News
TIBS-R V2.0: Phase Modulation for Shaping Interference
We are pleased to announce the release of TIBS-R V2.0, which offers multi-channel phase modulation, allowing researchers to generate complex interference waveforms. This update will be made available to all researchers on our Early Adopter Program. If you are interested in the latest release of the corresponding TI planning tool, check out the website of our partner, the IT’IS Foundation.
TIBS-R and TIBS-R-MRI: The Ultimate in Technology for TI
Today, we release version 1.02 of TIBS-R, our advanced temporal interference brain stimulator for research. We look forward to engaging with those research groups who will receive devices through our Early Adopter Program, and we will continue working to optimize the device to facilitate the most advanced TI research.
For more information, including a short demo, visit IT’IS website.
New Project: MRIcompLEAD
TI Solutions is part of the Innosuisse project “MRIcompLEAD”. The project aims to develop novel leads for applications involving neurostimulation and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The goal is to significantly outperform current solutions in terms of MRI-safety (no heating effects), MRI-compatibility (no imaging artifacts) and mechanical stability. The project officially starts on February 1, 2023.
TIBS-R & TIBS-R-MRI: Final Prototype of New TI Technology
Today, TI Solutions released a demo of the final prototype device for advanced research in temporal interference brain stimulation. The device, developed in collaboration with the IT’IS Foundation, delivers high-precision current on eight channels from 0 Hz to 100 kHz. In the next few weeks the team will finalize the documentation, obtain electrical safety certification, and define the end-to-end testing protocol to be applied for each device. In parallel, the IT’IS Foundation will be completing an example of the control and monitoring software and the TI planning tool.
For more information, including a short demo, visit the IT’IS website
Professor Nir Grossman received award
A team of researchers led by Professor Nir Grossman, UK DRI at Imperial College London, received an important award to accelerate the application of a new non-invasive deep brain stimulation therapy for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Read more on the UK DRI website.
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 and TIBS-R-MRI 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 magnetic resonance imaging and 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. The MRI-compatible version is also available at an additional cost of CHF 100 per month. Options of 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 |
| Peak Output Voltage | ~±30 V (60 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* (differential load capacitance compensation) |
| Battery Run Time | >4 hrs active use |
| Charging | USB-C |
| Number of Channels Per Unit | 8, fully differential (extendable) |
| Trigger / Sync Output | External instrument and synchronization (optical) |
| Sample Rate | 1 MSamples/s |
| Waveforms | Sinusoid, phase modulation, frequency modulation, AWG |
| AWG Memory Depth | >2 Msamples (2 s) (in future release only) |
| Dynamic Range | >60 dB (10 µA - 10 mA) |
| Precision / Resolution | 16 bit, 1 µs, synchronous update |
| Total Harmonic Distortion | <0.05% |
| 2nd Order Intermodulation Worst Case | -70 dBc (typical use case: -90 dBc) |
| Ground Reference | |
| Ground Current Monitoring | |
| Monitoring - Currents / Voltages | Yes, synchronous sampling / logging of stimulation |
| Electrode Impedance Detection | |
| Emergency Stop Button | Optical, suitable for MRI environments |
| Safety | Hardware-limited peak currents and voltages* |
| Trigger Input | Yes (digital, optical) |
| EEG Level Output of Excitation Envelope | Yes (optical) |
| Filtering - Radiofrequency | Yes, LPF >30 dB rejection plus 3T MRI signal traps |
| Control Unit | Optical connection to host PC** |
| Scripting | Python, MatLab (others on request) |
| Optical Serial Port | Connecting to EEG instrument |
| Environment | 3T MRI, +5 – +40°C |
| Instructions for Use | |
| End of Life | December 2030 or later |
|
AWG: arbitrary waveform generator; EEG: electroencephalogram; LPF: low pass filter; MRI: magnetic resonance imging * compliant with implemented safety concept (Cassara’ AM et al. bioRxiv. 2022.12.15.520077; IEC standards) ** minimal PC specifications (PC not included): | |
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 1.0 supports two channel configurations. Version 2.0 will add 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 noninvasive 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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Cassara’ AM et al. Safety recommendations for temporal interference stimulation in the brain. bioRxiv. 2022.12.15.520077. doi: 10.1101/2022.12.15.52007
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Alekseichuk I et al. Comparative modeling of transcranial magnetic and electric stimulation in mouse, monkey, and human. Neuroimage. 2019;194:136‐148. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.03.044
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