Nurostym tES is a complete solution for transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), offering tDCS, tACS, tRNS, pulsed tDCS, AM-tACS and Analogue Input stimulation modes. Nurostym tES offers complete flexibility in study design, as well as the ability to easily standardise study replication.
nurostym tES
What is the nurostym tES?
The nurostym is a powerful, complete transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) device that offers complete control of stimulation parameters; fully programmable protocols; sham and double-blind controls; advanced safety functions; and user-friendly controls to enable even the most complex of studies using transcranial electrical stimulation (tES).
The nurostym device is capable of running a range of transcranial electrical stimulation paradigms, including:
- Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS);
- Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS);
- Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS);
- Pulsed tDCS;
- Amplitude-modulated tACS;
- And Analogue input stimulation modes.
SYSTEM COMPONENTS
The nurostym tES Device
The nurostym is an easily integrated tES device with full control over stimulation parameters, programmable protocols, sham and double-blind control, and advanced safety functions. It is specifically designed to meet the exact needs of the researcher, from simple to complex tES study designs. It boasts the only completely touchscreen interface available on any tES device, and its simple navigation with a numerical keypad makes programming stimulation protocols quick and simple. The device also hosts built-in I/O ports for seamless integration, as well as a powerful, rechargeable battery for up to 10 hours of use with a single charge.
The nurostym tES system comes complete with two accessories to increase its functionality: the nurostym INTERFACE (IO Box) and the nurostym SPLITTER.
The nurostym INTERFACE I/O Box
The additional functionality offered via the nurostym INTERFACE input/output box makes the nurostym truly unrivalled in flexible stimulation options. It features 7 BNC connections, a 15-pin D-Type connector, and three touch-proof connections that allow seamless connection with external devices.
Of the 7 BNC connections, 5 are reserved for triggers (two in, three out), and 2 are reserved for analogue connections. Analogue in allows the nurostym to receive arbitrary waveforms from a 3rd party, and analogue out allows a 3rd party to receive the signal outputted by the stimulator at a conversion rate of 0.5V/mA. Alternatively, three touchproof connectors (DIN 42802), with two complimentary signals of 2.5mV/mA and -2.5mV/mA and a ground supply the signal in a lower voltage format, better suited for artefact rejection in EEG recordings.
The nurostym SPLITTER Box
The nurostym SPLITTER accessory allows the user to accomplish multi-channel stimulation montages from a single channel device with the new SPLITTER module, which allows researchers to make use of up to four return channels of stimulation through a single active channel. While users of typical transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) devices would assume even distributions of current across four channels, the nurostym's inclusion of a dedicated switch for each channel means that users can accurately measure impedance levels for each channel separately.
Proprietary Computer Application
In addition to the touchscreen control panel, all aspects of stimulation can be configured and controlled from the proprietary Windows computer application. Custom stimulation paradigms can saved to one of the preset windows available on the device or delivered via the stimulator as normal. The nurostym app serves as the portal to download stimulation logs and perform software/firmware updates when available.
Starter Kit Accessories
Hit the ground running with the nurostym tES starter kit, hand-curated by Brainbox to include everything you need to immediately start your tES study. The kit includes:
- A pair of 5×5 cm square tES electrodes with sponges
- A pair of 7×5 cm rectangle electrodes with sponges
- tES electrode cables
- Cable set for nurostym SPLITTER box
- Small, medium, and large Netcaps
- Ten20 electrode paste (114 g)
- Pack of 4 saline solution pods (20 ml)
DEVICE CAPABILITIES
Protocol Management
Conduct the exact research you want with the nurostym tES device, which allows complete control over your research protocols. Effortlessly input parameters into the system via the touchscreen control panel or the Windows proprietary computer app. The device allows you to input the shape and size of the electrodes being used for stimulation, which is used by the device to automatically calculate the current density with those parameters. You also have the option to apply double-blind and sham-controlled parameters in your experiment. Streamline experiment setup by saving up to 8 design protocols to start your stimulation design with a push of a button. Below are some of the customisable features allowing you to develop the perfect protocol for your research.
Complex Trigger Mode
For maximum customisation, the nurostym tES device offers a complex trigger mode option. Configured in the nurostym computer application, the stimulator has five different trigger channels: Two Trigger-In channels can be configured to start, stop, or do both on the rising and falling edge of a pulse, and the three Trigger-Out channels can send triggers in response to high and low levels of stimulation, polarity changes, the maximum and/or minimum peak of a sinusoidal wave, and/or a specific number of stimulation cycles (during tACS protocols).
Safety Features
Ensure participant and researcher safety with the many safety features that the nurostym has to offer. These state-of-the-art safety monitoring features include:
- The Security Alarm is a staged and programmable alarm system that provides an audio and visual alarm at the moment of impedance change
- Safe-Stop prevents unpleasant shocks caused by latent current when the stimulation stops abruptly, ensuring a safer and more comfortable experience
- A strict 50 kOhm max stimulation level to ensure safe operation at all times
- Automatic current density calculations and system warnings if the current may cause an uncomfortable sensation or adverse effects for the participant (for research use, the option to ignore electrode size is available)
- A Limit Mode option, initiated by a device-specific PIN code, restricts the device to operate only in specific, predefined conditions to allow for the operation of the nurostym in a home environment (under the strict guidance of a medical professional)
- The nurostym tES has been CE-marked for use as a medical device.
UNBOXING THE NUROSTYM TES SYSTEM
Watch an unboxing of the nurostym tES system:
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COMPLETE FLEXIBILITY
Control all aspects of your tES study, including the tES paradigm (tDCS, tACS, tRNS, pulsed tDCS, amplitude-modulated tDCS, analogue input stimulation), double-blind or sham parameters, trigger events, the shape/size of the electrodes, the stimulation amplitude, and more.
ADVANCED PROTOCOL MANAGEMENT
Streamline your experiments by configuring and saving up to 8 design protocols that can be run at the press of a button. These presets can either be protocols which are most used, or in a study which is double blind controlled. Parameters can be hidden via the ‘Study Mode’ option, so a user is not aware of either the type of stimulation being delivered, or whether or not stimulation is active or sham.
MULTIPLE CONTROL MODALITIES
Most tES parameters can be configured directly on the device via an intuitive touchscreen interface. More complex parameters can also be controlled from the proprietary Windows computer application. Custom stimulation paradigms can be designed in the computer application and saved to one of the preset windows available on the device for quick and easy stimulation setup.
EXTENDED FUNCTIONALITY
With 7 BNC connections for triggering and arbitrary waveform control, a 15pin D-Type connector, and three touchproof connections, the added functionality generated by the new INTERFACE module makes the nurostym truly unrivalled in flexible stimulation options. Multi-channel stimulation montages can also be accomplished via the SPLITTER module, allowing the user to enable up to four channels of stimulation with a single active channel. Available as standard with the nurostym.
MRI-COMPATIBLE SOLUTIONS
MRI-compatible solutions are available as an additional option for the nurostym tES system. The options available are suitable for all types of scanners, including 1.5T, 3T and 7T MRI. Speak to one of our product specialists about adding MRI-compatibility to your nurostym tES.
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Number of Channels |
1 pair (1 anode, 1 cathode) |
|---|---|
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Number of Channels, with SPLITTER |
4x1 (1 active, 4 return) |
|
Power Supply |
Built-in, rechargeable battery |
|
Operating Time |
Up to 10 hours |
|
Stimulation Modes |
tDCS, tACS, tRNS, Pulsed tDCS, AM-tACS, Analogue Input |
|
Interface |
Touch screen display and USB |
|
Sham Modes |
None, Single-blind or Double-blind |
|
Maximum Voltage |
35V |
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Digital Triggers |
2 digital inputs 3 digital outputs |
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tDCS Parameters |
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Stimulation Current |
max ±5 mA (increment 1µA) |
|
Stimulation Duration |
1-1800s (increment 1s) |
|
Fade In/Out |
0-60s (increment 1s) |
|
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tACS / AM-tACS Parameters |
|
|
Stimulation Current (peak-to-peak value) |
max 5 mA (increment 1µA) |
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Offset |
max ±3 mA (increment 1µA) |
|
Stimulation Duration |
1-1800s (increment 1s) |
|
Fade In/Out |
0-60s (increment 1s) |
|
Frequency (Carrier) |
0.01-600Hz (increment 0.01Hz) |
|
Frequency (Modulation) |
0-300Hz (increment 0.01Hz) |
|
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Pulsed tDCS Parameters |
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|
Stimulation Current |
max ±5 mA (increment 1µA) |
|
Stimulation Duration |
1-1800s (increment 1s) |
|
Fade In/Out |
0-60s (increment 1s) |
|
Frequency |
0.01 - 600Hz (increment 0.01Hz) |
|
Signal Duty Cycle |
1-99% (increment 1%, for freq. <50Hz) 10-90% (increment 1%, for freq. ≥50Hz) |
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tRNS Parameters |
|
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Sample Value Range |
±(200 - 5000)µA (increment 1µA) |
|
Stimulation Duration |
1-1800s (increment 1s) |
|
Fade In/Out |
0-60s (increment 1s) |
|
Noise Distribution |
Rectangular, gaussian |
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Predefined Filters |
LP: 100Hz, 250Hz, 640Hz, OFF HP: 50Hz, 100Hz, 250Hz, OFF |
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Analogue Input Parameters |
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Transfer Ratio |
2mA per V |
|
Current Range |
±5 mA |
|
Analogue Bandwidth |
1kHz (-3dB) |
- Gamma tACS as a novel treatment for primary progressive aphasia: A pilot case series of four cases. Etelämäki, V., Säisänen, L., Määttä, S., Hyppönen, J., Suhonen, N.-M., Krüger, J., Haapasalo, A., Borroni, B., Mervaala, E., Katisko, K., & Solje, E. (2026). Brain Stimulation: Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research in Neuromodulation, 19(2).
- Modulation of pain perception through transcranial alternating current stimulation and its nonlinear relationship with the simulated electric field magnitude. Ikarashi, H., Otsuru, N., Gomez-Tames, J., Hirata, A., Nagasaka, K., Miyaguchi, S., Sakurai, N., Ohno, K., Kodama, N., & Onishi, H. (2024). European Journal of Pain (London, England), 28(6), 1018–1028.
- On the role of prefrontal and parietal cortices in mind wandering and dynamic thought. Rasmussen, T., Filmer, H. L., & Dux, P. E. (2024). Cortex, 178, 249–268.
- Glaucoma Rehabilitation using ElectricAI Transcranial Stimulation (GREAT)—Study protocol for randomized controlled trial using combined perceptual learning and transcranial electrical stimulation for vision enhancement. Jia, S., Mei, X., Chen, L., Chan, L. H., Tsang, C., Suen, V., Li, T., Zaw, M. W., Liu, A., Thompson, B., Sabel, B., Woo, G., Leung, C. K. S., Yip, S., Chang, D. H. F., & Cheong, A. M. Y. (2024). Trials, 25(1), 501.
- Visual cortex anodal transcranial direct current stimulation does not alter reading performance for Chinese presented character-by-character to normal peripheral vision in older adults. Lyu, A., Silva, A. E., Thompson, B., Abel, L., & Cheong, A. M. Y. (2024). Frontiers in Neuroscience, 18.
- Effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation to the supplementary motor area on motor learning. Yamamoto, S., Miyaguchi, S., Ogawa, T., Inukai, Y., Otsuru, N., & Onishi, H. (2024). Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 18.
- Intermittent theta burst stimulation with synchronised transcranial alternating current stimulation leads to enhanced frontal theta oscillations and a positive shift in emotional bias. Briley, P. M., Boutry, C., Webster, L., Veniero, D., Harvey-Seutcheu, C., Jung, J., Liddle, P. F., & Morriss, R. (2024). Imaging Neuroscience, 2.
- Cortical theta phase synchronization involved in mismatch-driven perceptual alternation in binocular rivalry. Goto, H., Urakawa, T., Maeda, Y., Kurita, Y., & Araki, O. (2024). Neuroscience Letters, 834, 137847.
- Transcranial direct current stimulation for post-COVID fatigue: A randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot study. Oliver-Mas, S., Delgado-Alonso, C., Delgado-Álvarez, A., Díez-Cirarda, M., Cuevas, C., Fernández-Romero, L., Matias-Guiu, A., Valles-Salgado, M., Gil-Martínez, L., Gil-Moreno, M. J., Yus, M., Matias-Guiu, J., & Matias-Guiu, J. A. (2023). Brain Communications, 5(2), fcad117.
- Effects of θ High Definition-Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex on the Dominance of Attention Focus in Standing Postural Control. Sawai, S., Murata, S., Fujikawa, S., Yamamoto, R., & Nakano, H. (2023). Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 13(6), 477.
Compatible Products
This product can be used in combination with some of our other systems. Find out more by selecting one from the list below.
Added Value
In addition to supplying and supporting a wide range of neuroscience products, Brainbox offers additional value in a number of areas that can benefit our customers, including:
Training
Installation, Product Training, Technique Training, Bespoke Training
Lab Support
System Upgrades, Testing, Calibration, System Integration, Bespoke Solutions
Research Support
Study Design, Piloting, Technical Information, References
Collaboration
Grant Applications, Industrial Projects, Workshops
