Apparatus and method for ultrasound spinal cord stimulation

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for ultrasound stimulation of spinal cord are provided. The method comprises at least two stimulation cycles, each comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a first real-time spinal cord using a first set of ultrasound transducers (S1); b) selecting a pre-determined stimulation area of the spinal cord from the first real-time spinal cord (S2); c) calculating the position andorientation of the selected stimulation area relative to a second set of ultrasound transducers (S3); and d) stimulating the selected stimulation area of the spinal cord at the calculated relative position and orientation using the second set of ultrasound transducers (S4). 提供了一种用于超声刺激脊髓的设备和方法。该方法包括至少两个刺激周期，每个周期包括以下步骤：a)使用第一组超声换能器获得第一实时脊髓图像(S1)；b)从第一实时脊髓图像中选择脊髓的预定刺激区域(S2)；c)计算所选择的刺激区域相对于第二组超声换能器的位置和取向(S3)；d)使用第二组超声换能器在计算出的相对位置和取向处刺激脊髓的所选择的刺激区域(S4)。