The world’s first head transplant system has been unveiled.
Neuroscience and biomedical engineering startup BrainBridge have announced a mind-bending concept that would allow a head to be grafted onto a donor body.
The futuristic system would offer new hope to patients suffering from untreatable conditions such as stage-4 cancer, paralysis, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
The whole-body procedure involves transplanting a patient's head onto a healthy, brain-dead donor body, ensuring the preservation of consciousness, memories, and cognitive abilities.
BrainBridge say the process aims to be available within 8 years and would integrate advanced robotics and artificial intelligence to carry out the transplantation procedures.
The company add they will also be able to conduct face and scalp transplantation to restore functionality and aesthetic appearance.
BrainBridge are recruiting and have listed roles for experts in several fields including brain computer interfaces (BCI), as seen in Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chip, robotic surgery and neuroscience.
The concept is the brainchild of Dubai-based project lead Hashem Al-Ghaili, a biotechnologist and science communicator.
He says: "Every step of the BrainBridge concept has been carefully thought out based on extensive scientific research that has been conducted and published by experts in various fields of science.
"The goal of our technology is to push the boundaries of what is possible in medical science and provide innovative solutions for those battling life-threatening conditions.
"Our technology promises to open doors to lifesaving treatments that were unimaginable just a few years ago."
BrainBridge say: "The process employs advanced high-speed robotic systems to prevent brain cell degradation and ensure seamless compatibility.
"The entire procedure is guided by real-time molecular-level imaging and AI algorithms to facilitate precise reconnection of the spinal cord, nerves, and blood vessels."
The process would be include a comprehensive post-operative care schedule to promote healing and prevent rejection.
BrainBridge say one of the main objectives of presenting and popularising the concept at this early stage of development is "to attract top talent from around the world interested in pushing the boundaries of biomedical science and changing the world for the better."
They say: "In the short term, we expect the project to result in spinal cord reconstruction breakthrough and whole body transplant but in the long term, the project will expand into areas that will transform healthcare as we know it."
Hashem Al-Ghaili says: "Assuming the team is fully assembled, and the feasibility study shows promising results, the roadmap to conducting the first surgery would be possible within 8 years."
Neuroscience and biomedical engineering startup BrainBridge have announced a mind-bending concept that would allow a head to be grafted onto a donor body.
The futuristic system would offer new hope to patients suffering from untreatable conditions such as stage-4 cancer, paralysis, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
The whole-body procedure involves transplanting a patient's head onto a healthy, brain-dead donor body, ensuring the preservation of consciousness, memories, and cognitive abilities.
BrainBridge say the process aims to be available within 8 years and would integrate advanced robotics and artificial intelligence to carry out the transplantation procedures.
The company add they will also be able to conduct face and scalp transplantation to restore functionality and aesthetic appearance.
BrainBridge are recruiting and have listed roles for experts in several fields including brain computer interfaces (BCI), as seen in Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chip, robotic surgery and neuroscience.
The concept is the brainchild of Dubai-based project lead Hashem Al-Ghaili, a biotechnologist and science communicator.
He says: "Every step of the BrainBridge concept has been carefully thought out based on extensive scientific research that has been conducted and published by experts in various fields of science.
"The goal of our technology is to push the boundaries of what is possible in medical science and provide innovative solutions for those battling life-threatening conditions.
"Our technology promises to open doors to lifesaving treatments that were unimaginable just a few years ago."
BrainBridge say: "The process employs advanced high-speed robotic systems to prevent brain cell degradation and ensure seamless compatibility.
"The entire procedure is guided by real-time molecular-level imaging and AI algorithms to facilitate precise reconnection of the spinal cord, nerves, and blood vessels."
The process would be include a comprehensive post-operative care schedule to promote healing and prevent rejection.
BrainBridge say one of the main objectives of presenting and popularising the concept at this early stage of development is "to attract top talent from around the world interested in pushing the boundaries of biomedical science and changing the world for the better."
They say: "In the short term, we expect the project to result in spinal cord reconstruction breakthrough and whole body transplant but in the long term, the project will expand into areas that will transform healthcare as we know it."
Hashem Al-Ghaili says: "Assuming the team is fully assembled, and the feasibility study shows promising results, the roadmap to conducting the first surgery would be possible within 8 years."
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FunTranscript
00:00 [MUSIC]
00:06 Introducing BrainBridge, the world's first revolutionary concept for a head transplant machine,
00:12 which uses state-of-the-art robotics and artificial intelligence to conduct complete
00:17 head and face transplantation procedures, ensuring smooth outcomes and faster recoveries.
00:22 Because head transplants require high speed, precision, and efficiency,
00:28 BrainBridge utilizes advanced high-speed, high-precision robotic systems to speed up the
00:33 process, eliminate human error, prevent brain cell degradation, and ensure seamless compatibility.
00:40 The head transplant procedure involves removing a person's entire head, containing the brain,
00:46 from their current diseased body, then attaching it to the body of a healthy, young, brain-dead donor.
00:52 Head transplants could provide individuals with severe medical conditions,
00:57 such as terminal cancer, paralysis, spinal cord injuries, or neurodegenerative diseases,
01:03 the opportunity to have a fully functional body while preserving their consciousness,
01:07 memories, and cognitive abilities.
01:09 The neurons are the longest-lasting functional cells in the human body,
01:15 and according to our estimates, the brain is capable of lasting several hundred years,
01:20 provided that the rest of the body remains young.
01:23 The BrainBridge concept involves the use of the integrated robotics platform comprised of the two
01:29 autonomous surgical robots, designed to perform simultaneous surgeries on two bodies,
01:34 side-by-side, within a single setup.
01:37 The complete robotization of the process allows for the surgery to be performed in an environment
01:42 with varying temperature and pressure.
01:44 The procedure begins by preparing the donor and recipient bodies.
01:49 The donor is a brain-dead patient who has a functional body with vital organs in good condition,
01:54 while the recipient is the patient whose head will be transplanted onto the new body.
02:00 General anesthesia is administered to both the recipient and the donor.
02:04 Both patients undergo tracheotomy, with a tube inserted into the trachea
02:10 to provide respiratory support and facilitate mechanical ventilation.
02:15 Our proprietary artificial plasma solution is administered to both the recipient and the donor.
02:20 This solution is designed to keep the brain and body oxygenated,
02:25 prevent clotting, and allow for safe operation at low temperatures.
02:28 The recipient's head and the donor body are cooled to approximately 5 degrees Celsius
02:35 to reduce potential brain damage during the detachment.
02:38 Guided by advanced real-time molecular-level imaging systems,
02:42 BrainBridge carefully separates the heads from the two bodies with the help of a specialized
02:47 surgical technique that preserves the spinal cord and key blood vessels.
02:51 Deep incisions are carefully made around the neck to expose the necessary structures,
02:57 including the carotid and vertebral arteries, jugular veins, and spine.
03:01 With the help of specialized AI algorithms,
03:06 BrainBridge tracks both muscles and nerves during surgery to facilitate seamless reattachment.
03:12 Next, incisions are made in the trachea, esophagus, veins, and arteries.
03:17 The blood is then completely drained from the recipient's head to prevent clotting.
03:22 The recipient's head is then positioned adjacent to the donated body using a mobile platform.
03:28 BrainBridge immediately connects the detached head to the circulatory system of the donor body,
03:35 which helps maintain blood flow during the rest of the procedure.
03:39 It also re-warms the recipient's head and provides it with oxygenated blood.
03:44 With the help of its ultra-precision surgical instruments, BrainBridge begins reconnecting
03:49 the spinal cord, esophagus, trachea, nerves, blood vessels, and other tissues.
03:55 This step facilitates communication between the brain and the new body.
03:59 The machine utilizes microsurgery techniques and delicate microscopic adjustments to ensure
04:05 the proper alignment and fusion of the spinal cord and other tissues.
04:10 To help reconnect the severed neurons, BrainBridge uses a proprietary chemical adhesive,
04:15 polyethylene glycol, which is applied locally to the spine at the point of fusion.
04:20 Once the spinal cord is connected, a specialized implant is placed in the
04:25 epidural space behind the spine over the point of fusion.
04:28 This implant promotes the repair of damaged neurons and allows the patient's brain to
04:33 form neural connections with the new body and ensures that the sensory system is restored.
04:39 It also functions as a temporary backup control device for the donor body.
04:43 The next step of the operation is a face and scalp transplant where all the muscles,
04:48 soft tissues, and skin are removed from the recipient's face.
04:51 The donor's face, muscles, and soft tissues are then precisely transplanted in their place.
04:57 By transplanting younger donor tissues, the procedure reduces the probability of tissue
05:03 rejection and offers potential for aesthetic enhancement, particularly in cases where the
05:08 donor is significantly younger than the recipient.
05:11 It also restores functionality and structural integrity to the recipient's face and rejuvenates
05:17 its appearance.
05:17 BrainBridge then carefully sutures the skin to conceal the complex rewiring beneath the surface.
05:24 The skin is then treated with a special spray that contains growth factors,
05:29 antifibrotics, and antibiotics.
05:31 This spray promotes faster skin healing,
05:34 prevents infections, and reduces scarring in the sutured area.
05:39 Finally, immunosuppressive drugs are administered to prevent the recipient's immune system
05:44 from rejecting the donor body.
05:45 After the surgery, the recipient is carefully monitored in an intensive care unit and is
05:51 kept in a coma for up to four weeks to prevent movement or misalignment of the connected
05:56 body parts.
05:57 During this time, the head, neck, and spine are firmly stabilized to optimize the fusion
06:02 of the spinal cord.
06:03 Life support systems are utilized to regulate breathing and circulation.
06:08 While nutrition is delivered through a jejunostomy feeding tube.
06:11 Gradually, the recipient's brain should regain control over the new body.
06:16 As the recovery process advances and the patient regains mobility, there will be a need for
06:22 extensive rehabilitation, physical therapy, and psychological support to help the recipient
06:28 adapt to their new body and regain motor functions.
06:31 BrainBridge Headband, which is equipped with a brain-computer interface, will allow the
06:37 patient to communicate their needs during recovery.
06:40 Thanks to the power of thought, the headband decodes brainwaves and turns them into text
06:45 or speech.
06:46 It could allow the patient to control other devices directly from their brain, granting
06:52 them the autonomy to execute specific tasks independently throughout their recovery journey.
06:57 Because of the complexity and unexpected challenges of the head transplant procedure,
07:03 self-learning algorithms allow BrainBridge to avoid errors and adapt surgical plans in
07:08 real-time depending on the surgery's needs.
07:12 It can also improve its capabilities over time by learning from previous surgeries.
07:16 Learning algorithms can recall past procedures and outcomes to continually refine and enhance
07:22 surgical techniques and post-operative care.
07:25 While the surgery is being conducted, the BrainBridge algorithm creates a personalized
07:30 recovery plan depending on the progress of the procedure and the needs of the patient.
07:35 To maximize compatibility and ensure seamless integration, we collaborate with the top experts
07:42 in generative artificial intelligence, brain-to-computer interfaces, and robotics with multiple
07:48 successful projects and hundreds of high-profile, peer-reviewed research papers.
07:53 Over the past few years, we developed the end-to-end approach which accounts for every
07:58 single detail including immune compatibility, brain-body connectivity, replacement of the
08:03 visual and olfactory systems, and post-operative rehabilitation.
08:08 BrainBridge.
08:14 Breathing life into new bodies, one head at a time.