Jiangsu's First Brain-Computer Interface Ward Unveiled in Nanjing

Background

In late June 2025, the General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command in Nanjing established Jiangsu province's first clinical research ward dedicated to brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. After four months of preparation, the intelligent ward was officially unveiled in November 2025. The facility integrates data collection, intelligent analysis, and precise treatment capabilities to support patients receiving BCI interventions.

What was achieved

During preparation of the ward, the hospital completed the province's first semi-invasive BCI clinical research surgery. The procedure was performed on July 17, 2025, by Professor Ma Chiyuan, director of neurosurgery, on a 52-year-old male patient surnamed Guo from Inner Mongolia. The patient had suffered high cervical spinal cord injury from a cervical fracture approximately eight to nine years earlier, resulting in paralysis.

Three-month postoperative assessments documented significant improvement in the patient's right hand function. He was able to grasp a mineral water bottle while using a powered glove and hold a wooden block with his bare hand. One-year follow-up indicated further gains, including the ability to independently pick up and drink from a cup or bottle and practice using a spoon for eating, with some voluntary limb movements observed even without the external device. These outcomes were reported as evidence of brain function remodeling. The ward is equipped with a ceiling rail system for partial weight-bearing standing and walking training, limb function trainers, speech and swallowing rehabilitation devices, and brain stimulation tools. Environmental features include tailored color schemes and 40-hertz gamma brainwave music.

How it works

The semi-invasive BCI technique uses a domestically produced device implanted so that the electrode array is positioned entirely outside the dura mater, the protective membrane covering the brain. This placement is reported to reduce risks compared to fully invasive approaches that insert electrodes directly into brain tissue, by using the dura as a natural barrier against infection, bleeding, and tissue damage.

Captured brain signals corresponding to intended movements are processed by external systems that decode the neural activity and translate it into commands for assistive devices, such as a powered glove providing functional electrical stimulation to enable grasping. The dedicated ward supports the process through continuous monitoring, targeted rehabilitation training, and multimodal stimulation. Repeated use aims to promote neuroplasticity, potentially allowing lasting improvements in voluntary motor control that persist independently of external equipment. The ward design also incorporates sensory adaptations to support cognitive recovery.

What it means for international patients

The establishment of this specialized BCI clinical research ward at a major hospital in Nanjing illustrates ongoing clinical application of neural interface technology for motor recovery after spinal cord injury in China. International patients with similar neurological conditions may consider such centers when exploring innovative rehabilitation options.

As a clinical research program, access is subject to specific eligibility criteria, trial protocols, and medical evaluations. Availability and suitability must be confirmed directly with the hospital. Sources did not report dedicated international patient services or language support specific to this ward.

About the hospital

The General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command, also referred to as Jinling Hospital or Affiliated Jinling Hospital of the Medical School of Nanjing University, is a large tertiary Grade A comprehensive hospital located at 305 Zhongshan East Road in Xuanwu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. Its history dates to 1929, with restructuring in 2018 incorporating several former military medical facilities. It serves as a teaching hospital for Nanjing University and other institutions.

The hospital maintains 34 key disciplines at national, military, and provincial levels. It features advanced equipment including da Vinci surgical robots, dual-source CT, PET-CT scanners, and intraoperative radiotherapy systems. Reported areas of strength include neurosurgery, kidney disease treatment (with a national clinical research center), complex organ transplantation techniques, and digitized hospital management. It has been included in national evaluations of leading hospitals.