Shanghai Performs First Commercial NEO Implantation to Restore Grasp

Shanghai Performs First Commercial NEO Implantation to Restore Grasp

On July 13, doctors at Huashan Hospital implanted NEO in a patient who has lived with the effects of a cervical spinal cord injury for ten years. During the operation, the system recorded stable signals from the surface of the brain, and the patient remained in stable condition after the procedure. No data have yet been published on restored grasp, independence in daily activities, or long-term safety in this patient.

NEO is an implantable brain-computer interface that converts the intention to move into a command for an external device. NEO electrodes rest on the dura mater, between the skull and brain tissue. The system detects the intention to close the hand and sends a command to a pneumatic glove, which bends the fingers and helps the user hold an object.

On March 13, the Chinese regulator approved NEO for restoring grasp in adults with cervical spinal cord injuries. The approval authorized the device for sale and clinical use. This operation was the first time that a patient received NEO through a commercial pathway.

According to SCMP, the manufacturer established production, began working with hospitals, and started selecting patients within four months of approval. Shanghai's supplementary medical insurance program, Huahui Bao, added implantation consumables to its coverage. It reimburses 30% of eligible expenses, up to 150 thousand yuan per year. This limit applies specifically to consumables, not to the entire procedure.