Trajectory-based deep-brain stereotactic transcranial magnetic stimulation
First Claim
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1. A method for applying magnetic field stimulation to a deep brain target, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a plurality of bent electromagnetic coils at different locations about a subject'"'"'s head, each coil comprising a plurality of concentric loops arranged about a normal axis, the concentric loops of each of the electromagnetic coils having a curved shape relative to a plane that is perpendicular to the normal axis such that the plurality of electromagnetic coils conform to the subject'"'"'s head;
energizing the electromagnetic coils to produce a plurality of magnetic fields, wherein the coils are positioned such that a normal component of each of the magnetic fields points toward a common convergence point, the common convergence point spaced a distance away from the deep brain target and having a predetermined spatial relationship to the deep brain target; and
stimulating the deep brain target by summing stimulation from each of the magnetic fields at the deep brain target, wherein the deep brain target is deeper in the brain and further from the electromagnets than more superficial cortical non-target brain regions between the deep brain target and the electromagnetic coils.
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Abstract
The present invention provides for Stereotactic Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (sTMS) at predetermined locations with the brain or spinal cord and incorporates an array of electromagnets arranged in a specified configuration where selected coils in the array are pulsed simultaneously. Activation of foci demonstrated by functional MRI or other imaging techniques can be used to locate the neural region affected. Imaging techniques can also be utilized to determine the location of the designated targets.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for applying magnetic field stimulation to a deep brain target, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a plurality of bent electromagnetic coils at different locations about a subject'"'"'s head, each coil comprising a plurality of concentric loops arranged about a normal axis, the concentric loops of each of the electromagnetic coils having a curved shape relative to a plane that is perpendicular to the normal axis such that the plurality of electromagnetic coils conform to the subject'"'"'s head; energizing the electromagnetic coils to produce a plurality of magnetic fields, wherein the coils are positioned such that a normal component of each of the magnetic fields points toward a common convergence point, the common convergence point spaced a distance away from the deep brain target and having a predetermined spatial relationship to the deep brain target; and stimulating the deep brain target by summing stimulation from each of the magnetic fields at the deep brain target, wherein the deep brain target is deeper in the brain and further from the electromagnets than more superficial cortical non-target brain regions between the deep brain target and the electromagnetic coils. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification