Chinese Startup Uses Ultrasound to Read Brains Without Surgery
Beijing, Thursday, 29 January 2026.
Gestala bypasses invasive implants by using ultrasound technology to access the entire brain, not just specific regions like traditional electrical interfaces. Founded by former NeuroXess CEO Phoenix Peng, the company plans a clinic device for chronic pain treatment, followed by a wearable helmet for depression and neurological conditions.
Revolutionary Non-Invasive Approach
Gestala represents a significant departure from current brain-computer interface approaches that require surgical implantation. Founded in Chengdu with offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong, the startup is developing technology that uses ultrasound to stimulate and read brain activity [1]. This method contrasts sharply with electrical signal-based interfaces like those developed by Neuralink, which require invasive surgical procedures to implant electrodes directly into brain tissue [1]. Phoenix Peng, CEO and cofounder of Gestala, emphasizes that “the electrical brain-computer interface only records from a part of the brain, for instance, the motor cortex. Ultrasound, it seems like, can provide us with the capability to access the whole brain” [1].
From NeuroXess to Gestala: A Founder’s Journey
Phoenix Peng brings considerable experience to Gestala, having previously served as CEO and cofounder of NeuroXess, a Shanghai-based company developing brain implants for paralyzed individuals to control devices and synthesize speech [1]. Peng departed NeuroXess in 2025 to focus on Gestala, which he cofounded with Tianqiao Chen [1]. The company’s name derives from Gestalt psychology, reflecting its holistic approach to brain interface technology [1]. Tianqiao Chen also founded The Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute, which supports neuroscience research in California [1]. This partnership brings together expertise in both invasive and non-invasive brain interface technologies.
Clinical Applications and Development Timeline
Gestala’s development strategy follows a two-phase approach with clear medical applications. The company’s first device will be a stationary benchtop machine designed for clinic use to treat chronic pain by stimulating the anterior cingulate cortex [1]. This initial focus on pain management leverages existing knowledge of focused ultrasound treatments, which are already approved for conditions including Parkinson’s disease, uterine fibroids, and certain tumors [1]. The second-generation device represents a more ambitious goal: a wearable helmet for at-home use under physician guidance [1]. This consumer-oriented device aims to expand treatment options to include depression, mental illnesses, stroke rehabilitation, Alzheimer’s disease, and sleep disorders [1]. Peng clarifies that “the goal is not ‘enhancement’ of humans but healthier neural functions” [1].
Technical Challenges and Market Context
Despite the promising potential, significant technical hurdles remain for ultrasound-based brain interfaces. Maximilian Riesenhuber, professor of neuroscience and co-director of the Center for Neuroengineering at Georgetown University, notes challenges in extracting brain information via ultrasound due to skull distortion, pointing out that existing successful methods involve cranial implants more translucent to ultrasound [1]. Riesenhuber’s assessment suggests practical limitations: “I don’t expect people to be interfacing with ChatGPT based on functional ultrasound neuroimaging anytime soon” [1]. Gestala’s approach aims to measure changes in brain blood flow rather than electrical signals, representing a fundamentally different methodology from established brain-computer interfaces [1]. The company is part of China’s rapidly expanding brain-computer interface industry, with Gestala being the second company in recent weeks to launch with ultrasound-based brain access technology [1]. This trend follows major investments in the sector, including OpenAI’s significant investment in brain-computer interface startup Merge Labs, cofounded by Sam Altman, earlier in January 2026 [1]. Gestala has also announced a strategic partnership with Fourier to integrate brain-computer interface technology with embodied intelligence, focusing on rehabilitation applications that evolve from “functional compensation” to “intention-driven control” [3].