China tests neural implant that lets amputee to move cursor with mind

Chinese researchers have successfully tested an advanced invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) implant that enables a 37-year-old quadruple amputee to control a computer cursor with his mind. The implant, a coin-sized device with ultra-small, flexible electrodes developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), was implanted into the patient’s motor cortex. Within weeks, he was able to perform tasks such as playing chess and gaming with near-normal skill. The electrode is notable for being about one-fifth the thickness of Neuralink’s electrodes and highly flexible, minimizing tissue disruption and immune rejection. The implant underwent extensive preclinical testing on mice and macaques before human trials began. The surgical procedure took less than 30 minutes, using advanced 3D brain mapping and real-time navigation to ensure precise placement. Moving forward, the research team plans to expand trials to include up to 40 patients with paralysis or ALS by 2026. Future phases will focus on training participants to control robotic arms for practical tasks