Wireless transducer array applying tumor treatment electric field and system and using method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a transducer array, a tumor treatment electric field system and a tumor treatment electric field method. The tumor treatment electric field system includes: an electric field generator configured to generate a first electrical signal having an alternating current waveform with a frequency in a range of 50 kHz to 1 MHz; a transmitter circuit electrically coupled to the electric field generator and operable to receive the first electrical signal and transmit a wireless signal; a receiver circuit operable to receive the wireless signal and output a second electrical signal having the alternating current waveform; a first transducer array, the first transducer array being electrically coupled to the receiver circuit; and a second transducer array, the second transducer array being electrically coupled to the receiver circuit. The first transducer array and the second transducer array are configured to generate an alternating electrical field based on the alternating electrical waveform of the second electrical signal received from the receiver circuit.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the provisional patent application identified by U.S. Serial No. 63 / 387,113, filed on December 13, 2022. Background Art

[0003] Tumor treating fields (TTFields or TTFs) are low - intensity (e.g., 1 V / cm to 3 V / cm) alternating electric fields in the intermediate frequency range (e.g., 50 kHz to 1 MHz, such as 50 kHz to 500 kHz) that target solid tumors by interfering with mitosis. This non - invasive treatment targets solid tumors and is described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 7,016,725; U.S. Patent No. 7,089,054; U.S. Patent No. 7,333,852; U.S. Patent No. 7,565,205; U.S. Patent No. 8,244,345; U.S. Patent No. 8,715,203; U.S. Patent No. 8,764,675; U.S. Patent No. 10,188,851; and U.S. Patent No. 10,441,776. TTFields are typically delivered by two pairs of transducer arrays that create perpendicular electric fields within the treated tumor; each pair of transducer arrays that makes up these pairs is located on opposite sides of the body part being treated. More specifically, for a system, one pair of electrodes of the transducer arrays is located on the left and right (LR) of the tumor, and the other pair of electrodes of the transducer arrays is located on the front and back (AP) of the tumor. TTFields are approved for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and can be delivered, for example, by a system (Novocure Limited, St. Helier, Jersey) that includes transducer arrays placed on the shaved head of a patient. Recently, TTField therapy in combination with chemotherapy has been approved as a combination therapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and can be used to treat tumors in other parts of the body. The transducer arrays are placed at a target location on the patient, which is determined to have a high therapeutic value for treating the patient. The device is designed to be worn continuously by the patient for 2 to 4 days and then removed for hygiene care and re - shaving (if needed), followed by re - application of a new set of arrays. The numerous arrays and the sensors on each array require a large number of wires to be connected to the electric field generator. These wires increase the weight of the system supported by the patient, and the patient may feel discomfort after using the system for a long time.

[0004] Summary of the Invention Summary of the Invention

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a new and improved transducer array that reduces or eliminates the wires required to connect the transducer array to an electric field generator. The present disclosure relates to such systems and methods of manufacturing and using such systems.

[0006] The problem of restricting the movement of the transducer array from a target area on a patient is solved by a transducer array, a tumor treatment electric field system, and methods of manufacturing and using the same. In one embodiment, the tumor treatment electric field system includes: an electric field generator configured to generate a first electrical signal having an alternating current waveform with a frequency in the range of 50 kHz to 1 MHz; a transmitter circuit electrically coupled to the electric field generator and operable to receive the first electrical signal and transmit a wireless signal; a receiver circuit operable to receive the wireless signal and output a second electrical signal having the alternating current waveform; a first transducer array electrically coupled to the receiver circuit; and a second transducer array electrically coupled to the receiver circuit. The first transducer array and the second transducer array are configured to generate an alternating current electric field based on the alternating current waveform of the second electrical signal received from the receiver circuit.

[0007] Details of one or more specific implementations of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the specification, the drawings, and the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more specific implementations described herein. The drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale, and for clarity and conciseness, certain features and certain views of the drawings may be shown enlarged in scale or in schematic form. Not every component may be labeled in every drawing. The same reference numerals in the drawings may represent and refer to the same or similar elements or functions. In the drawings:

[0009] Figure 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a schematic diagram of an electrode as applied to a living tissue.

[0010] Figure 2 is an exemplary embodiment of an electronic device configured to generate TTField constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a transducer array constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a component constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 5A diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an inductor constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 6A A schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a component having an electric field generator on the receiver side of the component constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 6B A schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a component having a power supply circuit constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 6C A schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a component having a supercapacitor circuit constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 7 Diagrams of two aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a component in use in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 8 A process flow diagram of a process for using a component in accordance with the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0019] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the inventive concept in detail by way of exemplary language and results, it should be understood that the application of the inventive concept is not limited to the details of the construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description. The inventive concept can be other embodiments or can be practiced or carried out in various ways. Accordingly, the language used herein is intended to give the broadest possible scope and meaning; and these embodiments are intended to be exemplary and not exhaustive. Further, it should be understood that the wording and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as restrictive.

[0020] The headings are provided for convenience only and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure in any way. The embodiments illustrated under any heading or any part of the present disclosure can be combined with the embodiments illustrated under the same or any other heading or other part of the present disclosure. Unless otherwise stated herein or clearly contradicted by the context, the present disclosure covers any combination of the elements described herein in all their possible variations.

[0021] Unless the context otherwise requires, singular terms shall include the plural and plural terms shall include the singular.

[0022] All compositions, components, systems, kits, and / or methods disclosed herein can be made and executed according to this disclosure without undue experimentation. When method claims do not specify in the claims or the specification that the steps are limited to a particular order, no order should be inferred in any respect. This applies to any possible non-expressed basis for interpretation, including logical issues regarding the arrangement of steps or the process flow, the direct meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, or the number or type of examples described in the specification.

[0023] When used in the claims and / or the specification in conjunction with the term "comprising", the use of the term "a" or "an" can mean "one", but is also consistent with the meanings of "one or more", "at least one", and "one or more than one". The term "plurality" means "two or more".

[0024] Furthermore, the use of the term "at least one of X, Y, and Z" will be understood to include X alone, Y alone, and Z alone, as well as any combination of X, Y, and Z. The use of ordinal terms (e.g., "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc.) is for the sole purpose of distinguishing two or more items and does not imply, for example, any order or sequence or importance of one item relative to another or any order of addition.

[0025] The term "or" used in the claims is intended to mean inclusive "and / or" unless explicitly indicated otherwise to refer only to alternatives or unless the alternatives are mutually exclusive.

[0026] As used herein, a circuit can be analog and / or digital components, or one or more appropriately programmed processors (e.g., microprocessors) and associated hardware and software, or hardwired logic. Additionally, a "component" can perform one or more functions. The term "component" can include hardware such as a processor (e.g., a microprocessor), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and / or a combination of hardware and software, etc. As used herein, the term "processor" means a single processor or multiple processors working alone or together to jointly perform a task.

[0027] As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, all numerical values or ranges include values and fractional integers within such ranges and fractional integers of the integers within such ranges. The numerical ranges specified herein include the endpoints, as well as all values within the range, sub-ranges of the values, and fractional integers of the values and integers within the said range. Thus, according to embodiments of this disclosure, any two values within a range, for example, in the range from 1 mm to 10 m, can be used to set the lower and upper boundaries of the range.

[0028] As used herein, the term TTField (or TTF) refers to an alternating electric field of intermediate frequency (from about 50 kHz to 1 MHz, and more preferably from about 50 kHz to 500 kHz) and low intensity (e.g., 1 V / cm to 4 V / cm), which can be used, for example, to treat tumors when applied via electrodes to a conductive medium such as the human body, as described in U.S. Patents 7,016,725, 7,089,054, 7,333,852, 7,565,205, 7,805,201, and 8,244,345 to Palti, and in publications by Kirson (see Eilon D. Kirson et al., "Disruption of Cancer Cell Replication by Alternating Electric Fields," Cancer Res. 2004 64:3288 - 3295). TTFields have been shown to have the ability to specifically affect cancer cells and are used, among other things, to treat cancer. TTField therapy is an approved monotherapy for recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) and, in combination with chemotherapy, an approved combination therapy for newly diagnosed GBM patients.

[0029] As used herein, the term TTSignal is an electrical signal that, when received by electrodes applied to a conductive medium such as the human body, causes those electrodes to generate the aforementioned TTField. A TTSignal is typically an alternating current (AC) waveform electrical signal.

[0030] Reference is now made to the drawings, and in particular Figure 1 , which shows an exemplary embodiment of a dividing cell 10 under the influence of an external TTField (generally represented by line 14) generated by a first electrode 18a having a negative charge and a second electrode 18b having a positive charge. Also shown are microtubules 22, which are known to have a very strong dipole moment. This strong polarization makes the microtubules 22, as well as other polar macromolecules (and especially those polar macromolecules having a specific orientation within or around the cell 10), vulnerable to the influence of the electric field. The positive charges of the microtubules 22 are located at two centrosomes 26, while the two sets of negative charges are located at the center 30 of the dividing cell 10 and at the attachment points 34 of the microtubules 22 to the cell membrane. The positions of the charges form multiple sets of dipoles and are thus vulnerable to electric fields in different directions. In one embodiment, the cell undergoes electroporation, i.e., the use of an electrical pulse to introduce DNA or chromosomes into the cell to transiently open pores in the cell membrane.

[0031] Now turning to Figure 2 , it has been found that the aforementioned TTField, which advantageously disrupts tumor cells, can be generated by an electronic device 50. Figure 2is a simplified schematic diagram of an electronic device 50, illustrating its main components. The electronic device 50 includes an electric field generator 54, which is operatively connected to a transmitter circuit 56 (described in more detail below). Although the transmitter circuit 56 is shown as being separated from the electric field generator 54, in some embodiments, the transmitter circuit 56 is integrated into either the electric field generator 54 or a controller 74 (described below).

[0032] The electric field generator 54 includes a circuit configured to supply power and generate a desired electrical signal (TTSignal) having a waveform or pulse train shape (e.g., an alternating current waveform) as an output. The transmitter circuit 56 includes a circuit configured to supply a first wireless signal based on the output of the electric field generator 54 (i.e., the first alternating current waveform). The first wireless signal is received by a receiver circuit 58, and the receiver circuit 58 has a circuit configured to convert the first wireless signal into a second alternating current waveform. The receiver circuit 58 communicates with a first transducer array 70a and a second transducer array 70b. Both the first transducer array 70a and the second transducer array 70b are supplied with the second alternating current waveform (e.g., TTSignal). Supplying the second alternating current waveform to the first transducer array 70a and the second transducer array 70b causes current to flow between the first transducer array 70a and the second transducer array 70b. The current generates an electric field (i.e., TTField) having a frequency and an amplitude between the first transducer array 70a and the second transducer array 70b.

[0033] The electronic device 50 may include one or more array groups 72. Although Figure 2 the illustrated electronic device 50 includes only a first array group 72a (i.e., the first transducer array 70a and the second transducer array 70b), in some embodiments, the electronic device 50 may include more than two transducer arrays 70 and / or more than just the first array group 72a. In one embodiment, each array group 72 includes at least two transducer arrays 70 and a receiver circuit 58.

[0034] The electric field generator 54 generates an alternating voltage waveform (i.e., TTSignal) having a frequency in the range of about 50 kHz to about 1 MHz (preferably about 100 kHz to about 500 kHz). The required voltage causes the electric field strength in the tissue within the treatment area to be in the range of about 0.1 V / cm to about 10 V / cm. To achieve this electric field strength, the potential difference between two conductors in the first transducer array 70a and the second transducer array 70b is determined by the relative impedance of the system components. For example, the proportion of the electric field on each component is given by dividing the impedance of that component by the total circuit impedance.

[0035] In certain specific (but non-limiting) embodiments, the first transducer array 70a and the second transducer array 70b generate alternating current and an electric field within the target area of the patient. The target area generally includes at least one tumor, and the generation of the alternating current and the electric field selectively destroys and / or inhibits the growth of the tumor. The alternating current and the electric field can be generated at any frequency that selectively destroys or inhibits tumor growth (such as any frequency of TTField).

[0036] In certain specific (but non-limiting) embodiments, the alternating current and the electric field can be applied at two or more different frequencies. When there are two or more frequencies, each frequency is selected from any of the above values, or a range formed by any of the above values, or a range of two integers whose combination falls between two of the above values.

[0037] To optimize the electric field (i.e., TTField) distribution, the first transducer array 70a and the second transducer array 70b (e.g., the first array group 72a) can be configured in different ways according to the application in which the first array group 72a is to be used. In one embodiment, as described herein, the first array group 72a is applied externally to the patient, that is, the transducer array 70 is generally applied to the skin of the patient in order to apply the current and the electric field (TTField), thereby generating a current within the tissue of the patient. Generally, the first array group 72a is placed on the skin of the patient by the user (the skin may not include wounds or abrasions) such that an electric field is generated over the entire patient tissue within the treatment area. The externally applied TTField can be of a local type or a widely distributed type, for example, for treating skin tumors and treating lesions near the skin surface.

[0038] In one embodiment, as described herein, at least one of the first array group 72a is applied internally to the patient, that is, at least one transducer array 70 of the first array group 72a is applied under the skin of the patient in order to apply the current and the electric field (TTField), thereby generating a current within the tissue of the patient. Generally, for example, at least one transducer array 70 of the first array group 72a is placed under the skin of the patient by a medical professional. If another of the transducer arrays 70 of the first array group 72a is placed on the skin of the patient, the user can place the other transducer array 70.

[0039] In one embodiment, the user can be a medical professional, such as a doctor, a nurse, a therapist, or other person working under the guidance of a doctor, a nurse, or a therapist. In another embodiment, the user can be the patient, that is, the patient (and / or an assistant) can place the first transducer array 70a and the second transducer array 70b on the treatment area of the patient.

[0040] According to another exemplary embodiment, the electronic device 50 includes a controller 74. In one embodiment, the controller 74 includes circuitry configured to control the output of the electric field generator 54, for example to set the output to a maximum value that will not cause overheating of the treatment area. The controller 74 may monitor the temperature of the treatment area with one or more temperature sensors and may issue a warning, etc. when the temperature of the treatment area exceeds a preset limit. The temperature sensors may be mechanically connected to the first transducer array 70a and / or the second transducer array 70b and / or otherwise associated with the first transducer array and / or the second transducer array to sense the temperature of the treatment area at one or both of the first transducer array 70a or the second transducer array 70b.

[0041] The first transducer array 70a and the second transducer array 70b may have a particular shape and orientation to generate a TTField having a desired configuration, orientation, and intensity at and only at the treatment area to focus on the treatment.

[0042] In one embodiment, if the temperature reaches or exceeds the comfort threshold, the controller 74 may turn off or reduce the power of the TTSignal generated by the electric field generator 54. In one embodiment, the comfort threshold is a temperature that would cause discomfort to the patient when using the first transducer array 70a and the second transducer array 70b. For example, the comfort threshold may be a temperature of 41 degrees Celsius or about 41 degrees Celsius. In one embodiment, the comfort threshold is a temperature between about 39 degrees Celsius and 42 degrees Celsius, or a particular selected temperature between about 39 degrees Celsius and 42 degrees Celsius.

[0043] The specifications of the electronic device 50 as a whole and its individual components are largely influenced by the fact that at the frequency of the TTField, the living systems act according to their "ohmic mechanism" rather than their dielectric properties.

[0044] Now refer to Figure 3 , in which a diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of a transducer array 70 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure is shown. As Figure 3 shown, each transducer array 70 is configured as a group of one or more electrode elements 78. In the example shown, the transducer array 70 includes nine electrode elements 78. The transducer array 70 may utilize capacitively coupled electrode elements 78. In Figure 3 the example shown, the transducer array 70 is configured as a plurality of electrode elements 78 (e.g., having a diameter of about 2 cm), which are interconnected via flexible wires 80 (and connected to the electric field generator 54 via the receiver circuit 58). In one embodiment, the transducer array 70 includes an outer periphery 84.

[0045] In one embodiment, the transducer array 70 includes at least one electrode element 78 having a first side and a second side, and a gel layer disposed on the first side of one or more of the electrode elements 78. The transducer array 70 may also include a flexible topcoat layer in contact with or attached to the second side of the electrode element 78. The transducer array 70 may be constructed according to: the pad described in U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 813,837, filed on July 20, 2022, titled "Conductive Pad Generating Tumor Treating Electric Fields and Methods of Production and Use Thereof"; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 810,062, filed on June 30, 2022, titled "Transducer Array Having a Variable Resistance Conductive Gel Layer"; or U.S. Patent Publication No. 2022 / 0288405, published on September 15, 2022, titled "Electrode Array and Methods of Production and Use Thereof", each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0046] Now refer to Figure 4 , which shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a transmitter circuit 56 in communication with a receiver circuit 58 of Figure 2 . In Figure 4 , the transmitter circuit 56 is in electrical communication with the electric field generator 54; however, in other embodiments, the transmitter circuit 56 may communicate with the controller 74.

[0047] In one embodiment, the transmitter circuit 56 generally includes a first inductor 100 in series with a first capacitor 104. The first inductor 100 may receive a first alternating current waveform that may generate a wireless signal 108 as it passes through the first inductor 100.

[0048] It should be noted that the transmitter circuit 56 is shown for simplicity, and additional power components and / or electronic components may be included in the transmitter circuit 56. For example, in some embodiments, the transmitter circuit 56 may be a first transceiver circuit, in which case the first transceiver circuit may include additional power components / electronic components to receive a specific wireless signal.

[0049] In one embodiment, the receiver circuit 58 may include a second inductor 112 having a first end 116a and a second end 116b, and a second capacitor 118 configured in parallel with the second inductor 112. The first end 116a may also be in electrical communication with the first transducer array 70a, while the second end 116b may also be in electrical communication with the second transducer array 70b.

[0050] The second inductor 112 of the receiver circuit 58 that receives the wireless signal 108 may convert the wireless signal 108 into a second alternating current waveform having the same frequency as the first alternating current waveform, and supply the second alternating current waveform to each of the first transducer array 70a and the second transducer array 70b. In this way, the first alternating current waveform generated by the electric field generator 54 can be wirelessly supplied to one or more of the transducer arrays 70, thereby reducing the need for leads connected between the electric field generator 54 and each transducer array 70.

[0051] In one embodiment, the receiver circuit 58 also optionally includes an indicator circuit 124. The indicator circuit 124 may be included to provide an indication that the receiver circuit 58 is currently receiving the first wireless signal from the transmitter circuit 56. In some embodiments, due to the operation of the electronic device 50, the patient may not otherwise receive an indication that the electronic device 50 is operating (e.g., causing one or more transducer arrays 70 to generate TTFields). Thus, the indicator circuit 124 may provide confirmation of the current operation of the electronic device 50, the electric field generator 54, and / or the transducer array 70.

[0052] It should be noted that the receiver circuit 58 is shown for simplicity, and additional power components and / or electronic components may be included in the receiver circuit 58. For example, in some embodiments, the receiver circuit 58 may be a second transceiver circuit, in which case the second transceiver circuit may include additional power components / electronic components to transmit a specific wireless signal. In other embodiments, the receiver circuit 58 may be provided with one or more temperature sensors for monitoring the temperature of the treatment area. In this embodiment, the output from the temperature sensor may be supplied to an analog-to-digital converter, a microcontroller, or other circuitry for generating data indicative of the temperature of at least a portion of the treatment area. The receiver circuit 58 may also have a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the data indicative of the temperature to the controller 74 such that the controller 74 can monitor and control the power generated by the electric field generator 54 to keep the temperature of the treatment area within an acceptable limit.

[0053] In one embodiment, the first inductor 100 and the second inductor 112 are coupled to each other via one or more configurations and techniques using magnetic fields to transfer power. Exemplary techniques that can be used to transfer power from the first inductor 100 to the second inductor 112 include, for example, electromagnetic induction, magnetic resonance, electric field coupling, and / or radio reception. Then, the wireless signal 102 can be sent from the first inductor 100 to the second inductor 112 via the coupling between the first inductor 100 and the second inductor 112. The particular configuration used can be determined by the transmission distance between the first inductor 100 and the second inductor 112, the desired transmission efficiency of the signal between the first inductor 100 and the second inductor 112, and / or the medium through which the signal is transmitted between the first inductor 100 and the second inductor 112. In one embodiment, the first inductor 100 and the second inductor 112 are inductively coupled and, when connected to the first capacitor 104 and the second capacitor 118, form a first LC circuit and a second LC circuit that can respectively experience (e.g., exhibit) resonant inductive coupling. In this embodiment, the first capacitor 104 and the second capacitor 118 can be selected to cause a particular resonant frequency. In other embodiments, capacitive coupling techniques rather than inductive coupling can be used to construct the transmitter circuit 56 and the receiver circuit 58. In such a case, the transmitter circuit 56 and the receiver circuit 58 may include one or more pairs of separated conductive electrodes for transmitting an electric field between the transmitter circuit 56 and the receiver circuit 58. For example, the transmitter circuit 56 and the receiver circuit 58 can be constructed using monopole coupling techniques or bipolar coupling techniques.

[0054] As used herein, the receiver circuit 58 and any components connected to the receiver circuit 58, such as transducer arrays 70a to 70b or the power circuit 200 (described below), can be referred to herein as the remote device 120.

[0055] Now referring Figure 5 to, which shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an inductor 128 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The first inductor 100 and the second inductor 112 can be constructed according to the construction of the inductor 128 discussed below. The inductor 128 includes a first end 132a, a second end 132b, and a coil 136 formed by winding a conductor 140 a selected number of turns, such that the inductor 128 has specific electrical characteristics. Exemplary electrical characteristics of the inductor 128 can include: an inductance L of 11.5 μH to 12 μH, a frequency between 50 kHz and 1 MHz (e.g., a frequency within the TTField frequency range); a Q factor Q of approximately 130; a current rating I R , of approximately 8 A; a saturation current I SAT , of approximately 12 A; a DC resistance R DC, between 56 mΩ and 68 mΩ; and a self-resonant frequency f res , is 12 MHz. An example of inductor 128 can be an inductor of WE-WPCC wireless power array model 760308104119 (Würth Elektronik, Waldenburg, Germany). For example, when the second inductor 112 is implemented as inductor 128, the first end 132a of inductor 128 can refer to one of the first end 116a and the second end 116b of the second inductor 112, and the second end 132b of inductor 128 can refer to the other of the first end 116a or the second end 116b of the second inductor 112.

[0056] Referring again to Figure 4 , in some embodiments, according to Figure 5 Both the first inductor 100 and the second inductor 112 constructed of inductor 128 can be separated from each other by a distance d. In some embodiments, the distance d can be between 0.25 inches and 0.5 inches. In some embodiments, the distance d can be between 0.25 inches and 10 yards.

[0057] In some embodiments, the transmitter circuit 56 can transmit the wireless signal 108 at a first power, and the wireless signal 108 is received by the receiver circuit 58 at a second power. In Figure 4In an embodiment, the electric field generator 54 and the transmitter circuit 56 do not direct the wireless signal 108 in any particular direction. The difference between the first power and the second power may depend on the distance d as described above, and any intervening objects between the transmitter circuit 56 and the receiver circuit 58. For example, if the wireless signal 108 is transmitted at 5W, then at a distance d of 10", the receiver circuit 58 may receive the wireless signal 108 with a second power of 0.5W. Similarly, if the wireless signal 108 is transmitted at 50W, then at a distance d of 10", the receiver circuit 56 may receive the wireless signal 108 with a second power of 5W; and if the wireless signal 108 is transmitted at 75W, then at a distance d of 10", the receiver circuit 58 may receive the wireless signal 108 with a second power of 7.5W. Conversely, if the wireless signal 108 is transmitted at 5W, then at a distance d of 0.25", the receiver circuit 58 may receive the wireless signal 108 with a second power of 2.5W; if the wireless signal 108 is transmitted at 15W, then at a distance d of 0.25", the receiver circuit 56 may receive the wireless signal 108 with a second power of 7.5W; and if the wireless signal 108 is transmitted at 50W, then at a distance d of 0.25", the receiver circuit 58 may receive the wireless signal 108 with a second power of 25W. In each of these examples, at both 0.25" and 10", there are no intervening objects between the transmitter circuit 56 and the receiver circuit 58. In Figure 5 In an embodiment, the smaller the distance between the first inductor 100 and the second inductor 112, the greater the percentage of power received by the second inductor 112. Therefore, it is advantageous to keep the first inductor 100 and the second inductor 112 closer to each other to maintain a higher power efficiency (e.g., the ratio between the second power and the first power is close to 1.0).

[0058] Now refer to Figure 6A , which shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a first electronic device 50a constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The first electronic device 50a differs from the electronic device 50 described above in that the first electronic device receives a wireless power signal 190 from a power source 208 via a first transmitter circuit 56a instead of a TTSignal, and includes a power supply circuit 200 in a circuit between a first receiver circuit 58a and a transducer array 70. The power source 208 may be a conventional power source connected to an electrical outlet (such as a residential electrical outlet), and is operable to supply first power to the first transmitter circuit 56a.

[0059] In the first electronic device 50a, the first transmitter circuit 56a may be constructed according to the transmitter circuit 56, and the first receiver circuit 58a may be constructed according to the receiver circuit 58.

[0060] The first electronic device 50a further includes a power supply circuit 200 disposed in a circuit between the first receiver circuit 58a and the transducer arrays 70a to 70ab. The power supply circuit 200 can receive a power signal from the first receiver circuit 58a and provide charging power to charge the battery 204 or supply power to the first electric field generator 54a and the first controller 74a, or charge the battery 204 and supply power to the first electric field generator 54a and the first controller 74a. The first electric field generator 54a can have, for example, a circuit that receives power from the power supply circuit 200 based on instructions from the first controller 74a and / or the TT Signal and generates an alternating current waveform, where when received by the transducer arrays 70a to 70b, the alternating current waveform causes the transducer arrays 70a to 70b to generate a TT Field.

[0061] The power supply circuit 200 includes a power control circuit that can receive a first power and selectively provide charging power to the battery 204, for example, to charge the battery 204, and provide a third power to the first electric field generator 54a. The power supply circuit 200 can receive the first power from one or more of the first receiver circuit 58a or the battery 204 or both. For example, when the power received by the first receiver circuit 58a is not sufficient to operate the transducer arrays 70a to 70b, the power supply circuit 200 can supplement the insufficient power with power from the battery 204. Thus, the power supply circuit 200 can include a voltage regulator 201 to amplify the voltage from the battery 204 to the voltage supplied to the transducer arrays 70a to 70b. Additionally or alternatively, the power supply circuit 200 can include a voltage regulator 201 that reduces the voltage received from the first receiver circuit 58a to the TT Signal voltage sent to the transducer arrays 70a to 70b and the battery charging voltage sent to the battery 204 to charge the battery 204 (or trickle charge).

[0062] In this embodiment, the patient can move unrestrictedly in their environment by inserting the first electric field generator 54a into a fixed power source such as an electrical outlet. Advantageously, when the patient moves in their environment, in the case where the patient reaches within the range of the wireless power signal 190, the first electronic device 50a can start charging the battery 204 without any intervention from the patient. For example, the patient can place the first transmitter circuit 56a near their usual living room recliner so that when the patient is resting in the recliner, the battery 204 is being charged and the patient doesn't have to do anything other than sit in the chair.

[0063] Now refer to Figure 6B, which shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a second electronic device 50b constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The second electronic device 50b is different from the above-described electronic device 50 in that the second electronic device includes a second power supply circuit 200b disposed between the second receiver circuit 58b and the transducer array 70.

[0064] Generally, the transmitter circuit 56 transmits a first TTSignal having a first power and a first frequency as a variable wireless signal 108a to the second receiver circuit 58b. The second receiver circuit 58b can receive the variable wireless signal 108a and convert the variable wireless signal 108a into a second TTSignal having a second power and a first frequency. The second power supply circuit 200b that receives the second TTSignal can include a voltage regulator 201 and a current regulator circuit 202, which is operable to convert (e.g., amplify) the second TTSignal having the second power into an applied TTSignal having a third power and a first frequency. The third power can be greater than the second power and is typically between 20W and 40W, but can be between 10W and 84W.

[0065] It should be noted that the variable wireless signal 108a is referred to as "variable" because the power transmitted by the wireless signal 108 can vary significantly as the patient moves around in their environment. Importantly, the TTSignal transmitted from the transmitter circuit 56 to the second receiver circuit 58b has the waveform generated by the electric field generator 54, even if the power of the waveform is not provided at a therapeutic level.

[0066] In one embodiment, the transmitter circuit 56 transmits a first TTSignal as a variable wireless signal 108a to the receiver circuit 58. The second receiver circuit 58b can convert the variable wireless signal 108a into a second TTSignal, which is then received by the second power supply circuit 200b. The second power supply circuit 200b can amplify the second TTSignal and supplement the second power of the second TTSignal with power drawn from the battery 204.

[0067] In this embodiment, the transmitter circuit 56 may not transmit a variable wireless signal 108a having sufficient power to meet the power required for the TTSignal supplied to the transducer arrays 70a to 70b. In such a case, in some embodiments, the second power supply circuit 200b may only include a circuit that draws power from the battery 204 and does not include a circuit for charging the battery 204.

[0068] In one embodiment, when the battery 204 reaches a low power threshold, the second electronic device 50b enters a battery charging mode, such that the second power circuit 200b charges the battery 204 instead of providing a TTSignal to the transducer arrays 70a - 70b. In other embodiments, when the battery 204 reaches a low power threshold, the second electronic device 50b provides a notification to the patient that the battery 204 has a low charge and needs to be recharged. In this embodiment, the second electronic device 50b may or may not continue to provide a TTSignal to the transducer arrays 70a - 70b, although at a power lower than would otherwise be ideal.

[0069] In one embodiment, when the patient receives a notification that the battery 204 has a low charge, the patient may disconnect the battery 204 and connect the battery 204 directly to a charger separate from the second electronic device 50b. In other embodiments, when the patient receives a notification that the battery 204 has a low charge, the patient may remove the second receiver circuit 58b, the second power circuit 200b, the battery 204 (collectively referred to as the receiver module 212), and the transducer arrays 70 connected to the battery 204, and replace all of the above components (e.g., with a different, new, and / or unopened receiver module 212 and transducer arrays 70).

[0070] In one embodiment, the receiver module 212 may include a housing 216 to support the second receiver circuit 58b, the second power circuit 200b, and the battery 204. In this way, when the transducer arrays 70 need to be replaced, the transducer arrays 70 can be disconnected from the receiver module 212. In some embodiments, the receiver module 212 may allow for the selective removal of the battery 204, such as to recharge the battery 204 in a separate charger or to replace the battery 204, e.g., with a battery 204 having a full charge.

[0071] Although the receiver module 212 is shown as being connected to two transducer arrays 70a - 70b, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the receiver module 212 may be connected to more than two transducer arrays 70. The number of transducer arrays 70 attached to the receiver module 212 may depend, for example, on the number of transducer arrays 70 administered to the patient by a doctor. Additionally, the number of transducer arrays 70 attached to the receiver module 212 may depend on the power capacity of the battery 204 and the duration of TTField administration to the patient, i.e., since more transducer arrays 70 for TTField administration to the patient require additional power, the duration of TTField treatment and the power capacity of the battery 204 may limit the number of transducer arrays 70 powered by the battery 204 of the receiver module 212.

[0072] In one embodiment, the battery 204 provides approximately 3.7V with a power capacity of approximately 5000 mAH. In other embodiments, the battery may provide approximately 3.85V with a power capacity of approximately 11.78 Wh.

[0073] Now refer to Figure 6C , which shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a third electronic device 50c constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The third electronic device 50c differs from the electronic devices 50a to 50b described above in that the third electronic device includes a supercapacitor 220 that is operable to receive power from the wireless signal 108 within a short period of time and discharge the power into the power supply circuit 200 to supply power to charge the battery 204 and supply power to the transducer array 70, as described in more detail above. In this embodiment, the power supply circuit 200 may be further configured to accommodate the voltage drop when the supercapacitor 220 discharges due to the large internal resistance in the supercapacitor 220.

[0074] Now refer to Figure 7 , which shows a diagram of a fourth electronic device 50d that supplies power using far-field transmission technology constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. Generally, the fourth electronic device 50d includes an array controller 75, a first generator 55a, a plurality of directional transmitters 57 (labeled 57a, 57b, and 57c in Figure 7 ) and a remote device 120. The array controller 75 communicates with the generator 55 to cause the generator 55 to supply specific power signals 140a to 140n to each of the plurality of directional transmitters 57. Then, each directional transmitter 57 transmits wireless power signals 190a to 190n directed at the remote device 120.

[0075] The remote device 120 is shown in more detail in Figure 6A . As described above, the remote device 120 includes a receiver circuit 58. In this embodiment, the first receiver circuit 58a may be configured to receive one or more power signals based on far-field transmission technology or radiative transmission technology (such as those described below).

[0076] In one embodiment, each directional transmitter 57 is configured using (e.g., configured to comply with) far - field techniques or radiative techniques, which may also be referred to as "power beaming". In these techniques, power can be transmitted via an electromagnetic radiation beam, which can be in the form of, for example, a microwave or a laser beam. When a particular directional transmitter 57 is configured to transmit power via microwaves, the microwaves can be generated and aimed using phased - array techniques and received by a first receiver circuit 58a, which can include, for example, a rectenna. When a particular directional transmitter 57 is configured to transmit power via a laser beam, a laser beam can be generated and aimed at the first receiver circuit 58a of the remote device 120. In these embodiments, the first receiver circuit 58a can include, for example, a photoreceiver, a photodiode, a phototransistor, or an array of one or more of them. In any case, all of these techniques are configured to transmit energy over distances longer than those over which energy can be practically transmitted using magnetic or electric fields. However, the directional transmitter 57 must be aimed at the first receiver circuit 58a of the remote device 120.

[0077] In Figure 7 In the first aspect shown, a first generator 55a is electrically coupled to a plurality of directional transmitters 57. For example, the first generator 55a transmits: a first power signal 140a to a first directional transmitter 57a; a second power signal 140b to a second directional transmitter 57b; and a third power signal 140c to a third directional transmitter 57c. The first directional transmitter 57a at the first transmitter position 150a can generate a first wireless power signal 190a based on the first power signal 140a, the first wireless power signal having a first power directed along a first vector 154a; the second directional transmitter 57b at the second transmitter position 150b can generate a second wireless power signal 190b based on the second power signal 140b, the second wireless power signal having a second power directed along a second vector 154b; and the third directional transmitter 57c at the third transmitter position 150c can generate a third wireless power signal 190c based on the third power signal 140c, the third wireless power signal having a third power directed along a third vector 154c. The first vector 154a can extend (e.g., originate) from the first transmitter position 150a to the first receiver circuit 58a of the first remote device 120a at the first receiver position 156a, the second vector 154b can extend from the second transmitter position 150b to the first receiver circuit 58a, and the third vector 154c can extend from the third transmitter position 150c to the first receiver circuit 58a.

[0078] In an embodiment of the first aspect, each of the first directional transmitter 57a, the second directional transmitter 57b, and the third directional transmitter 57c may also be in electrical communication with the array controller 75. The array controller 75 may determine a first power in the first vector 154a, a second power in the second vector 154b, and a third power in the third vector 154c. The array controller 75 may also cause the first directional transmitter 57a, the second directional transmitter 57b, and the third directional transmitter 57c to generate respective wireless power signals 190a to 190c. In some embodiments, the directional transmitter 57 includes a plurality of transmitters, and the array controller 75 can further control each of the plurality of directional transmitters in each of the directional transmitters 57a to 57c by controlling each of the directional transmitters 57a to 57c.

[0079] In this way, the array controller 75 can beamform the wireless power signals 190a to 190c by virtue of the combination of the first wireless power signal 190a, the second wireless power signal 190b, and the third wireless power signal 190c, so as to direct power to one or more remote devices 120 (such as the first remote device 120a) with higher precision and / or efficiency.

[0080] In Figure 7In the second aspect shown, the second generator 55b communicates with a plurality of directional transmitters 57. For example, the second generator 55b transmits: a fourth power signal 140d to the fourth directional transmitter 57d; a fifth power signal 140e to the fifth directional transmitter 57e; and a sixth power signal 140f to the sixth directional transmitter 57f. Each of the directional transmitters 57d to 57f is configured to transmit power to the receiver circuit 58 of the second remote device 120b at the second receiver location 156b. The fourth directional transmitter 57d at the fourth transmitter location 150d may generate a fourth wireless power signal 190d having a fourth power directed along a fourth vector 154d; the fifth directional transmitter 57e at the fifth transmitter location 150e may generate a fifth wireless power signal 190e having a fifth power directed along a fifth vector 154e; and the sixth directional transmitter 57f at the sixth transmitter location 150f may generate a sixth wireless power signal 190f having a sixth power directed along a sixth vector 154f. The fourth vector 154d may extend from the fourth transmitter location 150d to the first receiver circuit 58a of the second remote device 120b, the fifth vector 154e may extend from the fifth transmitter location 150e to the first receiver circuit 58a of the second remote device 120b, and the sixth vector 154f may extend from the sixth transmitter location 150f to the first receiver circuit 58a of the second remote device 120b. The first receiver circuit 58a may be electrically connected to one or more of the electric field generator 54 and / or the controller 74 within the second remote device 120b.

[0081] In Figure 7 In some embodiments of the second aspect shown, the receiver circuit 58 may be electrically connected to the power supply circuit 200 of the remote device 120, as described in detail above in connection with Figure 6A The fourth wireless power signal 190d, the fifth wireless power signal 190e, and the sixth wireless power signal 190f may be configured to provide power to the power supply circuit 200, which may in turn provide charging power to charge the battery 204, power two or more transducer arrays 70, and / or transmit a second wireless signal from the first transmitter circuit 56a to the first receiver circuit 58a (e.g., according to the transmission of the wireless signal 108 from the transmitter circuit 56 to the receiver circuit 58, as Figure 4 shown).

[0082] Now referring to Figure 8, which shows an exemplary embodiment of a process 250 for administering TTFields to a patient according to the present disclosure. Process 250 generally includes the following steps: attaching two or more transducer arrays to the patient (step 254); providing a first signal to a transmitter circuit to transmit a wireless signal (step 258); receiving the wireless signal through a receiver circuit and generating an alternating current waveform (step 262); generating an alternating electric field having a frequency in the range of about 50 kHz to about 1 MHz (step 266).

[0083] In one embodiment, attaching two or more transducer arrays 70 to the patient (step 254) includes placing the two or more transducer arrays at a predetermined position on the patient. In some embodiments, a first transducer array 70a may be placed at a first target position on the patient, and a second transducer array 70b may be placed at a second target position on the patient.

[0084] In one embodiment, attaching two or more transducer arrays to the patient (step 254) may be performed by a user (or an assistant) or a person under the instruction of a user or a medical professional. In one embodiment, the patient may need to be cleaned (e.g., cleaning foreign or biological substances on the skin, and shaving the skin if necessary) before placing the transducer array 70 on the patient so that the transducer array 70 can adhere to the patient.

[0085] In one embodiment, attaching two or more transducer arrays to the patient (step 254) may include placing a first transducer array 70a at a first target position under the skin, and a second transducer array 70b may be placed at a second target position on the skin of the patient.

[0086] In one embodiment, providing an electrical signal to the transmitter circuit to transmit a wireless signal (step 258) includes causing an electric field generator 54 to generate an electrical signal, where the first signal is supplied to the transmitter circuit 56. The transmitter circuit 56 generates and transmits a wireless signal based on the electrical signal.

[0087] In one embodiment, providing an electrical signal to the transmitter circuit to transmit a wireless signal (step 258) includes generating an alternating current waveform as the electrical signal by the electric field generator 54. In other embodiments, providing an electrical signal to the transmitter circuit to transmit a wireless signal (step 258) includes generating a wireless power signal as the electrical signal.

[0088] In one embodiment, receiving the wireless signal through the receiver circuit and generating an alternating current waveform (step 262) includes receiving the wireless signal and converting the wireless signal into an alternating current waveform when the wireless signal is generated by an electrical signal that is an alternating current waveform.

[0089] In one embodiment, receiving a wireless signal and generating an alternating current waveform by a receiver circuit (step 262) includes receiving a wireless power signal and charging a battery with supply power from the wireless power signal by a power supply circuit 200, powering an electric field generator to generate a TTSignal having an alternating current waveform in a frequency range of 50 kHz to 1 MHz, and providing the alternating current waveform to two or more transducer arrays 70, or some combination thereof, such that the transducer arrays 70 generate a TTField and supply the TTField to a patient.

[0090] In one embodiment, receiving a wireless signal and generating an alternating current waveform by a receiver circuit (step 262) includes generating the alternating current waveform by a first electric field generator 54a electrically coupled to the power supply circuit 200. The first electric field generator 54a can be powered by one or more cells in the battery 204 or by power supplied from the wireless power signal.

[0091] In one embodiment, an alternating electric field having a frequency in a range of about 50 kHz to about 1 MHz is generated (step 266).

[0092] The step of generating the alternating electric field (TTField) (step 266) can be performed by providing an alternating current waveform to two or more transducer arrays 70, such as a first transducer array 70a and a second transducer array 70b.

[0093] In one embodiment, step 266 can be performed more than once, and the time period during which step 266 is performed for the first time can be the same as or different from the time period (or other time periods beyond the second time) during which step 266 is performed for the second time.

[0094] In some embodiments, step 266 is performed only once before repeating process 250. There can be a time period between each repetition of process 250. Each time process 250 is repeated, the time period can be the same as or different from the previous time period. Each time process 250 is repeated, the first and second electrodes can be placed at the same or different target locations.

[0095] The step of generating the alternating electric field (TTField) (step 266) can be performed by generating an alternating current waveform and an electric field at two or more different frequencies in a range of 50 kHz to 1 MHz. When there are two or more frequencies, each frequency is selected from any of the above values, or a range formed by any of the above values, or a range of two integers whose combination falls within the above value range.

[0096] In one embodiment, the step of generating an alternating electric field (TTField) (step 266) can be performed by supplying a first alternating current waveform and electric field to a first pair of transducer arrays 70 during a first time period and a second alternating current waveform and electric field to a second pair of transducer arrays 70 during a second time period. In one embodiment, the first time period can have a duration similar to that of the second time period, while in other embodiments, the first time period can have a duration different from that of the second time period. Additionally, the first time period can overlap or not overlap with the second time period.

[0097] Exemplary embodiment

[0098] The various features and advantages of the present disclosure are set forth in the following numbered exemplary embodiments:

[0099] Exemplary embodiment 1 A system, the system comprising:

[0100] An electric field generator configured to generate a first electrical signal having an alternating current waveform with a frequency in the range of 50 kHz to 1 MHz;

[0101] A transmitter circuit electrically coupled to the electric field generator and operable to receive the first electrical signal and transmit a wireless signal;

[0102] A receiver circuit operable to receive the wireless signal and output a second electrical signal having the alternating current waveform;

[0103] A first transducer array electrically coupled to the receiver circuit; and

[0104] A second transducer array electrically coupled to the receiver circuit;

[0105] Wherein the first transducer array and the second transducer array are configured to generate an alternating electric field based on the alternating current waveform of the second electrical signal received from the receiver circuit.

[0106] Exemplary embodiment 2 The system according to exemplary embodiment 1, wherein the transmitter circuit includes a first inductor, and the receiver circuit includes a second inductor, the second inductor being inductively coupled to the first inductor.

[0107] Exemplary Embodiment 3 The system according to Exemplary Embodiment 2, wherein the transmitter circuit further includes a first LC circuit having a first capacitor electrically connected to the first inductor; and the receiver circuit further includes a second LC circuit having a second capacitor electrically coupled to the second inductor, and the first LC circuit and the second LC circuit are configured to exhibit resonant inductive coupling.

[0108] Exemplary Embodiment 4 The system according to Exemplary Embodiment 3, wherein the first capacitor and the second capacitor are selected to cause resonant inductive coupling between the first LC circuit and the second LC circuit at a resonant frequency.

[0109] Exemplary Embodiment 5 The system according to Exemplary Embodiment 4, wherein the resonant frequency is the frequency of the alternating current waveform.

[0110] Exemplary Embodiment 6 The system according to Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the alternating current waveform has a first power, and the system further includes: a power supply circuit operable to receive the alternating current waveform and amplify the first power of the alternating current waveform to a second power, and the power supply circuit is electrically disposed between the receiver circuit and each of the first transducer array and the second transducer array.

[0111] Exemplary Embodiment 7 The system according to Exemplary Embodiment 6, the system further includes: a battery having a power capacity and coupled to the power supply circuit, the battery operable to supply a third power to the power supply circuit; and wherein the power supply circuit is further operable to selectively amplify the first power of the alternating current waveform to the second power by using a portion of the third power.

[0112] Exemplary Embodiment 8 The system according to Exemplary Embodiment 7, wherein the battery is further operable to receive charging power to charge the battery, and wherein the power supply circuit is further operable to selectively supply the charging power from the first power of the alternating current waveform to the battery.

[0113] Exemplary Embodiment 9 A system, the system includes:

[0114] a power supply operable to supply a first power;

[0115] a transmitter circuit electrically coupled to the power supply and operable to transmit a wireless power signal based on the first power;

[0116] a receiver circuit operable to receive the wireless power signal and output a second power;

[0117] An electric field generator configured to receive the second power and generate an alternating current waveform having a frequency in the range of 50 kHz to 1 MHz;

[0118] A first transducer array electrically coupled to the electric field generator; and

[0119] A second transducer array electrically coupled to the electric field generator;

[0120] wherein the first transducer array and the second transducer array are configured to generate an alternating current electric field based on the alternating current waveform received from the electric field generator.

[0121] Exemplary embodiment 10 The system according to exemplary embodiment 9, wherein the receiver circuit is operable to output at least a portion of the first power; and the system further includes: a power supply circuit operable to receive the portion of the first power and amplify the portion of the first power to the second power, the power supply circuit being electrically disposed between the receiver circuit and the electric field generator.

[0122] Exemplary embodiment 11 The system according to exemplary embodiment 10, the system further includes: a battery having a power capacity and coupled to the power supply circuit, the battery being operable to provide a third power to the power supply circuit; and wherein the power supply circuit is further operable to selectively amplify the portion of the first power and the third power to the second power.

[0123] Exemplary embodiment 12 The system according to exemplary embodiment 11, wherein the battery is further operable to receive a charging power to charge the battery, and wherein the power supply circuit is further operable to selectively provide the charging power from the portion of the first power to the battery.

[0124] Exemplary embodiment 13 The system according to exemplary embodiments 9 to 12, wherein the transmitter circuit includes a first inductor, and the receiver circuit includes a second inductor, the second inductor being inductively coupled to the first inductor.

[0125] Exemplary embodiment 14 The system according to exemplary embodiment 13, wherein the transmitter circuit further includes a first LC circuit having a first capacitor electrically connected to the first inductor; and the receiver circuit further includes a second LC circuit having a second capacitor electrically coupled to the second inductor, the first LC circuit and the second LC circuit exhibiting resonant inductive coupling.

[0126] Exemplary embodiment 15. The system according to exemplary embodiment 14, wherein the first capacitor and the second capacitor are selected to cause resonant inductive coupling between the first LC circuit and the second LC circuit at a resonant frequency.

[0127] Exemplary embodiment 16. The system according to exemplary embodiments 9 to 15, wherein the transmitter circuit is a directional transmitter configured to conform to far-field transmission techniques.

[0128] Exemplary embodiment 17. The system according to exemplary embodiment 16, wherein the directional transmitter is a first directional transmitter and the wireless power signal is a first wireless power signal; and the system further includes:

[0129] A second directional transmitter configured to conform to the far-field transmission techniques, the second directional transmitter being electrically coupled to the power source and operable to transmit a second wireless power signal based on the first power; and

[0130] wherein the receiver circuit is further operable to receive the first wireless power signal and the second wireless power signal; and generate the second power based on at least a first portion of the first power received from the first wireless power signal and at least a second portion of the first power received from the second wireless power signal.

[0131] Exemplary embodiment 18. The system according to exemplary embodiment 17, wherein the receiver circuit is located at a receiver location, and the system further includes:

[0132] The first directional transmitter placed at a first location and further operable to transmit the first wireless power signal as a first beam guided along a first vector originating from the first location and directed to the receiver location; and

[0133] The second directional transmitter placed at a second location and further operable to transmit the second wireless power signal as a second beam guided along a second vector originating from the second location and directed to the receiver location;

[0134] wherein the first vector and the second vector are different.

[0135] Exemplary embodiment 19. A method, the method including:

[0136] A first electrical signal is provided to a transmitter circuit, the transmitter circuit being configured to transmit a wireless signal based on the first electrical signal;

[0137] The wireless signal is received by a receiver circuit, the receiver circuit being operable to receive the wireless signal and generate a second electrical signal;

[0138] The second electrical signal is sent to two or more transducer arrays applied to a patient; and

[0139] An electric field is generated based on the second electrical signal between the two or more transducer arrays, the second electrical signal having a frequency in the range between 50 kHz and 1 MHz.

[0140] Exemplary embodiment 20 The method according to exemplary embodiment 19, the method further comprising: generating an alternating current waveform having a frequency in the range between 50 kHz and 1 MHz over a period of time; and wherein generating the alternating current waveform is performed before providing the first electrical signal, and wherein the first electrical signal includes the alternating current waveform.

[0141] Exemplary embodiment 21 The method according to exemplary embodiment 19, the method further comprising:

[0142] Generating an alternating current waveform having a frequency in the range between 50 kHz and 1 MHz over a period of time; and wherein generating the alternating current waveform is performed after receiving the wireless signal, and wherein the second electrical signal includes the alternating current waveform.

[0143] Exemplary embodiment 22 The method according to exemplary embodiments 19 to 21, wherein the transmitter circuit includes a first inductor, and the receiver circuit includes a second inductor; and the method further comprising: resonantly coupling the first inductor of the transmitter circuit and the second inductor of the receiver circuit.

[0144] It is clear from the above description that the inventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein are well adapted to achieve the objects mentioned herein and obtain the advantages mentioned herein, as well as those advantages inherent in the present disclosure. Although exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts have been described for the purposes of the present disclosure, it should be understood that many changes can be made, which are obvious to those skilled in the art, and are made within the inventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein.

[0145] The foregoing description provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventive concepts to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings, or may be obtained from practice of the methods set forth in the present disclosure.

[0146] Even though specific combinations of features and steps are recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In fact, many of these features and steps can be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one other claim, the present disclosure includes each dependent claim in combination with all the other claims in the claim set.

[0147] Similarly, although each of the exemplary embodiments listed above may directly depend on only one other exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure includes each exemplary embodiment in combination with all the other exemplary embodiments in the set of exemplary embodiments for each mode of the inventive concept disclosed herein.

[0148] Elements, acts, or instructions used in this application are not to be construed as critical or essential to the present disclosure unless explicitly described as such outside of the preferred embodiments. Additionally, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “at least partially based on” unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Claims

1. A system, the system comprising: An electric field generator configured to generate a first electrical signal having an alternating current waveform with a frequency in the range of 50 kHz to 1 MHz; A transmitter circuit electrically coupled to the electric field generator and operable to receive the first electrical signal and transmit a wireless signal; A receiver circuit operable to receive the wireless signal and output a second electrical signal having the alternating current waveform; A first transducer array electrically coupled to the receiver circuit; And A second transducer array electrically coupled to the receiver circuit; Wherein the first transducer array and the second transducer array are configured to generate an alternating current electric field based on the alternating current waveform of the second electrical signal received from the receiver circuit.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter circuit includes a first inductor, and the receiver circuit includes a second inductor, the second inductor being inductively coupled to the first inductor.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter circuit includes a first LC circuit having a first capacitor electrically connected to a first inductor; and the receiver circuit further includes a second LC circuit having a second capacitor electrically coupled to a second inductor, the first LC circuit and the second LC circuit being configured to exhibit resonant inductive coupling at a resonant frequency.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the resonant frequency is the frequency of the alternating current waveform.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the alternating current waveform has a first power, and the system further includes: A power supply circuit operable to receive the alternating current waveform and amplify the first power of the alternating current waveform to a second power, the power supply circuit being electrically disposed between the receiver circuit and each of the first transducer array and the second transducer array.

6. The system according to claim 5, the system further including: A battery having a power capacity and coupled to the power supply circuit, the battery operable to supply a third power to the power supply circuit; And Wherein the power supply circuit is further operable to selectively amplify the first power of the alternating current waveform to the second power by using a portion of the third power.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the battery is further operable to receive a charging power to charge the battery, and wherein the power supply circuit is further operable to selectively supply the charging power to the battery from the first power of the alternating current waveform.

8. A system, the system comprising: A power supply operable to supply a first power; A transmitter circuit electrically coupled to the power supply and operable to transmit a wireless power signal based on the first power; A receiver circuit operable to receive the wireless power signal and output a second power; An electric field generator configured to receive the second power and generate an alternating current waveform having a frequency in the range of 50 kHz to 1 MHz; A first transducer array electrically coupled to the electric field generator; And A second transducer array electrically coupled to the electric field generator; Wherein the first transducer array and the second transducer array are configured to generate an alternating electric field based on the alternating current waveform received from the electric field generator.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the receiver circuit is operable to output at least a portion of the first power; and the system further comprises: A power supply circuit operable to receive the portion of the first power and amplify the portion of the first power to the second power, the power supply circuit being electrically disposed between the receiver circuit and the electric field generator.

10. The system according to claim 9, the system further comprises: A battery having a power capacity and coupled to the power supply circuit, the battery being operable to provide a third power to the power supply circuit; And Wherein the power supply circuit is further operable to selectively amplify the portion of the first power and the third power to the second power.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein the transmitter circuit includes a first inductor, and the receiver circuit includes a second inductor, the second inductor being inductively coupled to the first inductor.

12. The system according to claim 8, wherein the transmitter circuit includes a first LC circuit having a first capacitor electrically connected to a first inductor; and the receiver circuit further includes a second LC circuit having a second capacitor electrically coupled to a second inductor, the first LC circuit and the second LC circuit exhibiting resonant inductive coupling.

13. The system according to claim 8, wherein the transmitter circuit is a directional transmitter configured to conform to far-field transmission technology.

14. The system according to claim 8, wherein the transmitter circuit includes a first directional transmitter and the wireless power signal is a first wireless power signal; and the system further comprises: A second directional transmitter configured to conform to far-field transmission technology, the second directional transmitter being electrically coupled to the power supply and operable to transmit a second wireless power signal based on the first power; And Wherein the receiver circuit is further operable to receive the first wireless power signal and the second wireless power signal; generate the second power based on at least a first portion of the first power received from the first wireless power signal and at least a second portion of the first power received from the second wireless power signal.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the receiver circuit is located at a receiver location, and the system further comprises: The first directional transmitter, which is placed at a first location and is further operable to transmit the first wireless power signal as a first beam directed along a first vector that originates at the first location and is directed to the receiver location; and The second directional transmitter, which is placed at a second location and is further operable to transmit the second wireless power signal as a second beam directed along a second vector that originates at the second location and is directed to the receiver location; wherein the first vector and the second vector are different.

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