Two patients with motor neurone disease have been implanted with a stent enabling them to control a computer with their thoughts and carry out everyday tasks such as online shopping and banking.

Both patients have severe upper limb flaccid paralysis.

The motor neuroprosthesis was inserted by endovascular intervention through the jugular vein and manoeuvred into the superior sagittal sinus, where it was implanted immediately adjacent to the precentral gyrus.

“This is the first time an operation of this kind has been done, so we couldn’t guarantee there wouldn’t be problems, but in both cases the surgery has gone better than we had hoped,” said Professor Peter Mitchell, of the Royal Melbourne Hospital, who performed the procedures.