Zhujiang Hospital Completes South China's First Routine Implantable Brain-Computer Interface Surgery

Background

The development of implantable brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) has progressed from clinical trials to approved medical use. In March 2026, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) granted registration to the first invasive BCI medical device globally. This approval permitted hospitals to apply the technology in routine clinical practice rather than limiting it to research studies under Good Clinical Practice (GCP) protocols.

Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University had accumulated experience with the technology, having performed nearly 30 brain-computer interface related implantations as part of clinical trials. The hospital established five dedicated BCI clinical research wards capable of delivering care across preoperative evaluation, surgery, signal decoding, and rehabilitation.

What was achieved

On October 22, 2026, the functional neurosurgery team at Zhujiang Hospital completed South China's first routine clinical implantation of an NMPA-approved invasive brain-computer interface. The patient was a 21-year-old woman, referred to as Miss Wu in reports, who had suffered a high cervical spinal cord injury from a car accident two years earlier. This injury caused quadriplegia with severe loss of motor and sensory function below the injury level, leaving her dependent on full-time care.

The surgery was led by Guo Yanwu, director of the hospital's functional neurosurgery department. The implanted device was the NEO hand movement function compensation system developed by BoruiKang. Unlike previous cases conducted as GCP trials with limited enrollment and provided free of charge to participants, this procedure was performed under standard clinical care with the patient treated in a routine capacity. Postoperative imaging confirmed that electrode placement matched preoperative planning with high precision. Guo Yanwu stated that the case signified the transition of BCI technology from experimental research to formal clinical application.

How it works

High cervical spinal cord injury damages neural pathways, preventing motor commands generated in the brain's cortex from reaching the muscles of the hands and arms. The brain nonetheless continues to produce detectable electrical signals whenever the patient attempts or imagines movements such as grasping or releasing.

The NEO system is implanted through a minimally invasive procedure lasting more than two hours. Electrodes are positioned in the epidural space between the skull and the dura mater, covering cortical regions associated with hand motor and sensory functions. The implantation does not pierce the dura mater or contact brain tissue directly. The electrodes record brain signals produced during the patient's intentional attempts at hand movement. These signals are processed by decoding algorithms that translate them into commands. The commands activate a connected pneumatic glove that physically assists the hand to perform grasping actions. Patients subsequently participate in training to calibrate the system, optimize decoding parameters, and practice functional tasks.

What it means for international patients

The procedure represents the availability of an NMPA-approved invasive BCI system for routine clinical application in indicated patients with cervical spinal cord injury. This development may offer additional options for individuals with similar neurological conditions seeking care in China.

Zhujiang Hospital operates a dedicated International Medical Center in its Yiqiao Building that has served patients from nearly 120 countries and regions, with a reported total exceeding 250,000 international cases since its establishment in 1985. The center provides multilingual support, VIP inpatient facilities with private rooms, one-on-one escort services, direct billing with international insurers, and has obtained international hospital certification. It was selected as a pilot site for Guangdong province's international medical services. International patients considering BCI implantation or related care must contact the hospital's international medical center or functional neurosurgery department directly to arrange evaluation, confirm current availability, and determine individual eligibility and medical suitability.

About the hospital

Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University is a large comprehensive tertiary Grade A teaching hospital located in Haizhu District, Guangzhou. Founded in 1947, it functions as the Second Affiliated Hospital and Second Clinical Medical College of Southern Medical University.

The hospital maintains strengths in functional neurosurgery, a provincial key discipline, and serves as the headquarters for the Guangdong and Guangzhou Clinical Research Quality Control Centers. It has received A+ ratings in national performance appraisals for tertiary public hospitals for six consecutive years. In addition to its BCI program, the hospital offers a full clinical pathway for neurosurgical and rehabilitative care and operates an established International Medical Center serving global patients.