Brief
Description: The technology disclosed herein is a new
device that uses transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to deliver electrical
pulses to treat specific areas of the brain. The device is implanted deep within
the brain and is capable of targeting small and specific regions for treatment.
Applications: This technology will
primarily be used to facilitate stroke recovery and help control intractable
epilepsy without surgery. It will also be used to help manage a number of brain
diseases including, intractable Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and
multiple sclerosis. Lastly, through the use of stem cell technology, this device
will be capable of managing spinal trauma and restoring functionality to other
parts of the brain.
Advantages:
External TMS has
been used for years to help treat patients with depression, stroke, MS,
Parkinson’s and other brain diseases. Unfortunately, this method has a number of
adverse side effects and often causes seizures in patients. As a result,
tremendous pressure has been put on researchers and clinicians all over the
world to help develop new therapeutic procedures that treat deep brain disorders
while eliminating these side effects. This technology provides an alternative to
current TMS treatment options and is capable of being implanted non-invasively
and intravascularly. This device also allows users to stimulate both deep and
superficial areas of the brain and target specific treatment locations, making
it one of the most important new TMS technologies being developed.