Coil for magnetic stimulation
First Claim
1. A magnetic stimulator for placing externally of a body part of a subject and operable to induce currents within the body, comprising:
- an electrically conductive coil, where the coil comprises a base portion and an extension portion, the extension portion comprising plural extension elements projecting outwardly from the base portion,wherein the base portion comprises multiple stimulating elements and wherein the extension portion comprises multiple return elements for return paths for current in the stimulating elements, the return elements being spaced from the stimulating elements so that the electrical effect of the return path current on the body part is reduced.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetic stimulator, which may be used as a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) device, and a method for its use are disclosed. The stimulator comprises a frame and an electrically conductive coil having a partially toroidal or ovate base and an outwardly projecting extension portion. The frame may be a flexible or malleable material and may be non-conductive. The electrically conductive coil may comprise one or more windings of electrically conductive material (such as a wire) coupled to the frame. The coil is electrically connected to a power supply. The device may be placed adjacent to or in contact with the body of a subject, such as on the head of a subject. The device may be used on humans for treating certain physiological conditions, such as cardiovascular or neurophysiological conditions, or for studying the physiology of the body. This device is useful in studying or treating neurophysiological conditions associated with the deep regions of the brain, such as drug addiction and depression.
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Citations
71 Claims
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1. A magnetic stimulator for placing externally of a body part of a subject and operable to induce currents within the body, comprising:
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an electrically conductive coil, where the coil comprises a base portion and an extension portion, the extension portion comprising plural extension elements projecting outwardly from the base portion, wherein the base portion comprises multiple stimulating elements and wherein the extension portion comprises multiple return elements for return paths for current in the stimulating elements, the return elements being spaced from the stimulating elements so that the electrical effect of the return path current on the body part is reduced. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of treating a neurophysiological condition, comprising:
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identifying a subject suffering a neurophysiological condition; placing a magnetic stimulator external to the subject'"'"'s skull; and
activating the coil to stimulate the deep region of the subject'"'"'s brain,the magnetic stimulator comprising a base with a first side to be directed toward a body part of a subject, the base comprising multiple substantially parallel stimulating elements configured to conduct electrical current in substantially a single direction of current flow, thereby inducing electrical fields within the body part, and an extension portion projecting from a second side of the base and comprising multiple respective return elements for return paths for the current in the stimulating elements, the return elements being spaced from the stimulating elements so that the electrical effect of the return path current on the body part is reduced. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A magnetic stimulator for placing externally of a body part of a subject and operable to induce currents within the body, comprising:
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a base with a first side to be directed toward a body part of a subject, the base comprising multiple substantially parallel stimulating elements configuTed to conduct electrical current in substantially a single direction of current flow, thereby inducing electrical fields within the body part; and an extension portion projecting from a second side of the base and comprising multiple respective return elements for return paths for the current in the stimulating elements, the return elements being spaced from the stimulating elements so that the electrical effect of the return path current on the body part is reduced. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A magnetic stimulator for placement externally of a body part of a subject and operable to induce currents within the body, the magnetic stimulator comprising:
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an arcuate base having an inner face and an outer face, wherein the base is shaped to conform to a body part on which it is to be externally placed, the base providing a plurality of stimulating current pathways for inducing the currents within the body, wherein the stimulating current pathways conduct current substantially in a single direction within the base to avoid return current pathways that flow in a direction opposite to the single direction and that would oppose or interfere with magnetic fields within the body produced by the stimulating current pathways; and an extension portion extending away from the base that provides the return current pathways, wherein the base comprises first and second spaced longitudinal sides and the stimulating current pathways extend transversely of the base between the first and second spaced longitudinal sides, and wherein current flows through the first and second longitudinal sides, the stimulating current pathways, and the extension portion.
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40. A magnetic stimulator for placement externally of a body part of a subject and operable to induce currents within the body, the magnetic stimulator comprising:
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an arcuate base having an inner face and an outer face, wherein the base is shaped to conform to a body part on which it is to be externally placed, the base providing a plurality of stimulating current pathways for inducing the currents within the body, wherein the stimulating current pathways conduct current substantially in a single direction within the base to avoid return current pathways that flow in a direction opposite to the single direction and that would oppose or interfere with magnetic fields within the body produced by the stimulating current pathways; and an extension portion extending away from the base that provides the return current pathways, wherein the base comprises a pair of elongated members between which extend a plurality of the stimulating current pathways, and wherein the extension portion comprises one or more conductive elements that form a loop extending outwardly from the plane of the base.
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41. A magnetic stimulator for placement externally of a body part of a subject and operable to induce currents within the body, the magnetic stimulator comprising:
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an arcuate base having an inner face and an outer face, wherein the base is shaped to conform to a body part on which it is to be externally placed, the base providing a plurality of stimulating current pathways for inducing the currents within the body, wherein the stimulating current pathways conduct current substantially in a single direction within the base to avoid return current pathways that flow in a direction opposite to the single direction and that would oppose or interfere with magnetic fields within the body produced by the stimulating current pathways; and an extension portion extending away from the base that provides the return current pathways, wherein the extension portion comprises a plurality of extension elements projecting outwardly from the base. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 51, 52)
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48. A magnetic stimulator for placement externally of a body part of a subject and operable to induce currents within the body, the magnetic stimulator comprising:
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an arcuate base having an inner face and an outer face, wherein the base is shaped to conform to a body part on which it is to be externally placed, the base providing a plurality of stimulating current pathways for inducing the currents within the body, wherein the stimulating current pathways conduct current substantially in a single direction within the base to avoid return current pathways that flow in a direction opposite to the single direction and that would oppose or interfere with magnetic fields within the body produced by the stimulating current pathways; an extension portion extending away from the base that provides the return current pathways; and a shield positioned between the return pathways and the stimulating current pathways, the shield being configured to inhibit magnetic fields produced by the return pathways.
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49. A method of studying or treating a neurophysiological condition, comprising:
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identifying a subject suffering a neurophysiological condition; placing a magnetic stimulator external to the subject'"'"'s skull; and activating the magnetic stimulator to stimulate the deep region of the subject'"'"'s brain, the magnetic stimulator comprising, an arcuate base having an inner face and an outer face, wherein the base is shaped to conform to a body part on which it is to be externally placed, the base providing a plurality of stimulating current pathways for inducing the currents within the body, wherein the stimulating current pathways conduct current substantially in a single direction within the base to avoid return current pathways that flow in a direction opposite to the single direction and that would oppose or interfere with magnetic fields within the body produced by the stimulating current pathways; and an extension portion extending away from the base that provides the return current pathways. - View Dependent Claims (50)
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53. A magnetic stimulator for non-invasively inducing electrical fields in a body part of a subject, comprising:
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means for producing stimulating currents that are complementary to an external surface of the body part and oriented in substantially a single direction; and means for conducting return path currents associated with the stimulating currents away from the external surface of the body part so that the electrical effects of the return path currents on the body part are reduced. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55)
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56. An electrically conductive coil for placing externally of the skull of a subject and operable to induce currents within the brain of the subject, comprising:
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a base portion, the base portion configured to provide a flow of electricity, thus producing a magnetic field in a region of the brain; and an extension portion for providing a return path for the flow of electricity through the base, the extension portion configured to place electrical currents flowing through the return path away from the region of the brain having the produced magnetic field, wherein the base portion comprises multiple substantially parallel and spaced apart stimulating elements configured to conduct electrical current in substantially a single direction of current flow, thereby inducing electrical fields within the region of the brain. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. A magnetic stimulator for placing externally of the cranium of a subject and operable to induce currents within the body, comprising:
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an electrically conductive coil comprising a base portion and an extension portion, the base portion having a width axis and a length axis, and a concave first side configured to be complementary to the cranium of a subject, the extension portion projecting outwardly from the base portion, the coil in the base portion comprising elements spaced apart and transverse to the length axis such that the flow of current in these elements is in substantially the same direction; and a shield at least partially enclosing the extension portion. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
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68. A magnetic stimulator for placing externally of the cranium of a subject and operable to induce currents within the body, comprising:
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an electrically conductive coil comprising a base portion and an extension portion, the base portion having a width axis and a length axis, and a concave first side configured to be complementary to the cranium of a subject, the extension portion projecting outwardly from the base portion, the coil in the base portion comprising elements spaced apart and transverse to the length axis such that the flow of current in these elements is in substantially the same direction; and a cushion coupled to the base portion. - View Dependent Claims (69)
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70. A method for magnetically stimulating a region of the brain of a subject, the method comprising:
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providing at least one current pulse through a plurality of stimulating pathways that are spaced apart from one another and configured to orient electrical current in a first direction, the stimulating pathways being complementary to the outer surface of the cranium of the subject and adjacent to the region of the brain being stimulated; and positioning electrical current that flows in a second direction opposite to the first direction away from the stimulating pathways so that the electrical effect of the current flowing in the second direction on the region of the brain being stimulated is reduced, wherein the electrical current flowing in the second direction flows through pathways that are removed from the surface of the cranium of the subject. - View Dependent Claims (71)
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Specification