Tumor electric field therapy system

Abstract

The application provides a tumor treatment electric field system, which comprises an electric field treatment instrument and multiple pairs of insulated electrodes electrically connected with the electric field treatment instrument, the electric field treatment instrument comprises an MCU control unit, an inverter voltage boost control unit electrically connected with the MCU control unit, a DC power supply control unit electrically connected with the MCU control unit and the inverter voltage boost control unit, an AC voltage control unit electrically connected with the inverter voltage boost control unit, and a direction control unit electrically connected with the MCU control unit and used for controlling the on and off of the AC voltage control unit and the corresponding pair of insulated electrodes, the electric field treatment instrument further has an alternating electric signal direction switching period, the MCU control unit is configured to control the on and off of the communication between the MCU control unit and the DC power supply control unit and whether to output a direct current electric signal to the inverter voltage boost control unit according to the alternating electric signal direction switching period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of medical device technology, and in particular relates to a tumor electric field therapy system. Background Technology

[0002] Chinese Invention Patent CN104771830B discloses a tumor electric field therapy system and its electric field application method. The tumor electric field therapy system includes an electric field generator that generates alternating voltage and two pairs of insulated electrodes electrically connected to the electric field generator. The two pairs of insulated electrodes are arranged perpendicularly to each other around malignant tumor sites or proliferating cells in tissue cultures within experimental animals. The alternating voltage generated by the electric field generator is periodically and alternately applied to the malignant tumor sites or proliferating cells in the tissue cultures within the experimental animals to treat the malignant tumors or inhibit cell proliferation in the tissue cultures. The electric field generator includes an AC signal generator and an AC signal controller electrically connected to the AC signal generator. The AC signal controller generates a periodic control signal with two output states to control the AC signal generator to generate alternating signals applied intermittently and alternately between the two pairs of insulated electrodes. Specifically, when the AC signal controller is in the first output state, it controls the AC signal generator to generate an alternating signal between the first pair of insulating electrodes, but not between the second pair. When the AC signal controller is in the second output state, it controls the AC signal generator to generate an alternating signal between the second pair of insulating electrodes, but not between the first pair. That is, when the alternating signal between the first pair of insulating electrodes is on, the alternating signal between the second pair is off; when the alternating signal between the first pair is off, the alternating signal between the second pair is on.

[0003] The aforementioned tumor electric field therapy system switches the alternating electric signal generated by the AC signal generator between two pairs of insulated electrodes by controlling the AC signal controller to switch between a first output state and a second output state. This allows for the alternating application of alternating electric fields in different directions to the malignant tumor sites or proliferating cells of experimental animals for tumor treatment or inhibition of cell proliferation. While this system achieves the goal of treating tumors or inhibiting cell proliferation by alternately applying alternating electric fields to the malignant tumor sites or proliferating cells of experimental animals through two pairs of insulated electrodes via the AC signal controller, it suffers from several problems. These problems include voltage abrupt changes during the switching between the two pairs of insulated electrodes, large voltage variations per unit time leading to signal abrupt changes and spikes in the AC signal controller, which can impact and easily damage the electronic components within the controller. Furthermore, when this tumor electric field therapy device is used on humans, it can cause scalp tingling in patients.

[0004] Therefore, it is indeed necessary to provide an improved tumor electric field therapy system to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a tumor electric field therapy system that can avoid the simultaneous conduction of alternating electric fields in two directions, which would affect treatment, when the alternating electric signal switches between different pairs of insulating electrodes. This is because the alternating electric field formed between one pair of insulating electrodes has not been completely disconnected, while the alternating electric field has begun to form between the other pair of insulating electrodes.

[0006] The tumor electric field therapy system of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solution: a tumor electric field therapy system for applying alternating electrical signals to proliferating tumor cells at a tumor site or tissue culture, comprising an electric field therapy device that generates alternating electrical signals and multiple pairs of insulated electrodes electrically connected to the electric field therapy device. The electric field therapy device includes an MCU control unit, an inverter boost control unit electrically connected to the MCU control unit, a DC power supply control unit electrically connected to both the MCU control unit and the inverter boost control unit, an AC voltage control unit electrically connected to the inverter boost control unit, and a direction control unit electrically connected to the MCU control unit and controlling the conduction and disconnection between the AC voltage control unit and the corresponding pairs of insulated electrodes. The electric field therapy device also has an alternating electrical signal direction switching cycle stored in the MCU control unit. The MCU control unit is configured to control the conduction and disconnection of its communication with the DC power supply control unit and whether to output a DC signal to the inverter boost control unit according to the alternating electrical signal direction switching cycle.

[0007] Furthermore, the MCU control unit stops outputting pulse signals to the inverter boost control unit when its communication with the DC power control unit is disconnected; and outputs pulse signals to the inverter boost control unit when its communication with the DC power control unit is restored.

[0008] Furthermore, the MCU control unit is also configured to control the direction control unit to switch the electrical connection between the AC voltage control unit and different pairs of insulated electrodes after its communication with the DC power control unit is disconnected and it stops outputting pulse signals to the inverter boost control unit.

[0009] Furthermore, the MCU control unit is also configured to output a DC voltage to the DC power control unit to start the DC power control unit after the AC voltage control unit completes the electrical connection switching between different pairs of insulated electrodes.

[0010] Furthermore, the electric field therapy device also includes a filter control unit electrically connected to the inverter boost control unit. The AC voltage control unit is electrically connected to the inverter boost control unit through the filter control unit. The AC signal transmitted to the AC voltage control unit is obtained by processing the pulse signal output by the MCU control unit and the DC signal output by the DC power control unit sequentially through the inverter boost control unit and the filter control unit.

[0011] Furthermore, the electric field therapy device also has a working cycle of the alternating signal stored in the MCU control unit and a continuous conduction period of the alternating signal in each working cycle. When the alternating signal is continuously conducted in each working cycle, the AC voltage control unit is electrically connected to only one of the multiple pairs of insulating electrodes.

[0012] Furthermore, the continuous conduction period includes a switching on period, a switching off period, and a conduction period between the switching on period and the switching off period. During the switching on period, the MCU control unit controls the DC power control unit to output a gradually increasing DC signal so that the AC voltage control unit outputs an AC signal with a gradually increasing AC voltage amplitude. The gradually increasing amplitude includes at least 20 boost steps.

[0013] Furthermore, during the switching disconnection period, the MCU control unit controls the DC power control unit to output a gradually decreasing DC signal so that the AC voltage control unit outputs an AC signal with a gradually decreasing AC voltage amplitude. The gradual decrease includes at least 20 step-down steps.

[0014] Furthermore, the electric field therapy device also has the peak value of the AC voltage amplitude of the alternating signal stored in the MCU control unit and a preset specific voltage. During the switching on period, the AC voltage amplitude of the alternating signal output by the AC voltage control unit gradually increases from 0 to the preset specific voltage, and during the switching off period, the AC voltage amplitude of the alternating signal output by the AC voltage control unit gradually decreases from the preset specific voltage to 0.

[0015] Furthermore, the preset specific voltage is not greater than the peak value of the AC voltage amplitude, each of the boost steps has a corresponding AC voltage amplitude boost amount that is not greater than 5% of the preset specific voltage, and / or each of the buck steps has a corresponding AC voltage amplitude buck amount that is not greater than 5% of the preset specific voltage.

[0016] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a system block diagram of the tumor treatment electric field system of this application.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a waveform diagram of the control signal generated by the AC signal controller of the electric field therapy device in the tumor electric field therapy system of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a preferred waveform applied to the electrodes of the tumor electric field therapy system of the present invention.

[0020] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0021] Tumor electric field therapy system 1000, electric field therapy instrument 1, MCU control unit 11, storage module 110, execution module 111, digital-to-analog conversion module 112, DAC data register 1120, control module 113, DC power control unit 12, inverter control unit 13, boost module 130, inverter module 131, filter control unit 14, AC voltage control unit 15, AC signal generator 10, direction control unit 16, X-direction switch 17, Y-direction switch 18, AC signal controller 20, Y-direction electrode 21, X-direction electrode 22, Y-direction electric field 23, X-direction electric field 24, waveform 31, waveform 32, insulating electrode 2. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses, systems, devices, and methods consistent with some aspects of this application.

[0023] The tumor electric field therapy system 1000 of the present invention is used to apply alternating voltage to proliferating cells in tumor sites or tissue cultures for tumor treatment or to inhibit proliferating cells in tissue cultures. It includes an electric field therapy device 1 and two pairs of insulated electrodes 2 electrically connected to the device 1. The device 1 generates an alternating voltage signal for tumor treatment or inhibition of proliferating cells in tissue cultures, and applies the generated alternating voltage signal cyclically and alternately between the two pairs of insulated electrodes 2, thereby generating alternating electric fields with changing directions between the two pairs of insulated electrodes 2. The two pairs of insulated electrodes 2 include a pair of Y-direction electrodes 21 and a pair of X-direction electrodes 22 electrically connected to the device 1. The two Y-direction electrodes 21 are arranged in parallel, and the two X-direction electrodes 22 are arranged in parallel. The two Y-direction electrodes 21 and the two X-direction electrodes 22 are arranged perpendicular to each other. A Y-direction alternating electric field 23 is generated between the two Y-direction electrodes 21. An X-direction alternating electric field 24 is generated between the two X-direction electrodes 22. The alternating electric field 24 in the X direction and the alternating electric field 23 in the Y direction are set perpendicularly.

[0024] The electric field therapy device 1 includes an MCU control unit 11, an inverter boost control unit 13 electrically connected to the MCU control unit 11, a DC power control unit 12 that is communicatively connected to both the MCU control unit 11 and the inverter boost control unit 13, a filter control unit 14 electrically connected to the inverter boost control unit 13, an AC voltage control unit 15 electrically connected to the filter control unit 14, a direction control unit 16 electrically connected to the MCU control unit 11, an X-direction switch 17 electrically connected to the direction control unit 16 and controlling the connection and disconnection between the AC voltage control unit 15 and the two X-direction electrodes 22, and a Y-direction switch 18 electrically connected to the direction control unit 16 and controlling the connection and disconnection between the AC voltage control unit 15 and the two Y-direction electrodes 21.

[0025] The MCU control unit 11 has a reference voltage of 3.3V and includes a storage module 110, an execution module 111 communicatively connected to the storage module 110, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 112 communicatively connected to the execution module 111, and a control module 113 controlling the storage module 110, the execution module 111, and the DAC 112 to perform corresponding operations. The storage module 110 is configured to store system parameters of the electric field therapy device 1, including the electric field frequency, the amplitude of the output AC voltage, and the switching period of the alternating current signal direction.

[0026] The execution module 111 is configured to read the electric field frequency, output AC voltage amplitude, and alternating current signal direction switching period of the electric field therapy device 1 from the storage module 110. The execution module 111 is also configured to output a periodic direction switching drive signal to the direction control unit 16 according to the read alternating current signal direction switching period of the electric field therapy device 1. The execution module 111 is further configured to output a pulse signal to the inverter boost control unit 13 based on the read electric field frequency and output AC voltage amplitude of the electric field therapy device 1, and the reference voltage of the MCU control unit 11. This pulse signal has the same frequency as the read electric field frequency of the electric field therapy device 1 and the same AC voltage amplitude as the reference voltage amplitude of the MCU control unit 11. In this embodiment, the pulse signal output by the execution module 111 to the inverter boost control unit 13 is a square wave with a frequency of 200 kHz, a voltage amplitude of 3.3 V, and a duty cycle of 50%.

[0027] The digital-to-analog converter module 112 is communicatively connected to the DC power control unit 12. It has a DAC data register 1120 and can output a corresponding DC voltage to the DC power control unit 12 based on the digital value in the DAC data register 1120 to start the DC power control unit 12. The digital value in the DAC data register 1120 of the digital-to-analog converter module 112 corresponding to the reference voltage 3.3V of the MCU control unit 11 is 2. 12 The control module 113 controls the execution module 111 to perform the corresponding functions described above. The control module 113 also controls the conduction and disconnection of communication between the digital-to-analog converter module 112 and the DC power control unit 12, and controls whether the execution module 111 outputs a pulse signal to the inverter boost control unit 13, based on the alternating current signal direction switching cycle of the electric field therapy device 1 read by the execution module 111.

[0028] The DC power control unit 12 receives a DC voltage signal of approximately 500mV from the digital-to-analog converter module 112 of the MCU control unit 11, and outputs a DC signal of approximately 20V to the inverter boost control unit 13. The inverter boost control unit 13 includes a boost module 130 and an inverter module 131 communicating with the boost module 130. The boost module 130 simultaneously receives a square wave with a frequency of 200kHz, a voltage amplitude of 3.3V, and a duty cycle of 50% output from the execution module 111 of the MCU control unit 11, and the 20V DC signal output from the DC power control unit 12. It then performs superposition processing on the received square wave and DC signal before boosting the voltage to output a square wave with a frequency of 200kHz and an AC voltage amplitude of 80V to the inverter module 131. Inverter module 131 receives a square wave signal with a frequency of 200kHz and a voltage amplitude of 80V output from boost module 130, and performs inverting processing on the received square wave signal to output a square wave with a frequency of 200kHz and a voltage amplitude of ±80V to filter control unit 14. Filter control unit 14 filters the received square wave with a frequency of 200kHz and a voltage amplitude of ±80V from inverter module 131 to obtain a sine wave with a frequency of 200kHz and an AC voltage peak value of 160V, and outputs the filtered sine wave with a frequency of 200kHz and an AC voltage peak value of 160V to AC voltage control unit 15. The AC voltage control unit 15 is simultaneously connected to the X-direction switch 17 and the Y-direction switch 18. Depending on whether the X-direction switch 17 and the Y-direction switch 18 are turned on or off, a sine wave with a frequency of 200KHz and an AC voltage peak of 160V, processed by the filter control unit 14, is selectively applied to the two X-direction electrodes 22 or the two Y-direction electrodes 21 electrically connected to the AC voltage control unit 15. This generates an X-direction electric field 23 between the two X-direction electrodes 22 or a Y-direction electric field 24 between the two Y-direction electrodes 21 to treat tumors or inhibit the proliferation of cells in tissue cultures.

[0029] The directional control unit 16 cyclically controls the on and off of the X-direction switch 17 and the Y-direction switch 18 according to the periodic directional switching drive signal output by the execution module 111 of the MCU control unit 11. Specifically, the control module 113 of the MCU control unit 11 controls the execution module 111 to output a periodic directional switching drive signal to the directional control unit 16 according to the directional switching cycle of the alternating electrical signal of the electric field therapy device 1 read by the execution module 111. This allows the directional control unit 16 to alternately and cyclically turn on the X-direction switch 17 and turn off the Y-direction switch 18, or turn off the X-direction switch 17 and turn on the Y-direction switch 18. This achieves the periodic and alternating application of a 200kHz sine wave with a peak AC voltage of 160V received by the AC voltage control unit 15 to the two X-direction electrodes 22 and the two Y-direction electrodes 21 electrically connected to the AC voltage control unit 15, thereby periodically and alternately applying the X-direction electric field 24 and the Y-direction electric field 23 to the proliferating cells of the tumor site or tissue culture.

[0030] That is, when the MCU control unit 11 controls the direction control unit 16 to turn on the X-direction switch 17 and turn off the Y-direction switch 18, the AC voltage control unit 15 applies a sinusoidal signal with a frequency of 200 kHz and a peak AC voltage of 160 V to the two X-direction electrodes 22 electrically connected to it, and generates an X-direction electric field 24 between the two X-direction electrodes 22; when the MCU control unit 11 controls the direction control unit 16 to turn off the X-direction switch 17 and turn on the Y-direction switch 18, the AC voltage control unit 15 applies a sinusoidal signal with a frequency of 200 kHz and a peak AC voltage of 160 V to the two Y-direction electrodes 21 electrically connected to it, and generates a Y-direction electric field 23 between the two Y-direction electrodes 21. In this embodiment, the duty cycle of the periodic direction switching drive signal output by the execution module 111 of the MCU control unit 11 to the direction control unit 16 is 50%, and the period is 2 seconds. That is, the direction control unit 16 controls the X-direction switch 17 to turn on in the first second, the Y-direction switch 18 to turn on in the second second, the X-direction switch 17 to turn on in the third second, and the Y-direction switch 18 to turn on in the fourth second, and so on. The tumor electric field therapy system 1000 applies alternating voltage to the X-direction electrode 22 and the Y-direction electrode 21 alternately through the cyclical conduction of the X-direction switch 17 and the Y-direction switch 18, so as to treat the tumor site or inhibit the proliferation of cells in the tissue culture.

[0031] Figure 2This is a waveform diagram of the drive signal used to control the periodic direction switching of the electric field applied between the Y-direction electrode 21 and the X-direction electrode 22, that is, the waveform diagram of the drive signal of the direction control unit 16 to the X-direction switch 17 and the Y-direction switch 18. Waveforms 31 and 32 correspond to the X-direction electrode 21 and the Y-direction electrode 22, respectively. The duty cycle of drive signals 31 and 32 is 50%, and the period is 2 seconds. X-direction switch 17 and Y-direction switch 18 are alternately switched on and off. Each switch has a 1-second on / off time, and at any given time, only one of them is on. Specifically, when X-direction switch 17 is on, X-direction electrode 22 generates an X-direction AC electric field. After X-direction switch 17 remains on for 1 second, it is switched off, and Y-direction switch 18 is on, generating a Y-direction AC electric field. After Y-direction switch 18 remains on for 1 second, it is switched off, and X-direction switch 17 is switched on again, repeating this cycle. The direction control unit 16 switches X-direction switch 17 and Y-direction switch 18 to alternately subject the target area to AC electric fields in the Y and X directions.

[0032] The storage module 110, execution module 111, digital-to-analog converter module 112, control module 113, DC power control unit 12, inverter boost control unit 13, filter control unit 14, and AC voltage control unit 15 of the MCU control unit 11 together constitute the AC signal generator 10 of the electric field therapy device 1. The storage module 110, execution module 111, control module 113, direction control unit 16, and the X-direction switch 17 and Y-direction switch 18 electrically connected to the direction control unit 16 together constitute the AC signal controller 20. When the AC voltage signal generated by the AC signal generator 10 is applied to the two X-direction electrodes 22, an X-direction alternating electric field 24 is generated between the two X-direction electrodes 22. When the AC voltage signal generated by the AC signal generator 10 is applied to the two Y-direction electrodes 21, a Y-direction alternating electric field 23 is generated between the two Y-direction electrodes 21.

[0033] Before the alternating electric field 24 between the two X-direction electrodes 22 and the alternating electric field 23 between the two Y-direction electrodes 21 need to be switched, the MCU control unit 11 disconnects the communication connection between the digital-to-analog converter module 112 and the DC power control unit 12 through the control module 113, and controls the execution module 111 to stop outputting pulse signals to the inverter boost control unit 13 through the control module 113, so as to avoid the simultaneous conduction of the X-direction electric field 24 generated by the two X-direction electrodes 22 and the Y-direction electric field 23 generated by the two Y-direction electrodes 21, which would affect the treatment or inhibition effect. After the execution module 111 stops outputting pulse signals to the inverter boost control unit 13 and the communication between the digital-to-analog converter module 112 and the DC power control unit 12 is disconnected, the direction control unit 16 is then controlled to switch the X-direction switch 17 and the Y-direction switch 18.

[0034] After the control module 113 of the MCU control unit 11 controls the direction control unit 16 to switch the X-direction electric field 24 generated between the two X-direction electrodes 22 and the Y-direction electric field 23 generated between the two Y-direction electrodes 21, the control module 113 of the MCU control unit 11 needs to control the analog-to-digital conversion module 112 to output a voltage of 484mV to the DC power control unit 12 to start the DC power control unit 12, thereby enabling the DC power control unit 12 to output a 20V DC signal to the inverter boost control unit 13. At the same time, the control module 113 controls the execution module 111 to output a 200KHz square wave signal to the inverter boost control unit 13. After being processed by the filter control unit 14, the AC voltage control unit 15 can output a 200KHz sine wave with an AC voltage peak of 160V to the two X-direction electrodes 22 or the two Y-direction electrodes 21. The value in the DAC data register 1120 corresponding to the 484mV DC signal output by the analog-to-digital converter module 112 is 600 (484*4096 / 3300≈600).

[0035] The electric field therapy device 1 of the present invention controls the DC power supply unit 12 to output a DC signal in a manner that the voltage change is constantly rising or falling per unit time, according to the switching cycle of the alternating electric signal obtained by the execution module 111 through the control module 113 of the MCU control unit 11. This causes the AC voltage applied between the two pairs of insulated electrodes 2 to rise or fall slowly within their respective working cycles. This is to avoid the sudden change in AC voltage output by the AC voltage control unit 15 when the MCU control unit 11 controls the switching between the X-direction electric field 24 and the Y-direction electric field 23, which could cause a spike signal impact, damage the X-direction switch 17 and the Y-direction switch 18 of the AC signal controller 20, or cause a spike pulse generated by the sudden change in AC voltage to be transmitted to the X-direction electrode 22 and the Y-direction electrode 21 arranged around the tumor site, causing a stinging sensation in experimental animals or humans, as described in detail below.

[0036] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates the periodic direction switching drive signal output by the MCU control unit 11 to the direction control unit 16, which generates an X-direction electric field 24 between the two X-direction electrodes 22 for tumor electric field therapy. Waveform 31 is a partial waveform of the periodic direction switching drive signal, and waveform 41 is a schematic diagram of the sine wave applied to the two X-direction electrodes 22. The operating time t1 of the X-direction electric field 24 is the continuous conduction time of the electric field in each cycle in this direction. The alternating current signal switching on period t3 corresponds to the process in which the AC voltage applied to the two X-direction electrodes 22 rises from 0 to a specific value V (the amplitude of the AC voltage applied to the electrodes) during each continuous conduction period t1. The alternating current signal switching off period t4 corresponds to the process in which the AC voltage applied to the two X-direction electrodes 22 drops from the specific value V to 0 during each continuous conduction period t1. The alternating current signal switching on period t3 and alternating current signal switching off period t4 are the same. To eliminate voltage spikes, the MCU control unit 11 controls the change in value within the DAC data register 1120 to ensure that the DC power supply unit 12 outputs a DC signal with a constant voltage change per unit time t. This causes the AC voltage output to the AC voltage control unit 15 to gradually increase or decrease during either the boost or buck process. Dividing the total boost voltage V into n equal parts, the AC voltage boost amplitude per unit time t is ΔV = V / n. If the AC voltage needs to be boosted from 0 to a specific voltage V within n unit times t, then the voltage change per unit time t is ΔV = V / n. The alternating current signal switching period t3 is n*t, i.e., n = t3 / t. The voltage change ΔV per unit time t is obtained using the formula ΔV = V*t / t3. Similarly, the voltage reduction process also uses a constant voltage change ΔV to eliminate voltage spikes. The overall voltage reduction is evenly distributed across each unit time t. If the AC voltage needs to be reduced from a specific voltage V to 0 within n unit time ts, then the voltage change per unit time t is ΔV = V / n. The switching and disconnection period t4 of the alternating current signal is n*t, i.e., n = t4 / t. The voltage change ΔV per unit time t is obtained using the formula ΔV = V*t / t4. In other words, the AC voltage is either boosted to the specific voltage V or reduced to 0 within a unit time t using a constant voltage change ΔV. The boost and reduction times vary depending on the specific voltage value.

[0037] Combination Figure 3 As shown below, the boost control and buck control for different specific voltages will be explained in detail.

[0038] The first boost implementation: With a specific voltage of 100V, a unit time t set to 1 millisecond, and a voltage change ΔV of 4V, then n = 100 / 4 = 25, which is t3, or 25 milliseconds. That is, the voltage is boosted from 0 to 100V at a rate of 4V per millisecond for 25 milliseconds. The DAC data register 1120 value corresponding to a voltage of 100V is 375. The DAC data register 1120 value change ΔDAC per unit time t is 375 / 25 = 15. The MCU control unit 11 increases the DAC data register 1120 value by 15 every millisecond. The output corresponding to a DAC data register 1120 value of 4096 is 3.3V. Calculating the output corresponding to a DAC data register 1120 value of 15, we get (15 * 3.3 / 4096) * 1000 ≈ 12mV. In other words, the MCU control unit 11 increases the output of the digital-to-analog converter module 112 by approximately 12mV every millisecond, causing the AC voltage control unit 15 to boost the voltage by 4V every millisecond. This continues for 25 milliseconds, and after 25 uniform changes, the voltage rises from 0V to 100V. When the voltage reaches 100V, even if there is a 100% voltage spike, the voltage change is only 4V. 4V accounts for only 4% of the total 100V, and since the voltage change is still within the 5% error range of the AC voltage output, it can be ignored.

[0039] The second boost implementation: With a specific voltage of 120V, a unit time t set to 1 millisecond, and a voltage change ΔV of 4V, then n = 120 / 4 = 30, and t3 = 30 milliseconds. This means the voltage is boosted by 4V per millisecond for 30 milliseconds, increasing from 0 to 120V. The DAC data register 1120 value corresponding to 120V is 450. The DAC data register 1120 value change ΔDAC per unit time t is 450 / 30 = 15. The MCU control unit 11 increases the DAC data register 1120 value by 15 per millisecond. The output corresponding to the DAC data register 1120 value of 4096 is 3.3V. Therefore, the output corresponding to the DAC data register 1120 value of 15 is calculated to be (15 * 3.3 / 4096) * 1000 ≈ 12mV. In other words, the MCU control unit 11 increases the output of the digital-to-analog converter module 112 by approximately 12mV every millisecond, causing the AC voltage control unit 15 to boost the voltage by 4V every millisecond. This continues for 30 milliseconds, and after 30 uniform changes, the voltage rises from 0V to 120V. When the voltage reaches 120V, even if the voltage jump has a 100% spike pulse, the jump voltage is only 4V. 4V accounts for only 3.3% of the total voltage at 120V, which is still less than the 5% error range of the voltage output and can be ignored.

[0040] The third boost implementation method: With a specific voltage of 160V, a unit time t set to 1 millisecond, and a voltage change ΔV of 4V, then n = 160 / 4 = 40, and t3 is 40 milliseconds. This means the voltage is boosted by 4V per millisecond for 40 milliseconds, increasing from 0 to 160V. The DAC data register 1120 value corresponding to a voltage of 160V is 600. The DAC data register 1120 value change ΔDAC per unit time t is 600 / 40 = 15. The MCU control unit 11 increases the DAC data register 1120 value by 15 per millisecond. The output corresponding to a DAC data register 1120 value of 4096 is 3.3V. Therefore, the output corresponding to a DAC data register 1120 value of 15 is calculated to be (15 * 3.3 / 4096) * 1000 ≈ 12mV. In other words, the MCU control unit 11 increases the output of the digital-to-analog converter module 112 by approximately 12mV every millisecond, causing the AC voltage control unit 15 to boost by 4V every millisecond. This continues for 40 milliseconds, and after 40 uniform changes, the voltage rises from 0V to 160V. When the voltage reaches 160V, even if the voltage jump has a 100% spike pulse, the jump voltage is only 3.2V. The 4V represents only 2.5% of the 160V voltage, which is less than the 5% error range of the voltage output, so the jump voltage can be ignored.

[0041] In the above-described voltage boosting implementation, because the average voltage amplitude during t3 is low and does not reach the target voltage value, the generated AC electric field strength is low, which has little impact on the mitosis of cancer cells. The working time of the electric field in each cycle is t1, which is 1 second.

[0042] During the voltage boosting process, the voltage is constant. Regardless of the specific value of the AC voltage, the AC voltage control unit 15 has the same AC voltage boosting amount in each unit time t. In the above embodiment, taking 4V as an example, the time t3 will become longer as the specific value of the AC voltage increases. The longest time is 40 milliseconds corresponding to 160V. The working time of the AC electric field is 1 second. The voltage boosting process accounts for 4% of the working time, which has a very small impact on the overall treatment time.

[0043] The first voltage reduction implementation: With a specific voltage of 100V, a unit time t set to 1 millisecond, and a voltage change ΔV of 4V, then n = 100 / 4 = 25, and t4 = 25 milliseconds. This means the voltage is reduced by 4V per millisecond for 25 milliseconds, decreasing from 100V to 0V. The DAC data register 1120 value corresponding to a voltage of 100V is 375. The DAC data register 1120 value change per unit time t is ΔDAC = 375 / 25 = 15. The MCU control unit 11 reduces the DAC data register 1120 value by 15 per millisecond. The output corresponding to a DAC data register 1120 value of 4096 is 3.3V. Therefore, the output corresponding to a DAC data register 1120 value of 15 is calculated to be (15 * 3.3 / 4096) * 1000 ≈ 12mV. In other words, the MCU control unit 11 reduces the output of the digital-to-analog converter module 112 by approximately 12mV every millisecond, causing the AC voltage control unit 15 to reduce the voltage by 4V every millisecond. This process continues for 25 milliseconds, and after 25 uniform changes, the voltage drops from 100V to 0V. When the voltage drops to 0V, even if the voltage change has a 100% spike pulse, the voltage change is only 4V. 4V accounts for only 4% of 100V, which is less than the 5% error range of the voltage output, so the voltage change can be ignored.

[0044] The second voltage reduction implementation: With a specific voltage of 120V, a unit time t set to 1 millisecond, and a voltage change ΔV of 4V, then n = 120 / 4 = 30, and t4 = 30 milliseconds. This means the voltage is reduced by 4V per millisecond for 30 milliseconds, decreasing from 120V to 0. The DAC data register 1120 value corresponding to a voltage of 120V is 450. The DAC data register 1120 value change per unit time t is ΔDAC = 450 / 30 = 15. The MCU control unit 11 reduces the DAC data register 1120 value by 15 per millisecond. The output corresponding to a DAC data register 1120 value of 4096 is 3.3V. Therefore, the output corresponding to a DAC data register 1120 value of 15 is calculated to be (15 * 3.3 / 4096) * 1000 ≈ 12mV. In other words, the MCU control unit 11 reduces the output of the digital-to-analog converter module 112 by approximately 12mV per millisecond to control the AC voltage control unit 15 to reduce the voltage by 4V per millisecond. This process continues for 30 milliseconds, and after 30 uniform changes, the voltage drops from 120V to 0V. When the voltage drops to 0V, even if the voltage change has a 100% spike pulse, the voltage change is only 4V. 4V accounts for only 3.3% of 120V, which is less than the 5% error range of the voltage output, so the voltage change can be ignored.

[0045] The third voltage reduction implementation: With a specific voltage of 160V, a unit time t set to 1 millisecond, and a voltage change ΔV of 4V, then n = 160 / 4 = 40, and t4 = 40 milliseconds. This means the AC voltage control unit 15 reduces the voltage by 4V every millisecond for 40 milliseconds, lowering the voltage from 160V to 0. The DAC data register 1120 value corresponding to a voltage of 160V is 600. The DAC data register 1120 value change ΔDAC per unit time t is 600 / 40 = 15. The MCU control unit 11 reduces the DAC data register 1120 value by 15 every millisecond. The output corresponding to a DAC data register 1120 value of 4096 is 3.3V. Therefore, the output corresponding to a DAC data register 1120 value of 15 is calculated to be (15 * 3.3 / 4096) * 1000 ≈ 12mV. In other words, the MCU control unit 11 reduces the output of the digital-to-analog converter module 112 by approximately 12mV every millisecond to control the AC voltage control unit 15 to reduce the voltage by 4V every millisecond. This process continues for 40 milliseconds, and after 40 uniform changes, the voltage drops from 160V to 0V. When the voltage drops to 0V, even if the voltage change has a 100% spike pulse, the voltage change is only 4V. 4V accounts for only 2.5% of 160V, which is less than the 5% error range of the voltage output, so the voltage change can be ignored.

[0046] In the above voltage reduction implementation, because the average voltage amplitude during t4 is low and does not reach the target voltage value, the generated AC electric field strength is low, which has little impact on the mitosis of cancer cells. The working time of the electric field in each cycle is t1, which is 1 second.

[0047] During the voltage reduction process, the voltage is reduced at a constant value. Regardless of the specific value of the AC voltage, the change in AC voltage ΔV within each unit time t is constant. In the above embodiment, taking 4V as an example, the time t4 will increase as the specific value of the AC voltage increases, with the longest time being 40 milliseconds corresponding to 160V. The AC electric field works for 1 second, and the voltage reduction process accounts for 4% of the working period, having a very small impact on the overall treatment time. In this embodiment, the change in AC voltage ΔV within each unit time t during the voltage boosting and depressurization processes is the same, both being 4V.

[0048] The control module 113 of the MCU control unit 11 of the tumor electric field therapy system 1000 of the present invention controls the DC power control unit 12 to output a DC signal with constant voltage and slow voltage increase during the voltage increase process and constant voltage and slow voltage decrease during the voltage decrease process by controlling the value change of the DAC data register 1120 per unit time. This makes the alternating voltage applied by the AC voltage control unit 15 to the two X-direction electrodes 22 or the two Y-direction electrodes 21 slowly increase during the turn-on process and slowly decrease during the turn-off process in their respective periodic working periods, and keeps the voltage change value per unit time within 5% of its working AC voltage. This can avoid the AC voltage applied to the X-direction electrodes 22 and Y-direction electrodes 21 from abruptly changing direction and damaging the X-direction switch 17 or Y-direction switch 18 of the AC signal controller 20. It can also avoid the experimental animals or humans from experiencing a stinging sensation due to the AC voltage abrupt change of the X-direction electrodes 22 and Y-direction electrodes 21 arranged on the surface of the tumor site.

[0049] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A tumor electric field therapy system for applying alternating electrical signals to proliferating tumor cells at a tumor site or in a tissue culture, comprising an electric field therapy device for generating alternating electrical signals and multiple pairs of insulated electrodes electrically connected to the electric field therapy device, characterized in that, The electric field therapy device includes an MCU control unit, an inverter boost control unit electrically connected to the MCU control unit, a DC power supply control unit electrically connected to both the MCU control unit and the inverter boost control unit, an AC voltage control unit electrically connected to the inverter boost control unit, and a direction control unit electrically connected to the MCU control unit and controlling the conduction and disconnection between the AC voltage control unit and corresponding pairs of insulated electrodes. The electric field therapy device also has an alternating current signal direction switching cycle stored in the MCU control unit. The MCU control unit is configured to control the conduction and disconnection of its communication with the DC power supply control unit and whether to output a DC signal to the inverter boost control unit according to the alternating current signal direction switching cycle. The MCU control unit includes a digital-to-analog converter module that is communicatively connected to the DC control power supply. The digital-to-analog converter module outputs a corresponding DC signal to the DC power control unit based on the digital value in the DAC data register to start the DC power control unit. The MCU control unit controls the change in the digital value in the DAC data register to make the DC power control unit output the DC signal with a constant voltage change per unit time, so as to control the DC power control unit to output an AC signal with a gradually increasing AC voltage amplitude during the switching on period.

2. The tumor electric field therapy system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The MCU control unit stops outputting pulse signals to the inverter boost control unit when its communication with the DC power control unit is disconnected; and outputs pulse signals to the inverter boost control unit when its communication with the DC power control unit is restored.

3. The tumor electric field therapy system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The MCU control unit is also configured to control the direction control unit to switch the electrical connection between the AC voltage control unit and different pairs of insulated electrodes after its communication with the DC power control unit is disconnected and it stops outputting pulse signals to the inverter boost control unit.

4. The tumor electric field therapy system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The MCU control unit is also configured to output a DC voltage to the DC power control unit to start the DC power control unit after the AC voltage control unit completes the electrical connection switching between different pairs of insulated electrodes.

5. The tumor electric field therapy system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The electric field therapy device also includes a filter control unit electrically connected to the inverter boost control unit. The AC voltage control unit is electrically connected to the inverter boost control unit through the filter control unit. The AC signal transmitted to the AC voltage control unit is obtained by processing the pulse signal output by the MCU control unit and the DC signal output by the DC power control unit sequentially through the inverter boost control unit and the filter control unit.

6. The tumor electric field therapy system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The electric field therapy device also has a working cycle of the variable signal stored in the MCU control unit and a continuous conduction period of the alternating signal in each working cycle. When the alternating signal is continuously conducted in each working cycle, the AC voltage control unit is electrically connected to only one of the multiple pairs of insulating electrodes.

7. The tumor electric field therapy system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The continuous conduction period includes the switching on period, the switching off period, and the conduction period between the switching on period and the switching off period, and the gradual increase within the switching on period includes at least 20 boost steps.

8. The tumor electric field therapy system according to claim 7, characterized in that, During the switching off period, the MCU control unit controls the DC power control unit to output a gradually decreasing DC signal so that the AC voltage control unit outputs an AC signal with a gradually decreasing AC voltage amplitude. The gradual decrease includes at least 20 step-down steps.

9. The tumor electric field therapy system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The electric field therapy device also has the peak value of the AC voltage amplitude of the alternating signal stored in the MCU control unit and a preset specific voltage. During the switching on period, the AC voltage amplitude of the alternating signal output by the AC voltage control unit gradually increases from 0 to the preset specific voltage, and during the switching off period, the AC voltage amplitude of the alternating signal output by the AC voltage control unit gradually decreases from the preset specific voltage to 0.

10. The tumor electric field therapy system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The preset specific voltage is not greater than the peak value of the AC voltage amplitude, each of the boost steps has a corresponding AC voltage amplitude boost amount that is not greater than 5% of the preset specific voltage, and / or each of the buck steps has a corresponding AC voltage amplitude buck amount that is not greater than 5% of the preset specific voltage.

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