The Mclean Hospital Corporation

Advanced Nmr Systems, Inc.

Michael L Rohan

Perry F Renshaw

Aimee Parow

Robert R Evans, Iii

Blaise deB Frederick

A magnetic coil system featuring a multi-layer structure, a spherical shape, or both allows for efficient generation of a gradient magnetic field that induces an electric field in air in a region proximate to the coil. By subjecting at least a portion of a person's brain to the induced electric field various psychiatric disorders can be treated.

Magnetic field stimulation

A magnetic coil system featuring a multi-layer structure (), a spherical shape, or both allows for efficient generation of a gradient magnetic field that induces an electric field in air in a region proximate to the coil. By subjecting at least a portion of a person's brain to the induced electric field various psychiatric disorders can be treated.

The invention involves enhancing brain function by stimulating the brain using magnetic fields. Applications of the new methods include improving the condition of individuals with cognitive disorders, such as depression, and studying the effects of neural stimulation using induced electric fields. These techniques can avoid deleterious effects of psychotropic pharmaceutical treatments, and provide a relatively safe, comfortable, inexpensive means of direct cranial stimulation.

Magnetic field treatment techniques

Magnetic field stimulation techniques

The invention involves an active phantom that transmits a waveform based on data reflecting free induction decay signals. The methods and apparatuses of the invention can be used, for example, to test and calibrate a magnetic resonance scanner; evaluate image acquisition parameters and reconstruction algorithms; and train scanner operators. In addition, the invention can simulate complex samples, e.g., a human brain without requiring human subject available to submit to the time and discomfort of a magnetic resonance scan.

Generation of synthetic nuclear magnetic resonance signals

In a magnetic resonance imaging system in which the read and phase directions are rotated with respect to the orthogonal gradient coil directions, a gradient coil is driven to generate a gradient waveform having a segment, either sinusoidal or linear, that approximates the sum of the simultaneous non-zero components of the read and phase gradient waveforms in the direction of the gradient coil. Resonant circuits, each including a gradient coil, generate simultaneous periodic gradient coil waveforms in which the integral over each waveform period is non-zero. First and second capacitive elements in the resonant power supply are electrically connected to the gradient coil through a switch and a bridged network, respectively. The bridged network selectively provides current flow paths between the coil and either of the terminals of the second capacitive element.

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Cambridge, MA, United States of America

Michael L Rohan