Multi-Turn TMS Probe for Weak Field Mapping in Small Animals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric field probes are unsuitable for measuring the weak electric fields generated by small animal TMS coils due to their larger size and inadequate sensitivity, making it difficult to characterize the spatial characteristics of the induced electric field for animal studies.
Innovation Solution
A compact probe with a small coil and multiple turns is designed to amplify the induced electric field, allowing for precise measurement of the weak fields generated by animal TMS coils, featuring a coil with a diameter of 2-8 mm and AWG size 20 or smaller, and lead wires to minimize spatial differential and enhance sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional electric field probes are used, then measurement capability is provided, but the probes are too large and lack sufficient sensitivity for small animal TMS coils
Solution Approach 1:
The probe changes the physical parameters of the coil structure by reducing the major dimension to 2-8 mm and increasing the number of turns to 5-20 turns. This parameter transformation enables the probe to achieve high sensitivity for detecting weak electric fields from small animal TMS coils while maintaining a compact size suitable for animal studies.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe uses multiple turns of wire wound in a compact coil structure, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to the measurement capability. The multi-turn configuration amplifies the induced signal without proportionally increasing the probe's physical footprint, resolving the contradiction between sensitivity and size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the coil size is reduced for small animal studies, then adaptability to animal models is improved, but the induced signal becomes too weak to detect
Solution Approach 1:
The probe compensates for the reduced coil size by introducing multiple turns (5-20 turns) of wire. This dimensional transformation allows the probe to maintain a small major dimension (2-8 mm) for animal model adaptability while the multi-turn structure amplifies the induced signal to detectable levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe transforms the signal detection capability by changing the parameter of turn count. With 5-20 turns, the probe multiplies the induced voltage signal proportionally, enabling detection of weak fields from small animal TMS coils despite the reduced coil size.
3Measurement precision
If the coil has more turns to amplify the signal, then sensitivity is improved, but the coil size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The probe optimizes the parameter of turn count to a specific range (5-20 turns) that provides sufficient signal amplification without excessive complexity. This parameter transformation achieves high sensitivity while maintaining a manageable coil structure suitable for practical use in animal TMS studies.
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
The probe provides high sensitivity and spatial resolution, enabling accurate mapping of the electromagnetic field generated by small animal TMS coils, overcoming the limitations of conventional probes by amplifying the signal without external amplifiers.
Implementation Method 1
The time-varying magnetic field produced by TMS devices secondarily induces a pulsating electric field according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction
Data Source
AI summary
A probe for use with a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) device can include a coil having a first end and a second end. A first lead wire electrically coupled to the first end of the coil, and a second lead wire electrically coupled to the second end portion of the coil. The coil has a central axis and a major dimension from 2 mm to 8 mm measured perpendicularly to the central axis. The coil can have from about five to about twenty turns.