Electric field treatment system and transducer thereof

Abstract

The utility model provides an electric field treatment system and a transducer thereof, the transducer comprises a backing and an electrode array attached to the backing, the electrode array comprises a plurality of electrode units arranged at intervals, a plurality of connecting parts connecting two adjacent electrode units, and open spaces formed among the plurality of electrode units. The transducer further comprises a conductive adhesive attached to the electrode array, and the conductive adhesive is arranged on the side, away from the backing, of the electrode unit in a whole piece covering mode. According to the electric field treatment system and the transducer thereof, the whole piece type conductive adhesive covering all the electrode units is adopted, replacement is convenient, the heating conditions of all the electrode units tend to be consistent, and local heat concentration is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to an electric field therapy system and a transducer thereof. Background Art

[0002] Medium frequency alternating electric field therapy has been proven to be an effective method for tumor treatment. It can interfere with the mitosis process of cancer cells, induce apoptosis of cancer cells, and can be used to treat tumors. The electric field therapy system usually includes an electric field generator, an adapter, and multiple pairs of transducers. The electric field generator generates an alternating electric signal and transmits the alternating electric signal to the transducer through the adapter. The transducers are applied in pairs to the skin surface on opposite sides of the subject, and an alternating current signal is applied between each pair of transducers, thereby applying a tumor treatment electric field to the target area.

[0003] As disclosed in US Patent No. US20230166119A1, a transducer includes a backing, a circuit layer arranged on the backing, a plurality of electrodes arranged on the circuit layer and coupled to the circuit layer, and a plurality of replaceable adhesive components, the adhesive component includes a support and a conductive gel arranged on one side of the support, the support is attached to the backing in a manner of being arranged around the periphery of one or more electrodes, and the conductive gel covers the support and the electrode. The adhesive component can be replaced as a whole, but this adhesive component will affect the stability of the transducer due to the uneven surface of the electrode and the human body surface due to the support. In addition, the support is arranged around the periphery of the electrode, which will also cause the heat of the electrode to be unable to dissipate quickly during the tumor electric field treatment process, causing heat accumulation, and then easily causing low-temperature burns on the subject's body surface, causing discomfort to the subject. In addition, there are multiple adhesive components, and each adhesive component is arranged one-to-one with an electrode group consisting of two electrodes or three electrodes. When all adhesive components need to be replaced, there is a problem of cumbersome and time-consuming replacement operation.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to improve the existing electric field therapy system and its transducer. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present application provides an electric field therapy system and a transducer thereof. The conductive gel of the transducer is easy to replace and can make the heat conditions of each electrode unit of the transducer tend to be consistent, thereby avoiding local heat concentration.

[0006] Specifically, the present application is implemented through the following technical solution: a transducer, including a backing and an electrode array attached to the backing, the electrode array including a plurality of electrode units arranged at intervals, a plurality of connecting portions connecting two adjacent electrode units, and an open space formed between the plurality of electrode units, the transducer also including a conductive adhesive attached to the electrode array, the conductive adhesive being arranged in a whole-piece covering state on a side of the electrode unit away from the backing.

[0007] Furthermore, the conductive adhesive has the same overall contour shape as the electrode array, and the area of ​​the region enclosed by the outer contour of the conductive adhesive is larger than the area of ​​the region enclosed by the corresponding outer contour of the electrode array.

[0008] Furthermore, the distance from the outer contour edge of the electrode array to the corresponding outer edge of the conductive adhesive is 2 mm-3 mm.

[0009] Furthermore, the overall outer contour of the electrode array is arranged in a water drop shape, and the outer contour of the conductive adhesive is arranged in a water drop shape.

[0010] Furthermore, the electrode array includes a left part and a right part that are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides, and the left part and the right part each include a plurality of electrode units arranged at intervals from top to bottom, and the connecting part includes a first connecting part that transversely connects the left part and the right part and a second connecting part that longitudinally connects two adjacent electrode units in the left part and the right part.

[0011] Furthermore, the open space includes a first interval formed between the left part and the right part and a plurality of second intervals formed between two adjacent electrode units in the left part and the right part, the first connecting portion is located in the first interval, and the second connecting portion is located in the corresponding second interval.

[0012] Furthermore, the electrode array also includes a wiring portion extending from the first connecting portion and along the first interval, and the wiring portion is provided with a plurality of gold fingers at an end away from the first connecting portion, and the corresponding edge of the conductive adhesive is located between the gold fingers and the corresponding edge of the electrode array.

[0013] Furthermore, the electrode unit includes a base, a conductive sheet disposed on the base, an insulating layer disposed on the base and the conductive sheet and having a hollow area, and a dielectric layer disposed on the insulating layer and the conductive sheet exposed through the hollow area.

[0014] Furthermore, the electrode unit also includes an alloy layer covering the dielectric layer.

[0015] The present application also provides another technical solution: an electric field therapy system, which includes an electric field generator and the aforementioned transducer.

[0016] The electric field therapy system and transducer of the present application use a whole-piece conductive adhesive covering all electrode units, which is convenient for replacement and can make the heating conditions of each electrode unit tend to be consistent, avoiding local heat concentration.

[0017] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the framework of an electric field therapy system according to one embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional exploded schematic diagram of a transducer according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of an electrode array of a transducer;

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic plan view of the backing of the transducer;

[0022] Figure 5 For along Figure 3 Cross-sectional view along the AA direction.

[0023] Description of reference numerals:

[0024] Electric field generator 10, adapter 20, transducer 30, backing 31, main body 311, handle portion 312, avoidance portion 313, side wing portion 314, upper wing portion 3141, lower wing portion 3142, concave edge 3143, convex edge 3144, first notch 3145, second notch 3146, third notch 3147, electrode array 32, connecting portion 322, first connecting portion 3221, second connecting portion 3222, wiring portion 323, gold finger 3231, conductive adhesive 33, electrode unit 34, first electrode unit 34A, second electrode unit 34B, third electrode unit 34C, fourth electrode unit 34D, fifth electrode unit 34E, sixth electrode unit 34F, open space 340, first interval 3401, second interval 3402, base portion 341, conductive sheet 342, insulating layer 343, dielectric layer 344, alloy layer 345. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Here, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. Instead, they are only examples of devices, systems, equipment and methods consistent with some aspects of the present application.

[0026] refer to Figure 1As shown, the electric field treatment system 100 includes an electric field generator 10, an adapter 20 and a plurality of transducers 30 arranged in pairs, and the adapter 20 electrically connects the electric field generator 10 and each transducer 30. The electric field generator 10 generates an alternating current signal that meets the treatment requirements, for example, an alternating current signal with a frequency of 150-250kHz for treating glioblastoma. The adapter 20 receives the alternating current signal output from the electric field generator 10 and transmits the alternating current signal to the transducer 30. The transducers 30 are attached in pairs to the body surface of the subject corresponding to the tumor area, and the alternating current signal is applied to the tumor area of ​​the subject for tumor electric field treatment.

[0027] refer to Figure 2 As shown, the transducer 30 includes a backing 31, an electrode array 32 attached to the front of the backing 31, and a conductive adhesive 33 attached to the front of the electrode array 32, wherein the front of the backing 31, the electrode array 32, and the conductive adhesive 33 is the side facing the subject's skin, and the transducer 30 is attached with its front side facing the subject. The transducer 30 is generally in the shape of a water droplet with a small top and a large bottom, and is more suitable for being attached to uneven parts of the body surface, such as the head, limbs, or both sides of the trunk. When attached to the head, the transducer 30 is attached with its smaller upper part close to the top of the head and its larger lower part away from the top of the head.

[0028] The electrode array 32 includes a plurality of electrode units 34 arranged at intervals, a plurality of connecting portions 322 connecting two adjacent electrode units 34, and a wiring portion 323 extending outward from one of the connecting portions 322. The plurality of electrode units 34 are divided into a left portion and a right portion which are arranged symmetrically at intervals from left to right. The contours of the left portion and the right portion are both roughly half a water drop shape and together form the water drop shape outer contour of the electrode array 32. Figure 3As shown, the left part includes a first electrode unit 34A, a second electrode unit 34B and a third electrode unit 34C spaced from top to bottom, and the right part includes a fourth electrode unit 34D, a fifth electrode unit 34E and a sixth electrode unit 34F spaced from top to bottom. The plurality of connecting parts 322 include a first connecting part 3221 and a plurality of second connecting parts 3222, the first connecting part 3221 horizontally connects the second electrode unit 34B of the left part and the fourth electrode unit 34D of the right part, and the plurality of second connecting parts 3222 respectively longitudinally connect two adjacent electrode units 34 in the left part and two adjacent electrode units 34 in the right part. The wiring portion 323 extends downward from the first connection portion 3221 in a direction away from the first electrode unit 34A and is provided with a plurality of gold fingers 3231 at its free end away from the first connection portion 3221. The wiring portion 323 is welded to a wire (not shown), and the wire (not shown) is used to electrically connect the transducer 30 to the adapter 20. The adapter 20 is connected to the electric field generator 10 to realize signal transmission between the electric field generator 10 and the electrode array 32.

[0029] The electrode array 32 forms an open space 340 between the electrode units 34 arranged at intervals, and the open space 340 includes a first interval 3401 located between the left part and the right part, and a plurality of second intervals 3402 located between two adjacent electrode units 34 in the left part and between two adjacent electrode units 34 in the right part. The open space 340 can leave breathing space for the body surface skin to which the electrode array 32 is attached, thereby reducing skin discomfort such as allergies caused by long-term attachment. The first connection part 3221 is located in the first interval 3401, and each second connection part 3222 is located in the corresponding second interval 3402. The second connection part 3222 is arranged in a transverse S shape with elasticity, so that the first electrode unit 34A and the third electrode unit 34C can move freely within a certain range relative to the second electrode unit 34B, and the fourth electrode unit 34D and the sixth electrode unit 34F can move freely within a certain range relative to the fifth electrode unit 34E, which helps to release the stress inside the electrode array 32 when the transducer 30 is attached so that the electrode array 32 can be more closely attached to the subject's body surface. The open space 340 can leave breathing space for the skin on the body surface to which the transducer 30 is attached, reducing skin discomfort such as allergies caused by long-term attachment.

[0030] Combination Figure 3 and Figure 5As shown, each electrode unit 34 is arranged in a sheet shape, and the electrode unit 34 includes a base 341, a conductive sheet 342 arranged on the base 341, an insulating layer 343 covering the corresponding parts of the base 341 and the conductive sheet 342 and having a hollow area (not shown), a dielectric layer 344 covering the insulating layer 343 and the conductive sheet 342 exposed through the hollow area (not shown), and an alloy layer 345 covering the dielectric layer 344. The alloy layer 345 serves as an auxiliary adhesion layer between the dielectric layer 344 and the conductive adhesive 33. The three electrode units 34 on each side have different shapes. Specifically, the left-right symmetrical first electrode unit 34A and the fourth electrode unit 34D are arranged roughly in a triangular shape, the left-right symmetrical second electrode unit 34B and the fifth electrode unit 34E are arranged roughly in a trapezoidal shape, and the left-right symmetrical third electrode unit 34C and the sixth electrode unit 34F are arranged roughly in a fan shape. The outer sides of the first electrode unit 34A, the second electrode unit 34B and the third electrode unit 34C are all located on the left single-sided outer contour of the teardrop shape of the electrode array 32. The outer sides of the fourth electrode unit 34D, the fifth electrode unit 34E and the sixth electrode unit 34F are all located on the right single-sided outer contour of the teardrop shape of the electrode array 32. Taking the left part as an example, the area of ​​the second electrode unit 34B arranged in a nearly trapezoidal shape is larger than the area of ​​the first electrode unit 34A arranged in a nearly triangular shape but smaller than the area of ​​the third electrode unit 34C arranged in a nearly fan-shaped shape. When performing tumor electric field therapy on the subject's head, the electrode array 32 is attached close to the top of the head with the first electrode unit 34A having the smallest area, and the third electrode unit 43 having the largest area is attached away from the top of the head.

[0031] refer to Figure 4 As shown, the backing 31 is provided in a sheet shape, and a biocompatible adhesive (not shown) is applied on the side facing the subject's body surface, so as to closely fit the backing 31 to the body surface corresponding to the tumor site of the subject. The backing 31 is usually made of breathable materials such as textiles, non-woven fabrics and microporous membranes that are soft, thin, moisture-proof and breathable, so that the skin surface of the subject can remain dry when it is applied to the subject's body surface for a long time. The overall outline of the backing 31 is a water drop shape that is basically the same as the overall outline of the electrode array 32, but its size is larger than the outline size of the electrode array 32.

[0032] The backing 31 includes a main body 311 attached to the electrode array 32, a handle portion 312 located above the main body 311 and arranged in a convex shape, an avoidance portion 313 located below the main body 311 and arranged in a concave shape, and side wing portions 314 located on both sides of the main body 311. The handle portion 312 can avoid contact with the conductive adhesive 33 when taking the transducer 30 to cause contamination of the electrode array 32 and facilitate the subsequent removal of the transducer 30 from the subject's body surface. The avoidance portion 313 is arranged in a concave shape to avoid the end of the wiring portion 323, so as to facilitate the electrical connection between the wiring portion 323 and the wire (not shown). The side wing portions 314 on both sides include two upper wing portions 3141 and a lower wing portion 3142, wherein the two upper wing portions 3141 on one side have two inwardly concave edges 3143, and the two upper wing portions 3141 on the other side have two outwardly convex edges 3144, and the recessed size of the concave edges 3143 and the protruding size of the convex edges 3144 are at least partially matched, so that two adjacently arranged transducers 30 can complement each other through the corresponding concave edges 3143 and the convex edges 3144, so as to arrange more transducers 30 in a limited body surface attachment area. For the side wing portion 314 on each side, a first notch 3145 is set between the handle portion 312 and the adjacent upper wing portion 3141, a second notch 3146 is set between the two upper wings 3141, and a third notch 3147 is set between the lower wing portion 3142 and the adjacent upper wing portion 3141. The first notch 3145, the second notch 3146 and the third notch 3147 release part of the stress when the backing 31 is attached to relieve the tightness of the attachment.

[0033] Back to Figure 2 As shown, the conductive adhesive 33 is also arranged in a teardrop-shaped sheet with a substantially identical overall contour to the electrode array 32. The area of ​​the area enclosed by its outer contour is slightly larger than the area of ​​the area enclosed by the outer contour of the electrode array 32 to facilitate attachment and covering of the electrode array 32. At the same time, the area of ​​the area enclosed by the outer contour of the conductive adhesive 33 is smaller than the area of ​​the area enclosed by the outer contour of the backing 31, so that the edge of the backing 31 can be attached to the skin of the subject. The distance from the outer contour edge of the electrode array 32 to the corresponding outer edge of the conductive adhesive 33 is 2mm-3mm, which can not only provide more redundant space and facilitate the attachment and replacement of the conductive adhesive 33 relative to the electrode array 32, but also increase the protection of the electrode array 32. The conductive adhesive 33 has double-sided adhesiveness, one side of which is attached to the electrode array 32, and the other side is attached to the skin of the subject as an attachment layer, so that the electrode array 32 can be well attached to the subject's body surface and the skin surface of the subject's body surface can also be kept moist. The conductive adhesive 33 can be a conductive hydrogel or other biocompatible conductive adhesive.

[0034] The conductive adhesive 33 is directly attached to the backing 31 except for the part directly contacting the front of the electrode array 32. Due to the air permeability of the backing 31, the conductive adhesive 33 can breathe with the external air and maintain its own temperature and humidity for a long time, and it is convenient to detach from the backing 31. The conductive adhesive 33 can be provided with a gap or opening (not shown) at the position corresponding to the first interval 3401 or the second interval 3402, so that the body surface of the subject can exchange heat with the external environment.

[0035] When the subject applies the transducer 30 and receives treatment for a period of time, and the transducer 30 needs to be replaced because the adhesion of the conductive adhesive 33 decreases and it cannot be closely attached to the subject's body surface, the entire conductive adhesive 33 can be directly peeled off from the electrode array 32 for replacement. The operation is simple and easy and can save time. There is no need to scrap the entire transducer 30, which can improve the utilization rate of the electrode array 32 and save costs. Specifically, when replacing the conductive adhesive 33, it is only necessary to align the smaller upper part of the conductive adhesive 33 with the smaller upper part of the electrode array 32 or the larger lower part with the larger lower part of the electrode array 32, and the remaining part can be smoothly attached to the electrode array 32. The end of the conductive adhesive 33 extends to the top of the gold finger 3231 of the wiring part 323, that is, the corresponding edge of the conductive adhesive 33 is located between the gold finger 3231 and the corresponding edge of the electrode array 32, and the conductive adhesive 33 does not cover the gold finger 3231 at the end of the wiring part 323.

[0036] The transducer 30 uses a whole piece of conductive adhesive 33 to be attached to the electrode array 32, which can be attached or removed as a whole piece. Compared with the conventional transducer using multiple conductive adhesives 33, this solution uses a whole piece of conductive adhesive 33 to be attached to the electrode array 32. The conductive adhesive 33 can be replaced with only one operation, which is simple to operate and convenient to replace. In addition, the area of ​​each electrode unit 34 is not exactly the same, and the degree of heat generation during the tumor electric field treatment is different. The whole piece of conductive adhesive 33 covers both each electrode unit 34 and the open space 340 between each electrode unit 34 and the outer contour of the electrode array 32, which can make the heating conditions of each electrode unit 34 of the electrode array 32 tend to be consistent, avoiding the problem of low-temperature burns on the body surface caused by excessive heat accumulation in any of the electrode units 34.

[0037] The above is only a preferred implementation mode of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A transducer comprising a backing and an electrode array attached to the backing, characterized in that: The electrode array includes a plurality of electrode units arranged at intervals, a plurality of connecting portions connecting two adjacent electrode units, and an open space formed between the plurality of electrode units. The transducer also includes a conductive adhesive attached to the electrode array, and the conductive adhesive is arranged on a side of the electrode unit away from the backing in a whole-piece covering state.

2. The transducer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive adhesive has the same overall contour shape as the electrode array, and the area of ​​the region enclosed by the outer contour of the conductive adhesive is larger than the area of ​​the region enclosed by the corresponding outer contour of the electrode array.

3. The transducer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The distance from the outer contour edge of the electrode array to the corresponding outer edge of the conductive adhesive is 2 mm-3 mm.

4. The transducer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The overall outer contour of the electrode array is arranged in a water drop shape, and the outer contour of the conductive adhesive is arranged in a water drop shape.

5. The transducer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The electrode array includes a left part and a right part that are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides, and the left part and the right part each include a plurality of electrode units spaced apart from top to bottom, and the connecting part includes a first connecting part that transversely connects the left part and the right part, and a second connecting part that longitudinally connects two adjacent electrode units in the left part and the right part.

6. The transducer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The open space includes a first interval formed between the left part and the right part and a plurality of second intervals formed between two adjacent electrode units in the left part and the right part. The first connecting portion is located in the first interval, and the second connecting portion is located in the corresponding second interval.

7. The transducer according to claim 6, characterized in that: The electrode array further includes a connection portion extending from the first connection portion and along the first interval, wherein the connection portion is provided with a plurality of gold fingers at one end thereof away from the first connection portion, and the corresponding edge of the conductive adhesive is located between the gold fingers and the corresponding edge of the electrode array.

8. The transducer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The electrode unit comprises a base, a conductive sheet arranged on the base, an insulating layer arranged on the base and the conductive sheet and having a hollow area, and a dielectric layer arranged on the insulating layer and the conductive sheet exposed through the hollow area.

9. The transducer according to claim 8, characterized in that: The electrode unit further includes an alloy layer covering the dielectric layer.

10. An electric field therapy system, characterized in that: It comprises an electric field generator and a transducer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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