新突破！我国侵入式脑机接口进入临床试验阶段

Core Insights - The article highlights the successful initiation of China's first invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) clinical trial, marking a significant advancement in the field, making China the second country after the United States to enter this phase [1] Group 1: Clinical Trial Details - The clinical trial was conducted by the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Brain Science and Intelligent Technology Center in collaboration with Fudan University Huashan Hospital, focusing on a male subject who lost all four limbs due to an electrical accident [1] - The implanted BCI device has shown stable operation since its implantation in March 2025, with no infections or electrode failures reported over a month [1] - The subject achieved functionalities such as playing chess and racing games within 2-3 weeks of training, demonstrating control comparable to that of a typical user with a computer touchpad [1] Group 2: Technological Advancements - The BCI system developed by the Zhao Zhengtuo and Li Xue teams features the world's smallest and most flexible neural electrodes, with a cross-sectional area only 1/5 to 1/7 that of Neuralink's electrodes, and flexibility exceeding Neuralink's by a factor of 100 [2] - This ultra-flexible electrode allows for high-density, large-area, and long-term stable neural signal acquisition, addressing key challenges in tissue compatibility and bandwidth limitations for implanted BCIs [2] Group 3: Surgical and Operational Efficiency - The BCI system is the only one in China with a registered report that can stably capture single-neuron spike signals, providing a solid data foundation for applications [3] - The device's dimensions are 26mm in diameter and less than 6mm in thickness, making it the smallest brain-controlled implant globally, requiring only a small recess in the skull for implantation, thus reducing surgical risks and recovery time [3] - The standardized operational procedures based on mature surgical techniques facilitate scalable applications in various medical institutions [3] Group 4: Future Applications - The BCI system is designed to achieve similar control levels as Neuralink with fewer implanted electrodes, minimizing patient risk while maximizing benefits [5] - Prior to human trials, the system's safety and functionality were validated in non-human primates, where it successfully controlled computer cursor movement through neural activity [5] - Future plans include enabling the subject to control robotic arms for physical tasks, expanding the potential for interaction with complex devices like robotic dogs and intelligent agents [5]