The state and future of robotics applied to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): Key Neurotech Patent #25
Today we are sharing a key 2006 patent assigned to The Regents of The University of Texas, the NIH, and the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. (As mentioned, we are featuring a foundational Pervasive Neurotech patent a day, from older to newer by issue date)
U.S. Patent No. 7,087,008: Apparatus and methods for delivery of transcranial magnetic stimulation.
- Assignee(s): The Regents of The University of Texas; The NIH, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Government
- Inventor(s): Peter Fox, Jack Lancaster
- Technology Category: Transcranial Stimulation
- Issue Date: August 8, 2006
SharpBrains’ Take:
With a fairly extensive specification (spanning 19 illustration sheets and 18 pages of written material), the ‘008 discloses teachings that leverage the precision of robotic movement capabilities to enhance targeted transcranial stimulation. Four independent claims provide broad and interweaving claim coverage over the robotic/transcranial stimulation system and methods. Due to the importance of precision targeting when applying transcranial stimulation, the increasing pervasiveness of robotics in hospitals and treatment centers, and the difficulty that a party seeking to use robotics for targeted stimulation without potentially falling within the scope of the patent claims, the ‘008 patent is a key non-invasive neurotechnology patent.
Abstract:
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for delivery of transcranial magnetic stimulation. The apparatus includes a TMS coil which when energized generates an electric field substantially parallel to a long axis of the coil and substantially normal to a surface of the coil. Furthermore disclosed an apparatus for delivery of TMS in which a coil is adapted to a robotic member for computer-aided control and delivery. Further disclosed are methods of TMS planning and delivery in which subject images are utilized to plan, position and orient the TMS coil for precise delivery. Disclosed also are TMS coils having unique designs to better focus and direct magnetic stimulation.
Illustrative Claim 14. A system comprising:
- an active member capable of movement under machine control, the active member having a distal portion and a proximal portion;
- a transcranial magnetic stimulator coupled to the distal portion of the active member to provide magnetic stimulation to a subject;
- a controller coupled to the active member to execute instructions; and
- a controller-readable medium coupled to the controller including instructions to control positioning of the transcranial magnetic stimulator in accordance with a predetennined treatment plan for transcranial magnetic stimulation.
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