Abstract: According to one aspect and example, a method for facilitating cellular interactions in biological tissue provides controllable activation of a selected type of stem cell among a plurality of cell types present in the tissue. The method includes various steps including the introduction of a microbial opsin into a region of the tissue that includes a selected type of stem cell, by expressing the microbial opsin in the stem cell. A light source is then introduced near the stem cell, and the light source is used to controllably activate the light source to direct pulses of illumination from the light source to the selected type of stem cell, for selectively controlling the growth and development of the stem cell in a manner that is independent of the growth and development of the other types of cells.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems and methods to enhance the magnetic perturbation of a neuronal (e.g., brain) target during Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), thereby enhancing the induced current in the target. In general, these devices, systems and methods enhance the magnetic perturbation (dB/dt) of the target by mechanically moving a TMS electromagnet (e.g. coil) at a frequency of greater than 1 kHz.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modulating deep brain target regions using an array of TMS electromagnets, wherein each TMS electromagnet stimulates the target at a level that is below motor threshold (MT). Neurological disorders (or disorders having neurological effects) may be treated by sub-MT stimulation of deep-brain targets from an array of TMS electromagnets.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) including one or more TMS electromagnets for stimulation of target deep brain regions to stimulate, enhance and/or inhibit neural activity.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modeling and displaying magnetic field intensities during Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) are described, particularly methods and system for modeling and displaying TMS using overlapping magnetic fields to stimulate deep brain regions.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided applicable to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for focusing the magnetic fields generated by electromagnets. In particular, devices, systems and methods including focusing electromagnets and focusing shapes are described.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for controlling Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation during or within a session, where direct immediate patient reported feedback is utilized to assess the effect and optimize the treatment in real time. These methods may be applicable to superficial repetitive Transcranial Magnet Stimulation (rTMS) or deep-brain stereotactic Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (sTMS). Examples of therapies that may benefit from these methods include TMS treatment of: acute pain (e.g., during dental procedures or bunionectomies), depression, or Parkinson's Disease, to name only a few. TMS systems and devices including or more patient inputs that may be used to perform these methods are also described.

Abstract: The treatment of hypertension may be accomplished by stimulation of the carotid baroreceptors. In the present application the inventors disclose methods in which non-invasively-delivered mechanical perturbations caused by sound, ultrasound, or electrical perturbations caused by magnetic, or direct current stimulation may be used to stimulate the carotid baroreceptors, triggering physiological responses that treat medical disorders including hypertension.

Abstract: System and methods for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) are described in which regions adjacent (e.g., to the sides and behind the TMS electromagnet) are protected from the high magnetic fields emitted by the TMS electromagnet. Thus, adjacent muscle or neural structures are protected and undesirable side effects are avoid or minimized, allowing stimulation from previously unavailable sites such as the mouth and pharynx.

Abstract: Described herein are Transcranial Magnetic Simulation (TMS) systems and methods of using them for emitting focused, or shaped, magnetic fields for TMS. In particular, described herein are arrays of TMS electromagnets comprising at least one primary (e.g., central) TMS electromagnet and a plurality of secondary (e.g., lateral or surrounding) TMS electromagnets. The secondary TMS electromagnets are arranged around the primary TMS electromagnet(s), and are typically configured to be synchronously fired with the primary TMS electromagnets. Secondary TMS electromagnets may be fired at a fraction of the power used to energize the primary TMS electromagnet to shape the resulting magnetic field. The secondary TMS electromagnets may be stimulated at opposite polarity to the primary TMS electromagnet(s). Focusing in this manner may prevent or reduce stimulation of adjacent non-target brain regions.

Abstract: When a mechanical frame or gantry is used to move one or more electromagnets about a subject, the pulsed magnetic fields of the magnets need to be triggered, but only when the coil is in an appropriate physical position. Trigger points are established along the movement pathway (e.g., along the support frame) for the electromagnets that trigger the pulsation of the current being supplied to the given electromagnet. Use of the present invention allows firing of a magnetic coil to coordinate with the position of that coil, without need for expensive robotics or computerized motion control.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) are provided for synchronous, asynchronous, or independent triggering the firing multiple of electromagnets from either a single power source or multiple energy sources. These methods are particularly useful for stimulation of deep (e.g., sub-cortical) brain regions, or for stimulation of multiple brain regions, since controlled magnetic pulses reaching the deep target location may combine to form a patterned pulse train that activates the desired volume of target tissue. Furthermore, the methods, devices and systems described herein may be used to control the rate of firing of action potentials in one or more brain regions, such as slow or fast rate rTMS. For example, described herein are multiple electromagnetic stimulation sources, each of which are activated independently to create a cumulative effect at the intersections of the electromagnetic stimulation trajectories, typically by means of a computerized calculation.

Abstract: Hypertension may be caused by central nervous system-mediated effort to maintain a certain level of blood flow within the brain. A method is described for using neuromodulation techniques to lower central drive for hypertension.

Abstract: Stimulation of target cells using light, e.g., in vivo, is implemented using a variety of methods and devices. In one example, embodiments involve methods for stimulating target cells using a photosensitive protein that allows the target cells to be stimulated in response to light. In another specific example embodiment, target cells are stimulated using an implantable arrangement. The arrangement includes an electrical light-generation means for generating light and a biological portion. The biological portion has a photosensitive bio-molecular arrangement that responds to the generated light by stimulating target cells in vivo. Other aspects and embodiments are directed to systems and methods for screening chemicals based screening chemicals to identify their effects on cell membrane ion channels and pumps, and to systems and methods for controlling an action potential of neuron (e.g., in vivo and in vitro environments).

Abstract: Described herein are devices and method for control and coordination of TMS electromagnets for modulation of deep brain targets. For example, described herein are methods and devices for stimulating neural structures within the brain using multi-coil arrays. Also described herein are devices and methods that relate generally to the focusing of magnetic fields generated by electromagnets used for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Devices and methods relating generally to the focusing of magnetic fields generated by electromagnets used for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation are also described, as well as devices and methods that relate generally to moving and positioning electromagnets generating magnetic fields used for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Finally, also described are devices and methods that relate generally to control of moving, positioning, and activating electromagnets generating magnetic fields used for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

Abstract: An intravascular filter is constructed to electrostatically capture and retain particles of a targeted type (for example fat or methacrylate emboli), even if those particles are physically small enough to slip through the filter in the absence of electrostatic attraction. Specific types of targeted particles are thereby captured and retained with improved efficiency, while permitting free flow of non-targeted particles. This improvement permits intravascular filters to be constructed with low-resistance, widely spaced filter elements. Accordingly, more targeted particles are captured, less thrombosis occurs, less pressure drop occurs across the filter, and perfusion or blood collection in downstream areas is maintained.

Abstract: Techniques for applying electromagnetic energy to deep, targeted areas without overwhelming other areas are provided. One or more coils are moved relative to a target area and magnetic fields are applied to the target from multiple coil locations. As a result, the aggregate electromagetic energy applied to the target over time is greater than surrounding areas. Additionally, a model for testing and treatment planning is provided.

Abstract: The treatment of specific neurological and psychiatric illnesses using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) requires that specific neuroanatomical structures are targeted using specific pulse parameters. Described herein are methods of positioning and powering TMS electromagnets to selectively stimulate a deep brain target region while minimizing the impact on non-target regions between the TMS electromagnet and the target. Use of these configurations may involve a combination of physical, spatial and/or temporal summation. Specific approaches to achieving temporal summation are detailed.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are implemented for in vivo use in a living animal. One such method involves stimulating target cells having light-responsive proteins and includes providing an elongated light-delivery structure in a narrow passageway in the animal, the elongated light-delivery structure having separately-activatable light sources located along the length of the elongated light-delivery structure. The method also includes activating less than all the light sources to deliver light to light-responsive proteins adjacent to the activated light sources along the length of the elongated light-delivery structure, thereby stimulating target cells in vivo.

Abstract: Radiosurgical techniques and systems treat behavioral disorders (such as depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (“OCD”), addiction, hyperphagia, and the like) by directing radiation from outside the patient toward a target tissue within the patient's brain, typically without imposing surgical trauma. The target will often be included in a neural circuit associated with the behavioral disorder. A cellularly sub-lethal dose of the radiation may be applied and the radiation can mitigate the behavioral disorder, obesity, or the like, by modulating the level of neural activity within the target and in associated tissues. Hypersensitive and/or hyperactive neuronal tissue may be targeted, with the radiation downwardly modulating hyperactive neuronal activity. By down-regulating the activity of a target that normally exerts negative feedback or a limiting effect on a relevant neural circuit, the activity of the circuit may be increased.