Spiral 3D TMS Coil Layout for Precise Brain Region Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transcranial magnetic stimulation coils fail to accurately match the stimulation region with the target brain function region, leading to incomplete or unnecessary stimulation.
Innovation Solution
A transcranial magnetic stimulation coil designed with n stereoscopic units arranged in a spiral shape, where each unit intersects the target region plane, ensuring a minimum distance between the projection and the target region edge is less than a preset distance, allowing for precise alignment and coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional ring coils or figure-eight coils are used, then the coil structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the stimulation region cannot be completely matched with the to-be-stimulated brain function target region
Solution Approach 1:
The coil is divided into multiple stereoscopic units (first stereoscopic unit, second stereoscopic unit, etc.) that can be independently configured. Each unit corresponds to a specific brain region, allowing precise segmentation of the stimulation area to match complex brain function targets that cannot be covered by traditional single-unit coils.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional planar coils to three-dimensional stereoscopic units. Each stereoscopic unit has a projection area that can be independently positioned and oriented, adding a third dimension of freedom to match the complex three-dimensional topology of brain function regions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the coil uses traditional planar designs, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the stimulation coverage is incomplete or includes unnecessary areas
Solution Approach 1:
Each stereoscopic unit is designed with specific local characteristics tailored to its corresponding brain region. The projection area of each unit can be independently adjusted to cover only the necessary brain tissue, avoiding both incomplete coverage and unnecessary stimulation of adjacent areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil design allows for dynamic adjustment of the stereoscopic units' positions and orientations. This enables the coil to adapt to different brain function target regions while maintaining precise stimulation boundaries, balancing manufacturing complexity with stimulation accuracy.
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 coil achieves precise, uniform stimulation of the target brain region, improving accuracy and reducing unnecessary stimulation, while being adaptable to irregular shapes.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic signal can pass through a skull without attenuation to stimulate brain nerves
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a transcranial magnetic stimulation coil. The transcranial magnetic stimulation coil includes n stereoscopic units. A plane where each of the n stereoscopic units is located intersects a plane where a to-be-stimulated target region is located. Each of the n stereoscopic units includes a start point and an end point, and an end point of an ith stereoscopic unit among the n stereoscopic units is connected to a start point of an (i+1)th stereoscopic unit among the n stereoscopic units. The transcranial magnetic stimulation coil is arranged in a spiral shape, and for any one of the n stereoscopic units on a side of the transcranial magnetic stimulation coil facing an edge of the to-be-stimulated target region, a minimum distance between a projection shape within the to-be-stimulated target region and the edge of the to-be-stimulated target region is less than a first preset distance.