The Soterix Medical tDCS Advantage

In 2008, when Soterix Medical was founded to support clinical research on tDCS, no device included features designed for tDCS, no electrodes designed for consistent tDCS were available, head-gear was limited to rubber-bands, and researchers did not have access to any software to guide current to targeted regions. Today, Soterix Medical continues to set the standard for design and innovation in tDCS.

Clinicians and researchers choose Soterix Medical 1x1 systems to:

Ensure reproducible and precise stimulation operation across subjects and time.
When precision cannot be compromised, leading clinical investigators choose Soterix Medical 1x1 products. Each device is optimized to produce consistent output and performance. With Soterix Medical you can worry about your study design and your subjects, knowing the device is engineered to the highest medical standards.
Provide for simple and comfortable set-up and stimulation.
The 1x1 platform of devices, software, and accessories are uniquely designed for tDCS with rational optimization to your study. One size does not fit all. For each application Soterix Medical engineers consulted with clinical leaders to determine the best practices and optimal stimulation settings. Each Soterix Medical device is further simplified to ease of use and robust operation - one looks at our device designs and the focus on usability is clear.
Conduct clinical studies with state-of-the-art control and safety features.
Advancing the practice of tDCS requires devices and protocols integrating the latest advances in technology and science. Soterix Medical was founded to support this effort and continues to provide unparalleled support to every user. Devices and accessories incorporate exclusive features for rigorous trial design, tolerated procedures, and reproducible protocols*.

*Soterix Medical does not provide consulting or support on technologies, including electrodes and dose guidelines, not produced or explicitly endorsed for compatibility by Soterix Medical or our authorized distributors. For tDCS concerns not using the 1x1 platform and accessories, please contact your vendor directly.

What is tDCS?

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive procedure in which a device sends a small Direct Current (DC) across the scalp to modulate brain function. The Soterix Medical 1x1 tDCS Low-Intensity Stimulator sends a low-level current from the positive electrode, anode, to the negative electrode, cathode. When the extremely low level current passes from the anode to the cathode, it may simultaneously increase the activity of the brain by the anode and decrease the activity of the brain near the cathode.

tDCS mechanisms are considered to result from the ability of very weak DC currents to safely induce reversible changes in cortical plasticity. The induction of lasting changes in cortical excitability can, under some conditions, reversibly modify behavior and interact with normal learning. Such findings have driven a large number of studies examining whether tDCS might induce functionally significant changes in patients with a large variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

tDCS dose can be defined as: 1) The size and position of the electrodes on the body and 2) The duration (in minutes) and intensity (in mA) of current passed across the electrodes. Soterix Medical tDCS systems allow precise reproduction of tDCS doses commonly used in medical literature. Soterix Medical engineers can work with you to determine the best configuration for your application. tDCS is an investigational technique and it is the responsibility of the operator to determine the appropriate tDCS dose.

tDCS safety is supported by medical literature to have common side effects limited to mild and reversible skin irritation, when using standard tDCS protocols and guidelines. Soterix Medical tDCS stimulators and electrodes are uniquely designed to minimize skin irritation – for example, the exclusive SMARTscan feature provides a simple indicator to the operator of the contact conditions before, during, and after stimulation. tDCS is an investigational technique and it is the responsibility of the operator to identify and follow the most appropriate safety protocols.

tDCS comfort can be controlled by the operator by using devices, such as the Soterix Medical 1x1 tDCS Low-Intensity Stimulator, which are specifically designed for clinical tDCS. For example, the unique PRE-STIM TICKLE and RELAX features available on all Soterix Medical 1x1 models are designed to condition the skin prior to stimulation and allow the operator to accommodate subject feedback without stopping stimulation.

tDCS Products Overview

In Advanced Neuromodulation, One Size Does Not Fit All

Conventional tDCS uses one anode and one cathode (1x1) with tremendous possibilities for customization and optimization. The Soterix Medical 1x1 line of stimulators provides clinicians with the right solution. The selection of the right stimulator for your objectives is central for rational tDCS.

1x1 tDCS

The Soterix 1x1 tDCS device packages the most advanced stimulation technology in an intuitive user interface.

SMARTscan

Continuous visual indication of electrode quality before and during stimulation.
True Current

Clearly indicates the actual current supplied at the moment.
Tickle

May be used to supply a very weak current prior to tDCS to help condition the skin.
Relax

Allows the clinician to use a simple sliding bar to transiently decrease the current from the pre-set value, for example, based on subject feedback.
Duration up to 40 min

Stimulation duration can be adjusted on each session using a simple dial.
Intensity up to 2 mA

Easy adjustment of stimulation intensity.
Industry Standard for tDCS. Stimulation technology that sets the Gold Standard.
All standard tDCS protocols. otDCS mode available.
Explore 1x1 tDCS »

1x1 Limited Total Energy

The Soterix 1x1 LTE is specifically custom designed for stimulation on susceptible subjects.

Limited Total Energy

Adaptive ramp-up stimulation technology to limit the required voltage for tDCS.
SMARTscan

Continuous visual indication of electrode quality before and during stimulation.
True Current

Clearly indicates the actual current supplied at the moment.
Tickle

May be used to supply a very weak current prior to tsDCS to help condition the skin.
Relax

Allows the clinician to use a simple sliding bar to transiently decrease the current from the pre-set value, for example, based on subject feedback.
Duration up to 20 min

Stimulation duration can be adjusted on each session using a simple dial.
Intensity up to 1.5 mA

Easy adjustment of stimulation intensity.
Equipped with exclusive Limited Total Energy technology.
Explore 1x1 LTE »

1x1 Clinical Trials

The Soterix Clinical Trials stimulator is the most advanced and customizable system for true double-blind control trials.

Double Blind

Clinician and patient blinded study for unbiased results.
SMARTscan Plus

Continuous visual indication of electrode quality before and during stimulation without compromising blind.
Pause

Stop stimulation during a session and resume later to complete the session.
Duration Custom

Stimulation duration can be adjusted on each session using a simple dial.
Intensity Custom

Easy adjustment of stimulation intensity.
Full multicenter clinical trial support with subject specific codes. Customized stimulation devices, for your clinical trials.
Arbitrary waveforms including tDCS, otDCS, tACS, tRNS are available for customized clinical trial solution.
Explore 1x1 CT »

Exclusive Soterix Device Features

Each Soterix Medical 1x1 feature was developed by our team of biomedical engineers consulting closely with leading clinical centers. Designed to simply set-up, provide intelligent warning of a fault condition, and allow for adjusting for patient comfort - these features facilitate reliable and tolerated tDCS. The Soterix Medical SMARTScan™ feature is central in all tDCS devices to allow reliable set-up and monitoring.

SMARTscan

Provides a continuous visual indication of electrode quality before and during stimulation.

From pre-stimulation set-up, to during stimulation monitoring, to post-stimulation confirmation, the Soterix Medical SMARTScan™ feature provides an intuitive and clear indication of electrode contact quality. Use the SMARTScan™ during set-up to adjust electrodes and head-gear for optimal fit. During stimulation, SMARTScan™ provides a constant indication of electrode quality and can be monitored during adjustments (e.g. addition of saline to drying electrodes). After stimulation, SmartScan™ confirms a successful trial. Because “resistance” is not meaningful for tDCS, SMARTScan™ was developed by Soterix Medical engineers to provide clinical investigators with a simple-to-read indication of contact quality.

TRUE CURRENT

Clearly indicates the actual current supplied at the moment.

What other devices promise, the 1x1 tDCS delivers. The back-lit display can be monitored during stimulation ramp up to confirm that the targeted current intensity is achieved.

TICKLE

May be used to supply a very weak current prior to tDCS to help condition the skin.

Tickle™ may be used to condition skin prior to tDCS and for naïve subjects who are anxious about stimulation. A custom on-off waveform pattern generates mild and brief sensation under electrodes.

RELAX

Allows the clinician to use a simple sliding bar to transiently decrease the current from the pre-set value, for example, based on subject feedback.

Based on feed-back from leading clinical centers, Soterix Medical exclusive feature, RELAX™, accommodates subjects who may be anxious when stimulation is initiated or during the course of stimulation. The Relax™ slider may be adjusted from full to reduced intensity based on subject perception without interrupting or aborting stimulation.

LTE

For susceptible subjects, Limited Total Energy minimize power and energy delivery

Limited Total Energy for tDCS (LTE-tDCS) was developed exclusively by Soterix engineers. LTE limits the voltage and power required for tDCS through the use of adaptive ramp-up stimulation and intelligent energy management for currents up to 1.5 mA.

AUTO SHAM

Simple and intelligent sham waveforms.

An automatic stimulation sham feature that is engaged with a simple switch. Auto-sham automatically calculated and produces a sham waveform based on the indicated “real” waveform. For example, for a corresponding real waveform of 1.5 mA and 10 minutes. auto-sham will provide a ramp up/down to 1.5 mA at the start of of stimulation, and again after 10 minutes, with the timer automatically adjusted such that the total run time us exactly matched to the real case. Based on the Soterix Medical Open-Panel™ design principle: with no complicated programming or hidden drop-down menus required.

PAUSE

A simple feature that minimizes dropout in double-blind clinical trials

Sometimes trivial issues require stimulation interruption or adjustment. Rather than abort a session which can result in subject exclusion or data confounds, the PAUSE feature was developed in collaboration with clinical trial experts running higher-volume or longer duration trials. For both automatic (under SMARTScan) and user initiated PAUSE, this exclusive feature intelligently avoids breaking sham even in double-blind trials.

1x1: 1 anode, 1 cathode. Infinite possibilites.

The Soterix Medical 1x1 platform of devices are the industry standard for clinical trials with transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). 1x1 tDCS montages uses two electrodes: the Anode electrode and the Cathode electrode. The Anode electrode has a positive voltage relative to the Cathode electrode. Current enters the body under the Anode electrode, flows through the brain, and exits the body at the Cathode electrode. By controlling the position of the anode and cathode electrode, the current flow through the brain can be targeted. Reliable current delivery and reproducible electrode placement is therefore critical for reproducible tDCS outcomes – Soterix Medical unique device and accessory design allows the more reliable dose delivery with the simplest and more intuitive set-up.

The Soterix Medical 1x1 platform and accessories allow application of all standard tDCS montages as well as flexibility to design you own innovative montages. Below are three common montages used in tDCS clinical trials with typical device settings. Have a new target or montage? Soterix Medical scientists are ready to assist in dose design and selecting the right equipment and accessories for your needs, or leverage tDCS-Explore for the most advanced current flow modeling tools at your fingertips.

M1-SO

Unilateral motor

Electrodes:5x7cm EASYpads or 5x5cm
Head-gear: Rubber-straps or (preferred and optimized) M1-SO EASYstraps
Current: 1-2 mA, 10-20 minute duration

C3-C4

Bilateral motor

Electrodes:5x7cm EASYpads or 5x5cm
Head-gear: Rubber-straps or (preferred and optimized) C3-C4 EASYstraps
Current: 1-2 mA, 10-20 minute duration

DLPFC 1

Symmetric lateralized

Electrodes: 5x5 EASYpads
Head-gear: Rubber-straps or EASYstraps
Current: 2 mA, 20 minutes

DLPFC 2

Asymmetric, left targeted

Electrodes: 5x7cm EASYpads
Head-gear: Rubber-straps or EASYstraps
Current: 2.5 mA (with LTE)

Integration of stimulation with monitoring technologies

4x1 HD-tDCS integrated with EEG.

With increased interest in the use of monitoring, such as EEG, PET, MEG, Eye-tracking, NIR and fMRI in conjunction with Soterix tDCS and HD-tDCS, Soterix Medical remains the only company with the technology and expertise to ensure successful integration. Stimulation generates artifacts in all monitoring modalities including fMRI (Antal A et. al 2012), such that use of technically compatible devices without also integrating rational trial design, can lead to errant findings.

Technology-informed integration of tDCS with monitoring technologies such as EEG, PET, MEG, NIR, fMRI, and eye tracking, is essential. tDCS⁺ is a free service to every Soterix Medical tDCS and HD-tDCS user. Soterix Medical tDCS⁺ leverages the experience of our clinical partners and our unmatched biomedical expertise. And tDCS⁺ is open to cross-platform compatibility so that you can use the monitoring technology you want and trust.

Soterix Medical biomedical engineers are available to discuss the combination of rational measurement with our industry standard Soterix tDCS and HD-tDCS. And only Soterix Neurotargeting allows co-registration of current flow and measured responses.

Soterix Medical 1x1 tDCS Platforms

The Only Device, Accessories and Software Designed for transcranial Direct Current Stimulation