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)：了解人脑中神经回路的电生理学对于提高我们对人性的认识至关重要，因为快速的神经交流是我们非凡的感知、运动和认知能力的基础。研究这样的网络需要一种以精确的定时刺激任何网络的一个或多个节点的方法，以及一种以毫秒时间分辨率精确测量电生理活动的方法。目前，单通道经颅磁刺激(TMS)设备被用来刺激大脑皮质的一个焦点区域和一组脑电电极，以测量这种刺激对网络功能的影响。这种类型的设备一次只能刺激一个区域，刺激区域相当分散，并记录介于头皮、头骨和脑脊液(CSF)之间的大脑活动。我们建议开发和测试一种新的非侵入性系统，该系统具有高时间分辨率理解人脑中神经回路的功能所需的刺激和记录能力。在这个SBIR快速通道项目中，我们将首先在第一阶段测试基本的1通道单元。在第二阶段，我们将构建一个16通道低温冷却高密度TMS线圈阵列，并集成一个25通道TMS兼容原子梯度仪(AG)阵列。第一阶段-目标1A：建立一个1通道的冷冻TMS系统，将一个30 mm的外径线圈包裹在一个管状微型冷冻恒温器中，中间有一个直径为1 cm的孔，外径为38 mm，以及一个遥控定位机构，用于径向移动探头以触摸头皮。它将通过用于冷却TMS线圈的柔性传输管连接到液氮(LN2)储液器。目的1B：构建一个轴向微型AG，包裹在一个10mm2的杆状探头中。第二阶段-目标2A：在带有自动定位系统的1通道系统的基础上，构建一个16通道TMS线圈阵列，由100%LN2闭环系统冷却。目标2B：MagVenture将专门为该项目建造一个16通道TMS刺激器，并将其交付给特里斯坦，以便与TMS整合 系统。目的2C：构建一个基于单通道AG的25通道AG阵列和一个具有高激光泵浦功率的控制器，以将每个TMS脉冲后的恢复时间缩短到&lt；2ms。我们将开发利用MEMS技术大规模生产这些AG的技术。目的2D：开发用于控制TMS刺激器的软件，以将E场定向到期望的位置和最佳方向。目的2E：将16个TMS线圈和25个AG探头集成到一个系统中，在每个低温恒温器的中孔和低温恒温器之间插入一个AG探头，以获得高空间分辨率并测试系统的功能。第二阶段-目标3：使用能够控制TMS系统并实时测量脑磁图信号的软件，在20名健康的成年志愿者身上评估其在磁屏蔽围栏中的能力。我们将测试TMS-MEG系统是否可以用来刺激感觉运动网络的一个或多个节点，并研究网络中每个节点的功能角色。