A multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device

Abstract

This application discloses a multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device, comprising: a lightweight EEG cap with several electrode holes on its surface; several electrodes detachably installed in the electrode holes; and a control box detachably connected to the EEG cap. The control box includes a controller, a multi-channel stimulation module, a feedback control module, and a communication and monitoring module. The multi-channel stimulation module includes multiple constant current source modules that are respectively connected to each of the electrodes and used to output constant current. The feedback control module includes multiple impedance detection chips that monitor the impedance of each channel in real time. The communication and monitoring module is connected to the controller and is used to receive external stimulation parameters or upload data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device. Background Technology

[0002] Transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that modulates brain activity by directly applying electrical current to the cerebral cortex, thereby treating neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. With technological advancements, improving the precision of TES and ensuring the correct distribution of the electric field within the target brain region has become crucial for optimizing therapeutic efficacy. Electric field simulation systems, especially those based on the finite element method, play a vital role in this process. Through high-precision numerical calculations, they provide accurate predictions of the electric field distribution for the stimulation system, helping researchers and clinicians better understand and control the mechanisms of electric field action in the brain, thus significantly improving the efficacy and personalized treatment capabilities of TES.

[0003] However, current TES treatments primarily require implementation within medical institutions. The equipment is bulky, complex, and costly, and requires specialized medical personnel for setup and operation. There is a lack of readily available devices suitable for home use, hindering the widespread adoption of TES technology for mood regulation, alleviation, and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. This application aims to develop a multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device suitable for home use. Furthermore, existing technologies often employ single-channel stimulation and lack real-time impedance detection and closed-loop compensation mechanisms, resulting in low current output accuracy, easy displacement, and an inability to meet the needs of multi-brain region coordinated regulation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to address the problem of bulky transcranial electrical stimulation (TCS) devices in the prior art. This application provides a lightweight, home-use-suitable multi-target TCS device.

[0005] This application provides a multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device with multiple channels, which can simultaneously act on multiple brain regions and has high stimulation precision.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution: a multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device, comprising: A lightweight EEG cap has several electrode holes on its surface. The EEG cap has a collection area corresponding to the first brain region and a stimulation area corresponding to the second brain region. At least one pair of acquisition electrodes are arranged in the acquisition area, and the acquisition electrodes are used to acquire the electroencephalogram (EEG) signals of the user's first brain region. Several stimulating electrodes are detachably installed in electrode holes corresponding to the stimulation area, and the stimulating electrodes are used to apply electrical stimulation to the second brain region. A control box is connected to the EEG cap. At least one pair of acquisition electrodes and several stimulation electrodes are electrically connected to the control box. The control box contains a controller, a feedback control module, a multi-channel stimulation module, and a communication and monitoring module. The multi-channel stimulation module includes multiple constant current source modules that are electrically connected to each of the stimulation electrodes and are used to output constant current. The communication and monitoring module is connected to the controller and is used to receive external stimulation parameters or upload data. The at least one pair of acquisition electrodes, the controller, the multi-channel stimulation module, and several stimulation electrodes constitute a closed-loop phase-locked stimulation circuit.

[0007] Furthermore, the EEG cap includes: a cap body and a chin fixation strap connected below the cap body, wherein the cap body is made of silicone foam material or ABS material.

[0008] In one embodiment, each of the electrode holes is fitted with a metal annular retainer for positioning the electrode.

[0009] In one embodiment, the control box further includes a multi-channel digital-to-analog converter connected to the controller, and the output of the multi-channel digital-to-analog converter is connected to a plurality of the constant current source modules respectively.

[0010] In one embodiment, the output terminals of the plurality of constant current source modules are respectively connected to the respective stimulation electrodes via resistors.

[0011] In one embodiment, the feedback control module includes multiple impedance detection chips that monitor the impedance of each channel in real time. The output of each impedance detection chip is connected to the controller via an SPI bus to form a closed-loop control.

[0012] In one embodiment, the multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device further includes: a communication and monitoring module comprising a triaxial accelerometer for detecting abnormal motion states and triggering stimulation interruption; and a temperature sensor integrated on the electrodes for real-time monitoring of temperature changes under the scalp.

[0013] In one embodiment, the communication and monitoring module includes a communication module and a watchdog timer.

[0014] In one embodiment, the control box further includes a quick-change battery compartment and a charging circuit; the outer casing of the control box also has LED indicator lights that can display the stimulation status and fault codes in real time.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first brain region is the temporal region, the EEG signal is an alpha nerve oscillation, and the second brain region is the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

[0016] This application discloses a closed-loop transcranial electrical stimulation (TCS) system that dynamically adjusts stimulation parameters for a second brain region by real-time monitoring of EEG signals from a first brain region, aiming to improve the precision and effectiveness of modulation. It employs cross-regional phase-locked stimulation to monitor the neural oscillation phase of a brain region (e.g., the temporal region) and uses this information to modulate stimulation of another different brain region (e.g., the prefrontal cortex). Phase-locked stimulation, based on specific phases of endogenous EEG waves, provides timed stimulation, thus more effectively influencing neural plasticity and rhythmic activity.

[0017] Compared with existing technologies, this application has the advantages of compact and lightweight structure, low cost and simple operation, and is suitable for patients who have completed the electric field simulation system in medical institutions and determined the transcranial electrical stimulation treatment plan and parameters to perform treatment at home. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit principle of a multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the distribution of electrodes on the scalp surface according to an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the electrode positions and stimulation target points provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of simulation results provided for embodiments of this application.

[0023] The components include: 1. Cap body; 2. Control box; 3. Chin fixation strap; 4. Electrode; 5. Electrode hole; 6. Vent hole; 7. Wire. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To illustrate the technical content, structural features, achieved objectives, and effects of the invention in detail, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. In the following description, for illustrative purposes, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a detailed description of various exemplary embodiments or implementations of the invention. However, various exemplary embodiments may also be implemented without these specific details or in one or more equivalent arrangements. Furthermore, the various exemplary embodiments may differ, but are not necessarily exclusive. For example, the specific shape, construction, and characteristics of the exemplary embodiments may be used or implemented in another exemplary embodiment without departing from the inventive concept.

[0025] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more. In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium.

[0026] See Figure 1 As shown, a multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation (TCS) device includes: a lightweight EEG cap, at least one pair of acquisition electrodes (not shown in the figure), several stimulation electrodes 4, and a control box 2. The TCS device of this application can treat diseases such as depression and insomnia.

[0027] Specifically, the EEG cap includes: a cap body 1 and a chin strap 3 connected to the bottom of the cap body 1. The cap body 1 is made of lightweight materials such as silicone foam, ABS, or carbon fiber. The outer side of the cap body 1 can be covered with fabric or flocked to improve visual appeal and feel.

[0028] To improve wearing comfort, silicone ribs can be provided on the inner side of the cap body 1 to reduce pressure during prolonged wear and improve comfort. In some embodiments, one or more pressure sensors, as well as temperature and humidity sensors, are also provided on the inner side of the cap body 1 (such as the forehead area) to provide feedback on wearing pressure, detect electrode fit, and monitor scalp temperature and humidity, prompting adjustments to electrode position or stimulation parameters.

[0029] The EEG cap has a collection area corresponding to the first brain region and a stimulation area corresponding to the second brain region. The collection area is equipped with a pair of collection electrodes for collecting EEG signals from the user's first brain region, and the stimulation area is equipped with multiple stimulation electrodes 4 for applying electrical stimulation to the second brain region.

[0030] This embodiment provides a portable transcranial electrical stimulation device for treating depression. The first brain region selected is the temporal region, and the brain signals collected by the acquisition electrodes are alpha neural oscillations (alpha waves). The second brain region selected is the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

[0031] In this embodiment, two EEG signal acquisition electrodes are used to acquire alpha waves in the left and right temporal lobe, respectively. The two acquisition electrodes are fixedly integrated into the inner surface of the acquisition areas on both sides of the cap body 1, ensuring stable coverage of the user's primary brain region (temporal lobe) each time it is worn, such as near the T7 / T8 or T3 / T4 points in the international 10-20 standard lead system. Dry electrodes or small pre-gel electrodes are used. Using only one pair of acquisition electrodes aims to ensure the capture of phase information of the dominant rhythm (alpha wave) in the target region (temporal lobe), while minimizing user operation difficulty and equipment cost.

[0032] The cap body 1 has several electrode holes 5 on its surface. Multiple disposable sponge electrodes are detachably connected to the electrode holes 5, and multiple stimulation electrodes 4 are connected to the control box 2 via wires 7. To facilitate the fixation of the stimulation electrodes 4, each electrode hole 5 has a built-in metal ring retainer (not shown in the figure) for positioning the stimulation electrode 4. In some embodiments, the metal ring retainer can also be made of magnetic material, and correspondingly, magnetic metal material is provided on the electrode, thereby achieving rapid positioning and connection between the two. The position of each electrode hole corresponds to the position of each electrode point in the international standard lead diagram.

[0033] Several stimulating electrodes can be configured in single-channel or multi-channel configurations. Single-channel stimulation (one stimulating electrode plus a distal return electrode) or multi-channel high-density stimulation (such as a central electrode plus surrounding electrodes in HD-tES) can be used to optimize the stimulation effect. Multi-channel high-density stimulation significantly enhances the focusing of the electric field by combining electric fields, achieving high-density transcranial electrical stimulation (HD-tES) of any region of the whole brain, reducing current diffusion in non-target brain regions, and increasing the electric field intensity in the target brain region.

[0034] In addition, in order to improve the breathability and heat dissipation performance of the EEG cap, the cap body 1 of this application is also provided with a number of ventilation holes 6, which can reduce the overall weight of the EEG cap and also achieve a good heat dissipation and breathability effect. In this embodiment, the ventilation holes 6 and the electrode holes 5 have different hole diameters, and the positions of the multiple ventilation holes 6 and the multiple electrode holes 5 are interspersed.

[0035] See Figure 2 As shown, the control box includes a housing detachably attached to the EEG cap, and the interior of the control box has: The MCU controller (Microcontroller Unit) has multiple channels and multiple stimulation modes, supporting DC, AC, square wave and pulse stimulation modes. Through multi-channel constant current source modules and high-precision electrode positioning, it can achieve high-density transcranial electrical stimulation (HD-tES) of any region of the whole brain.

[0036] A multi-channel digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is connected to an MCU controller, and the output of the multi-channel DAC is connected to multiple constant current source modules. The multi-channel stimulation module includes multiple constant current source modules that are respectively connected to each stimulation electrode 4 and are used to output a constant current. The output terminals of the multiple constant current source modules are respectively connected to each electrode through resistors. Feedback control module; The feedback control module includes multiple impedance detection chips that monitor the impedance of each channel in real time. The output of each impedance detection chip is connected to the controller via an SPI bus to form a closed-loop control.

[0037] The system also includes a communication and monitoring module, which is connected to the controller and is used to receive external stimulus parameters or upload data. The communication and monitoring module includes a communication module and a watchdog timer.

[0038] Based on the real-time phase information of the EEG signals collected from the first brain region, the controller instructs the multi-channel stimulation module to apply stimulation to the second brain region through the stimulation electrode 4 at a precise time point or with a specific phase relationship (for example, triggering a prefrontal cortex stimulation pulse at a specific phase of the alpha wave, or precisely locking the phase of the transcranial alternating current stimulation applied to the prefrontal cortex to the temporal region alpha wave phase), thereby achieving precise regulation of functional interaction between different brain regions.

[0039] The control box also features a quick-change battery compartment and a charging circuit, enabling battery power supply and charging. Furthermore, the control box casing has LED indicator lights that can display the stimulation status and fault codes in real time.

[0040] In some embodiments, the multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device further includes a communication and monitoring module that includes a triaxial accelerometer, which can be used to detect abnormal motion states and trigger stimulation interruption.

[0041] In one embodiment, each electrode is also integrated with a temperature sensor, which can monitor the temperature changes under the scalp at the electrode contact point in real time.

[0042] Before using the multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device of this application for treatment, the patient needs to determine the treatment plan using an electric field simulation system in a medical institution. The medical staff will manually set the stimulation points according to the treatment plan generated by the electric field simulation system, including stimulation points, stimulation current magnitude, pulse information, target phase-locked phase, etc., and then write the above treatment plan into the MCU controller through the communication and monitoring module of the control box.

[0043] The electric field simulation system simulates the distribution of electric current in head tissues by creating a model of the patient's head. This process is based on high-resolution MRI images (such as T1 / T2 weighted images), using image segmentation techniques to distinguish different types of brain tissue (such as the cerebral cortex, white matter, gray matter, cerebrospinal fluid, and skull), and creating a three-dimensional head model based on the differences in conductivity among these tissues. Next, using the finite element method (FEM), the complex geometry is discretized into a mesh suitable for numerical calculation. Each mesh cell represents a small region within the brain structure, and the electric field is solved step-by-step within these regions. The electric field strength and direction of the electrodes on the surface and internal regions of the brain are calculated and visualized. A key advantage of this process is that it provides quantitative electric field predictions for electrical stimulation systems, allowing doctors and engineers to customize stimulation parameters based on the individual patient's brain structure and lesion location, thereby significantly improving the accuracy and effectiveness of treatment. By accurately simulating the propagation of current in various head tissues, the simulation system can help designers adjust the position, size, and shape of electrodes, optimizing the stimulation path to ensure that the current accurately reaches the target brain region.

[0044] See Figure 3 The diagram shown is a schematic of the electrode distribution on the patient's scalp. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the electrode stimulation simulation interface. As shown in the diagram, in this embodiment, electrical stimulation is simultaneously applied to two target points in the patient's right hemisphere of the brain. Initiating the electric field simulation allows for the calculation of the current distribution within the brain, and the results are obtained. Figure 5 The diagram shows the distribution of electrical currents within the brain and the areas stimulated.

[0045] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, specification, and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device, comprising: include: A lightweight EEG cap has several electrode holes on its surface. The EEG cap has a collection area corresponding to the first brain region and a stimulation area corresponding to the second brain region. At least one pair of acquisition electrodes are arranged in the acquisition area, and the acquisition electrodes are used to acquire the electroencephalogram (EEG) signals of the user's first brain region. Several stimulating electrodes are detachably installed in electrode holes corresponding to the stimulation area, and the stimulating electrodes are used to apply electrical stimulation to the second brain region. A control box is connected to the EEG cap. At least one pair of acquisition electrodes and several stimulation electrodes are electrically connected to the control box. The control box contains a controller, a feedback control module, a multi-channel stimulation module, and a communication and monitoring module. The multi-channel stimulation module includes multiple constant current source modules that are electrically connected to each of the stimulation electrodes and are used to output constant current. The communication and monitoring module is connected to the controller and is used to receive external stimulation parameters or upload data. The at least one pair of acquisition electrodes, the controller, the multi-channel stimulation module, and several stimulation electrodes constitute a closed-loop phase-locked stimulation circuit.

2. The multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device of claim 1, wherein, The EEG cap includes a cap body and a chin strap connected to the bottom of the cap body. The cap body is made of silicone foam or ABS material.

3. The multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device of claim 1, wherein, Each of the aforementioned electrode holes has a metal annular retainer for positioning the electrode.

4. The multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device of claim 1, wherein, The control box also includes a multi-channel digital-to-analog converter connected to the controller, and the output of the multi-channel digital-to-analog converter is connected to multiple constant current source modules respectively.

5. The multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device of claim 4, wherein, The output terminals of the various constant current source modules are respectively connected to the respective stimulation electrodes via resistors.

6. The multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feedback control module includes multiple impedance detection chips that monitor the impedance of each channel in real time. The output of each impedance detection chip is connected to the controller via an SPI bus to form a closed-loop control.

7. The multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The communication and monitoring module includes a triaxial accelerometer for detecting abnormal motion and triggering stimulation interruption; and a temperature sensor integrated on the electrodes for real-time monitoring of temperature changes under the scalp.

8. The multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The communication and monitoring module includes a communication module and a watchdog timer.

9. The multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control box also features a quick-change battery compartment and a charging circuit; the outer casing of the control box also has LED indicator lights that can display the stimulation status and fault codes in real time.

10. The multi-target transcranial electrical stimulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first brain region is the temporal region, and the EEG signal is an alpha nerve oscillation. The second brain region is the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

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