News
TIBS-R V3.0: Leading Stimulator Performance for Artifact-free EEG and Closed-Loop Protocols
TIBS-R V3.0 has been released! The device is certified for electrical safety according to IEC 60601-1:2005 + A1:2012 + A2:2020 and has several
important enhancements:
- Improved performance in the presence of large variations in electrode contact quality
- Markedly reduced second-order intermodulation products (IM2); when paired with the IT’IS electroencephalography (EEG) filter solution, IM2 products are reduced to well below the EEG noise floor (<30nV)
- New possibilities for EEG-based closed-loop stimulation protocols
- New wireless charging option that extends stimulator run time, e.g., for overnight experiments
This update will be made available immediately to all researchers in our Early Adopter Program.
The Company
TI Solutions AG develops high-quality and flexible stimulation devices and planning tools for temporal interference (TI) research. The company was founded in December 2019 in Zurich, Switzerland, by the creators of the TI concept in collaboration with Z43 to specifically foster TI research.
TI Devices
The TIBS-R neurostimulation devices support direct current (DC), alternating current and TI stimulation, up to 8 synchronous stimulation channels, a wide carrier-frequency range (DC – 100 kHz), sinusoidal to arbitrary modulation, synchronization with external triggers, compatibility with electroencephalogram recordings, and more.
TI Solutions Early Adopter Program (EAP)
What is the TI Solutions EAP?
The EAP will play a pivotal role in fostering exploration of the potential of TI through flexible and highly controlled stimulations. Groups participating in the EAP will be able to use our investigational device in their research projects, enabling them to advance the existing knowledge base through in vitro and in vivo studies. In turn, TI Solutions will gain insights into the researchers’ needs, which will help drive development and optimization of the specifications for future devices.
How can I become part of the EAP?
Researchers interested in participating in TI Solutions’ EAP should contact us to arrange a conference call for initial discussion before submitting a written proposal. Proposals will be evaluated by our review board for the scientific significance, topicality, originality, and feasibility of the project. Projects that are approved by the board enter the EAP.
Note that each study admitted to the program must provide proof that the study has gained ethics approval from the appropriate regulatory institution as a prerequisite for receiving the TI stimulation device for the proposed research project.
The TI devices are continuously improved and their functions extended. Groups that are part of the EAP can lease a 8-channel device for CHF 500 / month; maintenance and support is included in the lease price. Options for MRI-compatibility, additional hardware for EEG compatibilty and for continuous operation using wireless power transfer are available upon special request. The minimal lease period is six months.
Additional Services
The IT’IS Foundation offers specialized services for the development of experiment-specific graphical user interfaces to support TI planning and simulations and provides guidance on research protocols and experimental design as needed.
Device Description
Specifications | |
Frequency Range | DC - 100 kHz |
Waveforms | Sinusoid, phase modulation, frequency modulation, AWG* |
Number of Channels Per Unit | 8 synchronized, fully differential |
EEG Compatibility | Brain Products, Geodesic# |
MRI Compatibility Option | Upon special request |
Operation Time | >4 hrs active use on single battery charge, unlimited with WPT-TX/RX |
Battery Charger | USB-C |
Peak Output Voltage | 52 V differential** |
Peak Output Current | 5 mA max at ≤1.8 kHz** 7 mA max at 2.5 kHz** 14 mA max at ≥5 kHz** |
Trigger / Sync Output | External instrument and synchronization (optical) |
Trigger Input | Yes (digital, optical) |
EEG Level Output of Excitation Envelope | Yes (optical) |
Sample Rate | 1 MSamples/s |
AWG Memory Depth | >2 Msamples (2 s)* |
Dynamic Range | >60 dB (10 µA - 10 mA) |
Precision / Resolution | 16 bit, 1 µs, synchronous update |
Total Harmonic Distortion | <0.05% |
2nd Order Intermodulation | -110 dBc typical (≤-135 dBc#) |
Ground Reference | Yes |
Ground Current Monitoring | Yes |
Monitoring - Currents / Voltages | Yes, synchronous sampling / logging of stimulation |
Electrode Impedance Detection | Yes (online) |
Emergency Stop Button | Optical, suitable for MRI |
Safety | Hardware-limited peak currents and voltages** |
Control Unit | Optical connection to host PC |
Compliance | IEC 60601-1:2005 + A1:2012 + A2:2020 IEC 62304:2006 + A1:2015 IEC 60601-1-6:2010 A1:2013 +A2:2020 ISO 14971:2007 IEC 60601-1-2:2014 + A1:2020 |
Scripting | Python, MATLAB (others on request) |
Environment | +5 – +40°C |
Instructions for Use | Yes |
IP Protection (Patents) | US 10173061, 10905878,11759634 EP 3204113, only in FR, DE, GB, IT, ES, FI, DK, BE, NL, CH and LI, CZ |
End of Life | December 2030 or later |
AWG: arbitrary waveform generator; EEG: electroencephalogram; MRI: magnetic resonance imging; WPT-TX/RX: wireless power transfer option * in future release only ** compliant with implemented safety concept (Cassara’ AM et al. bioRxiv. 2022.12.15.520077; IEC standards) # EEG solution provided by the IT'IS Foundation Minimal PC specifications (PC not included): Windows 11 Pro, 16 GB RAM, UHD graphics, USB-C |
TI Planning Tool
The TI planning tool is provided by the IT’IS Foundation for the optimization of electrode placements on human and animal subjects, currents and modulations. The tools are user-friendly and present results in a powerful visualization. Users can also define different optimization criteria. Thanks to a state-of-the-art cloud-based modeling platform, simulations of complex and realistic setups can be performed without special software or hardware. Version 2.2 supports two channel configurations, and phase modulation and multi-channel target optimization. Version 3.0 will add personalized modeling, allowing modeling of any anatomy and any electrode shape and placement.
Services
Our team will provide all engineering services required for the optimal application of the developed TI devices and planning tools, such as troubleshooting support, replacement of defective devices, and repairs. We are happy to contribute to drafting research proposals and to perform simulations for the TI planning if required. We are also interested in discussing and, if feasible, incorporating additional features into our devices and software tools.
The Science
TI stimulation is a non-invasive technique that uses scalp electrodes to apply interfering electrical high-frequency currents to reach structures deep inside the brain. While the applied frequencies of the electric fields themselves are too high to induce neural firing, the frequency of the envelop can drive neural activity. This new concept holds great promise for both research and clinics as it may open up new experimental opportunities and may be used for selective deep brain stimulation to treat certain disorders without the necessity of surgically implanting electrodes within certain brain areas, which is still common practice today.
Grossman N et al. Noninvasive deep brain stimulation via temporally interfering electric fields. Cell. 2017;169(6):1029‐1041.e16. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2017.05.024
References
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