Chinese scientists developed a movable electrode that could revolutionize brain-computer interfaces. Consequently, this movable electrode allows real-time adjustments in implanted devices and improves signal capture and long-term performance.
The Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with Donghua University in Shanghai, published the research in the journal Nature. Their study addresses major limitations in traditional neural implants.
Typically, rigid electrodes remain fixed after implantation. As a result, they only capture signals from one location, while neural and muscular activities shift over time. Consequently, they may miss critical information, reducing monitoring quality. Doctors must often perform invasive surgery to reposition these electrodes, increasing risks and burdening patients.
The team designed a new device named NeuroWorm, a soft, segmented movable electrode inspired by earthworm motion. Measuring roughly twice the width of a human hair, it contains up to 60 individual sensors. Its small size and flexibility let it navigate tissue more efficiently than traditional devices.
A magnetic tip on the adjustable neural probe enables researchers to guide it wirelessly. By applying external magnetic fields, they can reposition it within the brain or muscles. As a result, a single implant can access multiple sites to capture optimal signals without extra surgery.
In experiments, researchers guided the movable electrode through a rat’s leg muscle via a tiny incision. It recorded stable, clear muscle signals from different locations over a week. Another implant in a rat worked for 43 weeks, producing minimal scar tissue. The team also steered NeuroWorm into a rabbit’s brain, capturing high-quality neural signals.
Liu Zhiyuan, professor at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, emphasized the potential of the movable electrode. He said it could enable longer-lasting, more precise, and adaptable bioelectronic interfaces.
Experts highlighted applications in advanced prosthetics, epilepsy brain mapping, and chronic neurological disease management. Moreover, the movable electrode reduces surgical interventions and enhances patient safety.
Looking ahead, the team plans to refine the movable electrode for better navigation and sensing. They also aim to expand its clinical applications and enable more advanced brain-machine interactions.
Ultimately, this movable electrode demonstrates how precision, adaptability, and minimally invasive approaches can transform medical technology. It opens new possibilities for next-generation brain-computer interfaces.
