UI Development for Deep Brain Stimulation

Closed Human-Computer Interaction Computer Science Games Engineering Bachelor Master Project Thesis Games Research Lab Industry Cooperation

Background

Over the last three decades surgical therapies have been established as treatment for specific movement and psychiatric disorders. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of different targets is now considered an evidence-based, routine therapy for selected patients. The most common indications are Parkinson’s disease, Essential tremor and Dystonia. For this alternative or adaptive therapy surgeons implant lead within four or more contacts in deep brain structures to modulate pathologic oscillations in certain neuronal network. The attending physicians are able to select one or a combination of contacts to define the centre of stimulation. By altering the amplitude and pulse width he can specify the area of stimulation, namely the volume of tissue activated (VTA). Therefore, DBS efficiency could optimize and side effects avoided. However, the programming of the DBS devise is quite complicated. All parameters and contact setting need to be chosen individually and the resulting VTA must imagine mentally by the physician.

Tasks

This project will find an optimum of a multidimensional problem (3D location + electrical settings) through a simple, intuitive user interface that allows trial and error DBS programming. Regarding to the anatomical conditions the optimal VTA should be created by an easy method without defining specific stimulation parameters. In respect thereof the programming algorithms would chose ideal contact settings, amplitude and pulse width based on the physician pre-defined area. This would allow a more intuitive handling of the complex stimulation parameter programmer. Time consuming titration of parameters and a fundamental knowledge of current distribution and electrical engineering are no longer needed. Patients could receive more rapidly the ideal efficiency of the novel therapy and more physicians would be able to adjust the stimulation to patients needs.

Prerequisites

• Keen interest in learning UI development

Cooperation

This project is in cooperation with the Department of Neurology of the University of Wuerzburg and the company Nexeon Medsystems Belgium.

Cooperation Partners

Contact Persons at the University Würzburg