ELVIS V – SURGERY M1
The first surgery to implant ELVIS V to an ape was carried out in 2022
January 2022
First operation involving monkeys (M1)
In January 2022, the ELVIS V project performed the first implant surgery on a monkey (M1). The venue was the Research Institute of Medical Primatology in Sochi, Russia.
Surgery involving a primate requires a large team of surgeons, veterinarians, anaesthetists, and technicians to ensure the experiment is carried out.
The ELVIS V experiments involve adult anubis baboons. These animals are primates, which means that their anatomy and physiology are similar to those of humans. Pavians belong to the monkey family, genus Pavianus. These animals reach a length of 48 to 76 cm, and the weight of adults is between 15 and 25 kg. The procedure for performing surgery on a pavian is virtually the same as for a human. The animal is under anaesthesia during the operation.
The main part of the operation can be described as follows: a linear incision is made, the soft tissues are skeletonised, the wound edges are extended with the help of a wound expander, two trephination holes are made along the midline in the projection of the sagital sinus using a craniotome, from which a 3.5 cm by 4 cm craniotomy is subsequently performed.
Pre– and post–operative monitoring is carried out using a mobile X–ray unit.
The ELVIS project team tests and validates a large number of prototypes to customise the equipment.
However, only pre–prepared sterile systems are used during the operation itself. The neurosurgeon installs the implantable part of the system using guides and special forceps, and at the end assesses the quality of fixation of the system.
The most difficult part of the operation involves immersing a flat matrix of electrodes between the lobes of the animal's brain. The neurosurgeon performs these manipulations using a microscope.
The flat electrode matrix is made on a polyimide substrate using electrode contacts that are sputtered using precious materials.
The matrix of electrodes installed to the first pavian M1 had 17 contacts, in the course of the experiment with the help of special equipment the reaction of the animal's brain to the presentation of a visual signal was checked.
RESULTS OF THE EXPERIMENT
Biocompatibility of the implant electronics
During the experiment, the project team not only perfected the surgical aspects of the operation, but also obtained important data on the biocompatibility of the first version of the implantable electronics of the implant.
ELVIS © 2025
Russian Federation, 121205, Moscow,
ul. ter. Mozhaisky municipal district,
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ul. ter. Mozhaisky municipal district,
territory of Skolkovo Innovation Centre, 42, bld. Bolshoi, v. 42, bldg. 1
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ELVIS creates medical neuroimplants for the treatment of the most complex diseases.