Electrocardiography (ECG) Triggered Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) – IP 1305

FIU inventors have developed an ECG-triggeredTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation system which reads data from existingelectrocardiography (ECG) equipment to automatically compute and deliver an electromagneticpulse to the brain at the best time and optimal intensity. Empirical evidencesuggests that if the magnetic stimulus is not synchronized with the cardiaccycle, there is potential for detrimentally slowing down the heart rate.However, if the same stimulus is synchronized to select moments of the cardiaccycle, minimal or no heart rate alteration will occur. Furthermore, theintegration of ECG with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) allows for theprecise analysis and interpretation of the state of the patient heart, the ECG,and provides a more complete assessment of a given patient. The software of this technology can detect individualcardiac wave deflections as well as the intervals between them. This technologyis capable of processing this data from the ECG for computing and delivering aprescribed intensity of magnetic stimulation at a precise time in the cardiaccycle. Therefore, such a system allows for the timely and safe delivery of thebrain stimulation, all while continuously monitoring the ECG signal. The samemechanism which automates the different functions of the TMS is also able toabort the stimulation if any unwarranted effects such as abnormal cardiacrhythm or other abnormalities are observed by the ECG. Shantanu Balkundi sbalkund@fiu.edu 305-348-8061