Electrode and system for tumor electric field therapy

Abstract

The utility model provides an electrode for tumor electric field therapy. The electrode comprises a body capacitor and an external capacitor connected with the body capacitor in parallel. According to the electrode for the tumor electric field therapy, the external capacitor is connected outside the body capacitor in parallel, and the equivalent capacitance is adjusted by replacing the external capacitor, so that the electric field intensity of the tumor position is improved, and a better tumor inhibition effect is achieved; the utility model further provides a system for the tumor electric field therapy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electric field therapy, in particular to an electrode and a system for electric field therapy of tumors. Background Art

[0002] Tumor treating fields (TTF), also known as tumor treatment fields, is a form of electrotherapy for cancer treatment that generates an electric field around the tumor to disrupt the growth and reproduction of cancer cells. In the middle stage of cancer cell division, the electric field affects the aggregation of tubulin into clusters, preventing the formation of spindles and causing chromosomes to be unable to separate normally; in the late stage of cancer cell division, the electric field pushes the charge to the neck of the dividing cell, destroying the cancer cell structure. The final result of these two mechanisms of action is to inhibit the normal division of cancer cells, eventually causing blistering of the surface membrane and the death of cancer cells.

[0003] Since the TTF electric field acts directly on human tissue through capacitive electrodes, human tissue can be equivalent to a load resistor based on its conductive properties. If the capacitance of the electrode structure itself is too small, the electric field strength inside the human tissue will be too small to inhibit tumor proliferation. In addition, the ability to adjust the capacitance value using the electrode structure itself is limited. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model aims to provide an electrode for tumor electric field therapy to solve the problem that the electric field intensity generated by the existing TTF electrode is too small.

[0005] The utility model provides an electrode for electric field therapy of tumors, comprising a body capacitor and an external capacitor connected in parallel with the body capacitor.

[0006] Furthermore, the main capacitor includes an emitting electrode layer, a first insulating layer arranged on the upper end of the emitting electrode layer, a substrate arranged on the upper end of the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer arranged on the upper end of the substrate, a copper-clad circuit layer arranged on the upper end of the second insulating layer, and a temperature sensor arranged on the upper end of the copper-clad circuit layer; the first end of the external capacitor is electrically connected to the first part of the copper-clad circuit layer, and the second end of the external capacitor is electrically connected to the emitting electrode layer.

[0007] Furthermore, two ends of the external capacitor are connected to the first part of the copper-clad circuit layer and the emitter electrode layer through external wires, respectively.

[0008] Furthermore, the first end of the external capacitor is electrically connected to the first part of the copper-clad circuit layer, and also includes at least one conductive via. The second end of the external capacitor is electrically connected to the second part of the copper-clad circuit layer, and the second part of the copper-clad circuit layer is electrically connected to the emitter electrode layer through the at least one conductive via.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes a gel layer, and the emitting electrode layer is arranged on the upper end of the gel layer.

[0010] Furthermore, a silver or silver chloride protective layer is electroplated on the lower end of the emitter electrode layer.

[0011] Furthermore, two ends of the temperature sensor are electrically connected to the third portion and the fourth portion of the copper-clad circuit layer respectively.

[0012] Furthermore, the copper-clad circuit layer is covered with an insulating oil layer.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a potting layer arranged on the surface of the copper-clad circuit layer.

[0014] Furthermore, the substrate is any one of a metal substrate and a FR-4 board.

[0015] Furthermore, the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer are any one of insulating varnish or insulating film.

[0016] Furthermore, the area of ​​a single electrode is no greater than 20 square centimeters.

[0017] Furthermore, the thickness of the substrate is greater than the thickness of the emitter electrode layer / the copper-clad circuit layer.

[0018] The utility model also provides a system for electric field therapy of tumors, comprising at least one pair of the above electrodes.

[0019] The above-mentioned electrode for tumor electric field therapy is connected in parallel with an external capacitor outside the electrode's body capacitance, and the equivalent capacitance is adjusted by adjusting the external capacitor, thereby increasing the electric field strength at the tumor position and achieving a better tumor inhibition effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of an electrode for tumor electric field therapy in the first embodiment of the utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Top view of the electrodes used in the tumor therapy field.

[0022] Figure 3 The utility model relates to a system for electric field therapy of tumors.

[0023] Figure 4 It is another system for electric field therapy of tumors.

[0024] Description of main component symbols:

[0025]

[0026]

[0027] The following specific implementation manner will further illustrate the present utility model in conjunction with the above-mentioned drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to facilitate the understanding of the utility model, the utility model will be described more comprehensively with reference to the relevant drawings. Several embodiments of the utility model are given in the drawings. However, the utility model can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the disclosure of the utility model more thorough and comprehensive.

[0029] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be a central element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be a central element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art in the technical field of the present invention. The terms used herein in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0031] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first embodiment of the utility model provides an electrode for tumor electric field therapy, including a body capacitor 63 and an external capacitor 62 connected in parallel with the body capacitor.

[0032] The above-mentioned electrode for tumor electric field therapy is connected in parallel with an external capacitor 62 outside the main capacitor 63, and the equivalent capacitance is adjusted by adjusting the external capacitor 62, thereby improving the electric field strength at the tumor position and achieving a better tumor inhibition effect.

[0033] Specifically, in one embodiment of the utility model, the main capacitor 63 includes an emitting electrode layer 20, a first insulating layer 30 arranged on the upper end of the emitting electrode layer 20, a substrate 40 arranged on the upper end of the first insulating layer 30, a second insulating layer 50 arranged on the upper end of the substrate 40, a copper-clad circuit layer 60 arranged on the upper end of the second insulating layer 50, and a temperature sensor 70 arranged on the upper end of the copper-clad circuit layer 60, and the first end of the external capacitor 62 is electrically connected to the first part of the copper-clad circuit layer 60, and the second end of the external capacitor 62 is electrically connected to the emitting electrode layer 20.

[0034] In one embodiment of the utility model, the two ends of the external capacitor 62 are respectively connected to the first part 601 of the copper-clad circuit layer 60 and the emitting electrode layer 20 through an external wire; for example, the external wire can be electrically connected to the first part 601 of the copper-clad circuit layer 60 and the emitting electrode layer 20 by welding or plugging.

[0035] In one embodiment of the utility model, the electrode for tumor electric field therapy (referred to as electrode) also includes at least one conductive via 61, the first end of the external capacitor 62 is electrically connected (for example, through the first connection point 701, the first connection point 701 can be a pad or a socket, so as to be welded or plugged in) the first part 601 of the copper-clad circuit layer 60, the other end of the first part 601 of the copper-clad circuit layer 60 is a second connection point 702 (a pad or a socket, etc.), the second end of the external capacitor 62 is electrically connected (for example, through the third connection point 703, the third connection point 703 can be a pad or a socket, so as to be welded or plugged in) the second part 602 of the copper-clad circuit layer 60, and the second part 602 of the copper-clad circuit layer 60 is electrically connected to the emitting electrode layer 20 through the at least one conductive via 61. Specifically, the electrode for tumor electric field therapy is achieved by setting a conductive via 61 on the second portion 602 of the copper-clad circuit layer 60. The conductive via 61 passes through the second insulating layer 50, the substrate 40, and the first insulating layer 30 to reach the emitting electrode layer 20, thereby electrically connecting the second portion 602 of the copper-clad circuit layer 60 with the emitting electrode layer 20; since the second portion 602 of the copper-clad circuit layer 60 is electrically connected to the second end of the external capacitor 62, the electrical connection between the emitting electrode layer 20 and the second end of the external capacitor 62 is achieved.

[0036] In the above embodiment, there are three conductive vias 61, which have corresponding redundancy effect. If one or two of the conductive vias fail, the connection between the second part 602 of the copper-clad circuit layer 60 and the emitter electrode layer 20 can still be maintained. It can be understood that the number of conductive vias 61 is at least one, and can also be two, four, and so on.

[0037] Through the above scheme, an external capacitor 62 is connected in parallel to the outside of the main capacitor 63, and the capacitance size can be adjusted by replacing the external capacitor 62, or the external capacitor 62 can be a sliding capacitor, and its capacitance can be adjusted by sliding, thereby adjusting the size of the equivalent capacitance. The corresponding capacitor can be matched according to the tumor size, thereby adjusting the electric field strength at the tumor position, thereby achieving a better tumor inhibition effect.

[0038] In one embodiment of the utility model, a gel layer 10 is further included, and the emitting electrode layer 20 is arranged on the upper end of the gel layer 10. By arranging the gel layer, the electrode is close to the user's skin, and it is easy to quickly sense the body temperature. The lower end of the temperature sensor 70 is placed on the metal substrate 40 or passes through the gel layer 10 and extends to the outside of the gel layer 10, so as to be close to the user's skin, and it is easy to quickly sense the body temperature; it can be understood that the gel layer 10 is a conductive gel layer.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, a silver or silver chloride protective layer is electroplated on the lower end of the emitting electrode layer 20 to prevent the lower end of the emitting electrode layer 20 from being oxidized; when a gel layer 10 is provided below the emitting electrode layer 20, the emitting electrode layer 20 is isolated from the gel layer 10 by the silver or silver chloride protective layer plated on the lower end of the emitting electrode layer 20 to prevent the emitting electrode layer 20 from being oxidized by the gel layer 10, thereby ensuring the performance of the emitting electrode layer 20; in another embodiment of the present invention, a silver or silver chloride protective layer is also plated on the side of the emitting electrode layer 20 to prevent the side of the emitting electrode layer 20 from being oxidized.

[0040] In one embodiment of the utility model, the two ends of the temperature sensor 70 are electrically connected to the third part 603 and the fourth part 604 of the copper-clad circuit layer 60, respectively. For example, the two ends of the temperature sensor 70 can be electrically connected to the third part 603 and the fourth part 604 of the copper-clad circuit layer 60 through the fourth connection point 704 (socket or pad) and the fifth connection point 705 (socket or pad), respectively. The third part 603 and the fourth part 604 are electrically connected to the corresponding circuit, such as a control unit, through the sixth connection point 706 and the seventh connection point 707, respectively (refer to the control unit in Chinese patent application 202310284480.8), which is equivalent to connecting the two ends of the temperature sensor 70 to the corresponding circuit, such as a control unit, to form a temperature detection circuit, and then performing temperature detection through the temperature sensor 70; the first part 601, the second part 602, the third part 603, and the fourth part 604 of the copper-clad circuit layer 60 are electrically isolated from each other on the copper-clad circuit layer.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the copper-clad circuit layer 60 is covered with an insulating oil layer to achieve an insulation function from the air and avoid oxidation.

[0042] In one embodiment of the utility model, a potting layer 80 is further included on the surface of the copper-clad circuit layer 60. In one embodiment of the utility model, the potting layer 80 is an epoxy potting layer to play an insulating and protective role. In other embodiments of the utility model, the potting layer 80 can also be other materials with insulating and protective functions, such as silica gel; in another embodiment of the utility model, the potting layer 80 pots up the surface of the copper-clad circuit layer 60, as well as the temperature sensor and the external capacitor 62 (if any) on the surface of the copper-clad circuit layer 60.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, the substrate 40 is any one of a metal substrate or an insulating substrate, which at least plays a supporting role. It can be understood that in other embodiments of the present invention, the substrate can be made of other materials with certain thermal conductivity. The metal substrate can be one of an aluminum substrate, a copper substrate, and an iron substrate; the insulating substrate can be a FR-4 board, etc.

[0044] When the substrate 40 is a metal substrate, the body capacitor 63 is composed of two capacitors (a first capacitor and a second capacitor) connected in series, wherein the first capacitor is composed of an emitting electrode layer 20, a first insulating layer 30 at an upper end thereof, and a substrate 40 disposed at an upper end of the first insulating layer 30, wherein the emitting electrode layer 20 and the substrate 40 constitute a pair of electrodes of the first capacitor, and the first insulating layer 30 constitutes a dielectric of the first capacitor; the second capacitor is composed of the substrate 40, a second insulating layer 50 at an upper end thereof, and a copper-clad circuit layer 60 (more precisely, a first part 601 of the copper-clad circuit layer 60) disposed at an upper end of the second insulating layer 50, wherein the substrate The board 40 and the copper-clad wiring layer 60 (more precisely, the first part 601 of the copper-clad wiring layer 60) constitute a pair of electrodes of the second capacitor, and the second insulating layer 50 constitutes the dielectric of the second capacitor; in one embodiment, the first part 601 of the copper-clad wiring layer 60 is the part of the copper-clad wiring layer 60 except the second part 602, the third part 603, and the fourth part 604, and the first part 601 basically covers the entire copper-clad wiring layer 60; in other embodiments, the area of ​​the first part 601 is greater than the sum of the areas of the second part 602, the third part 603 and the fourth part 604.

[0045] When the substrate 40 is an insulating substrate, the main capacitor 63 is composed of a capacitor, namely, the emitting electrode layer 20, the first insulating layer 30 on its upper end, the substrate 40 arranged on the upper end of the first insulating layer 30, the second insulating layer 50 on the upper end of the substrate 40, and the copper-clad circuit layer 60 arranged on the upper end of the second insulating layer 50; wherein the emitting electrode layer 20 and the copper-clad circuit layer 60 constitute a pair of electrodes of the capacitor, and the first insulating layer 30, the substrate 40, and the second insulating layer 50 together constitute the dielectric between the pair of electrodes of the capacitor.

[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first insulating layer 30 and the second insulating layer 50 are any one of insulating varnish or insulating film to achieve an insulating function.

[0047] It is understandable that, due to the poor smoothness of the skin, the area of ​​a single electrode is not greater than 20 square centimeters so that it can fit the skin better.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the substrate 40 is greater than the thickness of the emitter electrode layer 20 / the copper-clad circuit layer 60 .

[0049] In one embodiment of the utility model, it also includes a breathable tape (not shown in the figure), which is arranged at the upper end of the electrode (for example, when there is a potting layer 80, it is arranged at the upper end of the potting layer 80; when there is no potting layer 80, it is arranged at the upper end of the copper-clad circuit layer 60), and the electrode is fixed to the patient's skin through the breathable tape.

[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the electrode is any one of circular, square, polygonal or irregular. Specifically, the shape of the electrode can be customized according to the location and size of the patient's tumor.

[0051] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of electrodes form an electrode array, and the lines between the electrode arrays are connected in a mesh, which can avoid electrode failure caused by desoldering or circuit breaking at a certain point, and form a redundant system.

[0052] The utility model also provides a system for electric field therapy of tumors, comprising at least one pair of the above electrodes.

[0053] See also Figure 3, a tumor electric field therapy system is provided, the power supply V (the power supply V can refer to the power supply V in Chinese patent application 202310284480.8) output is the output of the signal distribution circuit, and the two ends of its output are respectively connected to electrodes for tumor electric field therapy, and the electrodes at this time are the case when the substrate 40 is an insulating substrate in the previous embodiment, and the electrodes at this time are the body capacitor 63 and the external capacitor 62 connected in parallel with each other; the resistor R11 and the capacitor C11 are connected in series to form a first setting, the resistor R11' and the capacitor C11' are connected in series to form a second setting, and the first setting and the second setting are connected in parallel to form a first electrode; the resistor R12 and the capacitor C12 are connected in series to form a third setting, the resistor R12' and the capacitor C12' are connected in series to form a fourth setting, and the third setting and the fourth setting are connected in parallel to form a second electrode; the first electrode and the second electrode constitute a pair of electrodes. The resistor R11 and the capacitor C11, the resistor R12 and the capacitor C12 are respectively equivalent to the impedance and equivalent capacitance of the bulk capacitor 63 in the first electrode and the second electrode; the resistor R11' and the capacitor C11', the resistor R12' and the capacitor C12' are respectively equivalent to the impedance and equivalent capacitance of the external capacitor 62 in the first electrode and the second electrode; the resistor R0 and the parallel capacitor C0 are together equivalent to the human body model, and the whole constitutes an RC charge and discharge loop. The high-frequency signal generated by the output of the power supply V applies an electric field to the human body in a capacitive manner (repeated charging and discharging), and the electric field inhibits the proliferation of tumor cells by interfering with the mitosis process of tumor cells.

[0054] See also Figure 4 , another tumor electric field therapy system is provided, the power supply V (the power supply V can refer to the power supply V in Chinese patent application 202310284480.8) output is the output of the signal distribution circuit, and the two ends of its output are respectively connected to the electrodes for tumor electric field therapy. The electrodes at this time are the case when the substrate 40 in the previous embodiment is a metal substrate, and the electrodes at this time are the body capacitor 63 and the external capacitor 62 connected in parallel with each other; the resistor R11 and the resistor R12 are respectively equivalent to the impedance of the body capacitor 63 in the first electrode and the second electrode; the capacitors C11 and C21, the capacitors C12 and C22 are equivalent to the first electrode The equivalent capacitance of the two series capacitors (the first capacitor and the second capacitor) of the body capacitor 63 in the middle electrode and the second electrode; the resistor R11' and the capacitor C11', the resistor R12' and the capacitor C12' are respectively equivalent to the impedance and the equivalent capacitance of the external capacitor 62 in the first electrode and the second electrode; the resistor R0 and the parallel capacitor C0 are equivalent to the human body model, and the whole constitutes an RC charge and discharge loop. The high-frequency signal generated by the output of the power supply V applies an electric field to the human body in a capacitive manner (repeated charging and discharging), and the electric field inhibits the proliferation of tumor cells by interfering with the mitosis process of tumor cells.

[0055] Figure 3 , 4Only the case where the two ends of the power supply V output are connected to one electrode (two groups of electrodes, each group of electrodes has one electrode) is shown. It can be understood that the two ends of the power supply V output can also be connected to N electrodes (N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, in this case there are two groups of electrodes, namely the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes, each group of electrodes has N electrodes), for example, through the second connection point 702 of the electrode, each group of electrodes is connected together and then connected to the two ends of the power supply V output, that is, the N electrodes in the first group of electrodes are connected together through the second connection point 702 and then connected to one end of the power supply V output, and the N electrodes in the second group of electrodes are connected together through the second connection point 702 and then connected to the other end of the power supply V output; or, both ends of the electrode power supply V output are connected to the second connection point 702 of each electrode in each group of electrodes, that is, one end of the power supply V output is connected to the second connection point 702 of each electrode in the N electrodes in the first group of electrodes, and the other end of the power supply V output is connected to the second connection point 702 of each electrode in the N electrodes in the second group of electrodes. Accordingly, the lower surface of the emitting electrode layer 20 of each electrode in each group of electrodes is in contact with the skin. When the gel 10 is used, the conductive gel 10 is in direct contact with the skin.

[0056] The above-mentioned tumor electric field treatment system, by connecting an external capacitor in parallel with the main capacitor, adjusts the equivalent capacitance by adjusting the external capacitor 62, thereby increasing the electric field strength at the tumor position and achieving a better tumor inhibition effect.

[0057] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the utility model, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the patent of the utility model. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the utility model, and these all belong to the protection scope of the utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of the utility model patent shall be based on the attached claims.

Claims

1. An electrode for tumor electric field therapy, characterized in that: It includes a main capacitor and an external capacitor connected in parallel with the main capacitor. The external capacitor is replaceably connected to the main capacitor. The size of the external capacitor can be adjusted by replacing the external capacitor, or the external capacitor is a sliding capacitor, and the capacitance of the external capacitor is adjusted by sliding.

2. The electrode for tumor electric field therapy according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main capacitor includes an emitting electrode layer, a first insulating layer arranged on the upper end of the emitting electrode layer, a substrate arranged on the upper end of the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer arranged on the upper end of the substrate, a copper-clad circuit layer arranged on the upper end of the second insulating layer, and a temperature sensor arranged on the upper end of the copper-clad circuit layer. The first end of the external capacitor is electrically connected to the first part of the copper-clad circuit layer, and the second end of the external capacitor is electrically connected to the emitting electrode layer.

3. The electrode for tumor electric field therapy according to claim 2, characterized in that: Two ends of the external capacitor are respectively connected to the first part of the copper-clad circuit layer and the emitting electrode layer through external wires.

4. The electrode for tumor electric field therapy according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first end of the external capacitor is electrically connected to the first part of the copper-clad circuit layer, and also includes at least one conductive via. The second end of the external capacitor is electrically connected to the second part of the copper-clad circuit layer, and the second part of the copper-clad circuit layer is electrically connected to the emitter electrode layer through the at least one conductive via.

5. The electrode for tumor electric field therapy according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a gel layer, and the emitting electrode layer is arranged on the upper end of the gel layer.

6. The electrode for tumor electric field therapy according to claim 2, characterized in that: A silver or silver chloride protective layer is electroplated on the lower end of the emitting electrode layer.

7. The electrode for tumor electric field therapy according to claim 2, characterized in that: Two ends of the temperature sensor are electrically connected to the third portion and the fourth portion of the copper-clad circuit layer respectively.

8. The electrode for tumor electric field therapy according to claim 2, characterized in that: The copper-clad circuit layer is covered with an insulating oil layer.

9. The electrode for tumor electric field therapy according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a potting layer arranged on the surface of the copper-clad circuit layer.

10. The electrode for tumor electric field therapy according to claim 2, characterized in that: The substrate is any one of a metal substrate and a FR-4 board.

11. The electrode for tumor electric field therapy according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first insulating layer and the second insulating layer are either insulating varnish or insulating film.

12. The electrode for tumor electric field therapy according to claim 2, characterized in that: The area of ​​a single electrode is no greater than 20 square centimeters.

13. The electrode for tumor electric field therapy according to claim 2, characterized in that: The thickness of the substrate is greater than the thickness of the emitter electrode layer / the copper-clad circuit layer.

14. A system for tumor electric field therapy, characterized in that: Comprising at least one pair of electrodes according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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