Building upon the research foundations of medical imaging, neuro-engineering and intelligent medicine, as well as micro-nano medicine and tissue engineering, the School of BME has achieved remarkable progress in the development and translation of medical instruments. Representative achievements include the neurosurgical robotic system jointly developed by Prof. Guangzhi Wang’s team with Yuquan Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Sinovation (Beijing) Medical Technology Co., Ltd; the high-end PET/CT system co-developed by Researcher Hui Zhang with Peking Union Medical College Hospital and SinoUnion Healthcare Inc.; the digital PCR system jointly developed by Prof. Yong Guo and Singlera Genomics Inc.; the non-invasive and minimally invasive brain–computer interface systems by Professors Xiaorong Gao and Bo Hong with NeuroXess Inc.; and the hearing assessment and rehabilitation devices led by Prof. Qin Gong with Wuxi Qing’er Huasheng Co., Ltd. These achievements exemplify the pathway from original innovation to clinical translation in biomedical engineering, generating substantial scientific, social, and industrial impact.

Neurosurgical Robotic Systems

Prof. Guangzhi Wang and collaborators from Tsinghua Yuquan Hospital and Chang Gung Hospital, together with Sinovation (Beijing) Medical Technology Co., Ltd, have pioneered a series of neurosurgical robotic systems. Notable achievements include the SR1 neurosurgical robot (approved in 2018 under the special national pathway for innovative medical devices), the world’s first 3D structured-light neurosurgical robot SR1-3D (approved in 2020 and featured inNature), and a new-generation neurosurgical navigation system (2020). These devices hold three Class III medical device registrations and currently account for over 70% of neurosurgical robotic procedures nationwide. Additional innovations such as the MR-guided real-time laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) system and miniature neurosurgical robots have entered the national priority approval channel and are undergoing clinical validation. This work has broken the reliance on imported high-end devices, ensuring independent and controllable technologies for public health.

Advanced PET/CT Imaging

Since 2014, Researcher Hui Zhang and colleagues have collaborated with the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Peking Union Medical College Hospital to develop a domestic high-end PET/CT system. This device received CFDA approval in 2016 and has been installed in six hospitals nationwide. Its performance and imaging quality have been widely recognized, with key clinical results presented at the SNMMI Annual Meeting 2015 summary session. A highlight of the system is its free-breathing PET imaging function, acclaimed as an industry innovation. This collaboration was awarded the 2018 Huaxia Medical Science and Technology Award (Second Prize).

Digital PCR for COVID-19 Detection

Prof. Yong Guo’s team developed a digital PCR system and SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic kit with ultra-high sensitivity (down to 100 copies/mL) and precise viral quantification. The kit has been deployed in more than 30 leading hospitals, enterprises, and research institutions during the pandemic, and contributed to the establishment of national reference standards. The system has also been successfully exported. The work resulted in a Chinese invention patent, eight publications in journals includingJAMAandClinical Infectious Diseases, and the championship at the Zhongguancun International Frontier Technology Innovation Competition.

MRI Imaging Solutions

TSImaging Technology Co., founded in 2016 by Tsinghua University and industry experts, develops advanced MRI-based diagnostic solutions. Their products, installed in over 100 hospitals, have won multiple awards including the Beijing Science and Technology Progress Award (Third Prize). A representative achievement is the high-resolution MR vessel wall imaging system for cerebrovascular disease, integrating advanced coils, sequences, and AI-driven plaque analysis system. These solutions enable efficient prevention, precise diagnosis, and quantitative assessment of stroke risk. Ongoing research expands applications to cardiovascular, neurological, and oncological imaging.

Ultra-High-Density EEG and Minimally Invasive BCI

Professors Bo Hong and Xiaorong Gao’s team has led brain–computer interface (BCI) research for over two decades, achieving world-first advances in high-speed and minimally invasive BCIs. Their achievements have been published inPNAS,Nature Neuroscience, andNature Communications, and ranked first in multiple international BCI competitions. Collaborating with NeuroXess Inc., the team developed a high-precision wireless EEG amplifier, surpassing imported systems and achieving the largest domestic market share. Their 1024-channel ultra-high-density EEG amplifier (approved in 2020) broke the 100% foreign monopoly, offering unprecedented sampling rates (16 kHz) and sensitivity to ultra-low and ultra-high-frequency signals relevant to epilepsy. Current work on minimally invasive implantable BCI systems—using epidural recording and stimulation with battery-free implants—offers a safe and scalable solution for epilepsy, ALS, and spinal cord injury, with animal studies completed and clinical trials planned.

Hearing Assessment and Rehabilitation Devices

Prof. Qin Gong’s team has pioneered auditory testing and rehabilitation engineering. Their achievements include the world’s first quantitative, objective assessment of peripheral auditory sensitivity using stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAE), recognized with international and national invention gold medals. They developed a portable tinnitus therapy device based on novel signal processing, and advanced precision hearing aid fitting models tailored for the Chinese population, significantly improving rehabilitation outcomes. Their achievements have been published inTrends in Hearing,Hearing Research, andApplied Acoustics. Through technology transfer to Wuxi Qing Er Huasheng Co., Ltd, several products—including tinnitus therapy devices, SFOAE testers, and real-ear analyzers—have entered regulatory approval channels and innovative medical device fast-track programs.

Combot Knife for Minimally Invasive Tumor Therapy

Prof. Jing Liu’s team developed the Combot Knife tumor ablation system, the world’s first device combining high- and low-temperature ablation on a single platform. It significantly outperforms imported cryoablation systems (costing 6–10 million RMB per unit). The Combot Knife has obtained a Class III medical device certificate and national innovative device approval. Over 2,000 patients have been treated with outstanding results, particularly in pancreatic cancer, where symptom relief reached 100% and ~70% of patients no longer required analgesics. This achievement has earned the William Begell Medal (heat transfer field’s highest honor), the iF Design Award, and first prizes from the Ministry of Science and Technology and Beijing Municipality.