As of May this year, the number of subjects for implanted brain-machine interfaces globally stands at only 107 to 110. Meanwhile, domestic financing for brain-machine interfaces exceeded 60 instances in the first half of the year, totaling over 7 billion yuan. This ratio highlights that funding does not equate to immediate clinical progress but rather future entry qualifications.
Shanghai BoRuiKang received the world's first registration certificate for invasive brain-machine interfaces in March, with 36 implants and a cumulative safety record of over 14,000 days. In April, Beijing's 'BeiNai No. 1' semi-invasive system completed its first live surgery, achieving a motion intention decoding latency of less than 100 milliseconds. Chengdu's Ximang Medical has established its headquarters, and Gestalt Technology's ultrasound brain-machine interface factory began operations in June, although these companies have yet to present clinical data.
Chengdu's strategy differs from Shanghai and Beijing by emphasizing daily interactions between doctors and engineers rather than merely obtaining certifications. The Western Brain Valley, a specialized building for brain-machine interfaces, has achieved a 100% occupancy rate within six months. However, no companies in Chengdu have yet received registration certificates or reported any implant surgeries, indicating that while the infrastructure is in place, clinical data remains absent.
Editor's Note
Chengdu's approach to brain-machine interfaces highlights the importance of collaboration between clinical and engineering teams. This strategy may foster innovation and accelerate the development of invasive technologies, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape in the brain-machine interface sector. Observing how quickly Chengdu can translate its infrastructure into clinical outcomes will be crucial for its future success.
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