Nurostym - Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (TES) System

What is the nurostym tES?

The nurostym is a powerful, complete transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) device that offers complete control of stimulation parameters; fully programmable protocols; sham and double-blind controls; advanced safety functions; and user-friendly controls to enable even the most complex of studies using transcranial electrical stimulation (tES).

Featuring an intuitive and responsive touchscreen display, the nurostym tES provides researchers with ultimate clarity and ease of use in allowing the user easy customisation of all stimulation protocols directly from the device itself. The nurostym system also integrates seamlessly with its proprietary computer application- a Windows program that allows the user to generate and save up to eight custom stimulation paradigms; remotely control the nurostym device through trigger-in and trigger-out connections; as well as providing access to stimulation logs and performing system software and firmware updates.

The nurostym device is capable of running a range of transcranial electrical stimulation paradigms, including:

• Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS);
• Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS);
• Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS);
• Pulsed tDCS;
• Amplitude-modulated tACS;
• And Analogue input stimulation modes.

Nurostym includes state-of-the-art safety monitoring features as standard to ensure the wellbeing of both operator and subject. A multi-staged programmable impedance alarm and automatic `Safe-stop` cutoff system are included as default both to provide the operator with a clear notification of increased impedance and to minimise discomfort to the subject. The nurostym hardware itself is limited to a maximum of 50kOhm to ensure safe operation at all times.

When setting up stimulation paradigms, the tES system offers the user the option to input the size of the electrodes being used for stimulation. The nurostym can then automatically perform a current density calculation and advise the researcher if the current due to be delivered may cause an uncomfortable sensation or adverse effects for the participant. For research use, the option to ignore electrode size is available.

The nurostym tES system comes complete with two accessories to increase its functionality: the nurostym INTERFACE (IO Box) and the nurostym SPLITTER.

What is the nurostym tES?

The nurostym is a powerful, complete transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) device that offers complete control of stimulation parameters; fully programmable protocols; sham and double-blind controls; advanced safety functions; and user-friendly controls to enable even the most complex of studies using transcranial electrical stimulation (tES).

Featuring an intuitive and responsive touchscreen display, the nurostym tES provides researchers with ultimate clarity and ease of use in allowing the user easy customisation of all stimulation protocols directly from the device itself. The nurostym system also integrates seamlessly with its proprietary computer application- a Windows program that allows the user to generate and save up to eight custom stimulation paradigms; remotely control the nurostym device through trigger-in and trigger-out connections; as well as providing access to stimulation logs and performing system software and firmware updates.

The nurostym device is capable of running a range of transcranial electrical stimulation paradigms, including:

• Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS);
• Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS);
• Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS);
• Pulsed tDCS;
• Amplitude-modulated tACS;
• And Analogue input stimulation modes.

Nurostym includes state-of-the-art safety monitoring features as standard to ensure the wellbeing of both operator and subject. A multi-staged programmable impedance alarm and automatic `Safe-stop` cutoff system are included as default both to provide the operator with a clear notification of increased impedance and to minimise discomfort to the subject. The nurostym hardware itself is limited to a maximum of 50kOhm to ensure safe operation at all times.

When setting up stimulation paradigms, the tES system offers the user the option to input the size of the electrodes being used for stimulation. The nurostym can then automatically perform a current density calculation and advise the researcher if the current due to be delivered may cause an uncomfortable sensation or adverse effects for the participant. For research use, the option to ignore electrode size is available.

The nurostym tES system comes complete with two accessories to increase its functionality: the nurostym INTERFACE (IO Box) and the nurostym SPLITTER.

The nurostym SPLITTER accessory allows the user or researcher to make use of up to four return channels of stimulation through a single active channel. While users of typical transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) devices would assume even distributions of current across four channels, the nurostym`s inclusion of a dedicated switch for each channel means that users can accurately measure impedance levels for each channel separately.

In addition to these features, the nurostym also offers double-blinding (study mode) and sham control through the use of a five-digit numerical code to ensure that only the study manager is able to change the stimulation parameters.

Additional triggering modes (Easy mode and Complex Triggering) are also available. By entering a device-specific PIN code, the nurostym can be loaded into `Easy Mode`, restricting the device to operate only in specific, predefined conditions. Using this, and under the strict guidance of a medical professional, the device may be configured into Easy Mode to allow for the operation of the nurostym in a home environment.

For more complex triggering options, the device`s two trigger-in channels may be configured to start, stop, or both on the rising and falling edges of a pulse. Trigger-Out options are more numerous & complex. As well as being able to trigger on the High & Low levels of stimulation, the nurostym can send triggers out every time the polarity changes, any time the maximum and/or minimum peak of a sinusoidal wave is reached or when a notified number of cycles has been performed (during transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)).

The nurostym tES has been CE-marked for use as a medical device for the treatment of mental and neurological disorders.

• Number of Channels: 1 pair (1 anode, 1 cathode)
• Number of Channels, with SPLITTER: 4x1 (1 active, 4 return)
• Power Supply: Built-in, rechargeable battery
• Operating Time: Up to 10 hours
• Stimulation Modes: tDCS, tACS, tRNS, Pulsed tDCS, AM-tACS, Analogue Input
• Interface: Touch screen display and USB
• Sham Modes: None, Single-blind or Double-blind
• Maximum Voltage: 35V
• Digital Triggers: 2 digital inputs
• 3 digital outputs

tDCS Parameters:  

• Stimulation Current: max ±5 mA (increment 1µA)
• Stimulation Duration: 1-1800s (increment 1s)
• Fade In/Out: 0-60s (increment 1s)

tACS / AM-tACS Parameters:  

• Stimulation Current (peak-to-peak value): max 5 mA (increment 1µA)
• Offset: max ±3 mA (increment 1µA)
• Stimulation Duration: 1-1800s (increment 1s)
• Fade In/Out: 0-60s (increment 1s)
• Frequency (Carrier): 0.01-600Hz (increment 0.01Hz)
• Frequency (Modulation): 0-300Hz (increment 0.01Hz)

Pulsed tDCS Parameters:  

• Stimulation Current: max ±5 mA (increment 1µA)
• Stimulation Duration: 1-1800s (increment 1s)
• Fade In/Out: 0-60s (increment 1s)
• Frequency: 0.01 - 600Hz (increment 0.01Hz)
• Signal Duty Cycle: 1-99% (increment 1%, for freq. <50Hz) 10-90% (increment 1%, for freq. ≥50Hz)

tRNS Parameters:  

• Sample Value Range: ±(200 - 5000)µA (increment 1µA)
• Stimulation Duration: 1-1800s (increment 1s)
• Fade In/Out: 0-60s (increment 1s)
• Noise Distribution: Rectangular, gaussian
• Predefined Filters: LP: 100Hz, 250Hz, 640Hz, OFF
• HP: 50Hz, 100Hz, 250Hz, OFF

Analogue Input Parameters:  

• Transfer Ratio: 2mA per V
• Current Range: ±5 mA
• Analogue Bandwidth: 1kHz (-3dB)