China's Independently Developed Brain-Computer Interface Successfully Completes Clinical Trial for Precise Boundary Localization of Deep Brain Tumors

Background

Brain tumors such as gliomas are characterized by high incidence, mortality and recurrence rates. Their infiltrative growth often results in unclear boundaries between tumor tissue and normal brain tissue. Commonly used preoperative imaging can provide approximate tumor location to help avoid functional areas but cannot reflect dynamic intraoperative changes such as brain shift, with reported errors ranging from 5 to 20 millimeters. Intraoperative aids including ultrasound, fluorescence navigation and electrocorticography also have limitations in delivering real-time single-cell level differentiation between tumor and healthy functional tissue.

What was achieved

In August 2025, the State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology at the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences collaborated with the neurosurgery department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University to complete a clinical trial using an independently developed implantable microelectrode array brain-computer interface for precise boundary localization of deep brain tumors. This was reported across multiple Chinese state media outlets as the world's first reported clinical application of BCI technology for intraoperative identification of deep brain tumor boundaries.

The trial involved a glioma patient who had experienced frequent epileptic seizures and speech confusion due to tumor compression. According to Shi Huaizhang, director of neurosurgery at the hospital, real-time single-cell neural signals captured by the BCI, combined with imaging data, enabled precise tumor boundary identification. This allowed complete tumor resection while maximally preserving functional brain areas. Postoperatively, the patient had no epileptic seizures, exhibited clear and fluent speech, showed improved quality of life, and sustained no new neurological deficits.

How it works

The core device is NeuroDepth, a clinical BCI microelectrode array fabricated with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology and nanomaterials. The probe can reach lengths of up to 9.5 centimeters, has a thickness of no more than 0.2 millimeters (approximately the diameter of a human hair), customizable width, and a spatial resolution of 15 micrometers. It is engineered for high toughness, biological safety and the ability to record single-cell level neural electrical activity in real time from cortical surfaces to deep brain structures, and can monitor neurotransmitter signals.

These raw signals are processed by the paired AIRCAS-128 multi-level regulatory and high-throughput neural signal synchronous detector, which analyzes the data in real time to differentiate tumor from healthy tissue based on distinct neural activity patterns. This produces immediate 'lesion navigation' for the surgical team. Surgeons integrate the BCI feedback with standard preoperative imaging to guide resection more accurately during the dynamic conditions of surgery, addressing limitations of conventional methods that may lack cellular precision or real-time adaptability.

What it means for international patients

The trial demonstrates progress in the clinical use of domestically developed implantable BCI technology for neurosurgery at a major Chinese hospital. The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University engages in international academic exchanges and has provided medical services to foreign guests. Harbin serves as a northern gateway with some cross-border medical travel.

Reports on the trial did not detail the current availability of this specific BCI technique beyond the trial or dedicated international patient services for this hospital. International patients interested in neurosurgical care for brain tumors should contact the hospital directly to confirm eligibility, the status of related technologies or procedures, any language support, and individual case suitability. All treatment decisions require direct evaluation by the medical team.

About the hospital

The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University is a Grade 3A tertiary comprehensive public hospital located in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, in northeast China. Affiliated with Harbin Medical University and founded in 1949, it operates across two campuses (Nangang and Qunli) and functions as one of the province's largest medical centers integrating clinical care, teaching, research and prevention. It has received A+ ratings in national performance assessments for tertiary public hospitals.

Its neurosurgery department was founded in 1958, making it one of China's earlier specialized neurosurgery units outside Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai. It is the largest neurosurgery center in Heilongjiang Province, serves as the provincial neurosurgery quality control center, and is a national clinical key specialty construction unit. The department has ranked first in neurosurgery in Northeast China and among the national top 10 in certain evaluations such as Fudan University hospital management rankings. It manages high volumes of cases involving intracranial tumors, cerebrovascular diseases and functional neurological disorders, with many physicians possessing international training experience.