Transcranial Current Loop Brain Stimulation Via Skull Conductive Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brain stimulation methods, such as rTMS, tDCS, Vagus nerve stimulation, DBS, and DCS, are either non-portable, invasive, lack precision, cause discomfort, or have unclear mechanisms of action, making them inadequate for targeted and effective brain treatments.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a current loop through conductive paths involving probes that penetrate the skull at two points, leveraging the skull's high impedance to create a current loop for precise brain stimulation, with external or internal power sources, and optional EEG recording for targeted treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rTMS is used to deliver high energy magnetic pulses to the brain, then brain stimulation effectiveness is improved, but device portability and accessibility worsen due to large size and expense
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the stimulation function into two separate components: an external magnetic field generator and an implanted coil assembly. This segmentation allows the external device to be smaller and more portable while the implanted component performs the actual stimulation, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The implanted coil is positioned within a burr hole in the skull, nesting the stimulation component within the patient's anatomy. This eliminates the need for a large external device during treatment, as the external magnet only needs to be brought close to the scalp temporarily.
2Ease of operation
If tDCS uses electrodes on the outside of the head to deliver current, then ease of application is improved, but current precision and effectiveness worsen due to skull insulation and current shunting
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces direct electrical contact through the skull (tDCS approach) with magnetic field induction. The external magnet generates a magnetic field that induces current in the implanted coil, bypassing the skull's insulating properties and achieving precise current delivery to the target brain region.
3Measurement precision
If DBS uses implanted electrodes and long leads penetrating the skull, then stimulation precision is improved, but invasiveness and surgical complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the complex lead and connector components from the implanted portion, leaving only a simple coil assembly in the burr hole. The external magnet handles all control and power functions, dramatically simplifying the surgical procedure while maintaining precise stimulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The implanted coil acts as an intermediary between the external magnetic field and the brain tissue. It converts the magnetic field into localized electrical current at the target site, achieving precise stimulation without requiring complex penetrating leads or deep brain electrode placement.
4Reliability
If Vagus nerve stimulation uses surgical implantation near the vagus nerve, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but procedural invasiveness and risk worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of directly stimulating the vagus nerve through surgical implantation, the system creates a functional copy of the stimulation effect by inducing current in the implanted coil through magnetic field. This achieves similar therapeutic outcomes with minimal invasion, as the coil can be placed in a superficial burr hole rather than requiring nerve surgery.
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
Provides precise, less invasive, and more effective brain stimulation with better understood mechanisms, allowing for targeted treatment of conditions like epilepsy, depression, and migraine, with reduced discomfort and lower risk of infection.
Implementation Method 1
The external portion generates an alternating magnetic field, and the implantable portion has a coil that lies between the skull and scalp. The alternating magnetic field induces an electric current in the coil through electromagnetic induction.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device is described, which provides electrical stimulation to the brain of a person, where the device comprises an external portion and at least one implantable portion. The external portion provides the energy source for stimulation to the implantable portions. The implantable portions provide at least two conductive paths through the skull and use the skull's high impedance to generate a current loop with the focus of stimulation lying in the current path.