Electric field treatment system and electrode patch thereof

Abstract

The invention provides an electric field treatment system and an electrode patch thereof. The electrode patch comprises a backing, a transducer array pasted on the backing and a pasting piece pasted on the transducer array. The transducer array comprises a plurality of electrode units and a plurality of connecting parts for connecting two adjacent electrode units, and the transducer array comprises a left side part and a right side part which are symmetrically arranged left and right. The overall outer contours of the left side part and the right side part are in a half-water-drop shape, and each of the left side part and the right side part comprises a plurality of electrode units which are arranged at intervals from top to bottom. Each electrode unit comprises a main body part, a conducting strip located on the main body part and a dielectric layer covering the conducting strip. According to the electric field treatment system, the electrode patch and the transducer array thereof, the water-drop-shaped outer contour is adopted, the electrode units arranged at intervals are included, the relative position of each electrode unit can be properly adjusted, the pasting performance is better, in addition, a dielectric layer is adopted to replace a ceramic chip, the dead weight of the electrode patch is reduced, and pasting comfort is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to an electric field therapy system and its electrode patch. Background Technology

[0002] Intermediate-frequency alternating electric field therapy has been proven to be an effective method for tumor treatment. It can interfere with the mitotic process of cancer cells and induce apoptosis, thus having therapeutic applications. An electric field therapy system typically includes an electric field generator, an adapter, and multiple pairs of electrode patches. The electric field generator produces an alternating electrical signal, which is transmitted to the electrode patches via the adapter. The electrode patches are applied in pairs to opposite sides of the patient's skin, and an alternating current signal is applied between each pair of electrode patches to non-invasively apply a tumor-treating electric field to the target area.

[0003] Existing electrode patches, such as those disclosed in Chinese Invention Patent No. 112717272, include several electrode units arranged in an array, connecting portions connecting adjacent electrode units, and wiring portions extending outward from one of the connecting portions. Each electrode unit includes a ceramic dielectric sheet that serves as a dielectric element and has a certain thickness and rigidity. When the electrode patch is applied to the patient's skin, on the one hand, the ceramic dielectric sheet lacks sufficient flexibility to adhere well to the uneven surface of the patient, affecting the stability of the patch application. On the other hand, the ceramic dielectric sheet has a certain weight, which can exert pressure on the patient's skin, affecting the patient's comfort. Furthermore, for certain target areas, the limited space on the skin makes it difficult to deploy more electrode patches, resulting in insufficient electric field strength generated by the alternating current signal applied through the electrode units, thus affecting the therapeutic effect in the target area.

[0004] Therefore, improvements are needed to existing electric field therapy systems and their electrode patches. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides an electric field therapy system and its electrode patch, which has better adhesion.

[0006] Specifically, this application is achieved through the following technical solution: an electrode patch, including a backing, a transducer array attached to the backing, and an adhesive attached to the transducer array. The transducer array includes a plurality of electrode units and a plurality of connecting portions connecting adjacent electrode units. The transducer array includes a left portion and a right portion that are spaced apart and symmetrically arranged from left to right. The overall outer contour of each of the left portion and the right portion is arranged in a semi-teardrop shape and each includes a plurality of electrode units spaced apart from top to bottom. Each electrode unit includes a main body, a conductive sheet located on the main body, and a dielectric layer covering the conductive sheet.

[0007] Furthermore, the plurality of connecting portions include a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion being located within the interval formed by the left portion and the right portion and connecting the left portion and the right portion, and the second connecting portion being located between two adjacent electrode units in the left portion and the right portion respectively and electrically connecting the two adjacent electrode units.

[0008] Furthermore, the electrode units located on the left side include a first electrode unit, a second electrode unit, and a third electrode unit arranged from top to bottom, and the electrode units located on the right side include a fourth electrode unit, a fifth electrode unit, and a sixth electrode unit arranged from top to bottom; the first electrode unit and the fourth electrode unit are symmetrical from left to right and are both arranged in a near-triangular shape, the second electrode unit and the fifth electrode unit are symmetrical from left to right and are both arranged in a near-trapezoidal shape, and the third electrode unit and the sixth electrode unit are symmetrical from left to right and are both arranged in a near-fan shape.

[0009] Furthermore, the first connecting portion is located within the gap formed by the left side portion and the right side portion and connects the second electrode unit and the fourth electrode unit.

[0010] Furthermore, the area of ​​the second electrode unit is larger than the area of ​​the first electrode unit but smaller than the area of ​​the third electrode unit, and the area of ​​the fifth electrode unit is larger than the area of ​​the fourth electrode unit but smaller than the area of ​​the sixth electrode unit.

[0011] Furthermore, the adjacent two sides of two adjacent electrode units are arranged in parallel.

[0012] Furthermore, the electrode unit also includes an insulating layer disposed on the conductive sheet and having a hollowed-out area, and the dielectric layer covers the insulating layer and the conductive sheet exposed through the hollowed-out area.

[0013] Furthermore, the dielectric layer is located within the area enclosed by the outer contour of the corresponding main body portion.

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

[0015] This application also provides another technical solution: an electric field therapy system, which includes an electric field generator and the aforementioned electrode patches.

[0016] The electric field therapy system and its electrode patch of this application adopt a teardrop shape and include multiple separately arranged electrode units. The relative position of each electrode unit can be adjusted appropriately, resulting in better adhesion. In addition, a dielectric layer is used instead of a ceramic sheet, which reduces the weight of the electrode patch and provides better application comfort.

[0017] 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

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the framework of a tumor treatment electric field according to one embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of an electrode patch according to one embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the transducer array of electrode patches in the image;

[0021] Figure 4a For along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view along the AA direction;

[0022] Figure 4b For along Figure 3 Cross-sectional view along the BB direction;

[0023] Figure 4c For along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view along the CC direction;

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A planar schematic diagram of the transducer array after removing the insulating layer, dielectric layer and alloy layer;

[0025] Figure 6 A planar schematic diagram of the transducer array after removing the dielectric and alloy layers (and) Figure 5 resemblance);

[0026] Figure 7 A planar schematic diagram of the transducer array after removing the dielectric layer, alloy layer, and temperature sensor (and) Figure 6 resemblance).

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0028] Electric field generator 10, adapter 20, electrode patch 30, backing 31, transducer array 32, connecting part 322, first connecting part 3221, second connecting part 3222, wiring part 323, gold finger 3231, main body part 341, heat dissipation hole 3411, adhesive part 33, electrode unit 34, first electrode unit 34A, second electrode unit 34B, third electrode unit 34C, fourth electrode unit 34D, fifth electrode unit 34E, sixth electrode unit 34F, spacer 340, conductive sheet 342, opening 3421, insulating layer 343, outer ring insulating layer 3431, inner insulating layer 3432, insulating tape 3433, through hole 3434, hollow area 3435, transverse insulating tape 34331, longitudinal insulating tape 34332, dielectric layer 344, alloy layer 345, solder pad 346, temperature sensor 347. Detailed Implementation

[0029] 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.

[0030] refer to Figure 1 As shown, the electric field therapy system 100 includes an electric field generator 10, an adapter 20, and several pairs of electrode patches 30. The adapter 20 electrically connects the electric field generator 10 to each electrode patch 30. The electric field generator 10 generates an alternating current signal required for treatment. The adapter 20 receives the alternating current signal output from the electric field generator 10 and transmits it to the electrode patches 30. The pairs of electrode patches 30 are attached to the surface of the patient's body corresponding to the tumor area, applying the alternating current signal to the patient's tumor area for tumor electric field therapy.

[0031] refer to Figure 2As shown, the electrode patch 30 includes a backing 31, a transducer array 32 attached to the front of the backing 31, and an adhesive 33 attached to the front of the transducer array 32. The front sides of the backing 31, transducer array 32, and adhesive 33 face the patient's skin, and the electrode patch 30 is applied with its front side facing the patient. The backing 31 is sheet-like, and its side facing the patient's body surface is coated with a biocompatible adhesive (not shown) to ensure a tight fit between the backing 31 and the patient's tumor site. The backing 31 is typically made of breathable materials such as soft, thin, moisture-proof, and breathable textiles, non-woven fabrics, and microporous membranes, allowing the patient's skin to remain dry even after prolonged application. The transducer array 32 includes a plurality of electrode units 34 spaced apart, a plurality of connecting portions 322 connecting adjacent electrode units 34, and a wiring portion 323 extending outward from one of the connecting portions 322. The wiring portion 323 is provided with a plurality of gold fingers 3231 on both sides of its free end for electrical connection with an external wire (not shown). The wire (not shown) is used to electrically connect the electrode patch 30 to the adapter 20. The adapter 20 is electrically connected to the electric field generator 10 to realize signal transmission between the transducer array 32 and the electric field generator 10.

[0032] Some electrode units 34 are also equipped with a temperature sensor 347 located at their center. During tumor electric field therapy, the temperature sensor 347 can monitor and provide feedback on the temperature of the skin surface at the application site of the corresponding electrode unit 34, preventing excessive heat generated on the electrode unit 34 from causing burns to the patient's skin. The adhesive piece 33 is a sheet with double-sided adhesiveness. One side of the adhesive piece 33 is attached to the electrode unit 34, and the other side of the adhesive piece 33 serves as an application layer, applied to the skin surface to keep the skin moist and relieve local pressure. The adhesive piece 33 is preferably a conductive adhesive piece to act as a conductive medium; specifically, the adhesive piece 33 can be a conductive hydrogel.

[0033] refer to Figure 3 As shown, the transducer array 32 is roughly teardrop-shaped, with a smaller top and a larger bottom. Its area is smaller than that of conventional transducer arrays (e.g., a 3x3 rectangle) disclosed in Chinese Invention Patent No. 112717272, making it more suitable for attaching to uneven parts of the body surface, such as the head, limbs, or sides of the torso. When attached to the head, the transducer array 32 is attached with its smaller upper portion closer to the top of the head and its larger lower portion further away. Correspondingly, the overall outline of the backing 31 is basically the same as the outer outline of the transducer array 32, but its size is larger than the outline size of the transducer array 32; the adhesive 33 also has a shape basically the same as the outer outline of the transducer array 32, and its size is slightly larger than the outline size of the transducer array 32 but smaller than the outline size of the backing 31.

[0034] The transducer array 32 includes six electrode units 34, which are divided into a left and right symmetrical portion and a left and right portion. The left and right portions are generally arranged in a half-teardrop shape. The left portion includes a first electrode unit 34A, a second electrode unit 34B, and a third electrode unit 34C arranged from top to bottom. The right portion includes a fourth electrode unit 34D, a fifth electrode unit 34E, and a sixth electrode unit 34F arranged from top to bottom. The first electrode unit 34A and the fourth electrode unit 34D are arranged symmetrically from left to right, the second electrode unit 34B and the fifth electrode unit 34E are arranged symmetrically from left to right, and the third electrode unit 34C and the sixth electrode unit 34F are also arranged symmetrically from left to right.

[0035] The plurality of connecting portions 322 include a first connecting portion 3221 and a plurality of second connecting portions 3222. The first connecting portion 3221 connects the second electrode unit 34B and the fifth electrode unit 34E to realize the electrical connection between the left and right portions of the transducer array 32. The first connecting portion 3221 is located within the interval 340 between the left and right portions of the transducer array 32. A wiring portion 323 extends downward from the first connecting portion 3221 along the interval 340 between the left and right portions. The plurality of second connecting portions 3222 respectively connect two adjacent electrode units 34 located in the left portion and two adjacent electrode units 34 located in the right portion. That is, the first electrode unit 34A and the second electrode unit 34B, the second electrode unit 34B and the third electrode unit 34C, the fourth electrode unit 34D and the fifth electrode unit 34E, and the fifth electrode unit 34E and the sixth electrode unit 34F are all connected to each other through corresponding second connecting portions 3222. The second connecting part 3222 is telescopic, so that the positions of the first electrode unit 34A and the third electrode unit 34C relative to the second electrode unit 34B can be adjusted appropriately, and the positions of the fourth electrode unit 34D and the sixth electrode unit 34F relative to the fifth electrode unit 34E can be adjusted appropriately, which facilitates application.

[0036] Each electrode unit 34 is arranged in a sheet-like shape. The first electrode unit 34A and the fourth electrode unit 34D, which are symmetrical from left to right, are roughly triangular in shape. The second electrode unit 34B and the fifth electrode unit 34E, which are symmetrical from left to right, are roughly trapezoidal in shape. The third electrode unit 34C and the sixth electrode unit 34F, which are symmetrical from left to right, are roughly fan-shaped in shape. The inner sides of the first electrode unit 34A, the second electrode unit 34B, and the third electrode unit 34C, which are close to the central axis of the transducer array 32, are located on the same vertical line. The outer sides of the first electrode unit 34A, the second electrode unit 34B, and the third electrode unit 34C, which are away from the central axis of the transducer array 32, are all located on the teardrop-shaped outer contour of the left side of the transducer array 32. The inner sides of the fourth electrode unit 34D, the fifth electrode unit 34E, and the sixth electrode unit 34F, which are close to the central axis of the transducer array 32, are located on the same vertical line. The outer sides of the fourth electrode unit 34D, the fifth electrode unit 34E, and the sixth electrode unit 34F, which are away from the central axis of the transducer array 32, are all located on the teardrop-shaped outer contour of the right side of the transducer array 32. The adjacent sides of the first electrode unit 34A and the fourth electrode unit 34D are arranged in parallel, the adjacent sides of the second electrode unit 34B and the fifth electrode unit 34E are arranged in parallel, and the adjacent sides of the third electrode unit 34C and the sixth electrode unit 34F are arranged in parallel. Each of the four electrode units 34, namely the first electrode unit 34A and the third electrode unit 34C on the left side and the fourth electrode unit 34D and the sixth electrode unit 34F on the right side, is equipped with a temperature sensor 347 to detect the temperature of the corresponding body surface area of ​​each electrode unit 34.

[0037] The bottom contour line of the first electrode unit 34A and the top contour line of the second electrode unit 34B are both curves with small curvature, and they are arranged opposite each other and are basically parallel. The bottom contour line of the second electrode unit 34B and the top contour line of the third electrode unit 34C are both curves with small curvature, and they are arranged opposite each other and are basically parallel. Similarly, the bottom contour line of the fourth electrode unit 34D and the top contour line of the fifth electrode unit 34E are both curves with small curvature, and they are arranged opposite each other and are basically parallel. The bottom contour line of the fifth electrode unit 34E and the top contour line of the sixth electrode unit 34F are both curves with small curvature, and they are arranged opposite each other and are basically parallel. Each electrode unit 34 of the transducer array 32 has a curved contour line, which makes it easy for the transducer array 32 to be applied to the human body surface, and the gap 340 between two adjacent electrode units 34 in the six electrode units 34 forms a sufficiently large heat dissipation space to allow moisture on the patient's body surface to escape during long-term treatment with the electrode patch 30, thus avoiding skin inflammation. All contour lines of each electrode unit 34 are connected by arc transitions to reduce stress concentration at sharp points when each electrode unit 34 is bent and attached, thereby preventing damage to each electrode unit 34.

[0038] The first electrode unit 34A, the second electrode unit 34B, and the third electrode unit 34C are arranged in three different shapes. The area of ​​the second electrode unit 34B, which is arranged in a near-trapezoidal shape, is larger than the area of ​​the first electrode unit 34A, which is arranged in a near-triangular shape, but smaller than the area of ​​the third electrode unit 34C, which is arranged in a near-fan shape. Similarly, the area of ​​the fifth electrode unit 34E, which is arranged in a near-trapezoidal shape, is larger than the area of ​​the fourth electrode unit 34D, which is arranged in a near-triangular shape, but smaller than the area of ​​the sixth electrode unit 34F, which is arranged in a near-fan shape. The electrode units 34 of the transducer array 32 are arranged in different areas so that the transducer array 32 can better adapt to the attachment requirements of different positions on the patient's body surface, especially suitable for tumor electric field therapy in areas such as the head where the attachment area is small and the flat area is small.

[0039] Reference Figures 4a to 7 As shown, the electrode unit 34 includes a main body 341 made of a flexible circuit board, a conductive sheet 342 disposed on the main body 341, an insulating layer 343 disposed on the conductive sheet 342, and a dielectric layer 344 disposed on the insulating layer 343 and the conductive sheet 342 exposing the insulating layer 343. An adhesive 33 is disposed on the dielectric layer 344. Preferably, the electrode unit 34 further includes an alloy layer 345 disposed on the dielectric layer 344, and the adhesive 33 is disposed on the alloy layer 345.

[0040] The main body 341 is sheet-like, with a thickness of 10μm-50μm. The main body 341 is lightweight, thin, flexible, and highly flexible. In this embodiment, the main body 341 is made of high-temperature resistant, high-strength, and highly insulating materials such as polyimide or polyester film. As mentioned earlier, the shapes of the first electrode unit 34A, the second electrode unit 34B, and the third electrode unit 34C are different. Similarly, the shapes of the fourth electrode unit 34D, the fifth electrode unit 34E, and the sixth electrode unit 34F are different. Therefore, the main bodies 341 of the first electrode unit 34A and the fourth electrode unit 34D are generally triangular, the main bodies 341 of the second electrode unit 34B and the fifth electrode unit 34E are generally trapezoidal, and the main bodies 341 of the third electrode unit 34C and the sixth electrode unit 34F are generally fan-shaped.

[0041] The main body 341 also has a plurality of through-holes 3411 disposed along its periphery, avoiding the connection with the connecting part 322. The heat dissipation holes 3411 can improve the heat dissipation performance of each electrode unit 34. The electrode unit 34 also includes the aforementioned conductive sheet 342 disposed on the front of the main body 341 in a sheet-like manner. As mentioned above, the shape of the main body 341 of each electrode unit 34 is different, and the shape of the conductive sheet 342 is adapted to the shape of its corresponding main body 341. Specifically, the conductive sheet 342 is basically the same shape as its corresponding main body 341 and the mass points overlap, but the conductive sheet 342 is smaller in size. It is located in the area enclosed by the outer contour of the corresponding main body 341. The distance between the outer contour of the conductive sheet 342 and the outer contour of the corresponding main body 341 is 1.2mm-2.5mm, so that the conductive sheet 342 can be fully supported by the corresponding main body 341, while avoiding the conductive sheet 342 being exposed and in contact with the human body, which could cause safety hazards to the patient. The conductive sheet 342 is made of rolled copper foil or electrolytic copper foil with a thickness of 10μm-75μm, and can be fixed to the surface of the corresponding main body 341 by electroplating or adhesive film. The conductive sheets 342 of both the first electrode unit 34A and the fourth electrode unit 34D are approximately triangular in shape, with an area of ​​100mm². 2 -110 mm 2 The conductive sheets 342 of both the second electrode unit 34B and the fifth electrode unit 34E are approximately trapezoidal in shape, with an area of ​​290 mm². 2 -310 mm 2 The conductive plates 342 of both the third electrode unit 34C and the sixth electrode unit 34F are roughly arranged in a fan shape, with an area of ​​360 mm². 2 -370 mm 2 .

[0042] Each of the first electrode unit 34A, the third electrode unit 34C, the fourth electrode unit 34D, and the sixth electrode unit 34F is equipped with a temperature sensor 347. Therefore, each conductive sheet 342 of the first electrode unit 34A, the third electrode unit 34C, the fourth electrode unit 34D, and the sixth electrode unit 34F is provided with an opening 3421. Each of the main body portions 341 of the first electrode unit 34A, the third electrode unit 34C, the fourth electrode unit 34D, and the sixth electrode unit 34F is also provided with a pair of pads 346 located within the opening 3421 for electrical connection with the temperature sensor 347. The second electrode unit 34B and the fifth electrode unit 34E are not equipped with temperature sensors 347. Therefore, the conductive sheets 342 of the second electrode unit 34B and the fifth electrode unit 34E are both complete trapezoidal sheets.

[0043] An insulating layer 343 is laid on the corresponding portions of the conductive sheet 342 and the main body 341. An adhesive (not shown) is provided on the side of the insulating layer 343 facing the conductive sheet 342, allowing the insulating layer 343 to be bonded to the corresponding portions of the conductive sheet 342 and the main body 341 via a hot-press bonding process. The thickness of the insulating layer 343 is 10μm to 50μm, and the material of the insulating layer 343 can be the same as that of the main body 341, both being made of polyimide (PI), polyester (PET) resin, or polyurethane, resulting in better adhesion. The aforementioned heat dissipation holes 3411 are formed by stamping after the insulating layer 343 is laid, meaning the heat dissipation holes 3411 are provided penetrating the corresponding portions of the insulating layer 343.

[0044] The insulating layer 343 includes an outer ring insulating layer 3431, which covers the outer peripheral edge of the main body 341. The outer contour of the outer ring insulating layer 3431 is identical in shape to the outer contour of the corresponding main body 341. The inner contour of the outer ring insulating layer 3431 approximately overlaps with but is slightly smaller than the outer contour of the corresponding conductive sheet 342, so as to cover the outer edge of the corresponding conductive sheet 342. The outer contour of the outer ring insulating layer 3431 substantially overlaps with the outer contour of the corresponding main body 341. In this embodiment, the insulating layer 343 of the second electrode unit 34B and the fifth electrode unit 34E only includes the outer ring insulating layer 3431 and the hollow area 3435 formed by the inner contour of the outer ring insulating layer 3431. Since the first electrode unit 34A, the third electrode unit 34C, the fourth electrode unit 34D, and the sixth electrode unit 34F are equipped with temperature sensors 347, the insulating layer 343 of the first electrode unit 34A, the third electrode unit 34C, the fourth electrode unit 34D, and the sixth electrode unit 34F further includes an inner insulating layer 3432 covering the opening 3421 of its conductive sheet 342 and a plurality of insulating strips 3433 connecting the inner insulating layer 3432 and the outer ring insulating layer 3431. The insulating strips 3433 cover the conductive sheet 342 and separate a plurality of hollow areas 3435 between the inner insulating layer 3432 and the outer ring insulating layer 3431 to expose the corresponding conductive sheet 342, so that the dielectric layer 344 further disposed on the insulating layer 343 can directly contact and conduct with the conductive sheet 342 exposed by the insulating layer 343.

[0045] The inner insulating layer 3432 is circularly shaped with a through hole 3434, which avoids the pad 346 located within the opening 3421 of the conductive sheet 342, thus preventing interference with the subsequent installation of the temperature sensor 347. Preferably, the inner edge of the inner insulating layer 3432 at the through hole 3434 is pressed against a portion of the edge of the pad 346, and the shape of the outer edge of the inner insulating layer 3432 is substantially the same as the shape of the inner edge of the conductive sheet 342 at the opening 3421 and is pressed against the inner edge of the conductive sheet 342 at the opening 3421, so that the insulating layer 343 can assist in pressing the corresponding conductive sheet 342 onto the corresponding main body 341, preventing the inner and outer edges of the conductive sheet 342 from lifting. The inner insulating layer 3432 can further limit the space within the opening 3421, which can be used to position the temperature sensor 347 and quickly install the temperature sensor 347. The thickness of the insulating tape 3433 is also 10μm-50μm. In this embodiment, the insulating layer 343 of the first electrode unit 34A, the third electrode unit 34C, the fourth electrode unit 34D, and the sixth electrode unit 34F are each provided with three insulating strips 3433, which are respectively connected to different sides of the corresponding outer ring insulating layer 3431. Specifically, the three insulating strips 3433 include two transverse insulating strips 34331 that extend roughly horizontally to the left and right, and a longitudinal insulating strip 34332 that extends roughly vertically. The two transverse insulating strips 34331 are arranged basically collinearly and are parallel to the outer contour line of two adjacent electrode units 34 located on the same side of the axis of symmetry. Specifically, the two transverse insulating strips 34331 of the first electrode unit 34A and the fourth electrode unit 34D are parallel to the bottom contour line of the first electrode unit 34A or the fourth electrode unit 34D, and the two transverse insulating strips 34331 of the third electrode unit 34C and the sixth electrode unit 34F are parallel to the upper contour line of the third electrode unit 34C and the sixth electrode unit 34F; the longitudinal insulating strip 34332 is approximately parallel to the outer contour line of the corresponding electrode unit 34 away from the central axis of the transducer array 32. The insulating strips 3433 help to fix the inner insulating layer 3432 and also play a role in heat insulation, which can effectively reduce the heat accumulation of the corresponding electrode unit 34.

[0046] Back Figure 3 and Figures 4a to 4c As shown, Figure 3The diagram shows the state of each electrode unit 34 of the transducer array 32 after the dielectric layer 344 and alloy layer 345 are laid. The dielectric layer 344 covers the insulating layer 343 and the conductive sheet 342 exposed through the cutout area 3435 of the insulating layer 343. Note that the dielectric layer 344 and alloy layer 345 are not laid on the connecting parts 322. The dielectric layer 344 completely covers the corresponding conductive sheet 342, which can prevent the conductive sheet 342 from directly contacting the human body and causing non-capacitive coupling with the human body, thereby affecting human safety. Preferably, the area of ​​the dielectric layer 344 is 1.1 to 1.3 times the area of ​​the conductive sheet 342. The dielectric layer 344 can completely cover the outer edge of the conductive sheet 342 to avoid the edge of the conductive sheet 342 coinciding with the edge of the dielectric layer 344, which would cause excessive heat concentration at the edge. The size of the dielectric layer 344 is slightly smaller than the size of the corresponding main body 341, that is, the dielectric layer 344 is located in the area enclosed by the outer contour of the corresponding main body 341, so that the dielectric layer 344 can be fully supported by the main body 341.

[0047] The dielectric material of the dielectric layer 344 can be an inorganic material (such as piezoelectric ceramics), a polymer (such as relaxor ferroelectric copolymers), or a polymer composite material doped with inorganic materials. In this embodiment, the dielectric layer 344 is made of a polymer material with non-fixed crystal orientation, high flexibility, and high toughness, with a dielectric constant of not less than 20 and a dielectric strength of not less than 40V / μm to avoid breakdown under normal applied voltage. The dielectric layer 344 can be a ternary copolymer based on relaxor ferroelectrics, such as vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-trifluorochloroethylene copolymer or vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene copolymer, or it can be a piperazine biuret copolyamide film. The dielectric layer 344 is formed on the surface of the conductive sheet 342 by vacuum sputtering. The dielectric layer 344 can also be formed on the surface of the conductive sheet 342 by vapor deposition methods such as evaporation, sputtering, or ion plating, or by printing, spraying, or casting. The thickness of the dielectric layer 344 does not exceed 300 μm, and is preferably 3 μm-10 μm. Replacing the traditional ceramic sheet with the dielectric layer 344 can reduce the weight of the electrode patch 30 and improve the comfort of applying the electrode patch 30.

[0048] Alloy layer 345 serves as an auxiliary layer to increase the conductivity between dielectric layer 344 and the adhesive layer 33. The size of alloy layer 345 is slightly smaller than that of dielectric layer 344, meaning it is located within the area enclosed by the outer edge of dielectric layer 344. The alloy layer 345 can be made of one or more of zinc-aluminum alloy, zinc-copper alloy, silver-titanium, or graphite. Alloy layer 345 can be deposited on the surface of dielectric layer 344 using vapor deposition to form a tight bond; alternatively, it can be deposited using a vacuum sputtering process similar to that used for dielectric layer 344, or other deposition processes. The thickness of alloy layer 345 is inversely proportional to its loss, meaning a thicker alloy layer 345 results in lower loss; the thickness of alloy layer 345 is also inversely proportional to the bonding tightness with dielectric layer 344, meaning a thicker alloy layer 345 results in a weaker bond with dielectric layer 344. To obtain electrode units 34 with lower losses and stronger compactness, the thickness of dielectric layer 344 is preferably 50 to 500 times that of alloy layer 345, and the thickness of alloy layer 345 is preferably 3nm-100nm.

[0049] The shape of the alloy layer 345 is basically the same as that of the corresponding conductive sheet 342, but its area is larger than that of the corresponding conductive sheet 342 and smaller than that of the corresponding dielectric layer 344. This allows the heat generated by the corresponding conductive sheet 342 when an AC signal is applied to be quickly transferred to the edge of the alloy layer 345 along a direction parallel to the alloy layer 345 and dissipated to the external medium (such as air). This avoids the temperature rise at the skin contact point, which could lead to low-temperature burns. It can also prolong the time for the electrode patch 30 to treat tumors and prevent the edge of the conductive sheet 342 from overlapping with the edge of the alloy layer 345, which could lead to excessive heat concentration at the edge.

[0050] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are 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. An electrode patch, comprising a backing, a transducer array attached to the backing, and an adhesive attached to the transducer array, characterized in that: The transducer array includes several electrode units and several connecting portions connecting adjacent electrode units. The transducer array includes a left portion and a right portion that are spaced apart and symmetrically arranged. The overall outer contour of each of the left portion and the right portion is arranged in a semi-teardrop shape and each includes several electrode units arranged at intervals from top to bottom. Each electrode unit includes a main body, a conductive sheet located on the main body, and a dielectric layer covering the conductive sheet.

2. The electrode patch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of connecting portions include a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The first connecting portion is located within the interval formed by the left portion and the right portion and connects the left portion and the right portion. The second connecting portion is located between two adjacent electrode units in the left portion and the right portion respectively, and electrically connects the two adjacent electrode units.

3. The electrode patch according to claim 2, characterized in that: The electrode units located on the left side include a first electrode unit, a second electrode unit, and a third electrode unit arranged from top to bottom, and the electrode units located on the right side include a fourth electrode unit, a fifth electrode unit, and a sixth electrode unit arranged from top to bottom; the first electrode unit and the fourth electrode unit are symmetrical from left to right and are both arranged in a near-triangular shape, the second electrode unit and the fifth electrode unit are symmetrical from left to right and are both arranged in a near-trapezoidal shape, and the third electrode unit and the sixth electrode unit are symmetrical from left to right and are both arranged in a near-fan shape.

4. The electrode patch according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first connecting portion is located within the gap formed by the left side portion and the right side portion and connects the second electrode unit and the fourth electrode unit.

5. The electrode patch according to claim 3, characterized in that: The area of ​​the second electrode unit is larger than the area of ​​the first electrode unit but smaller than the area of ​​the third electrode unit, and the area of ​​the fifth electrode unit is larger than the area of ​​the fourth electrode unit but smaller than the area of ​​the sixth electrode unit.

6. The electrode patch according to claim 3, characterized in that: The adjacent two sides of two adjacent electrode units are arranged in parallel.

7. The electrode patch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode unit further includes an insulating layer disposed on the conductive sheet and having a hollowed-out area, and the dielectric layer covers the insulating layer and the conductive sheet exposed through the hollowed-out area.

8. The electrode patch according to claim 7, characterized in that: The dielectric layer is located within the area enclosed by the outer contour of the corresponding main body portion.

9. The electrode patch according to claim 8, characterized in that: The electrode unit also includes an alloy layer laid on the dielectric layer.

10. An electric field therapy system, characterized in that: It includes an electric field generator and an electrode patch as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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