Deep-Brain TMS via Spatial Summation of Cortical Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) technologies face challenges in effectively stimulating deep brain regions due to rapid decay of the magnetic field through superficial cortical regions, leading to undesired stimulation of intervening areas and potential side effects like seizures and pain, when trying to increase power for deeper penetration.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple TMS electromagnets positioned to apply spatial summation of signals from superficial cortical regions, converging on deep brain targets through first-order connections, allowing for targeted and specific stimulation with lower power levels, avoiding non-target regions and enabling precise control of stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the power of TMS is increased to achieve deeper penetration, then deep brain stimulation is improved, but undesired stimulation of intervening cortical regions occurs causing seizures and pain
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the stimulation task into multiple independent TMS coils, each targeting a specific cortical region that has first-order connections to the deep brain target. Instead of using one high-power coil that stimulates all intervening regions, multiple lower-power coils are segmented to selectively stimulate only the necessary cortical pathways, avoiding harmful stimulation of non-target areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Each TMS coil is positioned to deliver stimulation with localized quality to specific cortical regions that have direct connections to the deep brain target. The stimulation properties (location, intensity, timing) are optimized for each local region rather than applying uniform high-power stimulation across all intervening areas, thereby achieving deep brain penetration without causing seizures or pain from non-selective stimulation.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple TMS electromagnets are used for spatial summation, then deep brain stimulation precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple TMS electromagnets are merged into a coordinated system where each coil targets a specific cortical region with first-order connections to the deep brain target. The coils work together in unison, delivering synchronized or sequentially timed pulses that summate at the deep brain target, achieving high precision stimulation while sharing the complexity across multiple simpler, independently controllable units rather than one complex high-power system.
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
This method achieves deep brain stimulation with reduced side effects by leveraging spatial summation, allowing for precise modulation of deep brain regions with lower power usage, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy for disorders such as depression, addiction, and pain without significantly stimulating intervening brain areas.
Implementation Method 1
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has been used diagnostically for a very long time in velocity of conduction in cortico-spinal tracts and peripheral nerves
Implementation Method 2
Current Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) technologies face challenges in effectively stimulating deep brain regions due to rapid decay of the magnetic field through superficial cortical regions
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of stimulating a target deep brain region using multiple Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) electromagnets positioned over a predetermined cortical regions each having a first-order connection to a target deep brain region and applying TMS so that the applied TMS induces spatial summation and thereby modulation of the target deep brain region.