Adjustable H-Coil Assembly for Deep Brain Field Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electromagnetic coils are inadequate for deep brain stimulation, failing to effectively target medial brain regions like the ventral prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens without causing undesirable side effects, and existing designs often require high intensities that can be unsafe for patients.
Innovation Solution
The development of electromagnetic coil assemblies with specific configurations, including butterfly-shaped and H-coil designs, that provide high electric field magnitude in deep brain regions, incorporate air passages for cooling, and adjust to fit over the head, minimizing interference and overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional electromagnetic coils are used for deep brain stimulation, then high intensity magnetic fields can be generated, but undesirable side effects occur such as epileptic seizures and over-stimulation of cortical regions
Solution Approach 1:
The H-coil design creates different field characteristics in different spatial regions: the central region produces strong magnetic fields for deep stimulation while peripheral regions produce weaker fields to avoid cortical over-stimulation. This local differentiation of field intensity resolves the contradiction between achieving deep brain stimulation and avoiding harmful side effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The H-coil configuration transforms the magnetic field distribution from a conventional single-lobed pattern to a multi-lobed pattern with distinct spatial zones. By creating separate central and peripheral lobes with different field intensities, the design enables deep stimulation while protecting cortical regions, thus resolving the intensity-safety contradiction.
2Length of stationary object
If H-coils are used to stimulate deeper structures, then deeper brain regions can be targeted, but wider areas are stimulated which requires imaging and neuro-navigation
Solution Approach 1:
The H-coil produces a concentrated magnetic field pattern with maximum intensity at the center and rapid decay toward periphery. This localized field distribution allows deep stimulation of specific medial brain structures without requiring wide-area coverage, thereby reducing dependence on complex imaging and navigation systems.
3Length of stationary object
If large circular coil or double cone coil are used for deep stimulation, then deep targets can be reached, but electromagnetic field decays dramatically requiring much higher intensities on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The H-coil configuration creates a multi-lobed magnetic field pattern with distinct spatial zones, transforming the field decay characteristic from rapid exponential decay to a more sustained distribution. The central lobe maintains high intensity for deep penetration while peripheral lobes provide gradual falloff, avoiding the need for excessive surface intensities required by conventional coil designs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These coils enable precise and safe deep brain stimulation, effectively targeting regions like the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens, reducing the risk of side effects and enhancing treatment efficacy for psychiatric disorders.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic fields generated by a coil positioned on the scalp of the subject are used to induce nerve stimulation within the subject's brain
Implementation Method 2
provide air passages and gaps for streaming cooling media along and/or in-between windings of the coils
Data Source
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Figure 4
AI summary
An electromagnetic coil assembly for inducing electromagnetic fields in a head region of a treated subject, the coil assembly comprising a plurality of windings configured to define an applicatory coil portion configured for placement in close proximity to the head of the treated subject to induce the electromagnetic fields, and an elevated coil portion passing relatively remote from the head of the treated subject and configured such that electromagnetic fields thereby produced are generated substantially remote from the head of the treated subject to prevent them from interfering with the electromagnetic fields generated by the applicatory portion of the coil, thereby allowing directing the electromagnetic fields generated by the applicatory coil portion substantially accurately to desired inner regions of the head of the treated subject. A support structure is used to enclose and immobilize at least a portion of the windings of the coil, while enabling elastic movement of other portions of the windings that are not held by the support structure, to thereby enable size adjustment of the coil to fit over a region of a head of the treated subject.