A flexible infrastructure for delivering augmented reality enabled transcranial magnetic stimulation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Medical Technology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) uses magnetic fields to modulate brain activity.
• Current TMS coil alignment relies on MRI scans and optical tracking for targeting.
• Efficient and precise coil placement is crucial for effective TMS procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the hypothesis that an Augmented Reality (AR) interface can improve the efficiency of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
• To develop a flexible infrastructure for TMS that supports remote high-performance computing.
• To enhance the precision and usability of TMS procedures through advanced visualization.

Main Methods:

• Development of an Augmented Reality (AR) interface for real-time visualization of TMS coil positioning relative to brain anatomy.
• Integration of optical tracking sensors for precise coil localization.
• Exploration of a flexible computing infrastructure for potential remote processing.

Main Results:

• The proposed AR interface offers a more intuitive and efficient method for aligning the TMS coil with target brain regions.
• Real-time visual feedback in AR aids in accurate and rapid targeting.
• The infrastructure design allows for scalability and potential integration with high-performance computing resources.

Conclusions:

• Augmented Reality (AR) presents a promising advancement for improving the efficiency and precision of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
• The developed infrastructure supports enhanced TMS procedures and offers a pathway for leveraging remote computational power.
• AR-assisted TMS has the potential to streamline clinical workflows and improve patient outcomes.