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Publication Number
US-10220220-B2
Publication Date
2019-03-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
According to an example embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one receiver configured to receive signals relating to a position of a device relative to a head, at least one processing core configured to determine, at least in part based on the received signals, the position of the device relative to the head, to compare the position of the device relative to the head to information concerning a position corresponding to a maximal induced electric field, and to cause signals to be transmitted, and wherein the transmitted signals are configured to cause a display to indicate a deviation of the position of the device from the position corresponding to the maximal induced electric field.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system in which a scanner receives signals relating to a place and orientation of a device relative to a head, where the device is capable of inducing an electric field in the head. The system determines the place and orientation of the device relative to the head based at least in part on the received signals, and compares the determination to information concerning a place and orientation of the device corresponding to a maximal induced electric field strength being induced in a treatment area.
The system drives a display using signals that indicate a first deviation of the place of the device from the place corresponding to the maximal induced electric field strength being induced in the treatment area. When the received signals indicate that the device is placed in the place corresponding to the maximal induced electric field strength being induced in the treatment area, the system responsively transmits signals that cause the display to indicate a second deviation of orientation.
The second deviation is a deviation of orientation such that changing the orientation to eliminate the second deviation increases the induced electric field strength in the treatment area but does not change a specific location inside the head where the induced electric field strength is maximized. The place and orientation deviations may be presented in translational and rotational terms, including pitch, roll, yaw, rotation, or distance, and may be rendered as graphical indicators.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims, with a shared inventive concept using received device position and orientation signals to guide a display through a two-stage deviation indication relative to a maximal induced electric field strength reference. Across the independent claims, there are two inventive features: positioning to a reference place and then adjusting orientation to increase induced electric field strength without changing the specific intracranial location where the induced electric field strength is maximized.
Two-stage deviation display to reach maximal induced electric field strength place and then adjust orientation without changing the maximized intracranial location
An apparatus with a receiver and processing core determines the place and orientation of the device relative to the head, compares them to information corresponding to a maximal induced electric field strength being induced in a treatment area, transmits signals that cause a display to indicate a first deviation of the place, and then, upon indicating the device is placed at the reference place, responsively transmits signals causing the display to indicate a second deviation of orientation such that changing the orientation to eliminate the second deviation increases induced electric field strength in the treatment area but does not change a specific location inside the head where the induced electric field strength is maximized.
Two-stage deviation indication in a method for maximal induced electric field strength without changing the maximized intracranial location
A method that receives signals relating to the position of a device relative to a place and orientation relative to a head, determines the place and orientation based on received signals, compares them to information corresponding to a maximal induced electric field strength induced in a treatment area, transmits first signals to cause a display to indicate a first deviation of the place, and upon indicating the device is placed at the reference place, responsively transmits second signals to indicate a second deviation of orientation such that changing orientation to eliminate the second deviation increases the induced electric field strength in the treatment area but does not change a specific location inside the head where the induced electric field strength is maximized.
Non-transitory computer readable medium for transmitting deviation display signals tied to maximal induced electric field strength place and orientation
A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions which, when executed, cause an apparatus to receive signals relating to a position of a device relative to a place and orientation relative to a head, determine the place and orientation, compare them to information corresponding to maximal induced electric field strength induced in a treatment area, transmit first signals causing a display to indicate a first deviation of the place, and upon indicating the device is placed at the reference place, responsively transmit second signals causing a display to indicate a second deviation of orientation such that changing orientation to eliminate the second deviation increases the induced electric field strength in the treatment area but does not change a specific location inside the head where the induced electric field strength is maximized.
Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on guiding a device for inducing an electric field in a head by comparing received place and orientation signals to reference information for maximal induced electric field strength in a treatment area, indicating a first deviation in device place, and then indicating a second deviation in device orientation only after the device reaches the maximal-induced-field reference place, where orientation adjustment increases induced electric field strength while keeping the specific intracranial location of maximal induced electric field strength unchanged.
Stated Advantages
Changing the orientation to eliminate the second deviation increases the induced electric field strength in the treatment area.
Changing the orientation to eliminate the second deviation does not change a specific location inside the head where the induced electric field strength is maximized.
Documented Applications
A positioning system for devices such as a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) coil where a scanner receives signals for device position and orientation relative to a head, and the system provides deviation indications via a display to guide alignment toward maximal induced electric field strength in a treatment area.
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