How does the Chinese BCI device differ from Neuralink's?

The Chinese device is inserted through blood vessels in the neck like a stent, while Neuralink requires surgical opening of the skull.

How quickly can the device be implanted?

According to surgeon Duan Wanru, an experienced surgeon can position the device in just 10 minutes.

Has the technology been tested on humans yet?

So far, the technique has only been tested on sheep, and human trials have not yet begun.

Who is funding the development of this Chinese BCI device?

StairMed Technology has raised 1.1 billion yuan from investors including Tencent and Alibaba.

Chinese BCI Device Implanted Through Vein in 10 Minutes

U.I. · Prije 4h | 2 min

Start-up StairMed Technology develops a brain-computer interface that, like a stent, is inserted through blood vessels in the neck, bypassing the need to open the skull.

Summary

Chinese start-up StairMed develops a BCI device that can be implanted through a vein in 10 minutes.
The device is guided through blood vessels in the neck directly to the brain, without opening the skull.
Beijing plans to create global leaders in the sector by 2030, with the U.S. market valued at $80 billion by 2035.
The technology has been tested on sheep, but human trials have not yet begun.

While the world watches Elon Musk and his Neuralink, China is rapidly developing its own, less invasive version of brain implants. Chinese start-ups and researchers are racing to create brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that can be implanted in just a few minutes, without traditional brain surgery.

Unlike conventional BCI devices that require a craniotomy, Chinese devices allow patients to control digital technology with the power of thought, and are inserted through a vein, similar to a stent. This technology is led by Shanghai-based start-up StairMed Technology.

Path Through Blood Vessels Instead of Surgical Incision

Company co-founder Zhao Zhengtuo explained at the Global Health Summit in Hong Kong on August 9, 2026, that StairMed is "developing a more minimally invasive way to deliver the device, entering through the blood vessels in the neck and guiding it through the vascular system directly into the brain." This approach drastically reduces risk and patient recovery time.

Surgeon Duan Wanru from Xuanwu Hospital confirms the method's efficiency: "A surgeon with four or five years of experience can position the device in just 10 minutes."

Major Investments and Ambitious Plans

Over the past year, StairMed Technology has raised more than 1.1 billion yuan ($163 million) for its research. Investors include Chinese tech giants Tencent Holdings and Alibaba Group Holding.

In December 2025, the company, in collaboration with a research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, unveiled a program for inserting a BCI device through a blood vessel to a targeted area of the brain. So far, the technique has been tested on sheep, with human trials still to come.

Global Race for Billions

According to a report by investment bank Morgan Stanley, the BCI implant market in the U.S. will reach $80 billion by 2035. Beijing has set a goal to develop "two or three" global players in this sector by 2030, positioning itself as a direct competitor to Elon Musk's Neuralink.