Microsoft has bought the technology that has made its Surface Pen from an Israeli start-up, Digital Spy reports.

The company has acquired N-Trig's 'advanced digital pen technology' after a multi-year collaboration.

The deal will help Microsoft further the device, which is used with the Surface Pro 3 and Surface 3 hybrid.

"Digital pens have a ways to go to be as good as pen and paper on some dimensions, and we'll get there," Microsoft's Stevie Bathiche wrote in a blog post.

"But more importantly, adding the ability to capture and share the work you do with a digital pen opens up possibilities that traditional pen and paper just can't match. Today's investment is another step that will let us push that innovation forward."