Magnetic coil design for evaluating the response of the spinal cord during magnetic stimulation

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the response of the spinal cord and nearby area during lumbar magnetic stimulation. One of the most important issues about magnetic stimulation of nervous tissue is the lack of precision in the stimulated region. Based on the experimental measurements performed in cooperation with the Medical University of Vienna, the figure-of-eight coil configuration was proved to be not so efficient in spinal cord stimulation (its inability to specifically stimulate the target tissue, without activating the surrounding areas). In order to obtain the best results in stimulation, the electric circuit of the magnetic stimulator must be optimized (LRC series circuit). The most important is to establish an adequate design of the inductive coil in accordance with the medical application that is used. So, starting from these considerations, the present work aims to find a suitable design of magnetic coil capable to trigger stimulation of the spinal cord.