What is Transcranial Pulse Stimulation?

Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS): Activating Neural Networks with Shockwaves

Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation method used in the field of neuromodulation. Neuromodulation refers to technologies that act directly on the nerve cells. Neuromodulation causes the change – or modulation – of nerve activity by delivering electrical impulses or pharmaceutical agents directly to a target area.

Brain Stimulation Technique TPS: Targeting Brain Regions

TPS uses low-energy shock wave pulses to stimulate specific brain regions. These are very short, singular pulses (duration 3-5 microseconds). In combination with the camera navigation integrated into the system, the TPS enables an exceptionally precise application of the stimulation pulses, which are individually adapted to the patient’s brain. The integrated camera and the device software are used for visualisation and control of the applied pulses in real time as well as for documentation.

TPS: Non-invasive, outpatient procedure

The TPS principle is based on the use of shock waves that penetrate non-invasively through the skull bone and act directly on the underlying brain tissue. The penetration depth reaches up to 8 cm into the brain, so that the shock waves, also called sound waves, can reach almost every region of the human brain. The energies used in TPS are in the range of 0.2 to 0.25 mJ/mm². The intensity of these shock waves is low enough not to cause any damage to the brain tissue. TPS is applied on an outpatient basis under medical supervision in clinics and surgeries. Treatment involves moving a transducer over the scalp and delivering shock waves to the affected areas of the brain. A single treatment session usually lasts 30 minutes. However, the duration of treatment varies depending on the clinical picture and the individual needs of the patient.