Tongji Hospital Completes World's First 256-Channel Flexible High-Density Cortical Electrode Brain-Computer Interface Implantation and Functional Area Tumor Resection

Background

Neurosurgery for brain tumors located in or adjacent to functional areas has historically involved difficult trade-offs. These regions control essential abilities such as movement and can be associated with epilepsy. Traditional reliance on preoperative imaging and surgeon experience carries limitations, including individual anatomical variations and brain tissue shift during open surgery, which can lead to errors in identifying safe resection boundaries.

Tongji Hospital affiliated with Huazhong University of Science and Technology has conducted research and clinical work on brain-computer interface applications in neurosurgery. In collaboration with Shenzhen Weiling Medical Technology Company, the hospital's BCI Research Institute and neurosurgery department applied a short-term implantable high-density flexible electrode system to a functional-area tumor case. Reports from hospital-affiliated and university news outlets describe this as addressing a key challenge in functional protection during tumor removal.

What was achieved

On August 26, 2025, under the guidance of Tang Zhouping, director of the hospital's BCI Research Institute, neurosurgeons Shu Kai and Hu Feng implanted a 256-channel flexible high-density cortical electrode in a 36-year-old female patient referred to as Ms. Huang. The patient presented with a tumor in the left precentral gyrus, a primary motor functional area, which had caused repeated epileptic seizures and severe headaches.

Following one week of monitoring, a tumor resection was performed on September 2, 2025. The operation lasted three hours. The patient was able to move her limbs on the day of the resection surgery. Postoperative assessment indicated normal limb function, no epileptic seizures, and good overall recovery. Reports indicated she was expected to be discharged soon after September 9, 2025. Sources describe the case as the first reported application in China of short-term 256-channel flexible subdural electrode implantation specifically combined with functional-area tumor resection for precise mapping and protection.

How it works

The technique uses a thin, flexible electrode array designed for temporary subdural placement directly on the cortical surface beneath the dura mater. The array contains 256 recording channels and has a thickness reported as one-tenth that of a human hair, providing high biocompatibility for short-term use of less than 30 days.

Once implanted, the electrode records high-density electrocorticography signals while the patient is awake and performing tasks. Artificial intelligence algorithms analyze the collected data over multiple days to decode and map the precise locations of functional regions, such as those governing specific movements, as well as epileptogenic zones. This generates a patient-specific functional map that identifies tumor boundaries relative to critical tissue with greater detail than standard imaging alone. Surgeons then reference this map during the open craniotomy to resect the tumor while avoiding damage to mapped functional areas. The electrode supports continuous, stable signal acquisition in the awake state, differing from brief intraoperative sampling methods.

What it means for international patients

Tongji Hospital operates an International Medical Department established in 2012 as the first such department in Hubei Province. It was designated by provincial and municipal authorities for the treatment of foreign patients, residents from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and has served individuals from 44 countries and regions. The department provides multidisciplinary team consultations across more than 40 specialties, dedicated VIP and international wards, advanced imaging equipment, and support for outpatient, inpatient, surgical, and rehabilitation care at its Hankou and Optical Valley campuses.

Developments in BCI-guided neurosurgery at the hospital illustrate capabilities in managing complex brain tumor cases. International patients interested in evaluation or treatment for neurological conditions should contact the hospital's International Medical Department directly to verify eligibility, current availability of specific techniques, and individual suitability based on their medical records. No information was reported on standardized international protocols for this exact BCI mapping procedure.

About the hospital

Tongji Hospital is located in Wuhan. It is the affiliated hospital of Tongji Medical College at Huazhong University of Science and Technology. It functions as a large tertiary Grade A comprehensive teaching hospital engaged in clinical care, education, and research.

The hospital has established a dedicated BCI Research Institute and maintains an active neurosurgery department that has led regional clinical applications of brain-computer interface technology. It is recognized for work in neurology, neurosurgery, oncology, cardiovascular medicine, and organ transplantation. The International Medical Department offers specialized services for overseas patients, including priority consultations and facilities equipped with tools such as high-field MRI and CT scanners.