Stentrode implant lets paralysed patients text and email
Two patients with upper limb paralysis due to MND have been able to send texts and emails thanks to Stentrode, a small device implanted through the neck.
Published in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery, the results found the Stentrode was able to wirelessly restore the transmission of brain impulses out of the body, enabling the patients to complete daily tasks such as online banking, shopping and texting, which previously had not been available to them.
Microwires and chip record brain activity at scale
Brain-machine interface could help paralysed people
The Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Professor Peter Mitchell, Neurointervention Service Director and principal investigator on the trial, said the findings were promising and demonstrate the device can be safely implanted and used within the patients.
“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,” Prof Mitchell said in a statement.
Register now to continue reading
Thanks for visiting The Engineer. You’ve now reached your monthly limit of news stories. Register for free to unlock unlimited access to all of our news coverage, as well as premium content including opinion, in-depth features and special reports.
Benefits of registering
-
In-depth insights and coverage of key emerging trends
-
Unrestricted access to special reports throughout the year
-
Daily technology news delivered straight to your inbox
UK car production falls in April
Might the ´combination of factors´ include, in the face of stagnant EV sales, manufacturers reducing ICE car production in order to avoid the £15,000...