Characterizing an electronic-robotic targeting platform for precise and fast brain stimulation with multi-locus...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Robotics
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Multi-locus transcranial magnetic stimulation (mTMS) offers precise electronic control but faces limitations with coil numbers and manual handling.
• Combining electronic mTMS with robotics enables automated, user-independent, and precise brain stimulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize an open-source electronic-robotic mTMS platform for rapid and accurate brain stimulation targeting.
• To evaluate the system's precision, autonomy, and comparison against manual positioning.

Main Methods:

• Developed an automated robotic mTMS positioning platform using a 5-coil mTMS device and a collaborative robot.
• Quantified targeting accuracy using a TMS characterizer measuring the electric field on a spherical cortex model.
• Assessed E-field distortion and compared robotic repositioning accuracy to manual methods.

Main Results:

• The robotic mTMS system achieved submillimeter precision and autonomy in coil positioning.
• The electronic-robotic platform demonstrated 1.8 mm and 1.0° greater accuracy than manual positioning.
• Automation minimized reliance on user expertise and subjective analysis.

Conclusions:

• The open-source platform enhances safety and reproducibility in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
• Robotic precision in mTMS targeting leads to more efficient and reliable outcomes.
• This integration advances automated, precise brain stimulation techniques.