Paralyzed Veteran Surgically Implanted with Neuralink Device at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
Patient part of landmark study aiming to enable paralyzed patients to use their own thoughts to control external devices through a brain-computer interface.
A paralyzed United States military veteran has been implanted with the groundbreaking Neuralink brain-computer device by surgeons at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
RJ, who is paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury sustained from a motorcycle accident, is the fifth participant in Neuralink’s PRIME (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface) Study and the first to be implanted at The Miami Project and UHealth — University of Miami Health System. The PRIME Study is an investigational medical device clinical trial for assessing the safety and functionality of Neuralink’s intracortical brain-computer interface (BCI) implant, which establishes a wireless, digital link between the brain and computers.
RJ successfully received his implant in April 2025 and was discharged from the hospital the day after his surgery. With his Neuralink implant, RJ is able to control his computer and smart phone with his thoughts. Neuralink’s recent update highlighted how RJ and other participants in the PRIME Study have used their Neuralink implants in daily life.
The Miami Project and University of Miami site principal investigator, Jonathan Jagid, M.D., professor of clinical neurological surgery, neurology and orthopedics and rehabilitation at the Miller School, said, “We are excited as a team to discover how this device has the potential to change people’s day-to-day lives. As a doctor and researcher, I continue to be encouraged as we learn more about the capabilities and possibilities of this technology.”
They’re giving me my spark back…my drive back. They’ve given me my purpose back. Now, I’m able to turn around and build that fire for the next guys that come through.
Neuralink implant recipient RJ
Dipen J. Parekh, M.D., UHealth CEO and founding director of Desai Sethi Urology Institute, called the procedure a milestone.
“Putting the latest technology into the hands of experts to break boundaries is what academic medicine is all about,” Dr. Parekh said. “Our surgeons are among the best in the nation to help take this technology to the next level. Seeing it benefit a patient so directly is the ultimate reward.”
The University of Miami team also included co-investigators:
• Allan Levi, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair of neurological surgery
• Michael Ivan, M.D., associate professor of neurological surgery
• Seth Tigchelaar, M.D., Ph.D., a Miller School neurosurgery resident
The procedure was performed at UHealth Tower, the flagship hospital of UHealth – University of Miami Health System.
“I’m so proud of our Miami Project and University of Miami team — who worked tirelessly with our Neuralink colleagues to help shape history — ultimately benefiting our first patient immensely. Undoubtedly this will have an enormous impact on future patients,” added Dr. Levi.
RJ is thrilled with the surgery and his life following the procedure, as well as with the surgical team.
“They’re giving me my spark back…my drive back. They’ve given me my purpose back. Now, I’m able to turn around and build that fire for the next guys that come through.”
“We are excited about this special collaboration with the amazing Neuralink team,” said W. Dalton Dietrich, Ph.D., scientific director of The Miami Project, co-director of the University of Miami Neural Engineering Institute, the Kinetic Concepts Distinguished Chair in Neurosurgery, senior associate dean for team science and professor of neurological surgery at the Miller School. “This collaboration, which has already resulted in the successful implantation of Neuralink’s brain computer interface implant into a spinal cord-injured individual at The Miami Project, is a testament to our multidisciplinary approach for advancing the latest research in neural interfaces and neurorehabilitation.”
For the PRIME Study (NCT06429735), Neuralink is continuing to look for patients who have limited or no ability to use both hands due to cervical spinal cord injury or ALS. Individuals interested in learning whether they may qualify for this trial can join Neuralink’s United States Patient Registry.
“This is a great milestone to attain as we kick off the 40th anniversary of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. As we draw closer and closer to cures and solutions for those living with SCI and other neurological conditions, it is only fitting that we partner with Neuralink to utilize some of the most promising BCI technology in the world to advance that goal,” said Barth A. Green, M.D., co-founder of The Miami Project and professor of neurological surgery at the Miller School.
“We are excited to move forward applying this new technology and combine our clinical research expertise with the forward-thinking team at Neuralink. We know this collaboration will be another great step forward and hopefully lead to meaningful results for the millions living with paralysis and other significant motor deficits,” said Marc Buoniconti, president of The Miami Project.
To register for The Miami Project’s research studies and clinical trials, email [email protected].
Tags: Department of Neurological Surgery, Dr. Allan D. Levi, Dr. Jonathan Jagid, Dr. Michael Ivan, Dr. W. Dalton Dietrich III, Neuralink, neurological surgery, spinal cord injuries, technology, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis