IEEE Pulse最新文献

The allure of Neuralink is attracting investors to funnel money into the development of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, primarily aimed at treating spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. But what is the payoff? Jim Banks examines the inspired innovation in BCI that is reestablishing connections for patients with the world.

Neurofeedback uses a brain-computer interface to measure a person's brain activity and show it to them in real time. A number of companies offer neurofeedback devices directly to consumers, with promises of improving meditation and enhancing concentration. However, whether neurofeedback is actually effective remains controversial among researchers.

For patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), clot formation is a critical complication requiring high-risk circuit changes. Blood tests used to assess clotting risk may be drawn only four times a day, potentially missing key information that could inform physician intervention. To mitigate these risks, we designed a device that integrates ultrasound imaging and impedance sensing for continuous, real-time monitoring of blood coagulability (the blood's likelihood to clot). Our design features a tubing adaptor housing two gold probes and an etched region containing a safe concentration of kaolin, a coagulation promoter, which localizes small-scale clot formation in a single detectable region. An ultrasound probe attached to the adaptor captures images at this location for further processing by a computer vision image segmentation algorithm that tracks changes in clot thickness over time. Concurrently, an impedance sensor measures resistive and capacitive changes in the blood during coagulation using the gold probes. The ac voltage input is minimized to prevent electrochemical reactions or shock. The output signal is filtered and analyzed using a lock-in amplifier to extract precise impedance changes that show preliminary correlation with coagulation blood test markers. By integrating these sensors, our system demonstrates preliminary real-time, in-circuit coagulation monitoring, making strides toward overcoming the current limitations of intermittent blood testing with the ultimate goal of improving patient safety in ECMO therapy.

Focused ultrasound (FUS) is rapidly redefining the landscape of brain therapy, offering a noninvasive, highly precise alternative to traditional neurosurgical techniques. Enabled by advances in phased-array transducer technology, MRI-guided targeting and thermometry, and sophisticated treatment planning software, FUS delivers sub-millimeter accuracy through the skull while sparing surrounding tissue. This article provides a comprehensive yet accessible overview of the core technologies that make FUS possible, including phase correction for skull variability and real-time imaging for safety. We survey the broadening spectrum of clinical applications, from FDA-approved treatments for essential tremor and Parkinson's disease to investigational uses in Alzheimer's, glioblastoma, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and targeted drug delivery. Pioneering trials have demonstrated not only durable tremor control and motor improvement, but also the unique ability to deliver drugs directly to the brain and noninvasively target deep neuropsychiatric circuits.

Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheters play a critical role in providing visualization during cardiac procedures. Currently, the ICE catheter requires continuous manual support to maintain stable imaging, often necessitating a second operator and prolonging procedure time. We present AnchorCat, a novel fixation device for ICE catheters used in cardiac ablation procedures. Designed to secure the catheter handle and enable precise positional adjustments, AnchorCat improves imaging stability and reduces the need for continuous manual support. High-fidelity prototypes were manufactured and tested in simulated cardiac models, demonstrating minimal rotational and translational drift within clinical targets. Physician feedback confirmed an ergonomics score of 4.63/5, and successful testing in a porcine model validated the device's clinical potential. AnchorCat offers a promising solution to enhance procedural efficiency and visualization during cardiac ablations.

In this exclusive IEEE Pulse interview, Editor in Chief Chad Andresen engages in an in-depth conversation with Alex Kent, Senior Director of Research at Cala Health, to explore the pioneering work that has positioned the company at the forefront of bioelectronic medicine. Cala Health is known for its transformative approach to treating essential tremor through noninvasive, wrist-worn neuromodulation a therapy that merges rigorous neuroscience with intuitive wearable technology. Kent sheds light on the years of intense, multidisciplinary research that underpins Cala's innovation, including the complex challenges of translating neurophysiological insights into practical, patient-ready therapies. From foundational science to FDA clearance, the journey has been one of perseverance, collaboration, and bold thinking. Listeners will gain rare insight into the scientific backbone of Cala Health's success, the commitment to evidence-based development, and the vision for how individualized bioelectronic medicine can reshape the treatment of chronic neurological conditions. This conversation is a tribute to the relentless pursuit of meaningful, scalable impact and to the researchers who make it possible.

While noninvasive medical devices for disease diagnosis and management are used routinely in high-income settings, their penetration in low-income countries, and in complex emergency and humanitarian settings remain limited. This article discusses issues of trust, privacy, context, and financial sustainability that need to be addressed for noninvasive devices to live up to their potential and promise in low-income and humanitarian settings.

Tumor treating fields (TTFields) use alternating waves in roughly the AM radio range to disrupt malignant cell division, shrinking tumors and helping to keep metastases in check. Devices to deliver the therapy currently are available from a single company-Novocure-but a number of clinical trials are underway globally with an eye toward expanding their use. When TTFields were discovered in 2000, researchers suspected that their primary mechanism of action involved physically interfering with mitosis as a cancer cell begins to divide. Healthy cells are not affected by the fields because they have different division rates than malignant cells and different physical and electrical properties. Research has revealed that the fields not only disrupt cancer cell division, but also interfere with DNA damage repair and a malignant cell's ability to move around the body, or metastasize. Studies show that TTFields can trigger cellular stress and chromosomal abnormalities that make it easier for the body's immune system to kill malignant cells.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-is already an established therapy for neurological conditions, including depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as well as being FDA-approved for smoking cessation. Its success in helping patients with treatment-resistant depression through the modulation of activity in specific areas of the brain has established TMS as a safe and effective therapy that could be used to target other areas of the brain and, therefore, treat a vast array of conditions with a neurological component. Trials are under way to assess its use in the treatment of chronic neurological pain, biploar disorder, epilepsy, cognitive decline and so much more. Jim Banks talks to leading researchers in the field to discuss the success of TMS so far, the challenges in designing clinical trials, and the huge scope for potential applications in the years ahead.

This article introduces Hypersound Medical's innovative, noninvasive neuromodulation therapy leveraging advanced radio frequency (RF) microwave technology to manage chronic pain without surgical intervention or pharmaceuticals. Traditional pain management methods, including opioids, carry risks such as addiction and significant side effects, highlighting the urgent need for safer alternatives. Hypersound Medical addresses this by utilizing interferential RF microwaves, termed "hypersound," which stimulate neural activity through nonthermal mechanisms involving electrostriction and piezo-sensitive ion channel activation. This targeted stimulation induces natural analgesic responses within the body, providing effective and precise pain relief. The article explores the technology's scientific principles, discusses its clinical and economic benefits, and positions it within the broader context of noninvasive pain management. Hypersound Medical's solution promises enhanced patient outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and improved accessibility, significantly impacting global health by offering a nonaddictive, accessible pathway to chronic pain relief.