Shanghai issues first brain-computer interface prescription, completes surgery

Shanghai has issued its first prescription for a brain-computer interface (BCI) system since its market approval, and successfully completed the first implantation surgery. On July 13, the NEO system, designed to compensate for hand motor function, was prescribed and implanted at Huashan Hospital, affiliated with Fudan University, marking a significant step in clinical application.

The surgery involved a patient who had suffered a spinal cord injury ten years prior due to a car accident, resulting in impaired hand grip function and limitations in self-care. After standard rehabilitation treatment plateaued, a multidisciplinary team evaluated the patient based on the product's approved indications.

The NEO system operates by collecting and decoding epidural electroencephalogram (EEG) signals to identify motor intentions. It establishes a communication pathway between the brain and an external compensation device, aiding in the restoration of hand grip function. Initial tests during the surgery indicated stable and good quality brain signals from the system.

System approval for market entry occurred on March 3. Subsequent to its approval, the NEO system has transitioned from laboratory and clinical trials to a usable medical product for eligible patients. The patient's vital signs post-surgery are reported to be stable, indicating a successful initial outcome for this advanced technology application.