BOSTON -- A device implanted in the brain can help paralyzed people move objects just by thinking about moving them, according to researchers.

NewsCenter 5's Liz Brunner reported that Matthew Nagle is the first participant in the clinical trials of the device called Braingate. He is a quadriplegic, yet he was able to use a computer with the help of the device.

"It was amazing to be able to look at a screen and a mouse and control it with your thoughts," Nagle said.

The device works by implanting a tiny chip, about the size of a baby aspirin, in the top part of the brain. The chip sends signals from the brain to a computer. The computer, in turn, potentially controls all kinds of devices that could give the disabled more independence.

"Devices that will help to improve their environmental control, their ability to communicate with others and, eventually, one day to reconnect brain to limb," said Dr. Leigh Hochberg, of Massachusetts General Hospital.

Nagle is part of a pilot study of Braingate. Researchers said initial results of the device, reported in this month's journal Nature, are encouraging.

"He was still able to use this part of the brain to control an external device, as people without injury do to control their limbs," said Hochberg.

Someday, Nagle said he hopes to do more than play video games with Braingate. He was able to control a prosthetic hand using Braingate.

"Open, close. Not bad. Not bad at all," Nagle said as he moved the hand.

Nagle said he has big dreams that someday the technology will give him, and others like him, control over his limbs again.

"I hope they can look at this and see it as a positive sign towards the future," Nagle said.

Braingate has only been used by four people so far and is years away from possible widespread use, researchers said.