System for delivery of magnetic stimulation

• US 20080262287A1
• Filed: 04/14/2008
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Etis Investments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Etis Investments, Inc.
• Inventors: Dussau, Alain
• Application Number:
  US12/082,854
• Publication Number:
  US 20080262287A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/13
• 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

A system for delivering magnetic stimulation to a subject that has a magnetic stimulation coil, a power source, and a patient-positioning device is provided. The magnetic stimulation coil is movably connected to patient-positioning device for fixably positioning the magnetic stimulation coil to stimulate a region of a subject and electrically connected to the power source. A cooling system maintains the magnetic stimulation coil between a temperature of about 5° C. and about 40° C. during operation of the coil for a period of at least 90 minutes. An attachment site for a second magnetic stimulation coil is provided, and the second magnetic stimulation coil is optionally movably connected to the patient-positioning device for positioning the second magnetic stimulation coil independently of the first magnetic stimulation coil to provide a combination delivery of magnetic stimulation to a second region of the subject.

Claims

1. An apparatus for delivering magnetic stimulation to a subject, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a first magnetic stimulation coil, a power source, and a patient-positioning device;

wherein,

the magnetic stimulation coil is (i) movably connected to patient-positioning device for fixably positioning the magnetic stimulation coil to stimulate a first region of a subject; and

(ii) electrically connected to the power source; and

,

the patient positioning device provides an attachment site for a second magnetic stimulation coil, wherein the second magnetic stimulation coil is optionally movably connected to the patient-positioning device for positioning independently of the first magnetic stimulation coil to provide a combination delivery of magnetic stimulation to a second region of the subject.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic stimulation coil comprises a transcranial magnetic stimulation coil.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the patient positioning device supports the attachment of about 4 to about 10 independent transcranial magnetic stimulation coils.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic stimulation coil is removably connected to the patient-positioning device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the patient-positioning device comprises a support surface that is adjustable to provide a desired hip flexion and knee flexion, wherein the device has the function of positioning the subject in a partially-recumbent position and adjustably supporting the subject'"'"'s lower legs, upper legs, back, and head;

and the device comprises substantially non-ferromagnetic materials within a distance of about 2 feet or less from the position of the magnetic stimulation coil.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the patient-positioning device comprises a reclining chair having a support for the subject'"'"'s lower legs and a fully adjustable headrest, and the device comprises substantially non-ferromagnetic materials within a distance of about 2 feet or less from the position of the magnetic stimulation coil.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the patient-positioning device comprises a support surface that is adjustable to have the function of positioning the subject in an upright-sitting position, a partially-recumbent position, a fully-recumbent position, or a standing position, and the device comprises substantially non-ferromagnetic materials within a distance of about 2 feet or less from the position of the magnetic stimulation coil.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the patient-positioning device comprises a headrest that is attached to an articulated arm, wherein both the headrest and the articulated arm are comprised of substantially non-ferromagnetic materials, and the device comprises substantially non-ferromagnetic materials within a distance of about 2 feet or less from the position of the magnetic stimulation coil, and wherein the articulated arm functions to position and fix the headrest at a desired location in relation to the subject.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic stimulation coil is connected to an articulated arm that is movably connected to the patient-positioning device, wherein the articulated arm is comprised of substantially non-ferromagnetic materials and functions to position and fix the magnetic stimulation coil at a desired location in relation to the subject.

23. A method of delivering a magnetic stimulation to a subject comprising using the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the using comprises:

fixably positioning the subject in the patient-positioning device;

fixably positioning the first magnetic stimulation coil to stimulate the first region of the subject;

selecting power settings at the power source to provide a desired first magnetic stimulation from the first magnetic stimulation coil; and

treating the subject with the desired magnetic stimulation from the first magnetic stimulation coil.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first magnetic stimulation coil is a transcranial magnetic stimulation coil, and the desired first magnetic stimulation is applied to a first cranial region of the subject.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the method further comprises fixably positioning the second magnetic stimulation coil to stimulate the second region of the subject, selecting power settings at the power source to provide a desired second magnetic stimulation from the second magnetic stimulation coil, and treating the subject with the desired second magnetic stimulation.

26. A method of delivering a transcranial magnetic stimulation to a subject comprising using the apparatus of claim 3, wherein the using comprises:

fixably positioning the subject in the patient-positioning device;

fixably positioning the magnetic stimulation coils to provide at cranial stimulation to the subject;

selecting power settings at the power source to provide a desired magnetic stimulation from each of the transcranial magnetic stimulation coils; and

treating the subject with the desired magnetic stimulations from each of the transcranial magnetic stimulation coils.

10. An apparatus for delivering transcranial magnetic stimulation to a subject, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a first transcranial magnetic stimulation coil, a power source, and a patient-positioning device;

wherein,

the transcranial magnetic stimulation coil is (i) movably connected to patient-positioning device for fixably positioning the magnetic stimulation coil to stimulate a first cranial region of a subject;

(ii) removably connected to the patient-positioning device through a first articulated arm, wherein the first articulated arm is comprised of substantially non-ferromagnetic materials and functions to position and fix the magnetic stimulation coil at a desired location in relation to the subject; and

(iii) electrically connected to the power source;

the patient positioning device provides an attachment site for an optional second transcranial magnetic stimulation coil, wherein the second transcranial magnetic stimulation coil is optionally movably connected to the patient-positioning device through an optional second articulated arm for positioning the second transcranial magnetic stimulation coil independently of the first transcranial magnetic stimulation coil to provide a combination delivery of transcranial magnetic stimulation to a second cranial region of the subject;

the patient-positioning device comprises a first headrest that is attached to a third articulated arm, wherein both the first headrest and the third articulated arm are comprised of substantially non-ferromagnetic materials, and wherein the third articulated arm functions to position and fix the first headrest at a desired location to support the subject; and

the patient-positioning device comprises an optional second headrest that is attached to an optional fourth articulated arm, wherein both the second headrest and the fourth articulated arm are comprised of substantially non-ferromagnetic materials, and wherein the fourth articulated arm functions to position and fix the second headrest at a desired location to support the subject.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the patient-positioning device supports the attachment of about 4 to about 10 independent transcranial magnetic stimulation coils.

19. A system for delivering transcranial magnetic stimulation to a subject, wherein the system comprises:

the apparatus of claim 10;

a cooling system for cooling the transcranial magnetic stimulation coil and maintaining the magnetic stimulation coil between a temperature of about 5°

C. and about 40°

C. during operation of the coil for a period of at least 90 minutes, wherein the system uses a cool gas to remove heat from the magnetic stimulation coil by direct convection; and

a sound-resistant container containing the power source and the cooling system for cooling the transcranial magnetic stimulation coil, the power source, or a combination thereof.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the cooling system is a forced-air cooling system, and the forced-air is directed to cool the transcranial magnetic stimulation coil by convection and to cool the interior of the sound-resistant container.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the cooling system maintains the magnetic stimulation coil between a temperature of about 5°

C. and about 40°

C. during operation of the coil for a period of at least 5 hours.

27. A method of delivering a magnetic stimulation to a subject using the apparatus of claim 10, wherein the method comprises:

fixably positioning the subject in the patient-positioning device, wherein fixably positioning includes fixably positioning the first headrest;

fixably positioning the first magnetic stimulation coil to stimulate the first region of the subject;

selecting power settings at the power source to provide a desired first magnetic stimulation from the first magnetic stimulation coil; and

treating the subject with the desired magnetic stimulation from the first magnetic stimulation coil.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first magnetic stimulation coil is a transcranial magnetic stimulation coil, and the desired first magnetic stimulation is applied to a first cranial region of the subject.

30. A method of delivering a magnetic stimulation to a subject comprising using the system of claim 19, wherein the using comprises:

fixably positioning the subject in the patient-positioning device, wherein fixably positioning includes fixably positioning the first headrest;

fixably positioning the first magnetic stimulation coil to stimulate the first region of the subject;

selecting power settings at the power source to provide a desired first magnetic stimulation from the first magnetic stimulation coil; and

treating the subject with the desired magnetic stimulation from the first magnetic stimulation coil.

12. A system for delivering magnetic stimulation to a subject, wherein the system comprises:

a magnetic stimulation coil, a power source, and a patient-positioning device;

wherein, the magnetic stimulation coil is (i) movably connected to patient-positioning device for fixably positioning the magnetic stimulation coil to stimulate a region of a subject and (ii) electrically connected to the power source; and

,

a cooling system for cooling the magnetic stimulation coil and maintaining the magnetic stimulation coil between a temperature of about 5°

C. and about 40°

C. during operation of the coil for a period of at least 90 minutes, wherein the system uses a cool gas to remove heat from the magnetic stimulation coil by direct convection.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the patient positioning device provides an attachment site for a second magnetic stimulation coil, wherein the second magnetic stimulation coil is optionally movably connected to the patient-positioning device for positioning the second magnetic stimulation coil independently of the first magnetic stimulation coil to provide a combination delivery of magnetic stimulation to a second region of the subject.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the system further comprises a sound-resistant container containing the power source and the cooling system for cooling the magnetic stimulation coil, the power source, or a combination thereof.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the cooling system is a forced-air cooling system, and the forced-air is directed to cool the magnetic stimulation coil by convection.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the cooling system is a forced-air cooling system, and the forced-air is directed to cool the magnetic stimulation coil by convection and to cool the interior of the sound-resistant container.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the cooling system maintains the magnetic stimulation coil between a temperature of about 5°

C. and about 40°

C. during operation of the coil for a period of at least 5 hours.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the magnetic stimulation coils comprise transcranial magnetic stimulation coils, and the patient-positioning device supports the attachment of about 4 to about 10 independent transcranial magnetic stimulation coils.

29. A method of delivering a magnetic stimulation to a subject comprising using the system of claim 12, wherein the using comprises:

fixably positioning the subject in the patient-positioning device;

fixably positioning the first magnetic stimulation coil to stimulate the first region of the subject;

selecting power settings at the power source to provide a desired first magnetic stimulation from the first magnetic stimulation coil; and

treating the subject with the desired magnetic stimulation from the first magnetic stimulation coil.

22. A magnetic stimulation coil assembly comprising:

a magnetic stimulation coil contained in a chamber within a housing, wherein the housing has an inlet for a cool gas and an outlet for a heated gas;

a cooling system for producing the cool gas;

a cool gas tube connected to the inlet for drawing the cool gas into the chamber and over the magnetic stimulation coil to cool the coil by direct convection during operation of the magnetic stimulation coil;

a heated gas tube connected to the outlet for drawing the heated gas away from the chamber; and

a pump to create a pressure differential for moving the cool gas into the chamber and the heated gas out of the chamber.