LOCALITE TMS Navigator




 

Software version 2.1 available!

The LOCALITE TMS Navigator is an image-based navigation system for targeting transcranial magnetic stimulation.

In neuroscience transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the human brain has established itself as a means to examine processes in the central nervous system. The noninvasive technology is based on strong magnetic fields which can stimulate as well as inhibit some parts of the brain. Specific areas of the brain assumed to be involved in particular processes are treated by TMS, therefore a precisely targeted stimulation is crucial for valid results.

Targeted Stimulation of Brain Areas
The area of the brain assumed to be involved in the process being investigated is subjected to magnetic pulses. They are produced by TMS coils, fed by pulse generators, that allow the researcher to control the strength, shape, duration and frequency of the magnetic pulse. So far, TMS coils have been positioned based on the researcher's knowledge of general brain anatomy and additional hypotheses under investigation. Information about the individual subject, e.g. gained from functional imaging, can be used only indirectly. While the stimulation of motor-related brain areas may provide immediate feedback to the neuroscientist, the effect of stimulating areas involved in higher-order cognitive functions cannot be measured directly.

Navigation-Assisted Stimulation
Research as well as diagnostic or therapeutic applications of TMS need precise information about the brain area stimulated, and on the direction and shape of the magnetic pulse. The LOCALITE TMS Navigator helps to position the coil very precisely in reference to the subjects brain shown in an individual anatomical MR dataset.

In the following three aspects TMS usage is assistet by the various functions of the TMS Navigator

  • Target definition und target guidance
  • Reproducebility
  • Control und documentation
For further details of the TMS Navigator features please see the information sheet.

The LOCALITE TMS Navigator was developed in cooperation with the TMS Lab of University Hospital Aachen and the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology FIT. Our reference customers are i.a.:

  • Motor Cortex Group, Department of Neurology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
  • Department of Neurology, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany
  • Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Germany