Chinese neurosurgeons and scientists have successfully performed a minimally invasive ‘brain-spine interface’ (BSI) surgery, enabling a paralysed patient to regain mobility.
The patient was able to stand and walk within 24 hours post-procedure.
This was the fourth clinical proof-of-concept procedure performed at Shanghai’s Zhongshan Hospital, marking a world-first achievement in restoring mobility to patient with complete paraplegia using BSI technology.
The technology was developed through a collaboration between Zhongshan Hospital and the Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence at Fudan University.
Professors Wang Xin and Ding Jing from Zhongshan Hospital, together with Jia Fumin from Fudan University, led a clinical trial that evaluated the safety and efficacy of epidural electrical stimulation (EES) for restoring motor function in patients with spinal cord injuries.
Following a spinal cord injury, communication between the brain and spinal neurons is disrupted, resulting in paralysis. In response, Professor Jia’s team developed a three-in-one BSI technology.
They constructed a neural bridge that captures and decodes brain signals through a minimally invasive method. This method delivers precise electrical stimulation to specific nerve roots and enables the restoration of voluntary movement.
The surgical procedure involved implanting two electrode chips within the motor cortex, each about one millimetre in diameter.
Both brain and spinal cord interventions were completed within four hours.
Remarkably, with the support of AI, the patient achieved leg movement within 24 hours post-surgery, according to Fudan University.
A key technical hurdle for BSI technology is the limited number of implantable electrodes and real-time decoding of motor intention.
Jia explained: ‘If a patient wants to lift their leg, but the algorithm fails to decode the intention or delays by even a few seconds, the patient could fall.’
After three years of extensive research, the team achieved a significant breakthrough in algorithmic design, ensuring seamless real-time decoding of motor intentions.
Between January and February this year, three proof-of-concept surgeries were performed. Patients with severe spinal cord injuries regained voluntary leg control within two weeks.
Jia added: ‘The treatment outcomes for these paralysed patients met or even exceeded our expectations, preliminarily demonstrating the feasibility of the next-generation brain-spine interface solution. The completion of four surgeries across two hospitals also proves this technology is replicable and scalable. This is not just a technological victory but the beginning of a new life for paralysed patients.’
The team intends to continue refining the technology, aspiring to restore ambulation in more patients with spinal cord injuries and offering renewed hope to millions worldwide
