China approves world's first brain implant/ How it will work

2026-03-14 20:00:00, Tech CNA

China has approved the first brain implant designed to help people with paralysis regain hand movement, marking the world's first commercial authorization for such a device. The device was developed by Chinese company Neuracle Medical Technology and uses a brain-computer interface (BCI).

BCIs connect a person's nervous system to devices capable of interpreting their brain activity, allowing them to perform actions, such as using a computer or moving a prosthetic hand, through the power of their thoughts.

The Neuracle system is intended for people who have paralysis caused by serious spinal cord injuries in the neck. These injuries can prevent brain signals from reaching the arms and hands.
The system works by detecting brain signals related to the intention to move the hand. These signals are then translated by software and sent to a robotic glove that the patient wears. The glove uses air motion to help the hand open and close, allowing the user to grasp objects, according to CGTN.

Not all patients are eligible to use the device. According to Chinese state media, it is intended for adults between the ages of 18 and 60 who have had paralysis for more than a year and whose condition has remained stable for at least six months. The device is designed for people who cannot grasp objects with their hands but still retain some movement in their upper arms.

China has increased its investment in brain-computer interface technology in recent years. The country recently included BCI technology as a national strategic priority and plans to include it in the country's future economic planning as a potential driver of future growth.

The development comes as companies around the world race to bring similar technologies to market. Last year, another brain-computer interface developed by Chinese company Shanghai NeuroXess attracted international attention after a 28-year-old man, who had been paralyzed for eight years after a severe spinal cord injury, was able to control digital devices using his thoughts five days after receiving the implant in China.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk recently said in a post on X that his brain implant company Neuralink, which began human trials in 2024, will begin "high-volume production" of BCI devices in 2026. Neuralink said in September last year that 12 people around the world with severe paralysis have received the brain implants and are using them to control digital and physical devices through thought. /CNA