What Is Camera-Guided TMS? Portable, Precise, Minutes-Long Sessions
Camera-guided TMS uses a camera on the coil and a pre-printed cap to track where the coil sits on your head during every session, so treatment stays on the same target day after day. It is different from MRI-guided targeting (used by SAINT®), which uses a brain scan to choose a personalized target. Ampa One is the camera-guided, portable TMS system we use. Individual results vary. No outcome is guaranteed. Coverage varies by plan. Ampa One is available by prescription after a clinical evaluation.
Key takeaways
- Camera-guided TMS tracks the coil's position live with a camera plus a pre-printed cap.
- It is different from MRI-guided targeting (SAINT®), which uses a brain scan to choose the target.
- 'Portable' means clinic-portable — fits in two cases, runs on a standard outlet — not an at-home device.
- Theta-burst stimulation (TBS) makes sessions minutes-long instead of 19–37 minutes.
- Ampa One is the camera-guided, portable TMS system we use.
Quick answer
Camera-guided TMS uses a camera built into the coil and a pre-printed neuronavigation cap to track where the coil sits on your head during every session, so treatment stays on the same target day after day. It is different from MRI-guided targeting (used by SAINT®), which uses a brain scan to choose a personalized target. Ampa One is the camera-guided, portable TMS system we use.
Three ways TMS finds its target
TMS systems find their target in three main ways, from simplest to most personalized:
| Method | How it works | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Head measurements | Manual measurements from landmarks on your skull to estimate the target | Conventional TMS (NeuroStar, MagVenture) |
| Camera neuronavigation | A camera plus a pre-printed cap tracks the coil's position live each session | Ampa One |
| MRI / fMRI targeting | A brain scan personalizes the target to your individual brain anatomy | SAINT® (fMRI) |
Why coil drift matters
Patients move during treatment, and coils shift. With manual measurements, the coil can drift off the original target over a multi-week course, which can reduce how much stimulation reaches the intended area. Camera-guided neuronavigation tracks the coil live, and Ampa One's Target Lock (introduced October 2026) automatically pauses stimulation if the coil moves off target and helps the technician realign — so every session stays on the same target.
Portable TMS: what 'portable' means
Ampa One is clinic-portable: it fits in two wheeled cases and runs on a standard wall outlet, so it can be set up in an exam room without the heavy mechanical arm of a conventional system. This is not an at-home device — TMS requires motor-threshold mapping, physician oversight, and safety screening, which are done in the clinic under supervision.
From 38-minute to 3-minute sessions
Conventional TMS sessions run 19–37 minutes because they deliver pulses one at a time at 10 Hz. Theta-burst stimulation (TBS) delivers the same number of pulses in a fraction of the time by using a faster burst pattern, so an Ampa One stimulation session can take just a few minutes. The short session is a feature of the stimulation pattern, not a lower dose. See accelerated TMS & theta burst.
Is camera-guided TMS as good as MRI-guided?
They solve different problems. MRI-guided targeting (SAINT®) uses a brain scan to choose a personalized target — which is more involved and requires an MRI. Camera-guided targeting (Ampa One) keeps the coil on a chosen target session after session, with short sessions and no MRI needed, and supports accelerated schedules. No head-to-head trial compares them. If you cannot get an MRI, camera-guided TMS may be the better fit. See SAINT® vs Ampa One.
Understanding SAINT® TMS: How It Works & What to Expect
SAINT® is an FDA-cleared treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved on antidepressants in the current episode. These videos explain how it works and how it differs from conventional TMS.
SAINT® is an FDA-cleared, fMRI-guided form of TMS developed at Stanford. Most patients complete treatment in one week — not the six weeks standard TMS requires.
Follow a real patient through the five-day SAINT® treatment week
Is SAINT® TMS Right for You?
Tried antidepressants without enough relief? SAINT® TMS is an FDA-cleared, fMRI-guided treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved enough with antidepressant medication.
SAINT® uses a personalized brain target and delivers treatment over five consecutive days. It differs from standard TMS in its targeting approach, treatment schedule, and research background. In a small randomized trial, 11 of 14 people receiving active treatment reached remission at the four-week assessment, compared with 2 of 15 receiving sham treatment. Results vary, and a five-day treatment course does not guarantee remission in five days.
How SAINT® Works and How It Differs From Conventional TMS
SAINT® is an FDA-cleared treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved on antidepressants in the current episode. This video explains how it works, and how it differs from conventional TMS.
Conventional TMS usually means about 30 visits over 6 to 9 weeks. SAINT is five visits over five days.
What makes it different: SAINT® uses an fMRI brain scan to personalize the stimulation target to your individual brain. A 45-minute scan maps your brain and identifies the specific circuit linked to depression. Treatment is then delivered as ten 10-minute sessions per day, with 50-minute breaks between them, across five consecutive days.
In clinical trials, 79% of participants reached remission, with an average of 2.6 days to remission. SAINT is generally well tolerated; the most common side effects reported were mild headache and temporary scalp discomfort at the treatment site.
SAINT® at Neuro Wellness TMS Centers of America
Coral Springs, Florida
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Call or Text: 954-827-9793
Sources: Cole et al., American Journal of Psychiatry 2020;177:716-726 and 2022;179(2):132-141. magnusmedical.com/depression-therapy. PubMed 34711062. FDA 510(k) K220177.
Insurance coverage for SAINT is currently limited and varies by plan. Individual results may vary. This video is educational and is not medical advice. Talk to a qualified clinician about whether SAINT is appropriate for you. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TMS neuronavigation?
TMS neuronavigation is any method that tracks where the coil sits on your head so treatment stays on the same target session after session. Camera-guided neuronavigation uses a camera (on the coil or in the room) plus a reference cap to track the coil's position live. It is more precise than manual head measurements and is different from MRI-guided targeting, which uses a brain scan to choose the target in the first place.
Is there portable TMS I can use at home?
No. Ampa One is clinic-portable — it fits in two wheeled cases and runs on a standard outlet — but it is used in the clinic under the supervision of a trained technician. It is not an at-home device. TMS requires motor-threshold mapping, physician oversight, and safety screening, which cannot be done at home.
How long is a TMS session with Ampa One?
An Ampa One session is a few minutes of stimulation — about a minute to set up, then a few minutes of treatment. That is far shorter than the 19–37 minutes of a conventional TMS session, because Ampa One uses theta-burst stimulation patterns. You can drive home and return to work afterward.
What is a 3-minute TMS session?
A '3-minute TMS session' refers to theta-burst stimulation (TBS), which delivers the same number of pulses as a longer conventional session in a fraction of the time by using a faster burst pattern. Ampa One uses TBS, so a stimulation session can take just a few minutes. The short session is a feature of the stimulation pattern, not a lower dose.
Cited Research
Important Safety Information
Individual results vary. No outcome is guaranteed. Coverage varies by plan. Ampa One is available by prescription after a clinical evaluation. Common side effects include mild scalp discomfort and headache that usually fade. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
SAINT® is delivered only by verified providers on the Magnus Medical system. Programs described as SAINT “alternatives”, “equivalents” or “fMRI-guided accelerated TMS” are not SAINT®, are not affiliated with us, and SAINT® results do not apply to them. Read our SAINT® disclaimer.
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Speak with our clinical team. A free consultation is the best way to get answers specific to your situation.
Ampa and Ampa One are trademarks of Ampa Inc. Neuro Wellness TMS Centers of America is an independent provider and is not owned by Ampa.
Related Patient Education
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Camera-guided, accelerated depression treatment
SAINT® vs Ampa One
Camera-guided vs fMRI-guided targeting
Ampa One vs NeuroStar vs BrainsWay
Compare TMS devices
Accelerated TMS & Theta Burst
How theta-burst stimulation shortens sessions
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