How can brain-computer interface technology better serve the majority of patients?

When you can’t speak, how do you tell the world what you’re thinking? When you can’t grasp, how do you control your actions? The answer provided by brain-computer interface technology is: thought.

In September 2025, Union Hospital affiliated with Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as Wuhan Union Hospital) successfully implanted a domestically developed brain-computer interface chip into the brain of a 51-year-old stroke patient. The patient recovered well post-surgery, and after more than a month of rehabilitation training, his previously nearly paralyzed right hand could now perform grasping actions like holding a water bottle, with significant improvement in motor function.

It is reported that this domestically developed brain-computer interface chip was created by Wuhan Zhonghua Brain-Machine Integration Technology Development Co., Ltd. Director Jiang Xiaobing of the neurosurgery department at Wuhan Union Hospital explained that after surgery, when the patient uses “thought” to drive finger extension or grasping, the system can control a pneumatic glove to perform the corresponding action, thereby promoting nerve recovery and accelerating limb function reconstruction.

Now, six months later, with policy support, brain-computer interface technology is gradually moving from clinical trials toward approval and commercialization, helping more patients overcome motor and speech impairments through personalized and intelligent methods.

On March 13, BoRui Kang Medical Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., independently developed an implantable brain-computer interface hand motor function compensation system, officially obtained China’s Class III medical device registration certificate, becoming the world’s first approved implantable brain-computer interface product. It is understood that this medical device is a Class III medical device, designed to assist patients with spinal cord injuries and paralysis in achieving hand grasping functions. As the first invasive brain-computer interface medical device to be marketed globally, this device marks a breakthrough from zero to one in the field of invasive brain-computer interface medical devices worldwide.

Effectively Addressing Clinical Challenges

What is a brain-computer interface? Simply put, it is a technology that connects the brain to external devices, building a “bridge of thought communication” between the brain and external equipment. When the brain generates an intention, the external device can immediately “understand” and act accordingly.

This year’s government work report proposed to “cultivate and develop future industries such as new energy, quantum technology, embodied intelligence, brain-computer interfaces, and 6G,” placing brain-computer interfaces at the forefront of national strategic emerging industries.

Technologically, brain-computer interfaces are mainly divided into invasive and non-invasive types. Invasive brain-computer interfaces involve surgically implanting electrodes into the brain to directly record neural activity signals; non-invasive ones collect EEG signals through scalp electrodes without surgery.

Liu Xiuyun, deputy director of the Tianjin University Brain-Computer Interaction and Human-Machine Integration Hehe Laboratory, told reporters: “Invasive interfaces are mainly suitable for certain special patients, such as severe cases or those undergoing rehabilitation. Non-invasive interfaces have a broader application scope and are closer to everyday users; each has its advantages and disadvantages.”

Liu Xiuyun’s team collaborates with Tianjin Huanhu Hospital to develop the world’s first diagnostic system combining brain-computer interface and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics for hydrocephalus, called ‘Shengong—Shenhao,’ which reduces diagnosis time from three days to 30 minutes.

Data shows that stroke remains the leading cause of death and disability among residents in China. “The disability rate from strokes exceeds 70-80%, and current hospital treatments mainly involve acupuncture, physiotherapy, massage, or simple passive devices. If we can extract patients’ movement intentions and let them control external rehabilitation devices, recovery efficiency will greatly improve,” said Wang Haocong, general manager of Xi’an Zhentai Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Zhentai). Currently, domestic mainstream brain-computer interface technologies focus on research and application for neurological diseases, aiming to solve clinical pain points.

Ensuring Technology Effectiveness Is a Challenge

“About 80-90% of patients using non-invasive brain-computer interfaces for EEG monitoring and intervention, while invasive interfaces are mainly for the remaining 10%,” Wang Haocong said.

In advancing market deployment, ensuring the effectiveness of the technology is a significant challenge.

On one hand, collecting brain electrical signals is inherently complex. As an interaction system, brain-computer interfaces must extract signals within the patient’s response time loop; too fast or too slow is problematic. The stability of electrical signals can also be affected by scarring, skull factors, and others, demanding high standards for electrode chips, algorithm innovation, and medical materials. On the other hand, the stability of brain-computer interface systems can vary among individuals; patients with different brain injuries have varying levels of motor imagery strength. “Conventional algorithms used clinically may only achieve about 70% accuracy, so clinical patient data is needed to ensure the training accuracy and stability of the algorithms,” Wang Haocong explained.

Additionally, invasive brain-computer interfaces involve ethical and legal considerations. Public acceptance and understanding require time, and the development and updating of relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards also take time.

“Brain-computer interface technology still faces certain technical barriers in clinical application. Patients need to accept the concept, and medical staff need to know how to operate this technology,” Liu Xiuyun said. “Systematic training for medical personnel needs to be prioritized.”

“China’s brain-computer interface technology is not simply copying foreign models but has developed a localized path centered on clinical value, safety, and accessibility,” said Tao Hu, chairman of the Chinese Neuroscience Society Brain-Computer Interface and Interaction Branch.

Joint Efforts to Promote Development

In March 2025, the National Healthcare Security Administration issued the ‘Guidelines for the Establishment of Medical Service Price Projects for Nervous System Diseases (Trial).’ Subsequently, cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Hubei, and Zhejiang have successively established specific fee items for brain-computer interfaces; hospitals such as Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Tsinghua University Hospital, and Xuanwu Hospital have opened brain-computer interface clinics; Tianjin Huanhu Hospital has established the country’s first comprehensive clinical trial zone for brain-computer interfaces; Shanghai is developing the first national brain-computer interface future industry cluster… The policy environment for brain-computer interfaces has become more intensive and detailed, driving the industry into a critical period of implementation.

While companies strengthen technological research, they also push product deployment into the market. Zhentai has organized experience days for brain-computer interface products in Zhangjiazhuang Street Military Industry Community, Xi’an; partnered with Changshu Third People’s Hospital to open the country’s first brain-computer interface mental health outpatient clinic, focusing on precise classification, grading, and intervention for adolescents and patients with depression and anxiety.

“We are improving the algorithm accuracy from 90% upward, while keeping response times within one second. We will also increase cooperation with hospitals and communities and promote home-based products, so that services are not limited to insurance coverage and can reach more patients faster,” Wang Haocong said.

Moreover, as a discipline rooted in applied science, brain-computer interface technology is highly interdisciplinary, requiring collaboration among industry, academia, research, and medical fields to cultivate cross-disciplinary talents in mathematics, microelectronics, artificial intelligence, medicine, and mechanical engineering. In 2024, Tianjin University launched the country’s first undergraduate program in brain-computer interfaces; in 2025, it established the first national doctoral program and clinical specialty in brain-computer interfaces.

“Tianjin University is collaborating on developing ex vivo brain-computer interfaces, using human stem cells to cultivate a brain or eye that can control external devices. We look forward to brain-computer interface technology empowering doctors and better serving patients,” Liu Xiuyun said.

Human-machine collaboration, intelligent kindness. Making paralyzed patients stand, awakening vegetative patients, helping depression patients smile again—such a future may not be far away.