the implant to extend battery life and reduce heat.
Machine Learning Calibration
AI models trained to adapt and improve intention decoding from brain signals.
Micron-Scale Threads
Threads fabricated at micrometer scales to minimize brain tissue damage.
Motor Cortex
Brain area for movement intentions targeted by Neuralink.
Multi-Array Probe
Probe configuration with multiple thread bundles for broader brain coverage.
Multimodal Data Management
Neuralink's system integrating diverse trial data types.
N1 Implant
Neuralink's main implant with 1,024 electrodes for signal recording.
Needle Insertion Mechanism
Precision robotic component that inserts threads into brain tissue during implantation.
Neural Decoding Algorithms
ML algorithms interpreting neural spikes into intents in real-time.
Neural Lace
Musk's term for mesh brain interface inspiring Neuralink design.
Neural Signal Processing
Computational techniques to filter, analyze, and interpret raw brain recordings.
Neuralink Implant (or The Link)
Coin-sized wireless Neuralink device for thought-controlled interfaces.
Neuron Spikes (or Spike Detection)
Neuron electrical impulses detected to interpret user intentions.
Neuroprosthetics
Neuralink implants paired with prosthetics for motor restoration.
Neurotransmitter Phenotype Engineering
Genetic modification of cells to produce specific neurotransmitters in engineered layers.
Noland Arbaugh (first human patient)
First quadriplegic recipient of Neuralink implant in 2024.
Off-Chip Bandwidth Reduction
Compression techniques to reduce data transmitted off the implant.
Outpatient Procedure
Neuralink implantation allowing same-day patient discharge.
PRIME Study (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface)
Neuralink trial testing implant safety in humans with paralysis.
Parylene-C Coating
Biocompatible polymer coating applied to Neuralink threads for insulation and durability.
Patient Registry
Neuralink's platform for trial applications from those with paralysis or ALS.
Pedot Surface Modification
Conductive polymer coating on electrodes to lower impedance and improve recording.
Phosphenes
Light perceptions from visual cortex stimulation in Blindsight.
Polyimide Substrate
Flexible material forming the base of Neuralink's electrode threads.
Polymer Probes
Flexible polymer structures used in Neuralink implants to house electrodes for neural recording.
Power Supply Rejection Ratio (PSRR)
Ability of circuitry to ignore power supply noise in signal processing.
Quadriplegia
Paralysis of all limbs; Neuralink aims to restore control.
R1 Surgical Robot
Robotic system for precise, minimally invasive thread insertion.
Real-Time Decoding
Immediate interpretation of neural data into control commands.
Serial Digital Link
High-speed data interface for communication within the implant system.
Series E Funding
Neuralink's $650M 2025 funding for trial and hardware growth.
Signal Amplification
On-chip amplification of weak neural signals for accurate detection and processing.
Single-Cell Resolution
Ability to isolate and record from individual neurons amid dense activity.
Speech Restoration
Neuralink decoding brain signals to generate text/voice for non-verbal users.
Spike Sorting
Algorithmic process to identify and classify action potentials from individual neurons in recorded data.
Spiking Yield
Percentage of electrodes successfully detecting single-neuron activity.
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
Condition causing paralysis; Neuralink bypasses injury for device control.
Stiffener Elements
Temporary reinforcements in threads to aid precise insertion.
Surgical Robot V2
Upgraded Neuralink robot for faster, precise implant surgery.
Synchronous Wave Activity
Coordinated rhythmic neural activity detectable in implant recordings.
Telekinesis (trademarked concept)
Neuralink trademark for thought-controlled physical objects.
Telepathy (Neuralink's first product)
Neuralink product letting paralyzed users control devices by thought.
Thought-to-Text
Neuralink decoding imagined speech into text for ALS patients.
Thread Durability
Neuralink thread improvements preventing retraction for stable signals.
Thread Retraction (a common technical challenge)
Early issue of threads pulling out, reducing signal quality.
Transhumanism
Movement using tech like Neuralink to exceed human limits.
Vasculature Avoidance
Algorithm-guided insertion to detect and avoid blood vessels in the brain.
Visual Cortex Stimulation
Neuralink Blindsight stimulating visual cortex for sight restoration.
Wireless Transmission (or Bluetooth Connectivity)
Wireless (Bluetooth) sending of brain signals to external devices.