TMS Coil Head with Integrated Camera for Precise Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) neuronavigation methods are imprecise, lack direct visual confirmation of coil placement, and require complex and costly equipment, limiting accessibility and accuracy in targeting specific brain regions for effective treatment.
Innovation Solution
A TMS coil system with integrated imaging devices, such as cameras, and contact sensors for direct visualization and real-time monitoring of coil placement, combined with a simplified treatment cap with anatomical markings, allowing for precise and consistent positioning without external markers or MRI guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current neuronavigation methods (fabric cap with markers) are used, then the system is simple and accessible, but the measurement precision and reliability of coil placement are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the imaging device with the TMS coil into an integrated assembly, where the camera is mounted on the coil holder to provide direct visual confirmation of coil placement. This merging eliminates the need for separate complex navigation systems while maintaining placement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device on the coil performs self-verification of placement by capturing images of anatomical landmarks and comparing them with reference images. The system autonomously confirms whether the coil is correctly positioned without requiring external verification equipment.
2Reliability
If complex frameless stereotaxic positioning systems with MRI guidance are used, then the measurement precision and reliability improve, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of visual confirmation from complex MRI guidance systems and implements it through a simple camera mounted on the coil. This extraction maintains the core reliability benefit while eliminating the need for bulky and expensive external equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device captures visual copies of anatomical landmarks and treatment area to verify coil placement. These visual copies provide reliable confirmation without requiring actual MRI scanning, thus achieving reliability with simpler means.
3Measurement precision
If visual confirmation of coil placement is implemented, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is integrated into the coil assembly itself, merging the imaging function with the stimulation device. This eliminates the need for separate external cameras or tracking systems, providing visual confirmation without adding significant complexity.
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
Enhances the accuracy and consistency of TMS coil placement, reduces training time for technicians, and increases accessibility of TMS treatment to a broader range of settings by eliminating the need for bulky and costly equipment, ensuring safe and effective treatment sessions.
Implementation Method 1
a TMS coil or coils need to be consistently and accurately placed at a target scalp location overlying that brain region, i.e., so that the maximum field strength of the coil or coils falls on the target brain region, and simultaneously induce an electrical field intensity in the relevant brain tissue
Implementation Method 2
one or more imaging devices including a single camera configured to overlie the common focal point so as to permit direct visualization of a position of the TMS coil head relative to a target position on a patient's head
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) coil head configured to be placed over a target brain region for treatment, wherein the TMS coil head includes a housing containing one or more coil windings within the housing, wherein said one or more coil windings are configured to generate a maximum magnetic field at a common focal point, and one or more imaging devices including a single camera configured to overlie the common focal point is as to permit direct visualization of a position of the TMS coil head relative to a target position on a patient's head.