StairMed · 阶梯医疗
StairMed (Shanghai): invasive BMI reported in 2025 first-in-man trials enabling amputee computer/game control via a coin-sized implant and ultra-thin electrodes.
StairMed is a Shanghai-based medical technology company reported to be running invasive BMI/BCI trials with ultra-flexible electrodes connected to a coin-sized implant embedded in the skull.
Reported first-in-man trial (Shanghai / Huashan Hospital)
Shanghai’s English-language government news portal (citing chinadaily.com.cn) reports:
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implant at Huashan Hospital (Fudan University) on March 25, 2025
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two ultra-flexible electrodes (“~one-hundredth the thickness of human hair”)
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coin-sized implant embedded in the skull, wireless transmission of signals
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after training, the participant could control games (chess, racing)
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article frames this as China’s first invasive BMI first-in-man clinical trial
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Shanghai.gov.cn page: 01
Secondary reporting with additional details:
- YicaiGlobal (May 13, 2025): 02
Policy/ecosystem context (state roadmap):
- NeuroFounders summary: 03
Why it’s interesting
StairMed is part of a broader Chinese push to build an invasive BCI pipeline (hardware + clinical deployment). The immediate technical questions are:
- signal quality and stability
- safety and migration
- how much “bandwidth” is achievable with very small electrode counts
Company background
- Funding (reported, Mar-Apr 2026): StairMed announced an RMB 500M (about $73M) financing led by Alibaba, with Tencent among existing investors participating, and plans for larger registration trials. Sources: 04 and 05
- Funding amounts for Chinese firms in this directory are reported by media or the companies and are not independently audited.
What to watch
- Peer-reviewed data / registry details
- Indication focus (assistive control vs rehab vs communication)
- Hardware evolution (channels, packaging, recharge, longevity)
Source index
References, research and company reports.