A revolutionary change has emerged in the world of technology and medical science that can completely change the course of human history. Till now you must have heard about Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) and brain chip implantation that it requires complex surgery on the patient's skull, which takes hours and also involves serious risks. But now China has turned this entire concept upside down. A Chinese startup has claimed to have developed such a unique and cutting-edge technology, with the help of which a chip can be installed inside the brain within just 10 minutes without any dissection or surgery. There has been a stir in the medical world regarding this new technology because it seems to be giving a direct and tough challenge to billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk's famous company 'Neuralink'. Let us know in detail how this new technology of China works and why it is being considered such a big milestone in the world of medical science.
How does this unique 10-minute technique work? Know the complete mathematics without surgery
Traditionally, whenever it comes to implanting an electronic chip or electrode in a patient's brain, the neurosurgeon has to open the patient's skull with the help of surgical robots or state-of-the-art equipment. Electrode threads are then placed directly into the delicate tissue or cortex of the brain. This entire process can take at least two to three hours or more and the recovery period is also quite long and painful. In contrast, China's Shanghai-based startup company 'StairMed Technology', in collaboration with researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has discovered an endovascular method that is completely free from all these complications.
Under this new technique, there is no need for doctors to open the patient's skull. Instead, the body's natural vascular system is used. Specialist doctors insert a very fine and flexible device into the body through a main blood vessel (blood vessel or vein) in the neck. This device, without any obstruction, passes through the blood vessels and directly reaches the targeted part of the brain where neural signals are to be captured. Once near the brain, the device is securely anchored or fixed just outside the blood vessel wall. According to Duan Wanru, chief physician of Beijing's prestigious Xuanwu Hospital, a skilled surgeon with four to five years of experience can successfully complete the entire procedure in just 10 minutes. This time is much less than traditional open-skull surgery.
Elon Musk's direct challenge to Neuralink, competition to get ahead in the global tech race
Till now, Elon Musk's company 'Neuralink' has been considered to be at the top in the race of Brain-Computer Interface (BCI). Recently, Neuralink has presented to the world successful clinical trials of its chip on pigs and monkeys as well as humans, in which patients have performed feats like playing games or moving cursors on the computer screen with the help of their thoughts. However, Neuralink's technology involves cutting the skull and threading wires directly into the brain tissue with the help of robotic needles. There have always been discussions among a section of medical experts regarding the safety concerns and large-scale risks associated with this procedure.
This is why this new approach of China is attracting the attention of the global tech and medical world. China is not only developing this technology but also making large-scale investments to strengthen its domestic BCI industry. Over the past year, StairMade Technology has received more than 1.1 billion yuan (about US$163 million) in funding from China's leading investors such as Tencent and Alibaba. The Chinese government aims to create at least two to three globally competitive companies in the country by 2030 that can lead the world in brain-computer interface technology. Another American company Synchron is also working on similar vascular technology through jugular vein, but the speed and 10-minute implantation claimed by China has made this race very exciting.
Life support will be made for patients suffering from paralysis and serious neurological disorders.
It is natural for common people to have this question that is this brain chip technology being made for general use by common people or for using smartphones? The answer is – absolutely not. The main focus of this cutting-edge technology is on critically ill and helpless patients who are completely unable to move their body parts due to paralysis, spinal cord injury, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or other severe motor neuron disorders.
When a healthy person just thinks about moving his hand or holding an object, his brain produces microscopic electrical waves (neural signals). But due to serious injury or illness, the pathways that send messages from the brain to other parts of the body are broken. Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology records these neural signals directly. Advanced software and Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms then decode these signals and convert them into commands for computers or robotic devices. This means that patients who cannot speak or do anything with their hands may in the future be able to type on a computer, steer their wheelchair or control external devices and lead an independent life using only their will or thoughts.
Current trials and the way forward: human trials pending, scientific and regulatory challenges
Although the claims of this Chinese startup and researchers seem very big and attractive, but any new invention in the field of medical science has to pass through stringent scientific and regulatory parameters before getting off the ground. Talking about the current situation, this vascular brain chip technology of StairMed Technology has been tested successfully only on sheep till now. As yet, large-scale clinical trials on humans have not been initiated for this particular 10-minute technique.
Medical experts also say that although the implantation process is claimed to be completed in 10 minutes, the entire medical process behind it involves thorough examination of the patient, neuro-imaging, precise placement and long post-surgery monitoring. Additionally, it is also important to study any inflammation, blood clots, or other neurological effects that may occur due to prolonged exposure of the foreign device inside the brain. Doctors at Beijing's Xuanwu Hospital have begun early human clinical studies of some other venous sinus-based vascular technologies, and say the device could be safely removed within a month of surgery if needed. Overall, this technology may still be in its initial research and experimental phase, but in the coming time, it has the potential to usher in a new era in the world of neurology and medical science.