Method and system for tms dose assessment and seizure detection

Abstract

A method of and system for monitoring a patient's EEG (electroencephalogram) during TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) are disclosed. The system comprises a TMS device to generate, when in an active state, a plurality of magnetic pulses, which can be applied either as a burst, comprising a plurality of pulses grouped together, or as individual pulses, to the patient's head, in accordance with a TMS treatment protocol. An EEG system is provided to measure EEG data resulting from the TMS treatment protocol being applied to the patient. The system further comprises control means in communication with the TMD device and the EEG system, the control means being arranged to activate the EEG system during the time periods when the TMS device is not generating pulses, such that the EEG data measurement is continuously applied or interleaved with the magnetic pulses being generated in accordance with the TMS treatment protocol, so as to monitor treatment efficacy and detect potential seizures.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to methods and devices for TMS dose assessment and outbreak detection. Background technique [0002] Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a technique used to stimulate the human brain non-invasively. Specifically, TMS causes depolarization or hyperpolarization in neurons in the brain. By rapidly changing magnetic fields, TMS uses electromagnetic induction to induce weak electrical currents; this can induce activity in specific or general parts of the brain with minimal discomfort, allowing the study of brain function and interconnections. Therefore, TMS uses the principle of induction to obtain electrical energy across the scalp and skull without the pain of direct transcutaneous electrical stimulation. It involves placing a wire coil on the scalp and passing a strong, rapidly changing electrical current through the coil. This creates a magnetic field that travels unimpeded and relatively painlessly through the ti...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the monitoring of a patient's EEG during TMS pulses presents technical problems: TMS-compatible EEG systems are generally not suitable for TMS measurements because the high-energy dynamic magnetic field generated by the TMS device induces undesirable voltage, making the use of conventional EEG hardware unsuitable for safe and effective monitoring of TMS therapy

Large eddy currents induced in metal electrodes by TMS pulses cause localized heating, which may cause burning of the patient's scalp

This exposes a security risk

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