Optimization of magnetic neurostimulation waveforms for minimum power loss

Magnetic stimulation is a key tool in experimental brain research and several clinical applications. Whereas coil designs and the spatial field properties have been intensively studied in the literature, the temporal dynamics of the field has received little attention. The available pulse shapes are...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:2012 Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society 2012-01, Vol.2012, p.4652-4655
Main Authors: Goetz, S. M., Truong, N. C., Gerhofer, M. G., Peterchev, A. V., Herzog, H., Weyh, T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coils
Energy loss
Magnetic stimulation
Neurons
Neurophysiology
Optimization
Shape
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Summary:Magnetic stimulation is a key tool in experimental brain research and several clinical applications. Whereas coil designs and the spatial field properties have been intensively studied in the literature, the temporal dynamics of the field has received little attention. The available pulse shapes are typically determined by the relatively limited capabilities of commercial stimulation devices instead of efficiency or optimality. Furthermore, magnetic stimulation is relatively inefficient with respect to the required energy compared to other neurostimulation techniques. We therefore analyze and optimize the waveform dynamics with a nonlinear model of a mammalian motor axon for the first time, without any pre-definition of waveform candidates. We implemented an unbiased and stable numerical algorithm using variational calculus in combination with a global optimization method. This approach yields very stable results with comprehensible characteristic properties, such as a first phase which reduces ohmic losses in the subsequent pulse phase. We compare the energy loss of these optimal waveforms with the waveforms generated by existing magnetic stimulation devices.
ISSN:1094-687X
1558-4615
2694-0604
DOI:10.1109/EMBC.2012.6347004