China conducts first commercial brain-computer implant

Chinese surgeons have performed what is described as the world's first commercial surgical procedure using an approved implantable brain-computer interface. The operation was conducted on Monday, July 13, 2026, at Huashan Hospital in Shanghai on a patient who had suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident ten years ago, resulting in limited hand function.

The device, known as NEO and developed by Chinese startup Neuracle Medical Technology, is roughly the size of a coin. It was implanted onto the surface of the patient's brain without penetrating the tissue. Officials from the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality reported that the procedure successfully captured stable, high-quality epidural brain signals. The patient's vital signs remained stable during the operation and recovery is proceeding as planned.

The NEO system is designed to assist with hand movement by reading neural signals from the brain, translating them into commands for a robotic glove worn by the patient. This aims to help restore hand function and improve independence in daily tasks. The device received formal commercial approval from China's National Medical Products Administration...