The QST TCS II System is a device that applies hot or cold to the skin for sensory nerve assessment, pain threshold evaluation, and pain relief. It has user-friendly technology and pre-set protocols for ease of use.
TCS II System
The Thermal Cutaneous Stimulator (TCS II) is a device used to apply controlled thermal stimulation to the skin for quantitative assessments. It delivers heat or cold to specific areas of the skin to elicit responses from sensory nerves and has particular relevance to the study of pain. The system is commonly used to assess sensory nerve function or evaluate pain thresholds. The TCS II boasts cutting-edge technology tailored for scientific research, making clinical investigations accessible through its user-friendly touchscreen interface and seamlessly executed threshold protocols.
Capability
The Thermal Cutaneous Stimulator (TCS II) has an expansive temperature range from 0°C to 60°C, adjustable in 0.1°C increments, and a temperature ramp capability ranging from 0.1°C/sec to a maximum of 300°C/sec – with precision unmatched at an absolute and relative precision of 0.1°C. The TCS II features five independent stimulation zones, each customisable to a different temperature setting, ensuring precise and tailored clinical investigations. Automatic calibration and adjustment to neutral skin temperature streamline operations, while its battery-powered and ultraportable design weighing just 4kg guarantees flexibility and convenience. Maintenance-free and operated via a user-friendly touch screen interface, the TCS II also boasts built-in Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) protocols for immediate use, alongside an easy-to-program environment compatible with external computers.
Compatibility
The Thermal Cutaneous Stimulator (TCS II) facilitates seamless integration with external devices such as electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, making it a versatile and indispensable tool for cutting-edge research. The TCS II offers unparalleled versatility by accommodating 8 different types of probes, each capable of configuring independent zones with distinct temperature, ramp, and duration settings, facilitating precise and customisable sensory stimulation protocols.
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Hot and Cold Stimulations
With the ability to ramp at 300°C/sec, the TCS II empowers researchers to elicit precise and consistent contact heat evoked potentials (CHEPs). Moreover, setting a new standard, the TCS II stands as the pioneering stimulator, ensuring the dependable and replicable elicitation of contact cold evoked potentials (CCEPs) for the first time in sensory research.
Quantitative Sensory Testing
This device excels at achieving thresholds in under a minute, ensuring swift and efficient assessments. With its precision and effectiveness, it sets a new standard for accuracy and efficiency in sensory research protocols.
MRI Compatible
The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatibility of the Thermal Cutaneous Stimulator (TCS II) ensures seamless integration with imaging protocols, enabling concurrent sensory stimulation and neuroimaging for comprehensive insights into neural processing.
| Temperature Range | 0°C - 60°C (0.1°C Steps) |
|---|---|
|
Temperature Ramp |
0.1°C/sec - max 300°C/sec |
| Absolute Precision | 0.1°C |
| Relative Precision | 0.1°C |
| Calibration | Automatic |
| Weight | 4KG |
| Maintenance | No Maintenance |
| Portability | Battery Powered |
| UI | Touch Screen |
| External Triggers | EEG, ECG, MRI |
| Battery Life | 10 Hours |
- High-speed heating of the skin using a contact thermode elicits brain responses comparable to CO2 laser-evoked potentials. Lejeune, N., Petrossova, E., Frahm, K. S., & Mouraux, A. (2023). Clinical Neurophysiology, 146, 1–9.
- Combining Topical Agonists With the Recording of Event-Related Brain Potentials to Probe the Functional Involvement of TRPM8, TRPA1 and TRPV1 in Heat and Cold Transduction in the Human Skin. Courtin, A. S., & Mouraux, A. (2022). The Journal of Pain, 23(5), 754–771.
- Improved acquisition of contact heat evoked potentials with increased heating ramp. De Schoenmacker, I., Archibald, J., Kramer, J. L. K., & Hubli, M. (2022). Scientific Reports, 12(1), 925.
- Cold evoked potentials elicited by rapid cooling of the skin in young and elderly healthy individuals. Scheuren, P. S., Nauer, N., Rosner, J., Curt, A., & Hubli, M. (2022). Scientific Reports, 12(1), 4137.
- A modality-specific somatosensory evoked potential test protocol for clinical evaluation: A feasibility study. Fabig, S.-C., Kersebaum, D., Lassen, J., Sendel, M., Jendral, S., Muntean, A., Baron, R., & Hüllemann, P. (2021). Clinical Neurophysiology, 132(12), 3104–3115.
- Conduction velocity of the cold spinal pathway in healthy humans. Leone, C., Di Lionardo, A., Diotallevi, G., Mollica, C., Di Pietro, G., Di Stefano, G., La Cesa, S., Cruccu, G., & Truini, A. (2020). European Journal of Pain, 24(10), 1923–1931.
- Insular responses to transient painful and non-painful thermal and mechanical spinothalamic stimuli recorded using intracerebral EEG. Liberati, G., Mulders, D., Algoet, M., van den Broeke, E. N., Santos, S. F., Ribeiro Vaz, J. G., Raftopoulos, C., & Mouraux, A. (2020). Scientific Reports, 10(1), 22319.
- Dynamics of the perception and EEG signals triggered by tonic warm and cool stimulation. Mulders, D., Bodt, C. de, Lejeune, N., Courtin, A., Liberati, G., Verleysen, M., & Mouraux, A. (2020). PLOS ONE, 15(4), e0231698.
- Capsaicin-Induced Skin Desensitization Differentially Affects A-Delta and C-Fiber-Mediated Heat Sensitivity. van Neerven, S. G. A., & Mouraux, A. (2020). Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11, 615.
- Deep continuous theta burst stimulation of the operculo-insular cortex selectively affects Aδ-fibre heat pain. Lenoir, C., Algoet, M., & Mouraux, A. (2018). The Journal of Physiology, 596(19), 4767–4787.
- Event-related brain potentials elicited by high-speed cooling of the skin: A robust and non-painful method to assess the spinothalamic system in humans. De Keyser, R., van den Broeke, E. N., Courtin, A., Dufour, A., & Mouraux, A. (2018). Clinical Neurophysiology: Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology, 129(5), 1011–1019.
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.
Associated Techniques
To find out more about the techniques that are applicable to this product, follow the links 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
