Chinese doctors reportedly installed a brain interface returning movement after paralysis without surgical intervention for the first time in the world. The team from Nankai University implanted the device through a vein. The approach is intended to reduce risks significantly and make the procedure more accessible.
A 67-year-old patient who was partially paralyzed after a stroke had miniaturized a stent with electrodes placed into the blood vessels of the brain. The stent is connected to an external device that reads signals from the brain and stimulates muscles. Soon after the implantation, the patient was able to carry out simple movements.
The development stands out compared with analogs that require complicated surgery. In addition, starting this year, such devices and operations in China have begun to be covered by insurance, opening a path toward wider use.
