A team of scientists from Nankai University in China has announced a breakthrough: they are the first in the world to successfully implant a brain interface in a patient without opening the skull. The man, who was paralysed on his left side after a stroke, can move his arm again - he can grasp objects and take medicine.

Chinese scientists from Nankai University have made a breakthrough in the field of brain-computer interface (BCI). Unlike Elon Musk's invasive method, which requires opening the skull, the Chinese team led by Professor Duan Feng took a less invasive approach - implantation of a stent electrode through the carotid artery.

The procedure was performed on a 67-year-old patient with paralysis of the left side of his body after a stroke. With the help of an implant, he can now regain control of his left hand and perform basic activities such as grasping an object or taking medicine.

The device was placed in the wall of a cerebral blood vessel and powered wirelessly via a subcutaneous module. This makes it capable of accurately capture brain activity and transmit it for further processingwithout infectious complications or long recovery.

Professor Duan described the successful operation as an important step towards mass deployment of BCI technology. The team has previously conducted similar tests on primates and is now preparing to recruit more human volunteers and test broader rehabilitation approaches.

CMG