Intracerebral Current Simulation for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transcranial magnetic stimulation methods face challenges in accurately measuring and calculating the intensity and distribution of eddy currents induced in individual brains due to varying brain sizes and tissue conductivities, making it difficult to determine optimal stimulation parameters without complex and time-consuming simulations.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using a scalar potential finite difference method to model individual brain shapes from tomographic images, allowing for precise simulation of eddy current distribution and coil positioning, reducing calculation time and enabling efficient medical treatments by selecting optimal coil configurations based on disease-specific requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional magnetic stimulation devices are used, then magnetic stimulation can be applied to the brain, but the devices weigh about 70 Kg and require electrical work for installation, making them available only in well-equipped medical institutions
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional large-scale magnetic stimulation device is segmented into a portable device that can be operated without electrical installation and a simulation system that runs on standard computers. This segmentation enables the magnetic stimulation function to be accessed in home environments while maintaining treatment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the actual large-scale device for every treatment, the patent creates a simulated model of the magnetic stimulation device and its effects. The simulation copies the essential functionality and allows treatment planning and optimization without needing the physical heavy equipment present at all times.
2Measurement precision
If stimulation position is determined using patient's MRI data during actual treatment, then accurate positioning can be achieved, but the treatment must be performed by a skilled health-care professional
Solution Approach 1:
The simulation system performs preliminary positioning and optimization of stimulation parameters before actual treatment. By pre-calculating the optimal coil position and stimulation intensity using the patient's MRI data in the simulation environment, the actual treatment execution becomes simpler and can be performed by non-healthcare professionals while maintaining high positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation system acts as an intermediary between the complex MRI data analysis and the simple treatment execution. It processes the sophisticated positioning requirements in advance and provides simplified treatment parameters that can be easily applied during actual therapy, bridging the gap between expert-level planning and layperson-level execution.
3Measurement precision
If coil is positioned on the target primary motor cortex with accuracy of 1 mm, then effective pain-relieving effect can be achieved, but a patient must go to a medical institution every day to continuously acquire the effect
Solution Approach 1:
The simulation system performs preliminary determination of optimal coil positioning and stimulation parameters using the patient's specific brain anatomy from MRI data. This pre-planning enables accurate 1 mm positioning to be achieved in a home setting without requiring daily visits to medical institutions, as the positioning strategy is predetermined based on individual anatomical characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation creates a personalized treatment plan tailored to each patient's specific brain structure and pathology. By adapting the coil positioning and stimulation parameters to the individual's unique anatomy rather than using standardized protocols, the system achieves high positioning accuracy that maintains treatment effectiveness for home-based daily therapy.
4Measurement precision
If complex simulations are performed to calculate eddy current distribution in individual brains, then accurate stimulation parameters can be determined, but the calculation process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The simulation of eddy current distribution and magnetic field effects is performed in advance during the treatment planning phase. By completing these computationally intensive calculations before actual treatment, the accurate stimulation parameters are determined beforehand, and the actual therapy delivery becomes rapid and efficient without requiring real-time computation during patient treatment sessions.
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 approach allows for accurate simulation of eddy current distribution and intensity, enabling efficient and personalized transcranial magnetic stimulation treatments by determining the optimal coil position and stimulation intensity, thus improving treatment effectiveness and reducing the need for frequent medical institution visits.
Implementation Method 1
a current (e.g., alternating current) is applied to a stimulation coil placed on the skin of the head to form a variable magnetic field and to induce an eddy current or an electric field in the direction opposite to the coil current in the brain under the effect of the variable magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
induce an eddy current or an electric field in the direction opposite to the coil current in the brain under the effect of the variable magnetic field, and an action potential is generated by stimulating the neurons with the eddy current or the electric field
Data Source
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AI summary
An intracerebral current simulation method comprises: a first step of providing head image data that includes at least a part of the brain out of tomographic image data of a patient; a second step of forming a three-dimensional brain model comprising micro-polyhedron units which are obtained by dividing at least one region constituting the brain out of the head image data provided in step 1 into micro-elements; a third step of providing first information which includes conditions under which a coil is placed on the patient's head, an electric current is applied to the coil so as to apply magnetic stimulation to the patient's brain, and the patient's reaction to the magnetic stimulation is observed, the conditions being at least the condition of a position and orientation of the coil, the condition of the electric current applied to the coil, and the condition of a structure relating to a generated magnetic field of the coil; and a fourth step of calculating an eddy current or electric field induced inside each of the micro-polyhedron units of the three-dimensional brain model on the basis of the first information provided in the third step and second information which includes conductivity assigned to each micro-polyhedron unit.