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Chinese scientists have recently finished the clinical trial of the country's first fully implanted, fully wireless and multi-functional brain-computer interface (BCI) product with a built-in battery in Shanghai.
The successful clinical trial of the BCI system, the second of its kind internationally, at the Huashan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University has brought new hope to a 28-year-old patient who has been suffering from high-level quadriplegia (complete loss of movement below the shoulders) for eight years.
Wearing the BCI product, the patient can now control a cursor through thought, browse web pages, interact with games, and connect to various physical devices such as air-gloves, smart wheelchairs, smart home systems, and even humanoid robots, according to Tao Hu, founder and chief scientist of Chinese startup NeuroXess, who is involved in the product development.
"Patients can connect physical devices through their thoughts. This enables them to bridge their intentional world with the digital realm, as well as with our real three-dimensional physical world," said Tao.
All core modules of the BCI system including the battery can be fully implanted in the patient's body, with no external cables or ports on the skin.
Researchers said such design eliminates infection risks associated with exposed systems.
By integrating wireless power supply and data transmission, the patient wearing the system can achieve real-time thought-based interaction in daily life without needing any external devices.
"Our wireless data transmission modules, wireless functional modules and batteries are all integrated into a device that can be implanted subcutaneously below the patient's clavicle in the chest area. This design allows for better control over safety and heat generation. The patient will have a discreet brain-computer interface implanted. That will significantly enhance their life quality and preserve their dignity," said Tao.
The research team said they will expand clinical trials and prioritize the development of BCI applications for patients with aphasia, aiming to restore their lost language functions.