PlanTUS: A heuristic tool for prospective planning of transcranial ultrasound transducer placements

TL;DR

PlanTUS is a fast, open-source heuristic tool that helps researchers identify feasible transducer placements for transcranial ultrasound stimulation, considering individual anatomy and hardware constraints to improve precision and efficiency.

Contribution

It introduces a novel heuristic method and software tool for rapid, individualized planning of transducer positions in transcranial ultrasound, reducing reliance on exhaustive simulations.

Findings

Enables quick visualization of target accessibility and skull metrics.

Supports export of transducer positions compatible with simulation and navigation.

Facilitates feasibility assessment during study planning.

Abstract

Low-intensity focused transcranial ultrasonic stimulation (TUS) offers unique depth and precision in non-invasive brain stimulation. Effective administration of TUS, however, requires precise placement of transducers to ensure selective neural target exposure and engagement. This process is constrained by individual skull anatomy, hardware limitations, as well as computational and time costs of running exhaustive acoustic simulations to optimize transducer placement. To address these challenges, we introduce PlanTUS, a fast, open-source tool designed to heuristically identify feasible transducer positions, accounting for individual anatomical and hardware constraints. It visualizes relevant metrics on the scalp, such as target accessibility, required transducer tilt, and skull thickness, allowing users to identify and export potential transducer positions compatible with both acoustic simulation and neuronavigation software. In addition to individualized planning, PlanTUS facilitates feasibility evaluations during study planning, offering practical utility to researchers seeking to optimize TUS delivery with greater efficiency and precision.