Method and system capable of improving focusing performance of time domain interference electrical stimulation

Abstract

The invention discloses a method and system capable of improving time domain interference electrical stimulation focusing, and the method comprises the steps: TI electric field simulation software obtains an initial electrical stimulation parameter according to a target region selected on a human brain structure model, and carries out the evaluation of a stimulation effect under the electrical stimulation parameter through introducing a focusing evaluation index, if the focusing evaluation index does not reach the preset value, the electrical stimulation parameter is optimized until the focusing evaluation index reaches the preset value, and then the multi-channel TI system upper computer software issues an instruction of the optimized electrical stimulation parameter to the stimulation electrode control circuit; and the stimulating electrode control circuit carries out excitation output on the stimulating electrodes according to the received optimized electrode derivative, electrode current, frequency and position so as to improve the target stimulation focusing property.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of medical technology, and in particular to a method and system capable of improving the focusing of time-domain interferometric electrical stimulation. Background Art

[0002] Neuromodulation refers to the use of physical (such as electricity, magnetism, sound, light, etc.) or chemical methods of action in the field of combining science and technology with bioengineering technology, through implantable or non-implantable technology, to regulate neurons or neural signal transduction in adjacent or distant parts of the nervous system, thereby achieving the purpose of improving disease symptoms and improving the quality of life. At present, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) are commonly used electrical stimulation methods for achieving neuromodulation. Different electrical stimulation methods are required for different diseases. Due to the dispersion of current in biological tissues, it is challenging to achieve high spatial accuracy, especially when stimulating deep areas without contacting shallow neurons.

[0003] To address this problem, researchers have proposed a new electrical stimulation method, a non-invasive deep brain electrical stimulation technology, called TI (Temporal Interference) electrical stimulation technology. This technology applies interference current to transcranial electrical stimulation, achieving non-invasive deep brain stimulation, taking into account both spatial focus and deep brain media. It has a good regulatory effect on some deep brain diseases (such as Parkinson's disease, movement disorders, deep depression, etc.), and has broad application prospects.

[0004] The control principle of TI electrical stimulation is to apply two high-frequency currents with a frequency difference on the surface of the scalp, and use the interference principle to form a difference-frequency envelope electric field in a specific area inside the brain (i.e., the target area), thereby accurately stimulating deep brain areas without affecting superficial cortical activity.

[0005] However, the influence range of the difference frequency envelope electric field is large and not focused enough, which makes the stimulation of the target area not accurate enough when using TI electrical stimulation for brain nerve regulation.

[0006] The above statements are only used to provide background information related to the present application and do not necessarily constitute prior art. Summary of the invention

[0007] In view of the above problems, the present application proposes a method and system that can improve the focusing of time-domain interferometric electrical stimulation, so as to solve the problems of poor accuracy and focusing of TI electrical stimulation in the prior art.

[0008] The first aspect of the present application provides a time domain interference electrical stimulation control method, the method comprising:

[0009] Obtaining initial electrical stimulation parameters according to the target area selected on the human brain structure model;

[0010] According to the initial electrical stimulation parameters, the electric field distribution and current density distribution of different dielectric regions on the human brain structure model are simulated and calculated; the target region belongs to one of the dielectric regions;

[0011] Adjusting the initial electrical stimulation parameters based on the electric field distribution and the current density distribution to obtain target electrical stimulation parameters that meet focusing requirements for the target area;

[0012] The stimulation electrodes are stimulated using the target electrical stimulation parameters.

[0013] Based on the time domain interference electrical stimulation control method described in the first aspect above, the present application has at least the following beneficial effects or advantages:

[0014] After obtaining the initial electrical stimulation parameters of the target area, the electric field distribution and current density distribution of different dielectric areas on the human brain structure model are simulated and calculated, and based on these electric field distribution, current density distribution and initial electrical stimulation parameters, target electrical stimulation parameters that meet the focusing requirements are further obtained for the target area. The stimulation electrodes are then stimulated using the further obtained target electrical stimulation parameters to ensure that the focusing effect reaches the expected level and to achieve more accurate and concentrated electrical stimulation in the target area.

[0015] In some embodiments, the adjusting the initial electrical stimulation parameters based on the electric field distribution and the current density distribution to obtain target electrical stimulation parameters that meet focusing requirements for the target area includes:

[0016] The focusing evaluation index of the target area is calculated according to the electric field distribution and the current density distribution; when the focusing evaluation index does not reach the preset value, the initial electrical stimulation parameters are adjusted, and the electric field distribution and the current density distribution of different dielectric areas on the human brain structure model are determined according to the adjusted initial electrical stimulation parameters, and the step of calculating the focusing evaluation index of the target area according to the electric field distribution and the current density distribution is continued until the focusing evaluation index reaches the preset value, and the adjusted initial electrical stimulation parameters are used as the target electrical stimulation parameters.

[0017] In some embodiments, the focus evaluation index includes at least one of a stimulation focus ratio and a shunting degree; and the calculating the focus evaluation index of the target area according to the electric field distribution and the current density distribution includes:

[0018] According to the electric field distribution, the average electric field value of the cortex and the average electric field value of the target area are obtained; the stimulation focus ratio is calculated using the average electric field value of the target area and the average electric field value of the cortex; according to the current density distribution, the maximum current density of the cortex and the maximum current density of the target area are obtained; the degree of shunting is calculated using the maximum current density of the target area and the maximum current density of the cortex.

[0019] In some embodiments, the step of calculating the stimulation focus ratio using the target area average electric field value and the cortex average electric field value comprises:

[0020] The ratio of the target area average electric field value to the cortical average electric field value is taken as the stimulation focus ratio.

[0021] In some embodiments, the calculating the shunting degree by using the maximum current density of the target area and the maximum current density of the cortex comprises:

[0022] The ratio of the maximum current density in the target area to the maximum current density in the cortex is taken as the shunting degree.

[0023] In some embodiments, obtaining initial electrical stimulation parameters according to the target area selected on the human brain structure model includes:

[0024] The human brain structure model is displayed, and a target area selected by a user on the human brain structure model is received; and initial electrical stimulation parameters are calculated according to the electromagnetic properties of the target area.

[0025] In some embodiments, before receiving the target region selected by the user on the human brain structure model, the method further includes:

[0026] Acquire a human brain structural image, wherein the human brain structural image is generated based on magnetic resonance imaging; perform grid division and medium segmentation on the human brain structural image to obtain a plurality of medium regions and grids of each medium region; each of the medium regions represents a brain medium; assign electromagnetic properties to each of the medium regions; and form the human brain structural model with the human brain structural image, the plurality of medium regions, the grids of each medium region, and the electromagnetic properties of each medium region.

[0027] In some embodiments, the initial electrical stimulation parameters include at least: stimulation electrode derivative, stimulation electrode position, stimulation electrode current, stimulation electrode frequency, and electrode stimulation time.

[0028] A second aspect of the present application provides a time domain interference electrical stimulation control system, the system comprising: a host computer, a stimulation electrode control circuit, and a plurality of stimulation electrodes, the host computer being connected to the stimulation electrode control circuit, and the stimulation electrode control circuit being connected to the plurality of stimulation electrodes;

[0029] The host computer is used to obtain initial electrical stimulation parameters according to the target area selected on the human brain structure model, and simulate and calculate the electric field distribution and current density distribution of different dielectric areas on the human brain structure model according to the initial electrical stimulation parameters, adjust the initial electrical stimulation parameters based on the electric field distribution and the current density distribution, so as to obtain the target electrical stimulation parameters that meet the focusing requirements for the target area, and send the control instructions carrying the target electrical stimulation parameters to the stimulation electrode control circuit;

[0030] The stimulation electrode control circuit is used to implement stimulation output to the multiple stimulation electrodes according to the control instruction.

[0031] In some embodiments, the plurality of stimulation electrodes include a first stimulation electrode group and a second stimulation electrode group, and the first stimulation electrode group and the second stimulation electrode group are respectively arranged on both sides of the head;

[0032] The multiple stimulation electrodes include multiple groups of stimulation electrode pairs, one stimulation electrode in each group of stimulation electrode pairs belongs to the first stimulation electrode group, the other stimulation electrode belongs to the second stimulation electrode group, and the positions of the two stimulation electrodes in each group of stimulation electrode pairs are symmetrically arranged with the central axis of the head as the symmetry axis.

[0033] In some embodiments, each stimulation electrode in the first stimulation electrode group and the first ground electrode respectively form a conductance channel;

[0034] Each stimulation electrode in the second stimulation electrode group and the second ground electrode respectively form a conductance channel.

[0035] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present application. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present application, it can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present application are listed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below. The accompanying drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be considered as limiting the present application. Moreover, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to represent the same components. In the drawings:

[0037] Figure 1is a structural diagram of a time domain interference electrical stimulation control system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0038] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of a plurality of stimulation electrodes according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0039] Figure 3 is a flow chart of a time domain interference electrical stimulation control method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0040] Figure 4 A flow chart of electrical stimulation parameter optimization according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0041] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram showing a comparison of focusing simulation results according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The following embodiments of the technical solution of the present application are described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present application, and are therefore only used as examples, and cannot be used to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0043] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by technicians in the technical field to which this application belongs; the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application; the terms "including" and "having" in the specification and claims of this application and the above-mentioned figure descriptions and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0044] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms "first", "second", etc. are only used to distinguish different objects, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number, specific order or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the meaning of "multiple" is more than two, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0045] Reference to "embodiments" herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of the phrase in various locations in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0046] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "and / or" is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that there may be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0047] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "multiple" refers to more than two (including two). Similarly, "multiple groups" refers to more than two groups (including two groups), and "multiple pieces" refers to more than two pieces (including two pieces).

[0048] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, which are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0049] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, technical terms such as "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0050] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present application, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0051] Figure 1 The present invention is a schematic diagram of a time domain interference electrical stimulation control system according to an exemplary embodiment. The system includes: a host computer 10, a stimulation electrode control circuit 20, and a plurality of stimulation electrodes 30. The host computer 10 is connected to the stimulation electrode control circuit 20, and the stimulation electrode control circuit 20 is connected to the plurality of stimulation electrodes 30.

[0052] The host computer 10 is used to obtain initial electrical stimulation parameters according to the target area selected on the human brain structure model, and determine the electric field distribution and current density distribution of different dielectric areas on the human brain structure model according to the initial electrical stimulation parameters, adjust the initial electrical stimulation parameters based on the electric field distribution and the current density distribution to obtain target electrical stimulation parameters that meet the focusing requirements for the target area, and send a control instruction carrying the target electrical stimulation parameters to the stimulation electrode control circuit 20;

[0053] The stimulation electrode control circuit 20 is used to implement stimulation output to the plurality of stimulation electrodes 30 according to the control instruction.

[0054] The host computer 10 can be understood as a computer connected to the TI electrical stimulation device. The multi-channel TI system host computer function software and TI electric field simulation software of the TI electrical stimulation device can be run on the host computer. The multi-channel TI system host computer function software can realize the interaction function between humans and the TI electrical stimulation device. The TI electric field simulation software can be used to calculate the electric field distribution and current density distribution under specific electrical stimulation parameters, thereby realizing the function of optimizing electrical stimulation parameters.

[0055] The stimulation electrode control circuit 20 can be understood as the MCU (Microcontroller Unit) and core hardware circuit of the TI electrical stimulation device, which is responsible for parsing the control instructions issued by the host computer and implementing stimulation output to multiple stimulation electrodes.

[0056] The multiple stimulation electrodes 30 can be understood as an electrode used for nerve or muscle stimulation. Each stimulation electrode and the ground electrode form an electrical conductance channel and can be regarded as a conductance electrode.

[0057] By applying the embodiment scheme of the present application, after obtaining the initial electrical stimulation parameters of the target area, the upper computer calculates the electric field distribution and current density distribution of different dielectric areas on the human brain structure model, and further obtains target electrical stimulation parameters that meet the focusing requirements for the target area based on these electric field distribution, current density distribution and initial electrical stimulation parameters, thereby sending instructions for the target electrical stimulation parameters to the stimulation electrode control circuit for implementing excitation output to the stimulation electrode, ensuring that the focusing effect achieves the expected result and realizing more accurate and concentrated electrical stimulation in the target area.

[0058] In some embodiments, see Figure 2As shown, the multiple stimulation electrodes 30 include a first stimulation electrode group 301 and a second stimulation electrode group 302, and the first stimulation electrode group 301 and the second stimulation electrode group 302 are respectively arranged on both sides of the head, and the multiple stimulation electrodes 30 have multiple groups of stimulation electrode pairs, one stimulation electrode in each stimulation electrode pair belongs to the first stimulation electrode group 301, and the other stimulation electrode belongs to the second stimulation electrode group 302, and the positions of the two stimulation electrodes in each stimulation electrode pair are symmetrically arranged with the central axis of the head as the symmetry axis.

[0059] Depend on Figure 2 It can be seen that the first stimulation electrode group 301 includes stimulation electrodes 1 to K, and the second stimulation electrode group 302 includes stimulation electrodes 1 ′ to K′. That is, the number of electrodes in the first stimulation electrode group 301 is the same as the number of electrodes in the second stimulation electrode group 302 .

[0060] Among them, the stimulation electrode 1 and the stimulation electrode 1' form a stimulation electrode pair, the stimulation electrode 2 and the stimulation electrode 2' form a stimulation electrode pair, and so on, the stimulation electrode K and the stimulation electrode K' form a stimulation electrode pair.

[0061] It is worth noting here that when implementing excitation output to each group of stimulation electrode pairs, there is a frequency difference between the frequencies of the two stimulation electrodes in each group of stimulation electrode pairs, and the frequency differences of stimulation electrode pairs in different groups may be the same or different.

[0062] In this embodiment, since the positions of two stimulation electrodes in the multiple stimulation electrode pairs formed by multiple stimulation electrodes are relatively arranged, that is, the two stimulation electrodes are symmetrical with the central axis of the head as the symmetry axis, this arrangement helps to simultaneously apply current to a certain position area of ​​the head, ensuring the symmetry and accuracy of the stimulation electric field, thereby improving the focusing of the stimulation electric field.

[0063] In some embodiments, see Figure 2 As shown, the stimulation electrodes in the first stimulation electrode group 301 use a shared ground electrode, namely, the first ground electrode GND; the stimulation electrodes in the second stimulation electrode group 302 use a shared ground electrode, namely, the second ground electrode GND′.

[0064] That is to say, the stimulation electrodes 1, 2...K in the first stimulation electrode group 301 share the first ground electrode GND, and each stimulation electrode 1, 2...K and the first ground electrode GND respectively form a conductance channel, and the stimulation electrodes 1', 2'...K' in the second stimulation electrode group 302 share the second ground electrode GND', and each stimulation electrode 1', 2'...K' and the second ground electrode GND' respectively form a conductance channel.

[0065] It should be noted here that the above-mentioned set of stimulation electrode pairs can also be understood as consisting of two conductance channels, and the two conductance channels in a set of stimulation electrode pairs are symmetrical with the central axis of the head as the symmetry axis, which can improve the focusing of the stimulation electric field.

[0066] In this embodiment, since the first stimulation electrode group 301 and the second stimulation electrode group 302 each use a shared ground electrode, that is, a common ground connection method is adopted for the stimulation electrode group on one side, signal crosstalk between conductivity channels on one side can be reduced.

[0067] Figure 3 is a flow chart of a time domain interference electrical stimulation control method according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 1 Based on the time domain interference electrical stimulation control system shown in the figure, the time domain interference electrical stimulation control method includes the following steps:

[0068] Step 301: obtaining initial electrical stimulation parameters according to the target area selected on the human brain structure model;

[0069] Step 302: simulating and calculating the electric field distribution and current density distribution of different dielectric regions on the human brain structure model according to the initial electrical stimulation parameters, wherein the target region belongs to one of the dielectric regions;

[0070] Step 303: adjusting the initial electrical stimulation parameters based on the electric field distribution and the current density distribution to obtain target electrical stimulation parameters that meet the focusing requirements for the target area;

[0071] Step 304: stimulating the stimulation electrodes using the target electrical stimulation parameters.

[0072] The human brain structure model can be understood as a three-dimensional head model of the human head, which includes different media areas of the human brain, each of which represents a brain medium, such as the gray matter and white matter of the scalp, skull, and brain medulla.

[0073] The target area refers to the area where electrical stimulation is concentrated, and the target area belongs to a medium area among the medium areas. For example, the target area is the hippocampus, which belongs to a functional area of ​​the scalp.

[0074] The initial electrical stimulation parameters refer to the stimulation parameters automatically given by the software after the target area is selected. The stimulation parameters usually include stimulation electrode derivative, stimulation electrode position, stimulation electrode current, stimulation electrode frequency, electrode stimulation time and other parameters. Among them, the stimulation electrode derivative refers to the number of conductance channels that need to output stimulation; the stimulation electrode position refers to the electrode arrangement position; the stimulation electrode current and stimulation electrode frequency refer to the current size and current frequency that need to be provided to the stimulation electrode respectively.

[0075] Electric field distribution refers to the spatial distribution of the electric field generated by current flowing through the stimulating electrode. It can reflect how the current propagates in different brain media and which areas are affected by stronger electric fields. It involves not only information such as the electric field strength but also the direction of the electric field.

[0076] The current density distribution is closely related to the electric field distribution, which indicates the magnitude of the current per unit volume. The larger the current density in a certain area, the more easily the neurons in that area are stimulated.

[0077] It is understandable that when calculating the electric field distribution and current density distribution, some common electric field distribution and current density distribution calculation tools can be used to simulate the propagation and distribution of current in brain tissue through numerical solution methods. This process needs to consider various electrical stimulation parameters and factors such as the conductivity difference of brain media. Numerical solution methods usually include finite element method (FEM), finite difference method (FDM) and boundary element method (BEM).

[0078] The target electrical stimulation parameters can be understood as the parameters of the initial electrical stimulation parameters after optimization. The use of the target electrical stimulation parameters can ensure that the stimulation electric field is concentrated in the target area.

[0079] At this point, the above Figure 3 The time-domain interferometric electrical stimulation control process shown in the figure, after obtaining the initial electrical stimulation parameters of the target area, calculates the electric field distribution and current density distribution of different dielectric areas on the human brain structure model, and further obtains the target electrical stimulation parameters that meet the focusing requirements for the target area based on these electric field distribution, current density distribution and initial electrical stimulation parameters, and then uses the further obtained target electrical stimulation parameters to stimulate the stimulation electrodes to ensure that the focusing effect reaches the expected level and achieves more accurate and concentrated electrical stimulation in the target area.

[0080] In some embodiments, the above step 301 may include:

[0081] The target area selected by the user on the human brain structure model is received, and then the initial electrical stimulation parameters are calculated according to the electromagnetic properties of the target area.

[0082] Among them, the human brain structure model can be displayed on the human-computer interaction interface, and the user can select the target area on the human brain structure model according to actual needs.

[0083] Electromagnetic properties refer to the magnetic permeability and / or electrical conductivity assigned to the brain medium area. Electromagnetic properties affect the propagation and distribution of electric current in brain tissue. The conduction effect of electric current is different in different brain media.

[0084] It is understandable that when calculating the initial electrical stimulation parameters, the electromagnetic properties of the target area are analyzed and an electric field simulation is performed, so that electrical stimulation parameters suitable for the target area are selected according to the electric field simulation results.

[0085] In this embodiment, by receiving the target area selected by the user on the human brain structure model, initial electrical stimulation parameters suitable for the target area are obtained according to the electromagnetic properties of the target area to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the electrical stimulation.

[0086] In some embodiments, before receiving the target area selected by the user on the human brain structure model, the following steps may also be included:

[0087] A human brain structural image is obtained, which is generated based on magnetic resonance imaging. The human brain structural image is gridded and the medium is segmented to obtain a plurality of medium regions and grids of each medium region, electromagnetic properties are assigned to each medium region, and the human brain structural image, the plurality of medium regions, the grids of each medium region, and the electromagnetic properties of each medium region are combined to form a human brain structural model.

[0088] The grid of the dielectric area refers to the multiple small units into which the dielectric area is divided. The electric field and current density can be solved in each unit to obtain the electric field distribution and current density distribution of the entire dielectric area.

[0089] In this embodiment, the human brain structure image generated by nuclear magnetic resonance is divided into medium areas and grids, so that the human brain structure image, multiple medium areas, grids of each medium area and electromagnetic properties of each medium area are formed into a human brain structure model to facilitate the subsequent optimization of electrical stimulation parameters.

[0090] In some embodiments, the above step 303 may include:

[0091] The focusing evaluation index of the target area is calculated according to the electric field distribution and the current density distribution. When the focusing evaluation index does not reach the preset value, the initial electrical stimulation parameters are adjusted. Then, the electric field distribution and the current density distribution of different dielectric areas on the human brain structure model are determined according to the adjusted initial electrical stimulation parameters. The step of calculating the focusing evaluation index of the target area according to the electric field distribution and the current density distribution is continued until the focusing evaluation index reaches the preset value, and the adjusted initial electrical stimulation parameters are used as the target electrical stimulation parameters.

[0092] The focus evaluation index can be understood as the evaluation value of the focusing effect of the stimulation electric field in the target area, and the focus evaluation index can include at least one of the stimulation focus ratio and the shunting degree. Among them, the stimulation focus ratio can be understood as the evaluation value of the focusing degree, and the larger the ratio, the better the focusing effect of the stimulation electric field in the target area. The shunting degree can be understood as the evaluation of the effective flow of current into the target area, and the larger the ratio, the more effective the current can flow into the target area, and the stimulation is concentrated in the target area.

[0093] As mentioned above, the electrical stimulation parameters include the stimulation electrode derivative, the stimulation electrode position, the stimulation electrode current and the stimulation electrode frequency. The electrical stimulation parameters can be adjusted by increasing the stimulation electrode derivative and / or adjusting the layout of the stimulation electrodes to improve the focus of the stimulation. The stimulation effect can also be improved by fine-tuning the stimulation electrode current or frequency to avoid overstimulation.

[0094] In this embodiment, the focusing effect of the target area is evaluated based on the electric field distribution and the current density distribution. If the focusing effect does not reach the preset value, the electrical stimulation parameters are adjusted and recalculated until the focusing effect reaches the preset value, thereby achieving the optimal stimulation effect of the target area.

[0095] In some embodiments, calculating a focus evaluation index of a target area according to an electric field distribution and a current density distribution includes:

[0096] According to the electric field distribution, the average electric field value of the cortex and the average electric field value of the target area are obtained. The stimulation focus ratio is calculated using the average electric field value of the target area and the average electric field value of the cortex. According to the current density distribution, the maximum current density of the cortex and the maximum current density of the target area are obtained. The degree of shunting is calculated using the maximum current density of the target area and the maximum current density of the cortex.

[0097] The average electric field value of the cortex refers to the average electric field value of the scalp dielectric region, which is calculated by using the electric field intensity in the scalp dielectric region in the electric field distribution. The average electric field value of the cortex reflects the average electric field intensity of the entire scalp dielectric region.

[0098] The target area average electric field value refers to the average electric field value of the target area, which is calculated by using the electric field intensity located in the target area in the electric field distribution. The target area average electric field value reflects the average electric field intensity of the target area.

[0099] It is worth noting here that the electric field intensity in the electric field distribution is usually a vector, and it is necessary to calculate its component values ​​in different directions (such as X direction and Y direction) and the composite value in each direction, and then calculate the average value of the composite value located in the scalp medium area as the average electric field value of the cortex, and calculate the average value of the composite value located in the target area as the average electric field value of the target area.

[0100] The stimulation focus ratio is calculated using the target area average electric field value and the cortex average electric field value. Specifically, the ratio of the target area average electric field value to the cortex average electric field value is used as the stimulation focus ratio. The higher the stimulation focus ratio, the more concentrated the electric field is in the target area.

[0101] The maximum current density of the cortex refers to the maximum value of the current intensity per unit area in the scalp dielectric region. The maximum current density of the cortex is found by finding the current density in the scalp dielectric region in the current density distribution. The larger the maximum current density of the cortex, the more concentrated the current flow in the scalp dielectric region and the higher the intensity.

[0102] The maximum current density of the target area refers to the maximum value of the current intensity per unit area in the target area. The maximum current density of the target area is found by finding the current density in the target area in the current density distribution. The larger the maximum current density of the target area, the more concentrated the current flow in the target area and the higher the intensity.

[0103] The maximum current density in the target area and the maximum current density in the cortex are used to calculate the degree of shunting. The higher the shunting degree, the more concentrated the current is in the target area.

[0104] In this embodiment, the stimulation focus ratio is calculated by the average electric field value of the target area and the average electric field value of the cortex, which helps to determine the accuracy and focusing degree of the stimulation. The shunting degree is calculated by the maximum current density of the target area and the maximum current density of the cortex, which helps to evaluate the focusing and accuracy of the stimulation distribution.

[0105] Based on the above-mentioned embodiments, Figure 4 According to an exemplary embodiment, an electrical stimulation parameter optimization flow chart is shown. A human brain structure image generated by nuclear magnetic resonance is imported, and then grid division and medium area division are performed, and electromagnetic properties are assigned to each medium area. The target area selected by the user is received, and the electrical stimulation parameters are calculated for the target area. Then, the electrical stimulation parameters are used to perform electric field simulation to obtain the electric field distribution and current density distribution of different medium areas on the human brain structure model. Focus evaluation indicators are introduced for the target target area: shunting degree and stimulation focus ratio, so as to evaluate the stimulation effect produced under the electrical stimulation parameters. If the stimulation effect does not reach the preset value, the stimulation parameters are adjusted and the electric field simulation and evaluation are continued until the stimulation effect reaches the preset value and the expected effect position is achieved.

[0106] Figure 5: This is a schematic diagram for comparing focusing simulation results according to an exemplary embodiment. The three simulation results in the first row are the electric field distribution of the multi-layer brain medium two-dimensional model using initial electrical stimulation parameters. The stimulation electrode derivative used in the initial electrical stimulation parameters is 2. From left to right, they are the electric field distribution in the X direction, the electric field distribution in the Y direction, and the electric field distribution after the synthesis of the two directions.

[0107] The three simulation results in the second row are the electric field distribution of the multilayer brain medium two-dimensional model using the optimized electrical stimulation parameters. The stimulation electrode derivative used in the optimized electrical stimulation parameters is 4. From left to right, they are the electric field distribution in the X direction, the electric field distribution in the Y direction, and the electric field distribution after the synthesis of the two directions.

[0108] From the comparison of the two rows of simulation results, it can be seen that the focus of the target area is significantly improved by using the optimized electrical stimulation parameters.

[0109] The above description of various embodiments tends to emphasize the differences between the various embodiments. The same or similar aspects can be referenced to each other, and for the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated herein.

[0110] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in the above method of a specific embodiment, the order in which the steps are written does not imply a strict execution order and does not constitute any limitation on the implementation process. The specific execution order of the steps should be determined by their functions and possible internal logic.

[0111] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present application after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. The present application is intended to cover any modification, use or adaptation of the present application, which follows the general principles of the present application and includes common knowledge or customary techniques in the art that are not disclosed in the present application. The specification and examples are intended to be exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the present application are indicated by the following claims.

[0112] It should also be noted that the terms "include", "comprises" or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, commodity or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, commodity or device. In the absence of more restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprises a ..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, commodity or device including the elements.

[0113] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for improving the focusing of time-domain interferometric electrical stimulation, characterized in that: The method comprises: Obtaining initial electrical stimulation parameters according to the target area selected on the human brain structure model; According to the initial electrical stimulation parameters, the electric field distribution and current density distribution of different dielectric regions on the human brain structure model are simulated and calculated; the target region belongs to one of the dielectric regions; Adjusting the initial electrical stimulation parameters based on the electric field distribution and the current density distribution to obtain target electrical stimulation parameters that meet focusing requirements for the target area; The stimulation electrodes are stimulated using the target electrical stimulation parameters.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The adjusting the initial electrical stimulation parameters based on the electric field distribution and the current density distribution to obtain target electrical stimulation parameters that meet the focusing requirements for the target area includes: Calculating a focusing evaluation index of the target area according to the electric field distribution and the current density distribution; When the focus evaluation index does not reach the preset value, the initial electrical stimulation parameters are adjusted, and the electric field distribution and current density distribution of different dielectric areas on the human brain structure model are determined according to the adjusted initial electrical stimulation parameters, and the step of calculating the focus evaluation index of the target area according to the electric field distribution and the current density distribution is continued until the focus evaluation index reaches the preset value, and the adjusted initial electrical stimulation parameters are used as the target electrical stimulation parameters.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The focus evaluation index includes at least one of a stimulation focus ratio and a diversion degree; Calculating the focus evaluation index of the target area according to the electric field distribution and the current density distribution includes: According to the electric field distribution, obtaining an average electric field value of the cortex and an average electric field value of the target area; Calculating the stimulation focus ratio using the target area average electric field value and the cortex average electric field value; According to the current density distribution, obtaining the maximum current density of the cortex and the maximum current density of the target area; The shunting degree is calculated using the maximum current density in the target area and the maximum current density in the cortex.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The step of calculating the stimulation focus ratio by using the target area average electric field value and the cortex average electric field value comprises: The ratio of the target area average electric field value to the cortical average electric field value is taken as the stimulation focus ratio.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The step of calculating the shunting degree by using the maximum current density of the target area and the maximum current density of the cortex includes: The ratio of the maximum current density in the target area to the maximum current density in the cortex is taken as the shunting degree.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The step of obtaining initial electrical stimulation parameters according to the target area selected on the human brain structure model includes: Displaying the human brain structure model, and receiving a target area selected by a user on the human brain structure model; Initial electrical stimulation parameters are calculated based on the electromagnetic properties of the target area.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that Before receiving the target area selected by the user on the human brain structure model, the method further includes: Acquiring a human brain structural image, wherein the human brain structural image is generated based on magnetic resonance imaging; Performing grid division and medium segmentation on the human brain structure image to obtain a plurality of medium regions and grids of each medium region; each of the medium regions represents a brain medium; assigning electromagnetic properties to each of said dielectric regions; The human brain structure image, the multiple medium areas, the grids of each medium area, and the electromagnetic properties of each medium area are used to form the human brain structure model.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The initial electrical stimulation parameters include at least: stimulation electrode derivative, stimulation electrode position, stimulation electrode current, stimulation electrode frequency, and electrode stimulation time.

9. A system for improving the focusing of time-domain interferometric electrical stimulation, characterized in that: The system comprises: a host computer, a stimulation electrode control circuit, and a plurality of stimulation electrodes, wherein the host computer is connected to the stimulation electrode control circuit, and the stimulation electrode control circuit is connected to the plurality of stimulation electrodes; The host computer is used to obtain initial electrical stimulation parameters according to the target area selected on the human brain structure model, and simulate and calculate the electric field distribution and current density distribution of different dielectric areas on the human brain structure model according to the initial electrical stimulation parameters, adjust the initial electrical stimulation parameters based on the electric field distribution and the current density distribution, so as to obtain the target electrical stimulation parameters that meet the focusing requirements for the target area, and send the control instructions carrying the target electrical stimulation parameters to the stimulation electrode control circuit; The stimulation electrode control circuit is used to implement stimulation output to the multiple stimulation electrodes according to the control instruction.

10. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that The plurality of stimulation electrodes include a first stimulation electrode group and a second stimulation electrode group, wherein the first stimulation electrode group and the second stimulation electrode group are respectively arranged on both sides of the head; The multiple stimulation electrodes include multiple groups of stimulation electrode pairs, one stimulation electrode in each group of stimulation electrode pairs belongs to the first stimulation electrode group, the other stimulation electrode belongs to the second stimulation electrode group, and the positions of the two stimulation electrodes in each group of stimulation electrode pairs are symmetrically arranged with the central axis of the head as the symmetry axis.

11. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that Each stimulation electrode in the first stimulation electrode group and the first ground electrode respectively form a conductance channel; Each stimulation electrode in the second stimulation electrode group and the second ground electrode respectively form a conductance channel.

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