Analysis of non-linear magnetic core for magnetic neural stimulators

Abstract

Magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive technique to stimulate the central and peripheral nervous system. Using time-varying magnetic fields, a magnetic stimulator induces eddy currents in the tissue to achieve neural excitation (M. Yamaguchi et. al., JAP'89). Due to a non-invasive technique, it has been used in a variety of clinical applications which include brain mapping, treatment of mood disorder, treatment of epilepsy, and treatment of chronic pain. Traditionally, magnetic stimulators consume high power and cause significant heat dissipation in the coil. Thus, use to these devices has been limited to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) only.