Magnetic configuration and timing scheme for transcranial magnetic stimulation

• US 9,770,601 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2015
• Issued: 09/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd. (Weizmann Institute of Science)
• Original Assignee: Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd. (Weizmann Institute of Science)
• Inventors: Moses, Elisha, Rotem, Assaf
• Primary Examiner(s): Patton, Amanda
• Assistant Examiner(s): EDWARDS, PHILIP CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US14/714,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20150246238A1
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0036 including treatment, e.g., using an implantable medical device, ablating, ventilating
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals
• 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

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a remarkable tool for probing the brain. However, it is still unclear why specific regions in the cortex are excitable by TMS while others are not. This invention provides methods and tools for the design of efficient magnetic stimulators. Such stimulators can excite neuronal networks that were not sensitive to stimulation until now. Stimulation can be carried out both in-vitro and in-vivo. Novel systems and techniques of this invention will enable both treatment and diagnostics by stimulating regions of the brain or neuronal assemblies that were previously unaffected by TMS.

Claims

1. A method for neuron excitation, wherein said neuron excitation comprises dendrite excitation, said method comprising:

providing a device for dendrite excitation, said device comprising a capacitor connected to a coil and to a power supply, wherein the capacitance of said capacitor is at least 1.0 milliFarad;

subjecting a neuron to an electric field pulse longer than 250 μ

s in duration, induced by said device, wherein the strength of said electric field is at least 100V/m, thereby exciting said neuron.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, said electric field pulse is equal to or longer than 1 ms in duration.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising collecting or detecting an electric signal from said neuron.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said collecting or detecting an electric signal from said neuron is done by Electroencephalography (EEG).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said electric field is induced by a magnetic field, wherein said magnetic field is induced by passing current through a coil, wherein said coil is connected to a capacitor.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said pulse duration exceeds the electric field duration threshold needed to excite a dendrite or a dendrite population.

7. A device for dendrite excitation, said device comprising a capacitor connected to a coil and to a power supply, wherein the capacitance of said capacitor is at least 1.0 milliFarad wherein said device generates an electric field pulse longer than 250 μ

s in duration wherein the strength of said electric field is at least 100V/m, thereby exciting said dendrite, and wherein said dendrite excitation causes a neuron to fire.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said electric field pulse is equal to or longer than 1 ms in duration.

9. The device of claim 7, further comprising an electric signal detector or collector for collecting or detecting an electric signal from an excited neuron, wherein said detector or collector is an Electroencephalography (EEG) detector.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein said electric field is induced by a magnetic field, wherein said magnetic field is induced by passing current through a coil.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein said pulse duration exceeds the electric field duration threshold needed to excite a dendrite or a dendrite population.