The NEUROLITH® is a device for patients with Alzheimer's disease and has been CE-marked since 2018.
The system was developed by the Swiss medical device manufacturer STORZ MEDICAL, which leads the way in shock wave technology. In this section, you can find out how non-invasive Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS) is performed with the NEUROLITH® system.
In Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS for short), acoustic pulses are generated in the transducer or handpiece of the NEUROLITH® system. These pulses are then transmitted »transcranially« – i.e. non-invasively – through the skull into the brain regions typically affected by Alzheimer's disease to a depth of up to 8 centimetres.
TPS is uncomplicated for the patient and is performed as an outpatient procedure.
An initial TPS treatment series comprises six sessions within two weeks, with one treatment session lasting around 30 minutes. The NEUROLITH® system is operated by trained medical professionals.
During TPS treatment, the patient sits in a chair and can move freely at any time. Before the treatment begins, the doctor imports the patient's MRI data into the NEUROLITH® system. The patient then puts on a pair of glasses for detecting the position of the head, and a short calibration aligns the head shape with the MRI data. This means that each applied pulse that is transmitted through the scalp into the brain can subsequently be viewed and documented in real time. To ensure the pulses are transmitted as effectively as possible, the doctor applies ultrasound gel to the scalp or hair (shaving the hair is not necessary). The operator moves the NEUROLITH® handpiece gently over the relevant areas of the scalp and skull. The resulting transmitted energy is displayed in colour on the screen, allowing the operator and patient to track the precise area of the brain that is being targeted at any time.
You can find the locations of NEUROLITH® operators at Treatment Centres.
