AI Rewires Hope: How Fudan’s Brain-Spine Interface is Helping Paralyzed Patients Walk Again
For years, paralysis from spinal cord damage has been largely viewed as a permanent condition. Even cutting-edge brain-computer technologies, like those from Neuralink, typically work around the paralysis rather than reversing it. Yet, a pioneering clinical study in China is rewriting this narrative, offering compelling evidence that reactivating the connection between the brain and paralyzed limbs might now be within reach.
Two years ago, Lin’s world changed in an instant. A fall from a four-meter-high staircase left him paralyzed from the waist down, severing the vital neural bridge between his brain and legs. After enduring years in a wheelchair and adjusting to life without mobility, Lin likely shared the belief held by many: that paralysis from spinal cord injuries is often permanent.
But this week, in a small yet profound moment, Lin moved his legs for the first time since that day—all thanks to a revolutionary brain-spine interface (BSI) powered by artificial intelligence.
On March 3, Lin underwent a four-hour, minimally invasive BSI surgery at HuaShan Hospital, part of Fudan University’s expanding network of clinical innovation. The procedure, developed by Professor Jia Fumin and his team at Fudan’s Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), achieved something unprecedented: Lin became the first person with complete paraplegia to regain walking ability using a minimally invasive BSI system.
The technology, known as the “triple-integrated brain-spine interface,” involves AI-guided electrodes that bypass damaged spinal pathways, reconnecting brain signals directly to the spinal cord. Just 24 hours after surgery, Lin regained movement in his legs—a milestone signaling a dramatic shift in neural rehabilitation.
“This is not just a technological triumph,” Jia shared. “It’s a new beginning for paralyzed patients.”
While Lin’s story is remarkable on its own, it’s also part of a larger narrative. Between January and March 2024, Jia’s team, in collaboration with ZhongShan Hospital and HuaShan Hospital, successfully completed four proof-of-concept surgeries. These cases validated the system’s potential across different settings, hinting at scalability and reproducibility—two critical factors for making this breakthrough widely accessible.
“The therapeutic outcomes met or even surpassed our expectations,” Jia noted. “The completion of the four surgeries across two hospitals demonstrates this technology’s reproducibility and scalability.”
What sets this apart from other brain-computer interface (BCI) solutions, including high-profile projects like Neuralink, is the integration of adaptive AI. The algorithms actively “learn” from each patient’s unique neural patterns, refining signal pathways to restore voluntary motor functions. The minimally invasive approach also reduces the risks associated with more invasive neurosurgical procedures.
Jia emphasized that this isn’t just about technology—it’s about reshaping lives. “Previously, we focused on domestic production of foreign high-end medical devices. Now, we’ve entered uncharted territory, achieving the world’s first original minimally invasive BSI system.”
Lin’s case is deeply human. After years of inactivity and diminished hope, his legs are responding to commands once more. While full mobility restoration will take ongoing rehabilitation and research, these first steps represent a rekindled connection between body and mind. “It felt like my legs were waking up,” Lin reportedly told his medical team.
Behind this innovation is a multidisciplinary group of neurosurgeons, neurologists, rehabilitation experts, and radiologists who, alongside Jia’s leadership, meticulously fine-tuned the system. Their collaboration underscores a truth about healthcare innovation—it is as much about people as it is about science.
Looking ahead, Jia’s team plans to expand clinical trials with multiple hospitals to collect real-world data and refine their AI algorithms. Their goal? To accelerate the transition of this technology from a clinical breakthrough to a mainstream treatment option for the estimated 20 million people worldwide living with spinal cord injuries.
