Ultrasonic neuromodulation with Pattern Interference Radiation Force (PIRF)

Stanford researchers have designed a non-invasive, low power ultrasonic neuromodulation device which can target tissue deep in the brain with high spatial-temporal resolution. Current technologies such as conventional electrical stimulation are invasive requiring surgery and non-invasive methods such as TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) and tDCS (transcranial Direct Current Stimulation) cannot target tissue deep in the brain and have poor spatial-temporal resolution.

This unique design which we call PIRF (Pattern Interference Radiation Force), in it's simplest form, situates two transducers opposed to one another such that the resulting interference pattern forms a standing wave which in some circumstances could stimulate or inhibit neural tissue with far less energy and better spatial resolution than conventional single transducers. The goal of this invention is to optimize ultrasonic neurostimulation to translate this technology from a research tool to a versatile clinical application.

Stage of Research