Remus: System for Remote Deep Brain Interventions

Abstract

MotivationTranscranial focused ultrasound brings personalized medicine to the human brain. Ultrasound can modulate neural activity or release drugs in specific neural circuits but this personalized approach requires a system that delivers ultrasound into specified targets flexibly and on command. SummaryWe developed a remote ultrasound system (Remus) that programmatically targets deep brain regions with high spatiotemporal precision and in a multi-focal manner. We validated these functions by safely modulating two deep brain nuclei--the left and right lateral geniculate nucleus-in a task-performing non-human primate. This flexible system will enable researchers and clinicians to diagnose and treat specific deep brain circuits in a noninvasive yet targeted manner, thus embodying the promise of personalized treatments of brain disorders. Animated graphical abstract: onetarget.us/download/rem.