TMS Coil Pose Atlas Generation via Electromagnetic Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current TMS technologies face challenges in accurately positioning TMS coils due to the lack of detailed functional subregion information in traditional anatomical brain atlases, leading to limited clinical effects and difficulty in achieving precise neuromodulation, as the positioning is heavily dependent on anatomical references rather than functional areas.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generating a TMS coil pose atlas based on electromagnetic simulating calculations, involving constructing coil array positions and orientations in standard MNI space, matching them to individual brain spaces, and using finite element models to simulate induced electric field distributions, thereby determining optimal coil positions and orientations for precise neuromodulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional anatomical brain atlases are used to guide TMS coil positioning, then the positioning process is simple and fast, but the positioning precision and functional regulation accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores the correspondence between TMS coil positions and induced electric field distributions in a lookup table before actual use. This preliminary computation phase separates the complex electromagnetic simulations from the clinical application, allowing fast retrieval during actual TMS positioning while maintaining high precision through detailed pre-computed data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model (finite element model) that copies and simulates the actual brain tissue electromagnetic properties. This virtual model allows complex electromagnetic field calculations to be performed in silico, providing precise positioning guidance without requiring complex physical measurements or real-time calculations during clinical procedures
2Measurement precision
If electromagnetic simulating calculation is used to determine coil position, then the positioning accuracy and regulation effect are improved, but the calculation time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs all complex electromagnetic simulations and finite element calculations in advance, storing the results in a pre-computed lookup table. During actual TMS application, the system simply retrieves pre-calculated data based on the target brain region, reducing calculation time from hours to seconds while maintaining high positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-defines multiple standardized coil positions and orientations with their corresponding electric field distributions calculated in advance. This allows the system to quickly select from pre-optimized positions rather than performing real-time optimization calculations, significantly reducing operational time
3Ease of operation
If TMS coil is positioned based on anatomical landmarks, then the operation is simple and fast, but the functional regulation accuracy is limited due to lack of functional subregion information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lookup table as an intermediary between anatomical landmarks and functional brain regions. The lookup table contains pre-calculated correspondence data that maps anatomical positions to functional subregions and their optimal TMS parameters, allowing simple anatomical-based positioning to achieve precise functional regulation through data-driven guidance
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 enables fast and accurate positioning of TMS coils, ensuring repeatability and optimal regulation effects by correlating coil poses with specific brain areas, effectively addressing the limitations of traditional anatomical atlases and improving neuromodulation precision.
Implementation Method 1
a position and a scope of a brain area regulated by TMS are mainly affected by the positioning of the TMS coil and an instantaneous induced electric field in brain tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) coil pose atlas based on electromagnetic simulating calculation includes: constructing coil array positions and orientations of a scalp in a standard Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) space and matching the coil array positions and orientations of the scalp to a brain space of an individual to obtain coil array positions and orientations of the brain space of the individual; using a finite element calculation method to simulate the coil array positions of the brain space of the individual to obtain induced electric field distributions of brain tissue in different coil orientations; obtaining optimal regulation effects based on the induced electric field distributions of the brain tissue; and obtaining a coil position and orientation corresponding to each optimal regulation effect as an optimal coil pose of each divided brain area of the individual, and constructing a TMS coil pose atlas of the individual.