[Weekly Preview] Brain-Computer Interfaces Cross the ‘Valley of Death’ (AI Translation)

【周刊提前读】脑机接口跨越“死亡之谷” 现实挑战重重

The Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) field is rapidly advancing, with many notable developments occurring at the start of the new year. Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, successfully implanted a BCI in its third subject and announced plans to conduct 20-30 implantation surgeries by 2025. Meanwhile, Shanghai Brain Tiger Technology Co., Ltd., in collaboration with the neurosurgery team at Fudan University Affiliated Huashan Hospital, achieved a pioneering real-time Chinese language decoding via a BCI human clinical trial [para. 1].

The move from small-scale advancements to large-scale clinical trials marks a crucial evolution in the BCI field. Research teams, particularly in Europe and China, aim to perform 20-50 BCI surgeries by 2025, with some approved by local FDA equivalents. Professor Hong Bo's team at Tsinghua University is recognized for its significant BCI clinical trial, highlighted by Nature as pivotal for 2025. As the number of surgeries rises, the optimization of BCI devices facilitates the path toward commercialization, although expectations remain high, boosted by figures like Elon Musk. Industry insiders acknowledge the need for improvement in research and technology translation areas before BCIs can meet these elevated public expectations [para. 3][para. 5].

BCIs are categorized into invasive, semi-invasive, and non-invasive types, each with distinct advantages and challenges. Invasive BCIs, which are surgically implanted, offer the clearest signal acquisition but involve significant risks. Semi-invasive BCIs, placed under the skull, offer medium spatial resolution and carry a lower risk of immune response. Non-invasive BCIs, positioned on the scalp, are safe and easy to use, but typically provide lower-quality signals. Chinese clinical studies on BCIs are internationally competitive and have received generous policy support. Initiatives pushing the BCI industry forward include action plans from cities like Beijing and Shanghai, aiming for clinical breakthroughs by 2027 [para. 3][para. 7].

The long-term experimental work by the Gunter team illustrates challenges in commercializing BCIs. Nathan Copeland's case, involving prosthetic control via an implanted BCI, shows the potential for restoring touch sensation alongside motor control. Despite some performance decline over time, the ongoing success of such research lays crucial groundwork for BCI applications. Innovations like combining BCIs with spinal cord stimulation or mechanical exoskeletons are explored for their rehabilitative potential [para. 10][para. 13].

Milestones highlight significant advances with BCIs, like the spinal stimulation work led by Jocelyne Bloch at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, which allows individuals with spinal cord injuries to regain walking capabilities. For example, through a "digital bridge," a coordinated system of implants, subjects like Gert-Jan Oskam have restored functional independence to walk, showcasing the intersection between technology and human ability [para. 18][para. 20].

Despite advances, the safety of BCI implantation surgeries remains a concern. Researchers strive to improve surgical procedures, such as locating devices intraoperatively without requiring the patient to remain awake, thus reducing risks and enhancing patient comfort [para. 25][para. 27].

Commercialization challenges persist in the BCI field. The transition from laboratory achievements to practical applications is complex, demanding standardization across devices and harmonizing diverse technology systems. With the integration of technologies and a supportive ecosystem, the industry moves closer to establishing standardized protocols to enhance cross-laboratory comparability and engagement with broader clinical and technological communities [para. 30][para. 32]. However, achieving economic sustainability remains essential, as experts like Mariska Vansteensel emphasize the practical and technical difficulties of translating lab successes into durable, market-ready applications [para. 33].