The Magstim Legacy
The Magstim Legacy
The Magstim name is at the forefront of the evolution of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) from its conception as a valuable research tool to its coming of age as a revolutionary treatment for nerve and brain disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD).
As the maker of the most widely-used TMS stimulators in the world, the Magstim brand is trusted by more researchers and clinicians than any other manufacturer.
Magstim is committed to ensuring that its products, knowledge and support remain the first choice of researchers and clinicians.
1978
The forefathers of transcranial magnetic stimulation, Mike Polson, Anthony Barker and Ian Freeston, combined efforts to form a research team at Sheffield University to find an alternative to electrical nerve stimulation.
1978
1980
Mike Polson, Anthony Barker and Ian Freeston designed a magnetic stimulator to non-invasively stimulate peripheral nerves.
1980
1982
Mike Polson, Anthony Barker and Ian Freeston published, “Stimulation of nerve trunks with time-varying magnetic fields.” in Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing. This became the first published paper on peripheral magnetic stimulation.
1982
1985
While at a neurophysiology/clinical meeting showcasing the magnetic stimulator, Anthony Barker and Reza Jalinous were asked, “What happens if you put the coil on your head?” Barker placed the coil on his head, fired the stimulator and subsequently elicited a motor response.
This on the spot experiment led to the suggestion that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation would replace Transcranial Electric Stimulation in the breakthrough publication of “Magnetic stimulation of the human brain” in the Lancet (A.T. Barker, R. Jalinous and I.L. Freeston, (1, 1106, 1985).
1985
1987
This pioneering work by Sheffield University was then taken up commercially by Novametrix Medical Systems Inc.
In 1987, Novametrix Model 200 Magstim (first generation Magstim 200) received FDA clearance. (K871338).
1987
1990
In 1990, Novametrix evolved into the newly formed company, Magstim. Many of the original team have been involved with Magstim throughout the years and some remain at the heart of Magstim to this day.
1990
1991
The BiStim was developed and opened up the field of studying brain circuitry.
1991
1992
Magstim engineers developed the Double Cone Coil, the first coil created for deep brain stimulation. The goal of this coil was to elicit responses from lower torso and limbs.
1992
1994
Magstim engineers developed the first 5Hz rTMS prototype, this led to the development of the 20/30Hz Magstim Rapid, the first high speed stimulator.
1994
1995
Super Rapid 50Hz launched.
Magstim first issued CE Certificate by BSi.
1995
1996
Magstim engineers developed a 100Hz Super Rapid² with 8 boosters (the predecessor of the Super Rapid² Plus¹).
1996
2000
Magstim Rapid received FDA clearance for the stimulation of peripheral nerves (K992911).
2000
2005
Development of the Magstim Second Generation Rapid² which also received FDA clearance for the stimulation of peripheral nerves (K051864).
Magstim received Health Canada Licence for the Rapid² (Licence # 69773).
2005
2006
Magstim Second Generation 200² was cleared by the FDA for the stimulation of peripheral nerves (K060847).
Magstim received Health Canada Licence for the Magstim 200² (Licence # 70387).
2006
2008
Accessory to the Rapid², the Magstim AFC was cleared by the FDA for the stimulation of peripheral nerves (K080499).
2008
2013
Accessory to the Rapid² and 200², the Magstim D70² was cleared by the FDA for the stimulation of peripheral nerves (K130403).
2013
2015
Magstim Rapid² Therapy system received clinical FDA clearance for the treatment of MDD (K143531).
2015
2015
September 25th, Magstim Company Limited secured investment from US firm Telegraph Hill Partners.
2015
2016
US headquarters established.
2016
2017
The Rapid² Therapy System is improved by the introduction of the MT Remote coil and cleared by the FDA (K162935).
Dedicated clinical system, Horizon Lite, received clinical FDA clearance for the treatment of MDD (K171051).
2017
2018
E-z Coil added to Horizon line which increased cooling capabilities for the 19 minute protocol. Horizon Performance is cleared by the FDA for the treatment of MDD (K180907).
Magstim received FDA clearance for the 18.8 minute protocol for the Horizon Therapy System Range (K180907).
2018
2019
Magstim received FDA clearance for the iTBS protocol for the Horizon Therapy System Range (K182853) as well as FDA clearance for the Horizon TMS Therapy System with StimGuide. StimGuide is the first neuro navigation system designed for the clinical setting (K183376).
Magstim received Health Canada Licence for the Horizon Performance for the treatment of MDD (Licence # 102253).
2019
2020
Magstim acquired the product portfolio of EGI -adding high-density EEG to the product offering.
2020