China's Breakthrough in Implantable Brain-Computer Interface Technology Aids Precise Brain Tumor Removal

A significant breakthrough in implantable brain-computer interface (BCI) technology has been achieved by Chinese researchers. The National Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology at the Aerospace Information Research Institute, in collaboration with the Neurosurgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, successfully completed a clinical trial on "Precise Localization of Deep Brain Tumor Boundaries Based on Implantable Microelectrode Arrays." Utilizing independently developed implantable microelectrode devices, the research team successfully accomplished precise localization and complete resection of brain tumors. This marks the first reported clinical application of this technology worldwide.

The core innovation lies in the implantable microelectrode device, which acts as a “brain navigator” for surgeons, offering a spatial resolution of 15 micrometers. To put this into perspective, if the brain were a city spanning 200 kilometers, this technology could pinpoint “every grain of sand,” guiding doctors to the exact location of the lesion.

At the heart of this “ultra-clear brain map” is a neural electrode fabricated using chip lithography technology. By implanting this electrode and connecting it to a BCI system, researchers can acquire and analyze real-time signal characteristics from different brain regions.

Unlike traditional neural electrodes, which are limited to detecting cortical brain tumors, this system enables full-brain probing, covering the cortex, superficial, and deep brain regions. It not only captures neural electrical signals but also simultaneously detects chemical neurotransmitter signals, providing comprehensive lesion information.

Common brain tumors, such as gliomas and metastatic brain tumors, are characterized by high incidence, mortality, and recurrence rates. The indistinct boundaries between tumor tissue and normal brain tissue make surgical resection extremely challenging. Accurately identifying tumor margins is critical to improving resection rates and patient outcomes.

In this clinical trial, a glioma patient with language dysfunction caused by tumor compression underwent treatment using this technology. The team accurately identified the tumor’s extent, enabling complete resection while preserving critical brain functions, thus laying a solid foundation for the patient’s recovery.