Non-invasive integrated system for brain stimulation and magnetocorticography

用于脑刺激和皮质磁图描记的非侵入性集成系统

• 批准号: 9023657
• 负责人: DOUGLAS N PAULSON
• 金额: $ 134.95万
• 依托单位: TRISTAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2015-03-01 至 2019-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9023657
• 关键词: Adult; Area; Biological Neural Networks; Brain; Brain Mapping; Caliber; Carrying Capacities; Cells; Cerebrospinal Fluid; Clinical; Colorado; Communication; Computer software; Detection; Devices; Diffuse; Dimensions; Disease; Electrodes; Electroencephalography; Electrophysiology (science); Frequencies; Head; Health; Helmet; Human; Human Characteristics; Knowledge; Lasers; Liquid substance; Location; Magnetism; Magnetoencephalography; Measures; Methods; Motor; Motor Cortex; Neurons; Nitrogen; Noise; Phase; Physiologic pulse; Physiological; Population; Positioning Attribute; Production; Pump; Recovery; Resolution; Role; Scalp structure; Shapes; Signal Transduction; Small Business Innovation Research Grant; Surface; System; Techniques; Technology; Temperature; Testing; Time; Touch sensation; Transcranial magnetic stimulation; Tube; Tubular formation; Work; base; cognitive ability; cranium; cryostat; density; flexibility; magnetic field; millisecond; neural circuit; novel; novel strategies; prototype; relating to nervous system; retinal rods; sensor; software development; volunteer

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Understanding the electrophysiology of neural circuits in the human brain is critical for advancing our knowledge of human nature since fast neural communication underlies our remarkable perceptual, motor, and cognitive abilities. Studying such networks requires a method to stimulate one or more nodes of any network with precise timing and a method to accurately measure electrophysiological activity with millisecond time resolution. At present, single-channel transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) devices are used to stimulate one focal region of the cortex and an array of EEG electrodes to measure the consequences of such stimulations on network functions. This type of device can stimulate only one region at a time with a rather diffuse area of stimulation and record brain activity smeared by the intervening scalp, skull and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). We propose to develop and test a novel noninvasive system with the stimulation and recording capabilities required for understanding functional roles of neural circuits in the human brain with high time resolution. In this SBIR Fast-Track project, we will first test the basic 1-channel unit during Phase I. In Phase II, we will construct a 16-channel cryogenically cooled high-density TMS coil array integrated with a 25-channel TMS-compatible atomic gradiometer (AG) array. Phase I - Aim 1A: Construct a 1-channel cryoTMS system with a 30-mm OD coil encased in a tubular miniature cryostat with a 1-cm diameter hole in the middle and an OD of 38 mm and a remote-control positioning mechanism for radially moving the probe to touch the scalp. It will be connected to a liquid nitrogen (LN2) reservoir via a flexible transfer tube for cooling the TMS coil. Aim 1B: Construct an axial miniature AG encased in a rod-like 10 mm2 probe. Phase II - Aim 2A: Construct a 16- channel TMS coil array based on the 1-channel system with an automated positioning system, cooled by a closed-loop 100% LN2 recycler. Aim 2B: MagVenture will construct a 16-channel TMS stimulator specifically for this project and deliver it to Tristan for integration with the TMS system. Aim 2C: Construct a 25-channel AG array based on the 1-channel AG and a controller with a high laser pump power for shortening the recovery time after each TMS pulse to <2 ms We will develop techniques for mass production of these AGs using the MEMS technology. Aim 2D: Develop the software for controlling the TMS stimulator for targeting the E field to desired locations with optimal orientations. Aim 2E: Integrate the 16 TMS coils and 25 AG probes into a single system, inserting an AG probe into the middle hole of each cryostat and between the cryostats for high spatial resolution and test the functionality of the system. Phase II - Aim 3: Evaluate its capabilities on 20 healthy adult volunteers in a magnetic shielding enclosure, using the software capable of controlling the TMS system and measuring MEG signals in real time. We will test if the TMS-MEG system can be used to stimulate one or more nodes of a sensorimotor network and to study functional roles of each node of the network.

描述（由申请人提供）：了解人脑神经回路的电生理学对于促进我们对人性的知识至关重要，因为快速神经交流是我们出色的感知，运动和认知能力的基础。研究此类网络需要一种方法来刺激任何网络的一个或多个节点，并具有精确的时机和一种通过毫秒时间分辨率准确测量电生理活性的方法。目前，单通道经颅磁刺激（TMS）设备用于刺激皮质的一个焦点区域和一系列EEG电极，以测量此类刺激对网络功能的后果。这种类型的设备一次只能刺激一个区域，而刺激的区域相当扩散，并记录了中间的头皮，头骨和脑脊液（CSF）涂抹的脑活动。我们建议开发和测试一种新型的非侵入性系统，具有以高时间分辨率理解人脑中神经回路功能所需的刺激和记录能力。在这个SBIR快速轨道项目中，我们将在第I阶段首先测试基本的1通道单元。在II阶段，我们将构建一个16通道冷冻冷却的高密度TMS线圈阵列，该高密度TMS线圈阵列与25通道TMS TMS兼容原子渐变梯度计（AG）阵列集成在一起。 I阶段 - AIM 1A：构建一个1通道的冷冻系统，其30毫米OD线圈包裹在管状微型低温器中，中间有一个直径为1厘米的孔，OD为38毫米，远程控制的定位机制，用于径向移动探头以接触头皮。它将通过柔性转移管连接到液氮（LN2）储层，以冷却TMS线圈。 AIM 1B：构建包裹在杆状10 mm2探针中的轴向微型AG。 II阶段 - AIM 2A：基于具有自动定位系统的1通道系统构建16通道TMS线圈阵列，该系统由闭环100％LN2循环器冷却。 AIM 2B：Magventure将专门为该项目构建一个16通道TMS刺激器，并将其交付给Tristan以与TMS集成 系统。 AIM 2C：基于1通道AG和具有高激光泵功率的控制器构建一个25通道AG阵列，用于缩短每个TMS脉冲后的恢复时间，我们将使用MEMS技术开发用于大量生产这些AG的技术。 AIM 2D：开发用于控制TMS刺激器的软件，以将E场靶向具有最佳方向所需的位置。 AIM 2E：将16个TMS线圈和25个AG探针整合到一个系统中，将AG探针插入每个低温恒温器的中间孔中，以及在低温分辨率的低温稳定物之间，并测试系统的功能。 II阶段 - 目标3：使用能够控制TMS系统并实时测量MEG信号的软件，​​评估其在20位健康的成人志愿者中的能力。我们将测试是否可以使用TMS-MEG系统刺激感觉运动网络的一个或多个节点并研究网络每个节点的功能作用。