Tumor electric field therapy device and electrode pads

Abstract

This application provides a tumor electric field therapy device and electrode pad, including an electrode array. The electrode array includes a plurality of electrode units and a plurality of connecting portions connecting adjacent electrode units. The plurality of electrode units are arranged in multiple rows and columns and include a plurality of peripheral electrode units and a plurality of central electrode units surrounded by the plurality of peripheral electrode units. Adjacent central electrode units are connected to each other through corresponding connecting portions, and each peripheral electrode unit is connected only to its nearest central electrode unit through a corresponding connecting portion. In this tumor electric field therapy device and electrode pad, the peripheral electrode units are connected only to one adjacent central electrode unit, thus providing greater flexibility and allowing for flexible adjustment of the position when the electrode pad is applied to the patient's body surface, avoiding wrinkles at the edges of the electrode pad.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Tumor electric field therapy (TEF) is a tumor treatment method that uses a specialized electric field generator to generate a low-intensity, medium-to-high-frequency, alternating electric field to interfere with the mitotic process of tumor cells. Studies have shown that TGF therapy is highly effective in treating glioblastoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and malignant pleural mesothelioma. The applied electric field can affect the aggregation of microtubules, prevent spindle formation, inhibit mitosis, and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. The TGF device mainly consists of an electric field generator, an adapter, and multiple pairs of electrodes. The electric field generator produces an alternating electrical signal, which is transmitted to the electrode pads via the adapter. The electrode pads are applied in pairs to the skin on opposite sides of the tumor region, and an alternating current signal is applied between each pair of electrodes to non-invasively apply a therapeutic electric field to the tumor region.

[0003] Chinese Utility Model Patent Announcement No. 216536554 discloses an electrode sheet comprising thirteen electrode units, with adjacent electrode units connected to each other by connecting strips. While this arrangement makes the electrode sheet structure more stable, it restricts the degree of freedom of individual electrode units. When the electrode sheet is applied to the chest and abdomen, wrinkles easily form around the electrode units located on the periphery of the electrode sheet because the patient's body surface is not flat, resulting in poor application and affecting the therapeutic effect of tumor electric field.

[0004] Therefore, it is indeed necessary to provide an improved tumor electric field therapy device and electrode pads to overcome the problems existing in the prior art. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides an electrode pad and a tumor electric field therapy device, wherein the electrode pad can avoid wrinkling at the edges when applied.

[0006] Specifically, this application is achieved through the following technical solution: an electrode sheet, including an electrode array, the electrode array including a plurality of electrode units and a plurality of connecting portions connecting adjacent electrode units, the plurality of electrode units being arranged in multiple rows and columns of a plurality of peripheral electrode units and a plurality of central electrode units surrounded by the plurality of peripheral electrode units, adjacent two central electrode units being connected to each other through corresponding connecting portions, and each peripheral electrode unit being connected only to its nearest central electrode unit through corresponding connecting portions.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, two adjacent central electrode units are connected by corresponding connecting portions arranged along the column direction.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral electrode unit is connected only to the corresponding center electrode unit in the same row through the corresponding connecting portion arranged along the row direction, or only to the corresponding center electrode unit in the adjacent row through the corresponding connecting portion arranged obliquely.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode array is further provided with a wiring portion, which extends outward from one of the central electrode units.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode array is arranged in an axially symmetrical manner, and the central electrode unit is located on the axis of symmetry.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode array has thirteen electrode units arranged in five rows and five columns. The first row and the fifth row each have two electrode units, and the middle three rows each have three electrode units. The electrode units in the middle three rows are arranged in three columns, located in the first, third, and fifth columns of the electrode array, respectively. The two electrode units in the first and fifth rows are arranged in two columns, located in the second and fourth columns of the electrode array, respectively. The three electrode units located in the third column and in the middle three rows are the center electrode units, and the other electrode units are the peripheral electrode units.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, each electrode unit is provided with a temperature sensor, the temperature sensor is provided with a ground terminal and a signal terminal, and the electrode array is provided with a plurality of conductive traces connecting each ground terminal and each signal terminal.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode array is further provided with a conductive trace electrically connected to each of the electrode units and used for transmitting AC signals.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode unit is provided with a dielectric element, which is a ceramic sheet or a polymer dielectric layer.

[0015] This application also provides the following technical solution: a tumor electric field therapy device, which includes an electric field generator and several of the aforementioned electrode plates.

[0016] The tumor electric field therapy device and its electrode pads of this application have a peripheral electrode unit connected only to one adjacent central electrode unit, thus having the greatest degree of freedom. The position can be flexibly adjusted when the electrode pads are applied to the patient's body surface, avoiding wrinkles at the edges of the electrode pads.

[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 frame diagram of a tumor electric field therapy device according to one embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the electrode pads of the tumor electric field therapy device according to this application;

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Partial exploded three-dimensional view of the electrode sheet shown;

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A plan view of the electrode array of the electrode sheet shown;

[0022] Figure 5 for Figure 4 An exploded three-dimensional view of the electrode array shown.

[0023] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Wiring diagram of AC signal traces on the front side of the flexible circuit board of the electrode array.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0025] Tumor electric field therapy device 100, electric field generator 10, adapter 20, electrode sheet 30, electrode array 31, electrode unit 310, central electrode unit 310A, peripheral electrode unit 310B, connecting part 311, wiring part 312, gold finger 3121, flexible circuit board 313, main body part 314, conductive pad 3141, grounding pad 3142, signal pad 3143, dielectric element 315, through hole 3151, temperature sensor 316, reinforcing plate 317, conductive trace 318, AC signal trace 318A, backing 32, support 33, through hole 331, adhesive 34. Detailed Implementation

[0026] 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.

[0027] refer to Figure 1As shown, the tumor electric field therapy device 100 includes an electric field generator 10, an adapter 20, and several pairs of electrode pads 30. The adapter 20 electrically connects the electric field generator 10 to each electrode pad 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 pads 30. The pairs of electrode pads 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 to interfere with or prevent the mitosis of the patient's tumor cells, thereby achieving the purpose of treating the tumor.

[0028] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the electrode pad 30 includes an electrode array 31, a backing 32, several support members 33, and several adhesive members 34. The electrode array 31 is adhered to the backing 32 and electrically connected to the adapter 20 via wires (not shown). The electrode array 31 has thirteen electrode units 310 arranged in multiple rows and columns. Support members 33 are provided for each row of electrode units 310 and have several through holes 331, which are then adhered to the backing 32 around each electrode unit 310 in the corresponding row. The support members 33 support and protect the electrode units 310. Adhesive members 34 are also provided for each row of electrode units 310, covering each row of electrode units 310 and the corresponding support member 33. The electrode pad 30 is applied to the patient's body surface with the exposed side of the adhesive member 34 facing the patient. The side of the electrode pad 30 facing the patient is defined as the front, and the opposite side as the back. The backing 32 is a mesh nonwoven fabric with a biocompatible adhesive (not shown) coated on the front side for tightly adhering the backing 32 to the patient's skin. The support 33 is made of foam material. The adhesive 34 is double-sided adhesive, preferably a conductive gel, to keep the skin surface moist and avoid causing skin problems.

[0029] refer to Figure 4 As shown, the thirteen electrode units 310 of the electrode array 31 are arranged in five rows and five columns. The first and fifth rows each have two electrode units 310, and the middle three rows each have three electrode units 310. The electrode units 310 in the middle three rows are arranged in three columns, located in the first, third, and fifth columns of the electrode array 31. The two electrode units 310 in the first and fifth rows are arranged in two columns, located in the second and fourth columns of the electrode array 31. The electrode units 310 located in the middle of the electrode array 31 are defined as the central electrode units 310A, which includes the three electrode units 310 located in the third column (also called the central column) and in the middle three rows of the electrode array 31. The other electrode units 310 are located on the periphery of the electrode array 31 and are defined as peripheral electrode units 310B. All peripheral electrode units 310B surround all central electrode units 310A.

[0030] The electrode array 31 also includes several connecting portions 311 that connect adjacent electrode units 310. The connecting portions 311 structurally connect the electrode array 31 into a whole, while also meeting the wiring requirements of each electrode unit 310 to ensure that each electrode unit 310 can transmit corresponding electrical signals. The connecting portions 311 make the electrode array 31 as a whole have an axially symmetrical fishbone shape, where the middle column is the axis of symmetry and its main trunk, and the other columns are branches extending laterally from the main trunk. That is, the three central electrode units 310A in the third column are interconnected, and each peripheral electrode unit 310B is only connected to its nearest corresponding central electrode unit 310A. This arrangement reduces the constraint of the connecting portions 311 on each peripheral electrode unit 310B, giving each peripheral electrode unit 310B greater freedom and preventing wrinkles around it during application. To further improve the freedom of each peripheral electrode unit 310B, the backing 32 can also selectively groove along the branches of the electrode array 31.

[0031] Specifically, three central electrode units 310A are located in the second, third, and fourth rows and in the third column of the electrode array 31, respectively, and are connected along the column direction through corresponding connecting parts 311, forming the backbone of the electrode array 31 on the axis of symmetry of the electrode array 31; the peripheral electrode unit 310B located in the first row is connected to the central electrode unit 310A located in the second row through corresponding connecting parts 311 arranged in an oblique direction, the peripheral electrode unit 310B located in the second row is connected to the central electrode unit 310A located in the second row through corresponding connecting parts 311 arranged in the row direction, the peripheral electrode unit 310B located in the third row is connected to the central electrode unit 310A located in the third row through corresponding connecting parts 311 arranged in the row direction, the peripheral electrode unit 310B located in the fourth row is also connected to the central electrode unit 310A located in the fourth row through corresponding connecting parts 311 arranged in the row direction, and the peripheral electrode unit 310B located in the fifth row is connected to the central electrode unit 310A located in the fourth row through corresponding connecting parts 311 arranged in an oblique direction. In addition, the electrode array 31 does not have any other unnecessary connecting parts 311. The electrode units 310 of the electrode array 31 are connected to each other through a minimal number of connecting parts 311, and each peripheral electrode unit 310B is only connected to one corresponding central electrode unit 310A. The peripheral electrode units 310B are not connected to each other. This provides greater freedom of movement, facilitates flexible movement during application, and avoids wrinkles around the application site.

[0032] The electrode array 31 also includes a wiring section 312, which is located on the central axis of the electrode array 31, i.e. the main trunk. It extends outward from the central electrode unit 310A located in the fourth row along the column direction. The front and back sides of the wiring section 312 are respectively provided with a plurality of gold fingers 3121 for electrical connection with wires (not shown).

[0033] refer to Figure 5 As shown, the electrode array 31 includes several main body portions 314 corresponding to each electrode unit 310. Connecting portions 311 connect adjacent main body portions 314. The main body portions 314, connecting portions 311, and the aforementioned wiring portions 312 together constitute the flexible circuit board 313 of the electrode array 31. The electrode array 31 also includes several dielectric elements 315, several temperature sensors 316, and several reinforcing plates 317. The dielectric elements 315 are disposed on the front side of the main body portions 314 in a one-to-one correspondence manner, with a through hole 3151 at the center of each dielectric element 315. The temperature sensors 316 are disposed on the front side of the main body portions 314 in a one-to-one correspondence manner and located within the through holes 3151 of the dielectric elements 315. Each reinforcing plate 317 is disposed on the back side of the main body portion 314 in a one-to-one correspondence manner. The dielectric elements 315, main body portions 314, temperature sensors 316, and reinforcing plates 317 are arranged in a centrally overlapping manner, together constituting the corresponding electrode unit 310. In this embodiment, the dielectric element 315 is a ceramic sheet. The dielectric element 315 can also be in other forms, such as a polymer dielectric layer with high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss made of a thin film material with non-fixed crystal orientation, high flexibility and high toughness. It can be formed on the main body 314 by vapor deposition, sputtering or ion plating vapor deposition, printing, spraying or casting. In addition, the reinforcing plate 317 is optional.

[0034] refer to Figure 6 As shown, the flexible circuit board 313 has several conductive traces 318 on its front and back sides. The conductive trace 318 on the front side is primarily an AC signal trace 318A. The main body 314 also has a conductive pad 3141 electrically connected to the corresponding dielectric element 315 on its front side. One of the gold fingers 3121 on the wiring section 312 is used to transmit AC signals. The AC signal trace 318A extends from this gold finger 3121 along each connection section 311 to each main body 314 and is electrically connected to the conductive pad 3141 of the main body 314 to transmit AC signals to each electrode unit 310. Each connection section 311 has two parallel segments of the AC signal trace 318A to ensure the stability of the AC signal transmission.

[0035] In this embodiment, each main body 314 is equipped with a temperature sensor 316 to detect the temperature of each electrode unit 310, enabling accurate temperature measurement and preventing low-temperature burns to the patient's skin. Each main body 314 has a grounding pad 3142 and a signal pad 3143 at the center of the conductive disk 3141. The temperature sensor 316 has a grounding terminal (not shown) and a signal terminal (not shown). The grounding pad 3142 is soldered to the grounding terminal (not shown), and the signal pad 3143 is soldered to the signal terminal (not shown).

[0036] The conductive traces 318 located on the back of the flexible circuit board 313 also include several ground traces (not shown) and several signal traces (not shown). The ground traces (not shown) extend from the corresponding gold fingers 3121 along the corresponding connection portions 311 to the ground pads 3142 on the corresponding one or more main body portions 314, so as to electrically connect with the ground terminal (not shown) of the corresponding temperature sensor 316, for grounding the ground terminal (not shown) of the corresponding temperature sensor 316; the signal traces (not shown) extend from the corresponding gold fingers 3121 along the corresponding connection portions 311 to the signal pads 3143 on the corresponding one or more main body portions 314, so as to electrically connect with the temperature measuring terminal (not shown) of the corresponding temperature sensor 316, for transmitting temperature detection signals to the corresponding temperature sensor 316.

[0037] 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 sheet comprising an electrode array, the electrode array including a plurality of electrode units and a plurality of connecting portions connecting adjacent electrode units, characterized in that: The electrode units are arranged in multiple rows and columns and include a number of peripheral electrode units and a number of central electrode units surrounded by the peripheral electrode units. Adjacent central electrode units are connected to each other through corresponding connecting parts. Each peripheral electrode unit is connected to its nearest central electrode unit through a corresponding connecting part.

2. The electrode sheet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two adjacent center electrode units are connected by the corresponding connecting portions arranged along the column direction.

3. The electrode sheet according to claim 2, characterized in that: The peripheral electrode unit is connected only to the corresponding center electrode unit in the same row through the corresponding connecting part arranged along the row direction, or only to the corresponding center electrode unit in the adjacent row through the corresponding connecting part arranged diagonally.

4. The electrode sheet according to claim 3, characterized in that: The electrode array is further provided with a wiring section that extends outward from one of the central electrode units.

5. The electrode sheet according to claim 4, characterized in that: The electrode array is arranged in an axisymmetric manner, and the central electrode unit is located on the axis of symmetry.

6. The electrode sheet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode array has thirteen electrode units arranged in five rows and five columns. The first and fifth rows each have two electrode units, and the middle three rows each have three electrode units. The electrode units in the middle three rows are arranged in three columns, located in the first, third, and fifth columns of the electrode array, respectively. The two electrode units in the first and fifth rows are arranged in two columns, located in the second and fourth columns of the electrode array, respectively. The three electrode units located in the third column and in the middle three rows are the center electrode units, and the other electrode units are the peripheral electrode units.

7. The electrode sheet according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the electrode units is provided with a temperature sensor, the temperature sensor is provided with a ground terminal and a signal terminal, and the electrode array is provided with a plurality of conductive traces connecting each ground terminal and each signal terminal.

8. The electrode sheet according to claim 7, characterized in that: The electrode array is further provided with a conductive trace that is electrically connected to each of the electrode units and is used to transmit alternating current signals.

9. The electrode sheet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode unit is provided with a dielectric element, which is a ceramic sheet or a polymer dielectric layer.

10. A tumor electric field therapy device, characterized in that: It includes an electric field generator and several electrode plates as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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