Core Insights - Two brain-computer interface (BCI) companies in Shanghai have made significant advancements in their research, with one company, JieTi Medical, having its "implantable wireless brain-computer interface system" enter the special review process of the National Medical Products Administration, marking it as the first invasive BCI product to enter the "green channel" in China [1] - The other company, Boda Medical, is developing an "ultrasound brain-computer interface" that aims to achieve high spatiotemporal resolution for comprehensive brain function analysis [1] Company Developments - JieTi Medical has invented ultra-flexible electrodes that are 1/100th the diameter of a human hair, significantly reducing the risk of tissue damage and immune response when implanted in the brain [1] - JieTi Medical is collaborating with Huashan Hospital for prospective clinical trials, which have shown initial success in restoring some self-care abilities in patients [1] - Boda Medical's founder introduced a new ultrasound technology with a frame rate of 10,000 frames per second, which surpasses traditional imaging techniques like fMRI and PET in sensitivity [2] - Boda Medical has developed an ultrasound brain blood flow imaging system that is currently being used in clinical settings, showing promising results [2] Industry Trends - The brain-computer interface sector is identified as a key future industry in China, gaining global attention since the establishment of Neuralink by Elon Musk in 2016 [1] - The advancements in BCI technology are expected to facilitate broader applications in areas such as motor and language function replacement, treatment of neurological diseases, and sensory restoration [2] - The 2025 "Innovation in Shanghai" international entrepreneurship competition aims to attract investment for the development of hard-tech startups, including Boda Medical's ultrasound BCI technology [4]

Core Insights - The rise of Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMI) is becoming a competitive field in Silicon Valley, with companies like Merge Labs and Neuralink leading the charge in innovative technologies [1][40] - Merge Labs, co-founded by Sam Altman, aims to compete with Neuralink by utilizing gene editing and ultrasound technology for non-invasive brain activity decoding [1][40] - The ultrasound BMI technology offers a new approach by reading blood flow signals non-invasively, contrasting with Neuralink's invasive electrode method [1][40] Group 1: Industry Evolution - The concept of BMIs has been around since the 1970s, but significant advancements have occurred in the last decade, with companies like Neuralink emerging [4][12] - Traditional electrical BMIs require electrodes to be implanted in the brain, which can be invasive and limited in scope [4][12] - The complexity of the brain, with its 86 billion neurons, necessitates a more holistic approach to decoding brain activity rather than focusing on isolated regions [5][6] Group 2: Ultrasound BMI Advantages - Ultrasound BMIs can cover a larger area of the brain, potentially imaging 25% of the brain volume compared to Neuralink's 0.13% coverage [17][20] - The time resolution of ultrasound technology is significantly better than fMRI, allowing for near real-time monitoring of blood flow signals [21][22] - Ultrasound BMIs are considered safer as they can be non-invasive, avoiding the risks associated with breaking the dura mater [26][49] Group 3: Clinical Applications - Current applications for ultrasound BMIs include chronic pain management, stroke rehabilitation, and potentially Alzheimer's treatment [32][33] - The technology aims to modulate neural activity through focused ultrasound, which can suppress overactive neurons associated with pain [24][25] - Future applications may extend to mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, by targeting specific brain regions [36][38] Group 4: Competitive Landscape - Several companies are emerging in the ultrasound BMI space, including Spire, Nudge, and Forest Neurotech, each focusing on different clinical applications [40][41] - Merge Labs is positioned as a significant player, with a focus on integrating gene therapy with ultrasound technology [40][45] - The competitive landscape indicates a growing interest and investment in non-invasive brain technologies, with potential for rapid advancements in clinical applications [40][41]