In recent years, brain-computer interface (BCI) technology has become an important research direction in the field of medicine and technology. By directly connecting the brain with external devices, BCI brings new hope for the treatment of neurological diseases. In June 2025, Chinese scientists successfully applied interventional BCI technology to human beings, realizing the repair of motor functions of the affected limbs, opening up a new direction in the field of neurological rehabilitation. This breakthrough not only demonstrates China’s R&D progress in brain-computer interface technology but also provides strong support for global technological innovation and clinical application in related fields.
Interventional Brain-Computer Interface Technology Overview
Brain-computer interface (BCI) is a technology that interacts with external devices through brainwave signals. Traditional BCIs mainly capture brain signals through non-invasive means, such as electroencephalography (EEG). However, interventional brain-computer interface technology uses an implantable device that directly connects the cerebral cortex to the computer system, enabling the acquisition of more precise neural signals. The advantage of interventional brain-computer interface technology lies in its high-precision signal acquisition capability, which enables more sensitive and accurate control, and is widely used in neurological function restoration, prosthetic limb control, and even the treatment of mental illness.
Technological Breakthroughs and Applications
The experiment to successfully repair the motor function of the affected human limb was accomplished by a team of Chinese scientists, Prof. Duan Feng of Nankai University, who implanted a brain-computer interface device that connects to the brain’s motor cortex and the nervous system of the target limb. The main goal of the experiment was to allow the brain to regain control of the non-functional limb through the device, restoring its basic motor abilities. The research team used advanced EEG signal decoding algorithms to read the motor command signals from the brain directly through the neural interface and translate them into commands that could be executed by the external device. For the patient in the experiment who suffered from post-stroke symptoms, the brain-computer interface successfully restored the motor function of his arm, and he was even able to perform simple gripping and moving. The successful application of this technology marks a breakthrough in neuroprosthetics, especially in the treatment of motor disorders caused by stroke and spinal cord injuries, which has a broad application prospect.
Innovation and Advantages of the Experiment
The experiment demonstrated several innovative features. First, by using advanced neural signal decoding technology, the experimental team was able to accurately extract command signals from the cerebral cortex and translate them into physical movements in real time. Unlike traditional non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, the interventional device is able to precisely interface with the motor areas of the brain, acquiring higher precision neural signals for more detailed control. After several clinical trials, the patient’s motor function was effectively restored and showed significant improvement.
Future Applications and Challenges
Despite the remarkable results of this experiment, there are still some challenges to widely applying interventional brain-computer interface technology to clinical treatment. First, surgical risk and device stability are key issues in the current application of the technology. Although the technology has proved its effectiveness, the long-term stability of the device and whether it will trigger a rejection reaction still need further research.
Secondly, the cost and ease of operation of the devices are also one of barriers to universal application. Currently, brain-computer interface devices are expensive to develop and require specialized surgical techniques and equipment support. This makes the technology still limited in widespread clinical application. However, as technology continues to advance, especially with breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and neuroscience, brain-computer interface technology is expected to become more mature and widespread in the future. The goal for the future is to make this technology adaptable to a wider range of patients, especially in the elderly population, to provide them with more effective rehabilitation treatment programs.
Conclusion
The successful realization of interventional brain-computer interface technology by Chinese scientists in the repair of motor functions of human affected limbs not only promotes the clinical application of brain-computer interface technology but also brings new hope to the field of neurorehabilitation. With the continuous improvement of technology and in-depth research, the brain-computer interface technology is expected to become a revolutionary technology in the global medical field, and bring benefits to more patients with neurological diseases.
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