Stimulation of subcortical brain regions using transcranial rotating permanent magnetic stimulation (trpms)

Abstract

A method of affecting a biological, cellular or biochemical function or structure in a targeted subcortical location in a brain of a patient using a TRPMS apparatus placed on a head of the patient includes positioning two or more of a plurality of magnetic assemblies on locations of the head mount selected to stimulate the targeted subcortical location in the brain of the patient, and activating the plurality of magnetic assemblies at the selected locations to generate magnetic fluxes of a selected strength, frequency and duration directed into the brain of the patient,/wherein the magnetic flux directed into the brain of the patient from each of the assemblies is operative to generate induced electric field in regions of the brain and the regions of induced electric fields generated by each of the plurality of magnetic assemblies converge in the targeted subcortical location and combine to a magnitude sufficient to affect the biological, cellular or biochemical function or structure in the targeted subcortical location.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method of stimulating or modifying a biological, cellular or biochemical function or structure in a targeted subcortical location in a brain of a patient using a TRPMS (Transcranial Rotating Permanent Magnetic System) apparatus provided on a head mount, the apparatus having a plurality of releasable magnetic assemblies with rotating permanent magnets operable to rotate for controlled durations and spin rates, the method comprising:
 positioning two or more of the plurality of magnetic assemblies at locations of the head mount selected to stimulate the targeted subcortical location in the brain of the patient; and   activating the plurality of magnetic assemblies to generate magnetic fluxes of a selected strength, frequency and duration to be directed into the brain of the patient and which are operative to generate an induced electric field in regions of the brain;   wherein the regions of induced electric fields generated by each of the plurality of magnetic assemblies converge and overlap in the targeted subcortical location and combine to a magnitude sufficient to stimulate or modify the biological, cellular or biochemical function or structure in the targeted subcortical location.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the induced electric field in regions of the brain from each of the plurality of magnetic assemblies has a pathway toward the targeted subcortical location, and wherein activation of each of the plurality of magnetic assemblies is at the electric field strength which avoids stimulation of brain structures in brain regions along a respective pathway while outside of the targeted subcortical location. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the targeted subcortical location is at least 2 centimeters deep as measured from an external surface of the brain. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the regions of induced electric fields generated by each of the plurality of magnetic assemblies combine to a magnitude sufficient to modulate mitochondrial activity in the targeted subcortical location. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein modulation of the mitochondrial activity in the targeted subcortical location causes apoptosis of oncological tumor cells in the targeted location. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the regions of induced electric fields generated by each of the plurality of magnetic assemblies combine to a magnitude sufficient to modify a position or orientation of polar molecules involved in a cellular process in the targeted subcortical location. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the regions of induced electric fields generated by each of the plurality of magnetic assemblies combine to a magnitude sufficient to modify a position or orientation of at least one of septin and tubulin to regulate cell division in the targeted subcortical location. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the combined electric fields at the targeted subcortical location has a magnitude at or above 12 V/m. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the combined electric fields at the targeted subcortical location has a magnitude in a range of about 12 V/m to about 30 V/m. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the regions of induced electric fields generated by each of the plurality of magnetic combine to a magnitude sufficient to increase a frequency of spontaneously occurring fasciculation potentials (sMUPs) of neurons in the targeted subcortical location.