Toronto: Elon Musk's Neuralink has received approval to launch its first clinical trial in Canada for a device designed to give paralyzed individuals the ability to use digital devices. The company announced that Canada's University Health Network's (UHN) Toronto Western Hospital is set to be the first non-US site for the trial of this groundbreaking device. Although the specific start date for the trial has not been disclosed, this development marks a significant milestone in neural technology. According to Qatar News Agency, the Canadian study aims to assess the safety and initial functionality of Neuralink's implant, which enables individuals with quadriplegia to control external devices using their thoughts. This innovative approach could potentially revolutionize the field of assistive technology and provide new avenues for independence for those with severe physical impairments. UHN's President and CEO, Dr. Kevin Smith, expressed pride in being at the forefront of this research advancement in neurosur gery. Neuralink conducted a preliminary study on a 29-year-old patient in January and announced its success in April, demonstrating the potential of their technology to safely and effectively interface with the human brain. The approval for this trial follows Neuralink's previous achievement in obtaining the green light from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last May. The FDA had initially rejected the idea for five years due to safety concerns related to the device's built-in lithium battery and had requested animal testing to ensure it would not damage brain tissue. This successful approval in Canada paves the way for further exploration and validation of Neuralink's pioneering brain chip technology.