Coil for magnetic stimulation and methods for using the same
First Claim
1. A magnetic stimulator for placing externally of a skull of a subject and operable to induce currents within the brain of the subject, comprising:
- an electrically conductive coil having an arcuate base with a first side to be directed toward the skull of the subject where the first side of the base is configured to be complementary to the skull of the subject, the base comprising multiple spaced-apart and substantially parallel stimulating elements configured to conduct electrical current in substantially a single direction of current flow, thus producing a magnetic field in the skull of the subject, and having an extension portion projecting outwardly from a second side opposite the first side, the extension portion 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 skull 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 nonconductive. 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.
34 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A magnetic stimulator for placing externally of a skull of a subject and operable to induce currents within the brain of the subject, comprising:
an electrically conductive coil having an arcuate base with a first side to be directed toward the skull of the subject where the first side of the base is configured to be complementary to the skull of the subject, the base comprising multiple spaced-apart and substantially parallel stimulating elements configured to conduct electrical current in substantially a single direction of current flow, thus producing a magnetic field in the skull of the subject, and having an extension portion projecting outwardly from a second side opposite the first side, the extension portion 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 skull is reduced. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. 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. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 40, 41)
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21. 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 an elongated extension element projecting outwardly from the base portion and being positioned off-center relative to the base, and where the extension portion comprises plural extension elements. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. 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 and being positioned off-center relative to the base, 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. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. 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 comprising, a first base portion with a first side to be directed toward a body part of a subject, the first base portion being configured to provide a flow of electricity that stimulates a first region of the body part, the first base portion being associated with a first stimulator channel; and a second base portion with a second side to be directed toward the body part, the second base portion being configured to provide a flow of electricity that stimulates a second region of the body part, the second base portion being associated with a second stimulator channel. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method for magnetically stimulating a region of the brain, the method comprising:
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providing an electrically conductive coil having a first base portion and a second base portion, the first base portion being associated with a first stimulator channel for providing current to the first base portion, the second base portion being associated with a second stimulator channel for providing current to the second base portion; stimulating the first base portion; and stimulating the second base portion at a close interval to the first base portion. - View Dependent Claims (39)
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Specification