TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION SYSTEM AND METHODS

• US 20160059027A1
• Filed: 09/10/2015
• Published: 03/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brainsway, Ltd., United States Secretary of Health and Human Services is the head of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd. (Weizmann Institute of Science)
• Original Assignee: Brainsway, Ltd., The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture, Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd. (Weizmann Institute of Science)
• Inventors: ZANGEN, ABRAHAM, ROTH, YIFTACH, MIRANDA, PEDRO C., HAZANI, DAVID, HALLETT, MARK
• Granted Patent: US 10,029,113 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/006 for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence

Abstract

A system and methods for transcranial magnetic stimulation, the system including a helmet, a positioning portion, a stimulator and a cooling system, are disclosed. The helmet includes a coil for deep brain magnetic stimulation. The coil has a base portion, and return portions, which may include a protruding return portion and a contacting return portion. The coil is designed to minimize unintended stimulation of portions of the brain, while reducing accumulation of surface charges. The coil is stimulated at several locations and/or at different times so as to focus the electrical field on a specific deep neuronal structure.

Claims

1. A coil for magnetic stimulation of a target area, the coil positionable on a body part, the coil comprising:

a first base portion comprising at least two substantially parallel spaced apart first base portion members having a first base portion spacing distance between said at least two base portion members, said first base portion members for providing electrical current flow in a direction tangential to the target area, said first base portion positioned at a first level with respect to the target area;

a second base portion comprising at least two substantially parallel spaced apart second base portion members having a second base portion spacing distance between said at least two base portion members, said second base portion members for providing electrical current flow in a direction tangential to the target area, said base portion positioned substantially in the first level with respect to the target area, said second base portion positioned at a distance from said first base portion; and

a contacting return portion for carrying returning current in a direction opposite the direction of current flow of said first base portion and said second base portion, said contacting return portion in electrical communication with said first and second base portion members and positioned substantially in the first level and spaced at a distance from the target area, wherein said first level is configured for placement on a skull, said contacting return portion further comprising at least two substantially parallel spaced apart return portion members having a return portion spacing distance between said at least two return portion members.