ES2317817B2 - SOMATOSENSORIAL PNEUMATIC STIMULATOR SYSTEM OF MANUAL SYNCHRONIZATION. - Google Patents

Abstract

Somatosensory pneumatic stimulator system manual synchronization with measuring devices that do not contain trigger comprising three modules:

- A first control module comprising means of data visualization and data processing of a stimulation sequence that sends the information to the module mechanical through a connection cable (8).

- A second mechanical module comprising:

- an air compressor (12) connected to a regulator filter (4), and

- a metal box (11) that receives the control module information and sends it to the applicator module in form of pressure through valves connected to the filter regulator (4),

- A third applicator module, comprising a support with at least two connections (3a and 3b) to the valves of the mechanical module, which regulate the extension movement and retraction of a piston (1).

Description

Somatosensory pneumatic stimulator system manual synchronization

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a stimulator somatosensory tire compatible with Resonance devices Old magnetic (RM) that do not have a trigger signal, allowing manual synchronization of the application what allows its use in systems already installed, somewhat older.

Background of the invention

Mechanical somatosensory stimulation of different locations of the human anatomy has come using as a method for the study of brain function to from the responses produced by the incident stimulus.

Various studies carried out by PET (Positron emission tomography) performed by Fox in 1987 and Seitz and Roland in 1992 prove how using stimulation Continuous mechanics on the palm of the hand, it is capable of producing alterations in cerebral blood flow (CBF), activating various areas of the somatosensory cortex.

Using RM (Magnetic Resonance) using BOLD techniques (Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent), it they can record changes in CBF (Cerebral Blood Flow), product of the stimulation procedure, which allows to perform location maps of somatosensory or painful activation in different areas of the human brain. It is for this reason that that the use of mechanical stimulators is necessary in parallel with RM systems.

However, not many of these stimulators are prepared to adapt to the particular conditions of operation imposed by RM systems, since the most of them have applicators with ferromagnetic elements which may interfere with the registration conditions. In studies It has become clear that pneumatic systems and Hydraulics are perfectly compatible with these conditions of work (Yu N, Hollnagel C, Blickenstorfer A, Kollias SS, Riener R; Comparison of MRI-compatible mechatronic systems with hydrodynamic and pneumatic actuation).

Some of the existing stimulators currently compatible with RM, use thermal stimulation by CO2 laser, or Peltier Illusion Grid (MRI and MEG scanning at MARIARC, Liverpool University UK). Others, like him CACTUS system (MRI and MEG scanning at MARIARC, Liverpool University UK) use a mechanical stimulation based on striking of a piston on the fingers.

Other types of stimulators developed for produce painful stimulation use electric current directly applied (Patent: 6146334, Patent: 6113552), or heat directly applied to any part of the body (Patent: 5941833) and all of them are based on subjective interpretation individual human pain (Patent: 6807965), without resorting to objective indicators, such as brain processing of the signal.

To be able to use this type of stimulators In parallel with the MRI, it is necessary that the part of the stimulator that is inside the RM record room do not produce any interaction with the magnetic fields, base of operation of these devices.

Within the most important experiments that are included in this type of stimulation, compatible with MRI we can highlight the method developed by Stippich and Golaszewski in 2002 based on pneumatically controlled airbags and the Maldjian and Harrington method proposed in 2000 based on the use of piezodisks.

Another stimulator with similar characteristics which is described in this document is compatible by construction with MRI (H.M. Schubert, I.H. Lorenz, F. Zschiegner, C. Kremser, M. Hohlrieder, M. Bielbl, C. Kolbistsch and P.L. Moser Testing a new pneumatic device to cause pain in humans), and the Stimulation is performed using a pressure activated membrane. The existence of other compatible stimulators is known with MRI, whose stimulation is performed in a vibratile way, activated by a magnetomechanical system (Patent: US2003236456-A1).

On the other hand, resonance devices currently developed magnetic have certain features that have been incorporated as it has gone perfecting the industrial technique that develops them, but construction resonances not very far temporarily and currently in use, in many hospitals and health centers, They do not have these improvements and implementations. One of these improvements is the existence of a signal generated by the own resonance known as a "trigger" signal whose shape, frequency and duration is directly related to the acquisition sequences of magnetic resonance. No presence of this trigger signal in the devices of MRI creates the compatibility problem of the somatosensory devices known to date.

Description of the invention

The present invention relates to a system somatosensory pneumatic stimulator compatible with devices magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which ignores the existence of the signal trigger of the MRI devices, so that the user can directly apply the sequence of stimulation whenever he wishes, manually synchronizing the application, facilitating its use in existing systems somewhat more older ones that do not have a trigger signal.

The device of the invention is based on the extension-retraction movement that performs a plastic piston controlled by pneumatic pressure, adapted to certain points of the human anatomy, mainly designed to adapt to the epicondyle of the patients right arm, and compatible with the operating conditions of the resonance magnetic (RM).

This stimulator system has a structure general modular divided into three subsystems: A) Control, B) Mechanic and C) Applicator.

A) Control Subsystem

Motivated by the need for synchronization manual so that the user can directly apply the sequence of stimulation whenever he wishes, manually synchronizing the application, the invention presents a simple user interface formed by a touch screen that allows manual activation of the user from the resonance control room, from where has access to the magnetic resonance timer, in which interactive menus are displayed that allow different types of stimulations.

The system is integrated in a metal box that It contains a microcontroller that houses the control software of the mechanical system (pneumatic), powered by a source connected to the general distribution network and with a power switch off / on that feeds the microcontroller.

The box has an outlet with a connector for interconnect the mechanical system.

B) Mechanical subsystem

It consists of two parts:

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a exterior formed by an air compressor connected to a filter regulator, and

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other integrated in a metal box.

The air compressor generates a maximum pressure 8 bar and is connected to the filter regulator by means of a tube plastic. The output of the regulator filter is connected in turn to a two valve system located inside the metal case, governed by the microcontroller of the control subsystem. A of the valves generates a proportional pressure, controlled by current, supplied by the microcontroller and the other generates a non-proportional pressure, controlled by a digital signal from the microcontroller This subsystem has a source of independent supply, to feed the valves, connected in turn with the general network and with a switch off on.

C) Applicator Subsystem

The outputs of the two valves named above they are connected to the applicator system by means of two tubes plastics of the same characteristics as mentioned in the description of the mechanical subsystem, but with a maximum length 7 meters, which avoids appreciable pressure losses in the tube walls. These two tubes are connected to an applicator Anatomical padded plastic material. This applicator has some fasteners in the form of velcro® strips that ensure a firm and precise fixation at the desired point.

Stimulation is performed by a piston of plastic firmly attached to a plastic plate, for prevent its displacement, which makes a movement of extension-retraction. For the movement of extension is used proportional valve action. This, through software, it generates a pressure that translates into a proportional extension of the piston. For the retraction movement, the non-proportional valve action is used.

The applicator subsystem is designed to be adaptable to the epicondyle of the right arm. To adapt to this point, it is built in the shape of an elbow, with an iron rigid plastic material with the appropriate curvature to hug partially arm. Once located, it has two adjustable straps Velcro® that allow fixing on multiple arms dimensions.

The stimulator system allows stimulation In two possible ways. The first one is called mode experimental, and allows the user to modify to their liking the Stimulation parameters, such as the number of stimuli, interval between stimuli and duration of stimuli, in basis to create a custom sequence. The second of the modes of stimulation is called threshold detection, and consists of the application of a series of stimuli of increasing pressure, which allow to determine the pain threshold of each individual undergoing Stimulation individually.

The somatosensory stimulation procedure tire that uses the device of the invention for the measurement, with magnetoencephalography or magnetic resonance imaging, of the response generated in the brain and thus obtain a characterization of the processing of the painful signal, could be summarized in the following stages:

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A First stage of selecting the stimulation mode in the subsystem of control.

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A second stage of manual synchronization in which the clock is used resonance or magnetoencephalography to determine the timing of Start of stimulation.

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A third stage of the microcontroller signal sending control subsystem to the mechanical subsystem through the cable connection (8).

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A fourth stage of generation, in the valves, of the pressure selected

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A fifth stage of sending the pressure of the valves to the connections of the applicator subsystem (3a and 3b) through the tubes (10)

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A sixth stage of extension and retraction of the piston (1) of the subsystem applicator on the specific part of the body anatomy human.

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A seventh measurement stage, in the measurement devices lacking trigger, of the signal produced by the brain in response to stimulation produced.

Brief description of the drawings

Then it goes on to describe very brief a series of drawings that help to better understand the invention and that expressly relate to an embodiment of said invention presented as a non-limiting example of is.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the exterior of the applicator subsystem.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the interior of the applicator subsystem.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the external appearance of the control subsystem.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the mechanical subsystem

In the cited figures you represent the following elements:

one.-

Piston

2.-

Padded support

3rd.-

Proportional valve connection

3b.-

Non-proportional valve connection

4.-

Filter regulator

5.-

Touch screen

6.-

Connection ports

7.-

Metal control module box

8.-

Connection cable from the control module to the module mechanic

9.-

Connecting cable from compressor to filter regulator

10.-

Pipes

eleven.-

Mechanical module metal case

12.-

Compressor

Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

The device of the present invention compatible with RM devices that do not contain trigger, it comprises an applicator module, as seen in figures 1 and 2, a control module, as shown in Figure 3, and a module mechanical, as seen in figure 4.

The applicator module incorporates on the side of body contact, a padded support (2) and a piston (1) of plastic that extends and retracts by pneumatic pressure, which produces somatosensory stimulation, regulated by two connections  to the valve system to control the movement of the piston, a connection to the proportional valve (3.a) and the other connection with the non-proportional valve (3.b), as seen in figure 2, both connections are connected to the respective valves of the mechanical subsystem through plastic tubes (10).

The mechanical module comprises a metal box (11) of dimensions that can be 22x28x30.5 cm, in which inside are a proportional valve that generates a pressure proportional to the current supplied (current loop between 4-20 mA) and a non-proportional valve controlled by a digital signal from the microcontroller of 0-24V Externally, the mechanical module comprises a pressure regulator filter (4) connected by a connection cable (9) 1 meter long and 4 mm in diameter, to a compressor (12), of so as to ensure that the maximum final pressure at the outlet of the filter be 8 bars.

The control module comprises a metal box (7) of dimensions similar to the mechanical module consisting of a touch screen (5) that acts as an interface with the user, and two connection ports (6) to magnetoencephalography devices or magnetic resonance. The control module connects to the mechanical module using a cable (8) to allow communication between the microcontroller inside the module box control and valves inside the module box mechanic.

Each of the boxes containing the subsystems, mechanical and control, has its own source of power supply and an independent connection to the power grid: The Mechanical module has an independent 5A source and the control module have a power supply independent of 2A, connected in turn with the general network and with a on / off switch.

It is understood that they do not alter the essence of the invention, both variations in materials and form, the size and arrangement of the elements.

The terms used during the description and the meaning of it should always be considered in a way not limiting

Claims (13)

1. Somatosensory pneumatic manual synchronization stimulator system characterized by comprising three modules:

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\ vtcortauna A first control module comprising means for displaying data and processing data for selecting a stimulation sequence that sends the information to the mechanical module through a connection cable (8).

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\ vtcortauna A second mechanical module comprising:

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\ vtcortauna an air compressor (12) connected to a regulator filter (4), and

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\ vtcortauna a metal box (11) that receives the information from the control module and sends it to the applicator module in the form of pressure through valves connected to the regulating filter (4),

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\ vtcortauna A third applicator module, comprising a support with at least two connections (3a and 3b) to the valves of the mechanical module, which regulate the extension and retraction movement of a piston (1),

all configured to stimulate a specific part of the human anatomy in such a way that the stimulation sequence be synchronized manually with the sequences for obtaining information from the measuring device that do not contain trigger, to which the system. 2. Somatosensory pneumatic stimulator system according to claim 1 characterized in that the control module comprises a box (7) with an external touch screen (5) that acts as an interface with the user and a microcontroller inside that houses the system control software mechanic. 3. Somatosensory pneumatic stimulator system according to previous claims characterized in that in the mechanical module, the regulating filter (4) is in turn connected to a two-valve system located inside the metal box (11) governed by the microcontroller. 4. Somatosensory pneumatic stimulator system according to claim 3 characterized in that one of the valves generates a proportional pressure controlled by the current supplied by the microcontroller, and the other generates a non-proportional pressure, controlled by a digital signal from the microcontroller. 5. Somatosensory pneumatic stimulator system according to claim 4 characterized in that the maximum final pressure at the outlet of the filter (4) is 8 bar. 6. Somatosensory pneumatic stimulator system according to claims 2-5 characterized in that the current supplied by the microcontroller has a current loop between 4-20 mA. 7. Somatosensory pneumatic stimulator system according to claims 2-5 characterized in that the digital signal of the microcontroller is between 0-24V. 8. Somatosensory pneumatic stimulator system according to previous claims characterized in that the mechanical module has an independent source of 5A and the control module has an independent power supply of 2A, connected in turn with the general network and with an off switch /switched on. 9. Somatosensory pneumatic stimulator system according to previous claims characterized in that the applicator module is designed to stimulate the epicondyle of the right arm. 10. Somatosensory pneumatic stimulator system according to previous claims characterized in that the measuring device to which it is connected and with which the system is compatible is a Magnetic Resonance device that does not contain a trigger. 11. Somatosensory pneumatic stimulation method characterized by using the device disclosed in claims 1-10 and comprising:

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\ vtcortauna A first stage of selecting the stimulation mode in the control subsystem.

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\ vtcortauna A second stage of manual synchronization in which the resonance clock or magnetoencephalography is used to determine the moment of onset of stimulation.

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\ vtcortauna A third stage of sending the signal from the microcontroller of the control subsystem to the filter of the mechanical subsystem through the connecting cable (8).

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\ vtcortauna A fourth stage of generation, in the valves, of the selected pressure.

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\ vtcortauna A fifth stage of sending the pressure of the valves to the connections of the applicator subsystem (3a and 3b) through the tubes (10).

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\ vtcortauna A sixth stage of extension and retraction of the piston (1) of the applicator subsystem on the specific part of the anatomy of the human body.

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\ vtcortauna A seventh stage of measurement, in measuring devices that do not contain trigger, of the signal produced by the brain in response to the stimulation produced.

12. Somatosensory pneumatic stimulation method according to claim 11, characterized in that in the first stage a mode is selected from the following different modes of stimulation:

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\ vtcortauna Modification to the user's taste of the stimulation parameters

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\ vtcortauna Application of a series of stimuli of increasing pressure, which allows to determine the pain threshold of each individual undergoing stimulation individually.

13. Somatosensory pneumatic stimulation method according to claims 10-12, characterized in that the measuring device is a Magnetic Resonance device that does not contain a trigger.