Nation's First Closed-Loop Spinal Cord Neural Interface Implantation Successfully Performed, Allowing Paraplegic Patient to Walk Again

Background

Spinal cord injuries often lead to paraplegia, disrupting neural pathways that control movement, sensation and autonomic functions below the injury level. Conventional rehabilitation yields limited recovery for many patients with severe cases. On May 21, 2025, reports detailed that The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (SAHZU), working with Zhejiang University research teams, had completed China's first implantation of a myoelectric feedback closed-loop spinal cord neural interface.

What was achieved

The pioneering surgery took place in March 2025 on a 61-year-old male patient surnamed Jin. He had suffered a fall in October 2024 resulting in a T3-T4 vertebral fracture and spinal cord injury. Following decompression surgery and four months of conventional rehabilitation, he showed minimal lower-limb movement, with doctors assessing low prospects for regaining walking ability. The procedure involved implanting a 16-contact spinal cord stimulation electrode array in the lumbar region (T12-L1) and a small, matchbox-sized wireless rechargeable pulse generator in the abdomen. All devices used were developed in China with full independent intellectual property rights.

Postoperatively, Jin achieved control of leg bending and lifting by day three. By day 15, he could stand and walk independently. Within one to two months, with continued stimulation optimization using AI algorithms and systematic rehabilitation, he regained the ability to perform various daily activities, walk with a walker for distances such as 100 meters, manage turns, slopes and steps, and showed improved lower-limb sensation, restored bowel control and significantly better urinary function. The technology has since been applied to more than 20 patients, including international cases. A dedicated clinical ward integrating the approach with rehabilitation opened in April 2026.

How it works

In a healthy nervous system, the brain sends signals through the spinal cord to activate leg muscles for movement and maintain balance. A severe spinal cord injury is akin to a damaged highway, blocking most of these signals and resulting in paralysis. The closed-loop spinal cord neural interface aims to bypass or compensate for this disruption through targeted electrical stimulation.

The system includes a flexible epidural electrode array with 16 contacts implanted on the spinal cord to deliver precise electrical epidural stimulation (EES) that activates specific muscle groups. A fully implanted, wirelessly rechargeable controller in the abdomen powers the stimulation. Wireless electromyography (EMG) sensors on the legs capture real-time muscle electrical activity, which is transmitted to external control software. Algorithms analyze these myoelectric feedback signals and dynamically adjust stimulation parameters, intensity and patterns. This creates a closed feedback loop that adapts to the patient's movement intentions, helping restore coordinated stepping, weight shifting and balance. The approach is used alongside intensive rehabilitation training. Neurosurgeon Zhu Junming led the implantation, with technical contributions from Professor Xu Kedi of the Nanhu Brain-computer Interface Institute.

What it means for international patients

The procedure highlights progress in neural interface technology for spinal cord injury treatment. SAHZU has applied the technology to international patients, including at least one pediatric case from Russia reported in 2026.

The hospital maintains a dedicated International Medicine Department that provides services for overseas patients, including English-language support, appointment coordination and assistance. Contact options include telephone (+86-571-89713988) and email (intlmed@zju.edu.cn). Patients interested in this or similar advanced treatments for spinal cord injury should contact the hospital directly to determine individual eligibility, suitability and availability, as outcomes depend on specific injury characteristics, timing and other medical factors. Confirmation with the hospital is required for any prospective case.

About the hospital

The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (SAHZU) is located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Founded in 1869 as one of the earliest Western medicine institutions in the province, it is a public Grade 3A tertiary comprehensive hospital and major academic medical center affiliated with Zhejiang University School of Medicine. It operates multiple campuses with several thousand beds and records millions of outpatient visits and a high volume of surgical procedures annually.

It is Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited since 2013 and maintains national key clinical departments in areas including cardiovascular diseases, neuroscience, orthopedics, trauma and emergency medicine. The hospital has ranked among the top performers in national tertiary public hospital assessments and Fudan University hospital rankings, with noted strengths in neurosurgery. It operates an International Medicine Department to serve foreign patients and has partnerships for international training and telemedicine.