JP2013507146A - Method and system for exciting the skull at multiple points - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for exciting a cranium at multiple points by regarding a brain as a non-linearly coupled vibration system.
The method of exciting the skull at multiple points according to the present invention includes (A) a step of applying individual excitations to a plurality of regions of the head, and the step (A) comprising the steps of: (B) constructing a simplified model of the brain or part thereof; and (C) nonlinearly coupling the brain or part thereof. And (D) determining the excitation signals such that they excite a natural vibration mode of the nonlinear coupled vibration system.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

      The present invention relates to a method for exciting the skull at multiple points and a system for carrying out this method.

The multi-site method of exciting the skull of the present invention applies individual excitations to multiple regions of the skull. This is done by applying a specific excitation signal to an excitation element located in the vicinity of the brain region to excite the brain or part of it that is considered a non-linearly coupled vibration system.
The present invention is a multi-site excitation system for performing the method of the present invention.

      Various proposals have been made for methods and systems for exciting inside the skull or through the skull. These excitations are performed by applying a magnetic pulse in the vicinity of the region to be excited, or by applying an electrical signal including TMS excitation, that is, tDCS, ENS, TES excitation. Some of these include the technical idea of exciting the skull at multiple points. That is, a plurality of excitation elements (electrodes or magnetic coils) are arranged in various nerve regions to give a plurality of excitation signals. Another technique uses the concept of feedback. That is, the brain activity is monitored by controlling the excitation signal applied by the monitored signal.

U.S. Patent No. 20061611219 US Pat. No. 7,257,439 European Patent No. 1703940A U.S. Patent Application No. 2004038578A1 US Pat. No. 6,488,617

Wanger et al, Noninvasive Human Brain Stimulation, Ann.biomed.Eng. 2007.9: 19.1-19.39 see ray C, Ruffini G, MarcoPallare's J, Fuintemilla LI, Grau C., Complex networks in brain electrical activity, Europysics letter. 2007 Buzaki G, Draguhn A (2004) Neuronal oscillations in cortical networks.Science 304: 1926-19293 Engel AK. Fries P, Singer W (2001) Dynamic prediction: Oscillations and synchrony in topdown processing.Nature Reviews Neuroscience 2: 704-7164 Varela F, Lachaux JP, Rodriguez E, Martinerie J (2001) The brainweb: Phase synchronization and large-scale integration.Nature Reviews Neuroscience Bar Yam and Epstein 2004

      Some suggestions regarding cranial excitation by direct application of magnetic or electrical signals are introduced below.

      U.S. Patent No. 6,057,051 discloses a system and method for exciting neural tissue in the human brain. This is intended to treat (and treat) multiple conditions (lesions) by applying electrical pulses to multiple locations. In the document 1, an electrode for applying the excitation signal is transplanted into a human skull. This method applies a magnetic excitation signal by means of TMS prior to implanting the electrode into the skull to determine if the patient is suitable for electrode implantation. The purpose of implanting (placement) the electrodes at multiple locations is to treat (and treat) multiple conditions at once. These response signals are analyzed by the corresponding programs. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose that an excitation signal is applied to a plurality of locations to obtain and process a single state.

      Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which a plurality of minimal electrodes or an array thereof is arranged in a nerve tissue, for example, a blood vessel near a brain cell, and nerve activity is monitored by the plurality of electrodes. That is, a system and method for applying an electrical excitation signal through another electrode to monitor current neural activity and compare it to previously monitored neural activity is disclosed. In the application example, the development of the interface between the brain and the machine or the artificial joint control is enabled.

      It is known to use a series of algorithms to classify monitored signals from multiple nerves, each in a functional state, according to a spatio-temporal pattern. However, Patent Document 2 does not propose an algorithm or a special program for executing nerve excitation. Patent Document 2 merely suggests that the response signal is analyzed in various ways based on an algorithm that uses the monitored signal and determined based on the analysis.

      Further, US Pat. No. 6,057,089 discloses a system and method for applying and managing ENS electorical stimulation and TMS magnetic stimulation to various areas of a patient's body together or separately. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 adjusts the excitation parameters in response to the monitored excitation signal. For example, it proposes adapting by means of EEG. In the case of TMS excitation, examples of changing parameters are pulse width, frequency, magnetic field strength and directionality.

      U.S. Patent No. 6,057,031 discloses a system and method for exciting a patient's brain in dependence on a bioelectric signal (EEG). U.S. Patent No. 6,057,034 discloses real-time application of TMS excitation applied to multiple brain regions. This is done using bidirectional feedback of the bioelectric signal. This changes the pulse parameters (duration, etc.) of the TMS coil. In the initial state, excitation is performed by applying a bioelectric signal according to the previously monitored state. This determines the patient's cognitive-emotive profile. However, Patent Document 4 does not perform excitation in accordance with a variable or location called a patient's cognitive-emotive profile at the time of applying or starting the application of a bioelectric signal.

      Patent Document 5 discloses a configuration in which a brain state is changed until a desired state is reached by closed-loop feedback between the output of the EEG monitoring system and the control output of the TMS system. Patent Document 5 discloses control of TMS excitation parameters (amplitude, motion, duration, etc.). Further disclosed is the independent control of magnets or coils to generate a single magnetic field at a single frequency. However, Patent Document 5 does not disclose any application of the control in order to perform excitation, combining individual excitations with other excitations, and based on the characteristics of individual excitations determined previously, There is no disclosure of how to achieve the synthesis (combination) results.

      As a result of analyzing the latest technology, the most important conclusion is that TMS excitation and tDCS excitation lack specificity, and only limited analysis results can be obtained (Non-patent Document 1).

      According to the latest research, the structural support of brain activity is related to the coordination of activities of different brain regions that are spaced apart, even based on specific frequencies and phases (2). The most important challenge in neuroscience is mapping and analyzing the spatio-temporal patterns of many neuronal activities. Thereby, the information of the human brain is processed. Many neural networks are responsible for processing information in the human brain. The brain has a number of densely interconnected neural networks whose information processing is based on various scales of time and space. This is the most interesting system among all complex systems (Non-Patent Document 3).

      The brain has been studied as a pattern-modeled tool. In this tool, environmental inputs are analyzed as they are transformed by translation by body sensors. The ability to model environmental inputs is essential to the survival of higher-grade biosensors. A neural network performs this modeling task in order to efficiently respond. However, this is a case where input information is necessary to dynamically change the brain, or a case where it is necessary to modify them, and it is necessary to make them dynamic (Non-Patent Document 6). .

      As an example, in early discovery, the instantaneous tip region supports the concept of working with data processing to determine the difference between sounds. In this framework, a set of spatially dispersed neural groups that are coherently activated and form part of the same display form a relationship (Non-Patent Document 4). In other words, the brain can be described as a series of locally distributed neural networks. This neural network is dynamically and temporarily linked by bidirectional connection means, which achieves functional integration (Non-Patent Document 5).

      The brain can be viewed as a non-linearly coupled vibration system. In this system, various areas contribute to various processes simultaneously.

      The following proposals related to multipoint cranial excitation are not known. That is, taking into account the above approach, it has not yet been disclosed to analyze the brain as a non-linearly coupled vibration system and determine the individual excitation signals to be applied.

      An object of the present invention is to provide a more preferable cranial excitation method that replaces the conventional cranial excitation method. This provides a way to apply the above approach to a brain that is considered a non-linearly coupled vibration system to determine the excitation signal to be applied using the resonance concept and to excite the entire brain better That is.

      The method of exciting the skull at multiple points according to the first aspect of the present invention includes the step of (A) applying individual excitations to a plurality of regions of the head. The step (A) is performed by applying a specific excitation signal to an excitation element arranged in the vicinity of the brain region.

Unlike the prior art, the method of exciting the skull at multiple points of the first aspect of the present invention further comprises:
(B) constructing a simplified model of the brain or part thereof;
(C) considering the brain or part thereof as a non-linearly coupled vibration system;
(D) determining the excitation signals such that they excite a natural vibration mode of the nonlinear coupled vibration system.

      The method for exciting the skull at multiple points according to the first aspect of the present invention further includes the step of (E) applying the excitation signal after adjusting the space and time. In one embodiment, the method further includes (F) applying a part of the excitation signal simultaneously. The step (F) causes excitation of the natural vibration mode of the brain or a part thereof.

      The region to be excited extends through the cerebral cortex of the brain. In one embodiment, this region extends through the cerebral cortex of the brain.

      The method for exciting the skull at multiple points according to the first aspect of the present invention further includes the step of (G) monitoring the brain activity during or after the application of the excitation signal. The step (G) is performed using an electronic biosensor placed in a specific region of the brain.

      The above monitoring is performed by applying a conventionally known technique, for example, applying an electronic brain imaging method or a magnetic brain imaging method.

      The purpose of the above monitoring is to provide a signal obtained as a result of the monitoring signal and the monitored signal, and to control the excitation signal according to the monitored signal. Thus, the excitation is self-calibrated to match the changes obtained in brain activity in real time. This is to avoid inaccuracies based on the unreliable location of the excitation elements. This is because if the shape of the patient's or user's head is unknown, the first distribution of the electric or magnetic field of the brain is adversely affected.

      In order to change the excitation signal, the method includes (I) independently controlling the phase, frequency, and amplitude of the excitation signal. This changes the phase, frequency, and amplitude of the induced electrical signal.

      With regard to the multi-point cranial excitation to be applied, in particular in one embodiment, transcranial magnetic excitation. In this case, the excitation element is a magnetic coil or an emitter. A magnetic field is generated depending on the electrical signal applied to them. In other embodiments, the multipoint cranial excitation is an electrical excitation. In this case, the excitation element is an electrode. This electrical excitation is a generalized current excitation or TCS, unlike conventional direct current excitation or tDCS. That is, the present invention is not limited to a DC / AC signal, and a current having a frequency in the range of 0 to 200 Hz can be used.

      In one embodiment, the method of the first aspect of the invention determines the excitation signal. As a result, a plurality of natural vibration modes of the vibration system coupled nonlinearly are excited. This is done by means of rapidly determining the excitation signal, either directly or externally, simultaneously or at different times. As a result, they directly excite the natural vibration mode. In this case, the excitation signal is determined to excite the primary natural vibration mode, and the rest (secondary, tertiary--) is the harmonic mode or quasi-harmonic mode of the specific excitation signal that excites the primary natural vibration mode. Excited by means of self-excitation.

      In one embodiment, the method of the first aspect of the invention comprises (J) building a plurality of simplified models corresponding to the plurality of regions of the brain, and (K) determining the excitation signal. And a step of controlling. The excitation signal is selected to excite one natural vibration mode of a nonlinear coupled vibration system corresponding to a simplified model of the brain portion.

      In other words, the method of one aspect of the present invention excites the entire brain or various parts of the brain in response to interference and application. The whole brain or a part of the brain is regarded as a nonlinearly coupled vibration system having a specific resonance frequency. Taking this into consideration, the excitation signal to be applied is determined.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-site cranial excitation is intracranial excitation, in which case the excitation element is invasive.
In one embodiment of the present invention, multipoint cranial excitation is excitation across the cranium. The excitation element in this case is non-invasive. In the preferred embodiment, in the monitoring described above, this is an electronic biosensor of minimal structure proposed in Spanish patent application 2289948. The excitation signal is an electrical signal.

      In one embodiment, the proposed method of the present invention performs multi-site cranial skull monitoring. Excitation is performed with current (known as MtCS). At that time, the current flowing in the brain is finely controlled. The method of the present invention is performed on an array of electrodes in sequence, with independent control of phase, amplitude, and frequency. This provides various spatio-temporal modulations of current flowing through various parts in the brain.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the method of the present invention includes a method of controlling several subgroups of electrodes with a control signal common to each subgroup.
According to previous research on brain electrical excitation (in this case, tDCS), because the skull has a high resistivity, the current reaching the cortex is attenuated and most of the current flows around the scalp. The shape of the head, the electromagnetic characteristics of the living tissue, and the positions of the electrodes play a major role in determining the final electric field distribution. Such sensitivity requires the design and use of a calibration subsystem for the excitation system, and the construction of a simplified model of the brain.

      The method according to one aspect of the invention takes into account the above requirements. As a result, the method of the present invention includes a guide step and a calibration step that perform the functions of the calibration subsystem, and is performed as a result of the above-described monitoring of brain activity.

      The method according to one aspect of the invention has a guide step to focus individual excitations. In the guiding step, the excitation signal applied to the excitation element is determined and controlled depending on the brain region (three-dimensional space).

      The method according to one aspect of the invention further comprises a calibration step in order to make the focus of the individual excitations efficient. In this calibration step, the excitation signal is changed according to the monitored signal. That is, based on what causes electrical or magnetic excitation to make good adjustments.

      The obtained monitoring signal includes unwanted signals induced by excitation. This excitation signal is either an excitation signal obtained directly from the application or a signal extracted therefrom. By appropriately filtering the above signal, it is necessary to remove an unnecessary signal, that is, noise, and obtain a signal that actually indicates brain activity. It is a natural activity or the response result of an applied excitation.

      In one embodiment, the method of the first aspect of the invention comprises the step of (M) using an analysis technique (eg, EEG) applied to the monitored signal. Thereby, the electrical signal induced by the excitation is distinguished from the natural biological electrical signal or the response signal of the excitation.

      In one embodiment, the analysis technique of the method of the first aspect of the present invention is a technique selected from the group comprising a frequency separation technique, a time separation technique, a tomography technique, or a combination thereof.

      In one embodiment, the method of the first aspect of the invention further comprises the step of (N) using a spread spectrum technique applied to the monitored signal. This identifies the activity associated with the excitation within each of the excitation elements.

      In one embodiment, the method of the first aspect of the invention further comprises the step of (O) associating a marking signal with each excitation signal. Specifically, this is done by superimposing the marking signal on the excitation signal in each excitation element. This improves the position of each electrical signal induced by the application of the excitation signal, and distinguishes between the electrical signal induced by the excitation and a signal representing brain activity (natural activity or the result of applied excitation). Is clarified by analyzing the monitored signal.

      In one embodiment, the marking signal is a direct sequence spread spectrum DSSS of a pure sine waveform signal. This pure sine waveform signal generates a signal (EEG (EEG)) having a power density equal to or lower than the noise level of the signal.

      Through the process of recovering signal dispersion in each tomography voxel, the contribution due to each excitation element in each voxel can be recovered (using the superposition principle). Furthermore, by using the method proposed in the first aspect of the invention, the guide step can be improved by means of adjusting the intensity of the excitation signal applied to the various excitation elements.

In another embodiment, the method of the present invention includes a process of restoring dispersion before performing tomography. This is possible because the process is a linear process.
In one embodiment, the marking signal is the same in the excitation element that provides the excitation signal. The spectrum is spread using pseudo-random noise. Pseudorandom noise is also used in CDMA (used in mobile phones and GPS systems).

The sensor used to acquire the monitoring signal receives all contributions due to the excitation signal by means of EEG. The power of this excitation signal is less than or equal to the power level of the signal representing brain activity present in the monitored signal. With the application of the method proposed according to the first aspect of the present invention, the complex activity pattern of the brain is controlled and reproduced through the model. With the multi-site cranial excitation method performed by the method of the present invention, the following can be performed.
* Degree of freedom to adjust specific rhythms and patterns in the vibrating brain,
* Improve focusing on specific areas,
* Excitation that coordinates time and space throughout the cortex,
* Control of the relationship between frequency and phase at each part
* Self-calibration and application of excitation as a result of real-time feedback of monitored signal,

In a second aspect, the system for exciting the skull at multiple points of the present invention comprises:
(A) an excitation element disposed in a plurality of regions of the brain;
(B) an electronic system connected to the plurality of excitation elements;
Have
The electronic system excites a plurality of regions of the brain individually by applying an excitation signal to the excitation element. However, this does not achieve the local result of each region as a result of the individual excitations, but obtains the overall result resulting from the synthesis of the individual excitations.

      In order to obtain the overall results described above, the electronic system of the system of the present invention has a processing unit that has access to a simplified model of the brain or part thereof. The brain or part thereof is considered a non-linearly coupled vibration system. The processing unit determines the excitation signal to excite a natural vibration mode of the non-linearly coupled vibration system.

      The electronic system has a series of electronic biosensors. The electronic biosensor is disposed in a specific region of the brain and is connected to a processing unit of the electronic system to monitor the activity of the brain.

      In one embodiment, the electroecological sensor is arranged in spatial alignment with the excitation element. Further, as a variation of this embodiment, each excitation element and each electrobiological sensor may be the same element that can perform both the excitation function and the monitoring function.

      The placement system used is a standard system, for example a 10/30 system of electrode placement. The processing unit controls the excitation signal depending on the monitored brain activity.

      The system proposed by the second aspect of the present invention performs the multi-point cranial excitation described above by applying the method proposed by the first aspect of the present invention. For this purpose, the above processing unit executes a series of algorithms, i.e. the various steps of the method of the invention. In particular, perform steps related to access and analysis of a simplified model of the brain (and the structure of this model), determine excitation signals based on the model, perform analysis of monitored signals, They are used for the excitation signal adaptation in real time during the excitation period, and in the initial state various guide steps and further calibration steps are performed.

      In one embodiment, the method of the present invention determines an excitation signal from a calculated value of current generated bi-directionally between two excitation elements. This is done after applying a specific excitation signal and performs a calculation of the multipoint current generated using the superposition technique. The technique is based on the assumption that the excitation effect applied by a set of excitation elements is a superposition of the excitation effects generated by each pair of excitation elements. The method proposed according to one aspect of the present invention determines the excitation signal to reduce or suppress specific brain activity.

The method and system of the present invention can be applied, for example, to:
Research: Cognitive psychology / neuroscience. Thereby, a causal relationship can be determined. The flexibility of the human brain can be measured by repeated TMS excitations (and variations of techniques such as theta burst excitation or paired related excitations).
Diagnosis: TMS excitation is used at the diagnostic level to measure the activity and function of specific brain circuits in the human brain.
Treatment: Treat multiple neurological conditions with TMS excitation. For example, migraine, stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, ataxia, tinnitus, mental abnormalities, depression or hallucinations.
Brain / machine interface: Communication from machine to brain and vice versa.
Perceptual synthesis: Connect data sources directly to the human brain to gain new detection.

      Although there is literature on some of the above applications, the application of the method and system of the present invention has the ability and freedom to improve the results obtained and to adjust and adapt various parameters specific to the excitation system. Improve the degree.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system proposed by the second aspect of the present invention.

      FIG. 1 represents the system of the second aspect of the present invention performed on patient H. Patient H has a plurality of excitation elements E1, E2. . . . En is arranged. These excitation elements are arranged in the vicinity of a plurality of regions of the patient's brain.

      As described above, the system of the present invention includes a series of electric biosensors S1, S2,. . . It has Sn. This electrical biosensor is placed adjacent to a specific region of the human brain and is connected to a processing unit of the electrical system to monitor the active state of the brain. The electric biosensors S1, S2. . . . Sn is arranged near the brain of the patient H.

      The system of the present invention further comprises an electronic system. The electronic system includes a plurality of excitation elements E1, E2,. . . . Connected to En, each excitation element is given an excitation signal to individually excite multiple regions of the brain. The purpose of the system of the present invention is not the individual results obtained in each excitation region, but the result of synthesizing the output generated by exciting each region with a specific excitation signal. Thereby, excitation of the natural vibration mode of the brain or a part of the brain is obtained. The brain or part of it can be thought of as a vibration system coupled in a non-linear manner.

      The electronic system has an SCM system that is locally located. This is due to the excitation elements E1, E2. . . . En and the electric biosensors S1, S2. . . . It is supported by a support member (not shown) that supports Sn. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the supporting member is the one shown in FIGS. 4a to 4c of the Spanish utility model application 1067908 (reference symbol C). This is attached to the head of patient H. Within the region near a specific region of the brain, the excitation elements E1, E2. . . En and a series of electrical biosensors S1, S2. . . . Sn is arranged.

      According to one embodiment of the present invention, the system of the present invention comprises display means. The display means simultaneously shows a real-time map of excitation programmed from a specific excitation signal and a map of monitored brain activity.

      The system of the present invention is not limited to that described above, and the excitation performed by the system of the present invention is of the type that traverses the skull and is performed using a non-invasive excitation element.

      As shown in FIG. 1, the local electronic system SCM communicates wirelessly with a remote electronic system SR included in the electronic system. Therefore, the system of the present invention includes a communication module. This communication module operates according to the IEEE 8002.15.4 specification. However, other communication technologies or protocols can operate.

      The local electronic system SCM performs the functions described for the local system shown as the SCM described in the Spanish utility model ES1067908U and conditions the signals of the two potentials.

      Further, an excitation signal is determined and applied, conditioned (eg, D / A conversion is performed), and this excitation signal is applied to the excitation elements E1, E2,. . . . En, and sensors S1, S1. . . . Receive and analyze monitored signals via Sn, access, guide, and calibrate simplified models.

      The local electronic system SCM includes a battery and applies signals having various frequencies, phases, and amplitudes to various excitation elements depending on final requirements.

      In short, the local electronic system SCM controls the excitation elements and monitoring sensors and communicates wirelessly with the remote electronic system SR to form a complete portable digital system.

      In one embodiment, the local electronic system SCM has a memory, stores on-board data, and allows the local electronic system SCM to function autonomously. In one embodiment, the remote electronic system SR executes an excitation / monitoring application. This is bidirectionally accessible via the TCP / IP protocol and is connected to the processing unit PDPU via a USB controller.

      The processing unit PDPU is a personal data processing unit PDPU and incorporates a communication module capable of wirelessly bidirectionally communicating with a corresponding communication module of the electronic system SCM. This functions as an interface between the system SCM and the remote electronic system SR.

      In one embodiment, the wireless communication between the local electronic system SCM and the processing unit PDPU is based on low-speed wireless personal area networks (LR-WPANs) and the monitoring is based on the Spanish utility model ES1067908U. This is performed based on the circuit described in the above.

      Phase locked loop PLL used for DSSS processing as described above, marking signal synchronization, control of the excitation element to which the excitation signal is applied, sampling, the process of restoring the dispersion of the marking signal, and tracking of the phase of the marking signal The algorithm requires a digital signal processing process, which can be performed in real time on the local electronic system SCM. Thus, digital processing is performed with a processor implemented and integrated in a field programming gate array or FPGA in the field to keep power requirements to a minimum.

      The above description relates to one embodiment of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can consider various modifications of the present invention, all of which are included in the technical scope of the present invention. The The numbers in parentheses described after the constituent elements of the claims correspond to the part numbers in the drawings, are attached for easy understanding of the invention, and are used for limiting the invention. Must not. In addition, the part numbers in the description and the claims are not necessarily the same even with the same number. This is for the reason described above. With respect to the term “or”, for example, “A or B” includes selecting “both A and B” as well as “A only” and “B only”. Unless stated otherwise, the number of devices or means may be singular or plural.

Claims (20)

In the method of exciting the skull at multiple points,
(A) applying individual excitations to multiple regions of the head;
The step (A) is performed by applying a specific excitation signal to an excitation element disposed in the vicinity of the brain region,
(B) constructing a simplified model of the brain or part thereof;
(C) considering the brain or part thereof as a non-linearly coupled vibration system;
(D) determining the excitation signals such that they excite a natural vibration mode of the nonlinear coupled vibration system;
A method of exciting the cranium at multiple points, characterized by comprising: The method of claim 1, further comprising: (E) applying the excitation signal in a time and space adjusted manner. (F) simultaneously applying a portion of the excitation signal;
The method according to claim 2, further comprising causing the natural vibration mode of the brain or a part thereof to be excited by the step (F). The method of claim 2, wherein the region to be excited extends through the cerebral cortex of the brain. (G) monitoring the brain activity;
(H) controlling the excitation signal;
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (H) is performed by changing the excitation signal depending on the monitoring signal or the monitored signal. (I) independently controlling the phase, frequency, and amplitude of the excitation signal;
The method of claim 1, further comprising changing the phase, frequency, and amplitude of the induced electrical signal thereby. (J) constructing a plurality of simplified models corresponding to a plurality of regions of the brain;
(K) determining and controlling the excitation signal;
Further comprising
The excitation signal is selected to selectively excite one natural vibration mode of a nonlinear coupled vibration system corresponding to a simplified model of the brain portion;
The method of claim 1 wherein: The cranial excitation is an excitation selected from the following: (X) Multi-point cross-cranial magnetic excitation
The excitation element is a magnetic coil or emitter suitable for generating a magnetic field in response to an applied electrical signal excitation (Y) transcranial electrical stimulation
The excitation element is non-invasive (Z) intracranial electrical stimulation
The method of claim 1, wherein the excitation element is invasive. (L) focusing individual excitations;
The step (L) includes:
(L1) a guide step;
In the guiding step, the excitation signal applied to the excitation element is determined and controlled depending on the region of the brain,
(L2) calibration step;
The method according to claim 1, wherein, in the calibration step, the change of the excitation signal is performed in response to a monitored signal. (M) using an analysis technique applied to the monitored signal;
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising distinguishing between the electrical signal induced by the excitation and the natural bioelectric signal or the response signal of the excitation. The method according to claim 10, wherein the analysis technique is a technique selected from a group including a frequency separation technique, a time separation technique, a tomography technique, or a combination thereof. (N) further comprising using a spread spectrum technique applied to the monitored signal;
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: identifying activity associated with excitation within each excitation element. (O) further comprising associating a marking signal with each excitation signal;
This improves the position of each electrical signal induced by the application of the excitation signal,
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the distinction between an electrical signal induced by the excitation and a response signal to the excitation is clarified by analyzing the monitored signal. (P) determining the excitation signal from a calculated value of a bipolar current between two excitation elements in response to the addition of a specific excitation signal;
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of using (R) a superposition technique to calculate the generated multipoint current. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: (S) determining the excitation signal to suppress specific brain activity. In a system that excites the skull at multiple points,
(A) excitation elements (E1, E2... En) arranged in a plurality of regions of the brain;
(B) an electronic system connected to the plurality of excitation elements;
Have
The electronic system applies an excitation signal to the excitation element to excite a plurality of regions of the brain;
The electronic system has a processing unit with access to a simplified model of the brain or part thereof,
The brain or part thereof is considered a non-linearly coupled vibration system;
The system for exciting the skull at multiple points, wherein the processing unit determines the excitation signal to excite a natural vibration mode of the non-linearly coupled vibration system. The electronic system has a series of electronic biosensors (S1, S2 ... Sn),
17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the electronic biosensor is disposed in a specific region of the brain and connected to a processing unit of the electronic system to monitor the activity of the brain. The electronic system has a local system (SCM),
The local electronic system supports the excitation element and the electronic biosensor;
The system of claim 17, wherein the local electronic system is attached to a patient's head and places the excitation element and the electronic biosensor in a specific region of the brain. The system of claim 18, wherein the local electronic system comprises an on-board data storage device. The local electronic system has a communication module;
The system according to claim 18, wherein the communication module communicates wirelessly with a remote electronic system included in the electronic system.

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