In a monumental leap for medical science, Chinese surgeons have successfully performed a minimally invasive brain-spine interface (BSI) surgery, enabling a paralyzed patient to stand and walk within just 24 hours post-operation.
The groundbreaking surgery, conducted at Shanghai's Zhongshan Hospital, marks the fourth instance of its kind but stands out as the first to help an individual with total paraplegia regain mobility through BSI technology. The hospital announced the success on Tuesday, highlighting its significance in spinal injury treatment.
The patient, Lin, a 34-year-old from Guangdong Province, suffered severe spinal injuries and a brain hemorrhage two years ago after falling from a 4-meter-high staircase. Despite extensive treatments, Lin remained reliant on a wheelchair until he became the first participant in a clinical trial for this innovative technology in January 2025.
Developed jointly by Zhongshan Hospital and Fudan University's Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, the BSI technology was led by Professors Wang Xin and Ding Jing from Zhongshan Hospital, alongside Jia Fumin from Fudan University. The trial focuses on evaluating the safety and effectiveness of epidural electrical stimulation (EES) in restoring motor function for spinal cord injury patients.
Professor Jia's team pioneered a "three-in-one" BSI technology that creates a neural bridge between the brain and spinal cord, collecting and decoding brain signals while delivering targeted electrical stimulation to specific nerve roots. This minimally invasive procedure involves implanting two tiny electrode chips into the brain's motor cortex, completing the surgery in just four hours.
Remarkably, Lin regained leg movement within 24 hours post-surgery, thanks to the assistance of artificial intelligence. The team overcame significant challenges, including limited electrode availability and real-time decoding of movement intentions, achieving a breakthrough in algorithm design after nearly three years of effort.
Since January, the team has completed three additional clinical proof-of-concept surgeries, with all patients regaining the ability to control their legs and walk within two weeks. Jia emphasized that these results not only demonstrate the feasibility of the next-generation BSI solution but also offer new hope for millions of spinal injury patients worldwide.
The team is committed to further optimizing the technology to restore walking ability for more patients, marking the beginning of a new era in spinal injury treatment.
Reference(s):
China conducts 4th brain-spine interface surgery on paralyzed patients
cgtn.com
