Counter-Electric Field Conductors for TMS Discomfort Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for treating depression often causes discomfort due to depolarization of neuron membranes and scalp muscle contractions, which can be uncomfortable for patients, especially at higher power levels and frequencies necessary for therapeutic effects.
Innovation Solution
A method involving conductors placed on the scalp to create counter-electric fields that offset the magnetic stimulation fields, reducing discomfort while maintaining therapeutic efficacy by adjusting the signal strength and timing to synchronize with the magnetic stimulation device, thereby canceling or reducing undesirable effects at the surface while preserving deeper tissue stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic stimulation power and frequency are increased to achieve therapeutic effects, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using conductors to generate counter-electric fields that preemptively offset the depolarizing effect of magnetic stimulation on scalp neurons. The conductors are positioned and configured to create electric fields that oppose the stimulation-induced depolarization, thereby preventing discomfort before it occurs while allowing therapeutic stimulation to proceed at higher power levels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying conductors selectively at specific locations where discomfort occurs (scalp surface) rather than uniformly across the entire treatment area. The conductors are strategically placed to create localized counter-fields that reduce surface stimulation effects while preserving the therapeutic magnetic field penetration to deeper brain structures
2Length of stationary object
If magnetic stimulation is applied to deeper brain structures, then therapeutic benefit is improved, but surface tissue stimulation and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses conductors as intermediary elements that mediate between the magnetic stimulation source and the scalp surface. These conductors act as a buffer that selectively attenuates the electric field at the surface level while permitting the magnetic field to penetrate to deeper structures. The conductors transform the direct magnetic-to-neuron interaction into a controlled electric field interaction that can be modulated to reduce surface effects
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 effectively reduces patient discomfort associated with TMS by minimizing surface tissue stimulation while ensuring deeper tissue treatment effectiveness, allowing for higher power and frequency settings that are therapeutically beneficial without increasing discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
A method involving conductors placed on the scalp to create counter-electric fields that offset the magnetic stimulation fields
Implementation Method 2
when a changing magnetic field is applied to the portion of the body, an electric field is created causing current to flow
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a novel method for reducing discomfort caused by transcutaneous stimulation. The novel method includes providing transcutaneous stimulation, reducing the transcutaneous stimulation at a first location, and substantially maintaining the transcutaneous stimulation at a second location. The transcutaneous stimulation may be created by electric and/or magnetic fields. The first location may be relatively proximate to the cutaneous surface and may comprise tissue, nerves and muscle. Also, the second location may be relatively deeper than the first location and include, for example, brain tissue that requires the transcutaneous stimulation for treatment purposes. The invention further may include locating a conductor on a treatment area and/or a transcutaneous stimulation device relative to the first location. In addition, the method may further include adjusting how much the transcutaneous stimulation is reduced at the first location.