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Earth Intelligence

26 Jun 2024 — 5 min read

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Neurostimulator Implant
DARPA’s New Drone

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Neurostimulator Implant:

Oran Knowlson, a 13-year-old boy with severe epilepsy, is the first patient to trial a new neurostimulator implanted in his skull, reducing his daytime seizures by 80%. The surgery, part of a trial at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, has significantly improved his quality of life, according to his mother, Justine. The Picostim neurostimulator, developed by UK company Amber Therapeutics, sends electrical signals deep into the brain to disrupt abnormal activity causing seizures.
Unlike older devices placed in the chest, this one is implanted in the skull, minimizing infection risks and potential device failures. Activated a month after surgery, the device is recharged daily via wireless headphones, with Oran experiencing fewer and less severe seizures since. The success of Oran's treatment points to a promising future for neurostimulation and brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) in managing severe neurological conditions. Companies like Neuralink, are developing BCIs to treat neurological disorders and potentially enhance human capabilities.
Medtronic is another key player, offering advanced neurostimulation devices for conditions like Parkinson's disease and chronic pain. These technologies could revolutionize the treatment of epilepsy and other conditions, providing new therapeutic options and improving the quality of life for patients worldwide. The integration of such advanced technologies signifies a significant step forward in personalized medical care and neurological research.

DARPA’s New Drone:

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has unveiled its latest hybrid electric drone, the XRQ-73. Designed for stealth and efficiency, this drone represents the next phase in DARPA's development of ultra-quiet, high-efficiency drones following the XRQ-72A. The XRQ-73 is being developed to meet an urgent operational need and is slated for test flights later this year under DARPA’s Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft Demonstration (SHEPARD) program.
This new design integrates hybrid electric propulsion, combining fuel-powered engines and electric motors to improve fuel economy and allow for quieter all-electric operation. While specific details about the power source remain limited, the hybrid system aims to offer significant operational advantages. Although the exact role of the XRQ-73 remains undisclosed, its "RQ" designation suggests it will be used for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
The XRQ-73 continues the legacy of the XRQ-72A, which was designed for covert surveillance with a focus on reduced acoustic and infrared signatures. The SHEPARD program aims to quickly mature this new technology, highlighting DARPA's commitment to advancing the capabilities of the Department of Defense. DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, is a key research and development agency within the U.S. Department of Defense. Its mission is to make pivotal investments in breakthrough technologies for national security.

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