Lens-based ultrasonic transcranial deep brain stimulation – ULTRASTIM

Neuromodulation (the alteration of nerve activity) plays a major role in the treatment of neurological diseases. A number of techniques that either improve accuracy (Deep Brain Stimulation), or offer non-invasiveness (Transcranial Electric Stimulation (TES), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)) have been introduced. In ULTRASTIM, a disruptive, low cost, non-invasive transcranial focused ultrasound neurostimulation device with millimetric resolution will be developed and validated. These features make it a unique tool in neuroscience and research into treatment of neurological disorders such as, for example, drug resistant depression or addiction. It is based on a 3D shaped patient-dependent ultrasonic lens affixed in front of a single element transducer.