Coil for magnetic stimulation

A method of treating a neurophysiological condition, comprising:

• identifying a subject suffering a neurophysiological condition;
• placing a magnetic stimulator external to the subject's skull;
• and activating the coil to stimulate the deep region of the subject's brain,
• the magnetic stimulator comprising a base with a first side to be directed toward a body part of a subject, the base comprising multiple substantially parallel stimulating elements configured to conduct electrical current in substantially a single direction of current flow, thereby inducing electrical fields within the body part, and an extension portion projecting from a second side of the base and comprising multiple respective return elements for return paths for the current in the stimulating elements, the return elements being spaced from the stimulating elements so that the electrical effect of the return path current on the body part is reduced.

A magnetic stimulator for placement externally of a body part of a subject and operable to induce currents within the body, the magnetic stimulator comprising:

• an arcuate base having an inner face and an outer face, wherein the base is shaped to conform to a body part on which it is to be externally placed,
• the base providing a plurality of stimulating current pathways for inducing the currents within the body, wherein the stimulating current pathways conduct current substantially in a single direction within the base to avoid return current pathways that flow in a direction opposite to the single direction and that would oppose or interfere with magnetic fields within the body produced by the stimulating current pathways;
• and
• an extension portion extending away from the base that provides the return current pathways,
• wherein the base comprises first and second spaced longitudinal sides and the stimulating current pathways extend transversely of the base between the first and second spaced longitudinal sides, and wherein current flows through the first and second longitudinal sides, the stimulating current pathways, and the extension portion.

A magnetic stimulator for placement externally of a body part of a subject and operable to induce currents within the body, the magnetic stimulator comprising:

• an arcuate base having an inner face and an outer face, wherein the base is shaped to conform to a body part on which it is to be externally placed,
• the base providing a plurality of stimulating current pathways for inducing the currents within the body, wherein the stimulating current pathways conduct current substantially in a single direction within the base to avoid return current pathways that flow in a direction opposite to the single direction and that would oppose or interfere with magnetic fields within the body produced by the stimulating current pathways;
• and
• an extension portion extending away from the base that provides the return current pathways,
• wherein the base comprises a pair of elongated members between which extend a plurality of the stimulating current pathways, and wherein the extension portion comprises one or more conductive elements that form a loop extending outwardly from the plane of the base.

A magnetic stimulator for placement externally of a body part of a subject and operable to induce currents within the body, the magnetic stimulator comprising:

• an arcuate base having an inner face and an outer face, wherein the base is shaped to conform to a body part on which it is to be externally placed,
• the base providing a plurality of stimulating current pathways for inducing the currents within the body, wherein the stimulating current pathways conduct current substantially in a single direction within the base to avoid return current pathways that flow in a direction opposite to the single direction and that would oppose or interfere with magnetic fields within the body produced by the stimulating current pathways;
• and
• an extension portion extending away from the base that provides the return current pathways,
• wherein the extension portion comprises a plurality of extension elements projecting outwardly from the base.

A magnetic stimulator for placement externally of a body part of a subject and operable to induce currents within the body, the magnetic stimulator comprising:

• an arcuate base having an inner face and an outer face, wherein the base is shaped to conform to a body part on which it is to be externally placed,
• the base providing a plurality of stimulating current pathways for inducing the currents within the body, wherein the stimulating current pathways conduct current substantially in a single direction within the base to avoid return current pathways that flow in a direction opposite to the single direction and that would oppose or interfere with magnetic fields within the body produced by the stimulating current pathways;
• an extension portion extending away from the base that provides the return current pathways;
• and
• a shield positioned between the return pathways and the stimulating current pathways, the shield being configured to inhibit magnetic fields produced by the return pathways.

A method of studying or treating a neurophysiological condition, comprising:

• identifying a subject suffering a neurophysiological condition;
• placing a magnetic stimulator external to the subject's skull;
• and
• activating the magnetic stimulator to stimulate the deep region of the subject's brain, the magnetic stimulator comprising,
• an arcuate base having an inner face and an outer face, wherein the base is shaped to conform to a body part on which it is to be externally placed,
• the base providing a plurality of stimulating current pathways for inducing the currents within the body, wherein the stimulating current pathways conduct current substantially in a single direction within the base to avoid return current pathways that flow in a direction opposite to the single direction and that would oppose or interfere with magnetic fields within the body produced by the stimulating current pathways;
• and
• an extension portion extending away from the base that provides the return current pathways.

An electrically conductive coil for placing externally of the skull of a subject and operable to induce currents within the brain of the subject, comprising:

• a base portion, the base portion configured to provide a flow of electricity, thus producing a magnetic field in a region of the brain;
• and
• an extension portion for providing a return path for the flow of electricity through the base, the extension portion configured to place electrical currents flowing through the return path away from the region of the brain having the produced magnetic field,
• wherein the base portion comprises multiple substantially parallel and spaced apart stimulating elements configured to conduct electrical current in substantially a single direction of current flow, thereby inducing electrical fields within the region of the brain.

A magnetic stimulator for placing externally of the cranium of a subject and operable to induce currents within the body, comprising:

• an electrically conductive coil comprising a base portion and an extension portion, the base portion having a width axis and a length axis, and a concave first side configured to be complementary to the cranium of a subject, the extension portion projecting outwardly from the base portion,
• the coil in the base portion comprising elements spaced apart and transverse to the length axis such that the flow of current in these elements is in substantially the same direction;
• and
• a shield at least partially enclosing the extension portion.

A magnetic stimulator for placing externally of the cranium of a subject and operable to induce currents within the body, comprising:

• an electrically conductive coil comprising a base portion and an extension portion, the base portion having a width axis and a length axis, and a concave first side configured to be complementary to the cranium of a subject, the extension portion projecting outwardly from the base portion,
• the coil in the base portion comprising elements spaced apart and transverse to the length axis such that the flow of current in these elements is in substantially the same direction;
• and
• a cushion coupled to the base portion.