"Chilling Technology"... "Paralyzed Patient for 2 Years Moved in One Day"

Fudan University Team Performs Surgery on Four Spinal Cord Injury Patients
Brain and Spinal Electrode Chips Implanted... Paralyzed Limbs Move Again
"With 3 to 5 Years of Rehabilitation, Nerves Can Be Reconnected"

Chinese researchers have succeeded in a clinical trial that enables spinal cord injury patients to walk again. On the 20th, the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that "a research team led by Professor Zha Fumin from Shanghai Fudan University recently performed surgery applying the 'triple integrated brain-spinal interface technology' on four spinal cord injury patients in a clinical trial." The patients were able to move their legs again within 24 hours after the surgery and were able to lift their previously paralyzed limbs. Additionally, some patients recovered independent walking and neural functions within just a few weeks.

A patient who underwent surgery using the 'brain-spinal interface' technology is taking a group photo with researchers from Punan University, China, on January 22. Photo by Xinhua News Agency

The research team implanted electrode chips into the brain and spinal cord to create a 'neural bypass' around the legs and other areas, reconnecting bodily functions. This surgery was reported to be different from the approach by Neuralink, led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, which connects patients to external devices such as robotic limbs or computers using brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. Unlike Neuralink’s brain chips that connect electrodes to separate mechanical devices like robotic arms and legs to enable movement, the Chinese researchers went further by enabling the paralyzed limbs themselves to move.

A 34-year-old male participant in the clinical trial had been paralyzed from the waist down after falling from a height of 3 meters two years ago. He underwent a four-hour surgery on January 8, during which two electrode chips approximately 1 mm in diameter were implanted into his motor cortex. Within 24 hours after the surgery, he was able to lift both legs, and after two weeks, he could lift his right leg to overcome obstacles. Later, with the help of an assistive device, he was able to walk more than 5 meters. The other three patients underwent surgery between February and March and have all started walking.

Professor Zha Fumin stated, "In the past, everyone relied on advanced medical equipment from overseas, but now we have achieved the world's first independent brain-spinal interface system solution." He added, "By implanting the spinal interface and combining it with 3 to 5 years of rehabilitation training, the patient's nerves can be reconnected."