New Pricing Guidelines for Brain-Computer Interface Services to Accelerate Clinical Applications
TMTPOST -- China's healthcare authority has introduced a new pricing guideline for neural system care services, specifically categorizing brain-computer interface (BCI) as an independent service. This move is expected to accelerate the clinical application of BCI technology, marking a significant step forward in its adoption.
On Wednesday, the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) released the guideline, which includes new fee categories such as **implantation and removal fees for invasive BCI** and **adaptation fees for non-invasive BCI**, according to a statement published on the agency's website.
The NHSA emphasized that this initiative will facilitate the rapid integration of advanced BCI technology into clinical practice and provide clear guidance for local healthcare systems across the country to manage related medical services.
BCI technology creates a direct communication pathway between the brain and external devices. When the brain engages in thought processes, it generates electrical waves. BCI systems interpret these waves to decode the brain's intentions, converting them into computer commands. This enables seamless interaction and connectivity between humans, machines, and the external environment.
The NHSA highlighted the transformative potential of BCI, describing how it can create "miracles" such as enabling paralyzed individuals to walk, allowing aphasic individuals to "speak," and helping blind individuals to "see."
"Have you ever imagined controlling objects with your thoughts or communicating with machines through your mind?" the NHSA asked in its statement, aiming to raise awareness and promote the technology. "As science fiction becomes reality, are you ready to embrace a cyber-enhanced life?"
China has already seen successful applications of BCI technology. During the **2022 Winter Paralympics** in Beijing, Olympic champion **Jia Hongguang** wore a smart bionic hand developed by **BrainCo**, a Zhejiang-based company, during the torch relay. The device incorporated non-invasive BCI technology, allowing Jia to control the bionic hand's movements—such as stretching and grasping—through his brain's intentions, enabling him to successfully complete the relay.
The new pricing guidelines are expected to further encourage innovation and adoption of BCI technology, paving the way for its broader use in medical and assistive applications. This development underscores China's commitment to advancing cutting-edge technologies that can improve quality of life and transform healthcare.
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