Device raises hopes for paralysis help

A tiny brain implant is being hailed as a major breakthrough for severely paralysed patients.

Researchers at the Royal Melbourne Hospital say the Stentrode device has been implanted successfully in two people suffering from severe upper-body paralysis because of motor neurone disease.

The device lets them use their thoughts to perform basic tasks, despite the paralysis.

It is being hailed as "a big game changer".

"The results found the Stentrode was able to wirelessly restore the transmission of brain impulses through the body," the hospital said.

"This enabled the patients to successfully complete daily tasks such as online banking, shopping and texting, which previously had not been available to them.

The results were published in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery.