METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION (TMS) TO AN INDIVIDUAL

• US 20160193476A1
• Filed: 08/15/2014
• Published: 07/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cornell University, Methodist Hospital
• Original Assignee: Cornell University, Methodist Hospital
• Inventors: Helekar, Santosh A., Voss, Henning U.
• Granted Patent: US 10,398,907 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/05 Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves impedance plethysmography A61B5/0295; measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof A61B5/11; detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof A61B5/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4064 Evaluating the brain A61B5/031, A61B5/369, A61B5/14553 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/006 for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/06 using magnetic fields produced by permanent magnets A61N2/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/12 using variable magnetic fields obtained by mechanical movement

Abstract

Apparatus for applying Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to an individual, wherein the apparatus comprises: a head mount for disposition on the head of an individual; and a plurality of magnet assemblies for releasable mounting on the head mount, wherein each of the magnet assemblies comprises a permanent magnet, and at least one of (i) a movement mechanism for moving the permanent magnet and/or (ii) a magnetic shield shutter mechanism, for selectively providing a rapidly changing magnetic field capable of inducing weak electric currents in the brain of an individual so as to modify the natural electrical activity of the brain of the individual; wherein the number of magnet assemblies mounted on the head mount, their individual positioning on the head mount, and their selective provision of a rapidly changing magnetic field is selected so as to allow the spatial, strength and temporal characteristics of the magnetic field to be custom tailored for each individual, whereby to provide individual-specific TMS therapy, to assist in diagnosis or to map out brain function in neuroscience research.

Claims

1. Apparatus for applying Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to an individual, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a head mount for disposition on the head of an individual; and

a plurality of magnet assemblies for releasable mounting on the head mount, wherein each of the magnet assemblies comprises a permanent magnet, and at least one of (i) a movement mechanism for moving the permanent magnet and/or (ii) a magnetic shield shutter mechanism, for selectively providing a rapidly changing magnetic field capable of inducing weak electric currents in the brain of an individual so as to modify the natural electrical activity of the brain of the individual;

wherein the number of magnet assemblies mounted on the head mount, their individual positioning on the head mount, and their selective provision of a rapidly changing magnetic field is selected so as to allow the spatial, strength and temporal characteristics of the magnetic field to be custom tailored for each individual, whereby to provide individual-specific TMS therapy, to assist in diagnosis or to map out brain function in neuroscience research.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the permanent magnet, and at least one of (i) a movement mechanism for moving the permanent magnet and/or (ii) a magnetic shield shutter mechanism, are configured as a unit.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the permanent magnet, and at least one of (i) a movement mechanism for moving the permanent magnet and/or (ii) a magnetic shield shutter mechanism, are contained in a housing.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the magnetic shield shutter mechanism comprises a disc formed out of a magnetic shielding material.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the disc comprises an opening.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the opening comprises a circular opening.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the opening comprises a slot.

8. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the disc is mounted to the shaft of a motor.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the magnetic shield shutter mechanism comprises a shielding material whose magnetic permeability and/or saturation may be selectively modulated.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the magnetic permeability and/or saturation of the shielding material is selectively modulated using an electrically-triggered mechanism.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the magnet assemblies is configured to provide a rapidly changing magnetic field of at least 500-600 Tesla/second.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the head mount comprises a skull cap.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the magnet assemblies are secured to the head mount using a hook-and-loop fastener.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the hook-and-loop fastener comprises a fastener base disposed on the head mount and a fastener connect disposed on each of the magnet assemblies.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the magnet assemblies comprise a permanent magnet and apparatus for moving the permanent magnet.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the apparatus for moving the permanent magnet comprises a motor, and further wherein the permanent magnet is attached to the drive shaft of the motor.

17. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the apparatus for moving the permanent magnet comprises a solenoid.

18. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the permanent magnet comprises a rare earth magnet.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the rare earth magnet comprises neodymium.

20. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the magnet assemblies comprise a permanent magnet and a magnetic shield shutter mechanism.

21. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a computerized controller for selectively causing selected ones of the magnet assemblies to provide a rapidly changing magnetic field.

22. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of electrodes for monitoring the electrical activity of the brain.

23. A method for providing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to an individual, the method comprising:

providing apparatus comprising;

a head mount for disposition on the head of an individual; and

a plurality of magnet assemblies for releasable mounting on the head mount, wherein each of the magnet assemblies comprises a permanent magnet, and at least one of (i) a movement mechanism for moving the permanent magnet and/or (ii) a magnetic shield shutter mechanism, for selectively providing a rapidly changing magnetic field capable of inducing weak electric currents in the brain of an individual so as to modify the natural electrical activity of the brain of the individual;

positioning the head mount on the head of the individual, and positioning a selected number of magnet assemblies on the head mount at selected locations; and

selectively providing a rapidly changing magnetic field with at least one of the magnet assemblies;

wherein the number of magnet assemblies mounted on the head mount, their individual positioning on the head mount, and their selective provision of a rapidly changing magnetic field is selected so as to custom tailor the spatial, strength and temporal characteristics of the magnetic field for that individual, whereby to provide individual-specific TMS therapy, to assist in diagnosis or to map out brain function in neuroscience research.

24. A method according to claim 23 wherein the permanent magnet, and at least one of (i) a movement mechanism for moving the permanent magnet and/or (ii) a magnetic shield shutter mechanism, are configured as a unit.

25. A method according to claim 24 wherein the permanent magnet, and at least one of (i) a movement mechanism for moving the permanent magnet and/or (ii) a magnetic shield shutter mechanism, are contained in a housing.

26. A method according to claim 23 wherein the magnetic shield shutter mechanism comprises a disc formed out of a magnetic shielding material.

27. A method according to claim 26 wherein the disc comprises an opening.

28. A method according to claim 27 wherein the opening comprises a circular opening.

29. A method according to claim 27 wherein the opening comprises a slot.

30. A method according to claim 26 wherein the disc is mounted to the shaft of a motor.

31. A method according to claim 23 wherein the magnetic shield shutter mechanism comprises a shielding material whose magnetic permeability and/or saturation may be selectively modulated.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein the magnetic permeability and/saturation of the shielding material is selectively modulated using an electrically-triggered mechanism.

33. A method according to claim 23 wherein each of the magnet assemblies is configured to provide a rapidly changing magnetic field of at least 500-600 Tesla/second.

34. A method according to claim 23 wherein the head mount comprises a skull cap.

35. A method according to claim 23 wherein the magnet assemblies are secured to the head mount using a hook-and-loop fastener.

36. A method according to claim 35 wherein the hook-and-loop fastener comprises a fastener base disposed on the head mount and a fastener connect disposed on each of the magnet assemblies.

37. A method according to claim 23 wherein the magnet assemblies comprise a permanent magnet and apparatus for moving the permanent magnet.

38. A method according to claim 37 wherein the apparatus for moving the permanent magnet comprises a motor, and further wherein the permanent magnet is attached to the drive shaft of the motor.

39. A method according to claim 37 wherein the apparatus for moving the permanent magnet comprises a solenoid.

40. A method according to claim 37 wherein the permanent magnet comprises a rare earth magnet.

41. A method according to claim 40 wherein the rare earth magnet comprises neodymium.

42. A method according to claim 23 wherein the magnet assemblies comprise a permanent magnet and a magnetic shield shutter mechanism.

43. A method according to claim 23 further comprising a computerized controller for selectively causing selected ones of the magnet assemblies to provide a rapidly changing magnetic field.

44. A method according to claim 23 further comprising a plurality of electrodes for monitoring the electrical activity of the brain.

45. Apparatus for applying Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to an individual, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a head mount for disposition on the head of an individual; and

a plurality of magnet assemblies mounted on the head mount in a predetermined pattern, wherein each of the magnet assemblies comprises a permanent magnet, and at least one of (i) a movement mechanism for moving the permanent magnet and/or (ii) a magnetic shield shutter mechanism, for selectively providing a rapidly changing magnetic field capable of inducing weak electric currents in the brain of an individual so as to modify the natural electrical activity of the brain of the individual;

wherein the number of magnet assemblies mounted on the head mount, their individual positioning on the head mount, and their selective provision of a rapidly changing magnetic field is selected so as to allow the spatial, strength and temporal characteristics of the magnetic field to be custom tailored for each individual, whereby to provide individual-specific TMS therapy, to assist in diagnosis or to map out brain function in neuroscience research.

46. Apparatus according to claim 45 wherein the permanent magnet, and at least one of (i) a movement mechanism for moving the permanent magnet and/or (ii) a magnetic shield shutter mechanism, are configured as a unit.

47. Apparatus according to claim 46 wherein the permanent magnet, and at least one of (i) a movement mechanism for moving the permanent magnet and/or (ii) a magnetic shield shutter mechanism, are contained in a housing.

48. Apparatus according to claim 45 wherein the magnetic shield shutter mechanism comprises a disc formed out of a magnetic shielding material.

49. Apparatus according to claim 48 wherein the disc comprises an opening.

50. Apparatus according to claim 45 wherein the magnetic shield shutter mechanism comprises a shielding material whose magnetic permeability and/or saturation may be selectively modulated.

51. Apparatus according to claim 45 wherein each of the magnet assemblies is configured to provide a rapidly changing magnetic field of at least 500-600 Tesla/second.

52. Apparatus according to claim 45 comprising a kit of devices, wherein each device comprises a head mount having a plurality of magnet assemblies mounted on the head mount in a predetermined pattern, and further wherein each of the devices in the kit has its plurality of magnet assemblies mounted in a different predetermined pattern.

53. A method for providing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to an individual, the method comprising:

providing apparatus comprising;

a head mount for disposition on the head of an individual; and

a plurality of magnet assemblies mounted on the head mount in a predetermined pattern, wherein each of the magnet assemblies comprises a permanent magnet, and at least one of (i) a movement mechanism for moving the permanent magnet and/or (ii) a magnetic shield shutter mechanism, for selectively providing a rapidly changing magnetic field capable of inducing weak electric currents in the brain of an individual so as to modify the natural electrical activity of the brain of the individual;

positioning the head mount on the head of the individual; and

selectively providing a rapidly changing magnetic field with at least one of the magnet assemblies;

wherein the number of magnet assemblies mounted on the head mount, their individual positioning on the head mount, and their selective provision of a rapidly changing magnetic field is selected so as to custom tailor the spatial, strength and temporal characteristics of the magnetic field for that individual, whereby to provide individual-specific TMS therapy, to assist in diagnosis or to map out brain function in neuroscience research.

54. A method according to claim 53 wherein the permanent magnet, and at least one of (i) a movement mechanism for moving the permanent magnet and/or (ii) a magnetic shield shutter mechanism, are configured as a unit.

55. A method according to claim 54 wherein the permanent magnet, and at least one of (i) a movement mechanism for moving the permanent magnet and/or (ii) a magnetic shield shutter mechanism, are contained in a housing.

56. A method according to claim 54 wherein the magnetic shield shutter mechanism comprises a disc formed out of a magnetic shielding material.

57. A method according to claim 56 wherein the disc comprises an opening.

58. A method according to claim 53 wherein the magnetic shield shutter mechanism comprises a shielding material whose magnetic permeability and/or saturation may be selectively modulated.

59. A method according to claim 53 wherein each of the magnet assemblies is configured to provide a rapidly changing magnetic field of at least 500-600 Tesla/second.

60. Apparatus for creating a variable magnetic field in a region of space, the apparatus comprising:

at least one mount for disposition near the region of space; and

a plurality of magnet assemblies for mounting on the at least one mount, wherein each of the magnet assemblies comprises a permanent magnet, and at least one of (i) a movement mechanism for moving the permanent magnet and/or (ii) a magnetic shield shutter mechanism, for selectively providing a variable magnetic field in the region of space;

wherein the number of magnet assemblies mounted on the at least one mount, their individual positioning on the at least one mount, and the characteristics of their individual variable magnetic fields are selected so as to tailor the spatial, strength and temporal characteristics of the variable magnetic field created in the region of space.

61. A method for creating a variable magnetic field in a region of space, the method comprising:

providing apparatus comprising;

at least one mount for disposition near the region of space; and

a plurality of magnet assemblies for mounting on the at least one mount, wherein each of the magnet assemblies comprises a permanent magnet, and at least one of (i) a movement mechanism for moving the permanent magnet and/or (ii) a magnetic shield shutter mechanism, for selectively providing a variable magnetic field in the region of space;

positioning the at least one mount near the region of space, and positioning a selected number of magnet assemblies on the at least one mount at selected locations; and

for at least one of the magnet assemblies positioned on the at least one mount, selectively moving at least one of the permanent magnet and/or the magnetic shield shutter mechanism so as to provide a variable magnetic field in the region of space;

wherein the number of magnet assemblies mounted on the at least one mount, their individual positioning on the at least one mount, and the characteristics of their individual variable magnetic fields are selected so as to tailor the spatial, strength and temporal characteristics of the variable magnetic field created in the region of space.

62. Apparatus for creating a variable magnetic field in a region of space, the apparatus comprising:

a permanent magnet for disposition near the region of space; and

at least one of (i) a movement mechanism for moving the permanent magnet so as to create a variable magnetic field in the region of space and/or (ii) a magnetic field shutter mechanism for creating a variable magnetic field in the region of space.

63. A method for creating a variable magnetic field in a region of space, the method comprising:

providing apparatus comprising;

at least one of (i) a movement mechanism for moving the permanent magnet so as to create a variable magnetic field in the region of space and/or (ii) a magnetic field shutter mechanism for creating a variable magnetic field in the region of space;

positioning the permanent magnet near the region of space; and

selectively moving at least one of the permanent magnet and/or the magnetic shield shutter mechanism so as to provide a variable magnetic field in the region of space.