Researchers have created a brain chip, which will help sufferers of paralyze attack to operate their bionic limbs.

The technology makes use of small microchips to sense nerve messages, interpret the signs, and turn thought into movement.

The researchers think that by the next 5 years, they will be able to provide sufferers with damaged spinal cords robotic devices that will permit them to move their arms or legs at will.

Rodrigo Quian Quiroga, heading a University of Leicester team working on the project, stated that such sufferers retain the capability to "think" commands from the brain.

Rodrigo said, "The guy can see the object he wants to reach, the guy can have the intention to reach to the object, the brain can send a command to the arm - 'reach for this cup of tea' - but the signal gets broken at the level of the spinal cord."

"If we can get the signals from these neurons and interpret them with what is called decoding algorithms, then we can move a robot device placed on the paralyzed arm," he added.

The more ambitious idea is not to use robotic devices but to replace the broken connection to the limb with an artificial link.

The brain chip would then forward signs to an implanted stimulator in the medulla spinalis. This would produce electrical impulses to make muscles contract and move paralyzed limbs. (With Inputs from Agencies)