TAMAS Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator

TAMAS – Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a safe, non-invasive therapy method that uses rapidly changing magnetic field to stimulate the neurons in the brain. It is indicated for rehabilitation purposes and the non-drug treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as  Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and other certain conditions, on adult patients who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from prior antidepressant medication.
Using highly focused, MRI strength magnetic pulses, TMS activates a specific region of the brain which regulates mood. This precise focusing of magnetic field that can pass through tissues and bones will enable stimulation without surgery.

TAMAS is a high quality, low cost system, serving as a unique research tool for the investigation of broad variety of issues in different fields:
Cognitive Neuroscience – in studying mental processes related to memory, speech, perception and functional connection
Psychiatry – to influence specific brain function within the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Neurophysiology – used in the stimulation of the peripheral and central nerve pathways
Rehabilitation – used in the promotion of muscle recovery and the relief of nerve spasticity

Benefits of TAMAS
TMS is an outpatient procedure and does not require anesthesia or sedation, so the patient can go back to his/her daily life right after a treatment. There is no need to disrupt his/her usual routine. Unlike other treatments, such as electro-convulsive therapy (ECT), TMS is painless and does not cause cognitive side effects or memory problems.

Characteristics
The TAMAS mechanism has a high power supply for the "butterfly" stimulation coil. The coil produces a high power electromagnetic field that penetrates the skin and bone and accuratelly targets the therapy area (deep penetration).
- TMS is creating a 3 Tesla magnetic field.
- Built-in oil circulation cooling system, for coil overheating prevention, allows non-stop operation.
- Touch screen interface offers access to easy operation.
- The transducer of figure-of-eight (butterfly) design allows precise focusing.
- It can be linked to biological signal instruments such as EMG.

Clinical Application
1. Neuropsychiatry: Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, Tinnitus, Hallucination, Insomnia, Headache, Panic
2. Rehabilitation: Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, Facial Palsy, Stroke, Parkinson Disease


The effects of 3 weeks of rTMS treatment on P200 amplitude in patients with depression
A Clinical Paper published at the science journal Neuroscience Letters, in June 2014 presents a study on patients with MDD (Major Depression Disorder) and Anxiety, that was conducted with rTMS model TAMAS, and resulted to the following highlights:

- rTMS treatment induced changes in brain function in patients with major depression.

- ERP P200 amplitudes increased after 3 weeks of rTMS treatment.

- sLORETA showed significant activation in the left middle frontal gyrus.

- Three weeks of rTMS treatment induced changes in brain function in the patients.

- Changes in brain function induced by rTMS treatment can be identified using ERP.

More details about the study with TAMAS can be found at ScienceDirect.


Contraindications
TAMAS is contraindicated in patients with implanted metallic devices or non-removable metallic objects in or around the head.

Specifications
- Peak magnetic energy: 0.5~3.0 Tesla@100% output
- Repetition rate:
    15Hz@100% output
    20Hz@80% output
    30Hz@50% output
    50Hz@30% output
- Train Duration: User selectable in 0.1sec increment
- Output waveform: Symmetric biphasic pulse
- Pulse width: 350μs
- Trigger input/output: TTL(Active low or high: via D-type connector)
- Operating: Color TFT LCD touch screen
- Power supply: 200~240Vac 50/60Hz 5A, Single phase
- Software: Integrated color touch screen display and 3 stimulation modes (single, repetitive, burst).
- Weight: 50kg