Overlapping mTMS Coil Windings for Flexible Field Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) coil devices rely heavily on precise positioning and orientation relative to the patient's head for accurate stimulation, which is challenging due to patient movement and cumbersome coil configurations, especially with multiple coil windings that increase complexity and unwieldiness.
Innovation Solution
A multichannel TMS coil device with overlapping coil windings allows for independent control of magnetic fields by adjusting currents through separate power lines and repositioning coil windings, enabling flexible and accurate stimulation without requiring precise physical alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple coil windings are used in a single casing, then the versatility and flexibility of magnetic field control is improved, but the device complexity and unwieldiness increases due to multiple input and return lines
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple coil windings are merged into a single casing with overlapping configurations, allowing multiple magnetic field control channels to be integrated in one device. This combining approach provides versatility while managing complexity through unified housing and shared structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil windings are arranged in overlapping three-dimensional configurations within the casing, utilizing spatial dimensionality to accommodate multiple windings. This dimensional arrangement allows multiple input and return lines to be routed through different spatial paths, reducing apparent complexity while maintaining functional versatility.
2Measurement precision
If the relationship between TMS coil device and patient's head is the key factor for accuracy, then precise positioning is required, but this becomes difficult and time-consuming due to patient movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static positioning requirements to dynamic compensation capabilities. Multiple coil windings can be independently activated and adjusted to compensate for head movement, allowing the system to maintain stimulation accuracy without requiring constant physical repositioning of the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The single coil device is segmented into multiple independent coil windings, each capable of being controlled separately. This segmentation allows selective activation of specific windings to maintain accurate stimulation even when patient head position changes, reducing the need for complete device repositioning.
3Device complexity
If a single standard FIG. 8 coil is used, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to change position, direction and orientation of stimulation pulse is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single casing housing multiple coil windings creates a universal device that can perform multiple stimulation functions. By selectively activating different windings or combinations thereof, the device can change stimulation position, direction, and orientation without requiring multiple separate coil devices, thus maintaining structural simplicity while enhancing versatility.
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 solution provides flexible and accurate magnetic field control, allowing for precise stimulation without the need for constant alignment, improving usability and reducing the complexity of multiple coil windings by enabling continuous and varied electric field generation.
Implementation Method 1
controlling a first current through the first power line to generate a first, primary magnetic field... separately controlling a second current through the second power line to generate a second, secondary magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a multichannel Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (mTMS) coil device with two or more overlapping coil windings within a casing. The mTMS coil device is capable of adjusting parameters of the stimulation of magnetic and induced electric fields through the selective control of the multiple coil windings within the mTMS coil device. Additionally, provided are methods of operation including navigated TMS for adjusting parameters such as location, direction and/or orientation of magnetic and induced electric fields from mTMS coil devices.