Remote targeted electrical stimulation

Abstract

Objective: The ability to generate electric fields in specific targets remotely would transform manipulations of processes that rest on electrical signaling. Approach: This article shows that focal electric fields are generated from distance by combining two orthogonal, remotely applied energies—magnetic and focused ultrasonic fields. The effect derives from the Lorentz force equation applied to magnetic and ultrasonic fields. Main results: We elicited this effect using standard hardware and confirmed that the generated electric fields align with the Lorentz equation. The effect significantly and safely modulated human peripheral nerves and deep brain regions of non-human primates. Significance: This approach opens a new set of applications in which electric fields are generated at high spatiotemporal resolution within intact biological tissues or materials, thus circumventing the limitations of traditional electrode-based procedures.