BEIJING: China has officially approved the launch of a brain-computer interface (BCI) system designed to help restore hand movement in people with paralysis, marking the first successful approval of a BCI device for commercial use in the country.
The device, developed by Borui Kang Medical Technology, is intended to assist patients in regaining movement and communication abilities lost due to severe neurological conditions.
Device Designed for Paralysis Patients
The new BCI system specifically targets individuals suffering from quadriplegia caused by cervical spinal cord injuries.
The technology enables patients to regain hand-grasping ability by controlling a robotic glove through signals generated by the brain.
Unlike non-invasive systems that rely on sensors placed on the scalp, this device uses an invasive approach in which electrodes are implanted directly into the brain.
The system features a minimally invasive extradural implantation method and uses wireless technology to transmit neural signals.
Eligibility and Clinical Results
According to National Medical Products Administration, BCI technologies have been prioritized as part of China’s strategy to develop emerging medical innovations.
To qualify for the device, patients must be between 18 and 60 years old and have a cervical spinal cord injury that has been diagnosed for at least one year.
They must also have remained medically stable for the previous six months and be unable to grasp objects with their hands while still retaining some upper-arm function.
Clinical trials showed that although further improvements are needed to optimize performance, the technology has already demonstrated promising results in improving patients’ quality of life and restoring limited motor function.
Chinese authorities have identified brain-computer interface technologies as a “future industry,” highlighting their importance in the country’s latest five-year development plan.
