Shandong Completes First Invasive Brain-Computer Interface Surgery, High Paraplegia Patient Expected to 'Control Objects with Mind'

Background

Spinal cord injuries resulting in high paraplegia or quadriplegia disrupt the neural pathways that transmit motor commands from the brain to the limbs. This condition has long represented a major clinical challenge, with traditional rehabilitation approaches offering limited restoration of voluntary movement or device control.

On July 30, 2026, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, also known as Shandong Qianfoshan Hospital, completed Shandong Province's first invasive wireless brain-computer interface system implantation surgery. The procedure was performed on a patient who had experienced cervical spinal cord injury leading to high paraplegia for approximately two years. The surgery took place in the hospital's dedicated brain-computer interface clinical research ward, which was reported as the first such facility in Shandong. The associated clinical research project follows national good clinical practice standards, received ethics committee approval, and includes nationwide recruitment for eligible patients.

What was achieved

A neurosurgical team led by Prof. Xin Tao, vice president of Shandong First Medical University and disciplinary leader in neurosurgery at the hospital, conducted the implantation. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging for precise target localization combined with robotic assistance, ultra-flexible microelectrodes were implanted in the patient's motor cortex via a minimally invasive approach.

Postoperative testing showed that all 256 channels accurately collected brain electrical signals. This outcome was reported as marking the successful completion of the province's first invasive wireless BCI implantation. The clinical research project recruits suitable patients with cervical spinal cord injury and quadriplegia from across the country. Those enrolled are reported to have surgery fees, material costs, and hospitalization expenses waived. Follow-up reporting in early September 2026 indicated successful collection of stable motor intent signals one month after surgery, allowing the start of rehabilitation training.

How it works

In individuals without injury, the motor cortex generates electrical signals when a person forms the intention to move. These signals normally travel via the spinal cord to activate muscles. A spinal cord injury interrupts this pathway, preventing voluntary movement despite intact brain signals.

The invasive BCI approach involves surgically placing an array of ultra-flexible microelectrodes into the motor cortex. In this surgery, the electrodes were positioned with millimeter-level precision using imaging guidance and robotic tools. When the patient imagines specific movements, the electrodes detect the resulting neural activity across 256 channels. These signals are transmitted wirelessly to external processing systems that employ decoding algorithms to interpret the motor intent. The decoded commands can then control external devices such as computer cursors or tablets. This establishes a 'neural digital pathway' that bypasses the damaged spinal cord. Rehabilitation training over months, involving specialists and engineers, refines the decoding to match the individual's signal patterns.

What it means for international patients

The hospital operates a Special Needs International Medical Center, which originated from an International Medical Department established in 2009 as one of the province's earliest facilities for foreign-related care. It was formally upgraded in 2022 and provides services including outpatient consultations, inpatient care, health examinations, remote consultations with international medical partners, and coordination for medical transport. The center serves high-end self-pay patients, those covered by commercial insurance, and foreign nationals in China.

The hospital's involvement in BCI clinical research reflects broader capabilities in neurosurgery and innovative neurological care. However, the specific trial referenced was designed with defined eligibility criteria focused on patients with particular types of spinal cord injury. International patients interested in similar programs or future applications should directly contact the hospital's international medical center to confirm current availability, undergo necessary medical evaluation for eligibility, and receive individualized information. Sources did not report specific participation by international patients in this initial procedure.

About the hospital

The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Qianfoshan Hospital) is a Grade A Tertiary comprehensive hospital located at 16766 Jingshi Road in Jinan, Shandong Province. Founded in 1960, it is affiliated with Shandong First Medical University and the Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences. It operates approximately 3,100 beds and maintains more than 95 clinical and medical technology departments.

The hospital is recognized for strengths in organ transplantation, with leading provincial volumes and quality for heart, liver, kidney, lung, and related procedures. It houses multiple provincial and national key clinical specialties, including in neurosurgery, respiratory medicine, cardiovascular disease, orthopedics, and rehabilitation. It features advanced equipment such as 3.0T MRI, PET-CT scanners, da Vinci robotic surgical systems, and linear accelerators. Neurosurgery is a provincial key specialty with sub-specialty divisions including functional neurosurgery; the department uses robotic systems such as ROSA for precision procedures and serves as a training base. The hospital lists internationalization among its strategic principles and maintains the dedicated international medical center for overseas and high-end patients.