Method and system for transducer array placement and avoidance of skin surface conditions - Patents.com

Abstract

A method for applying a tumor treating electric field includes determining one or more landmarks and one or more skin surface conditions based on two-dimensional (2D) image data related to a portion of a subject's body; determining representations in three-dimensional (3D) space of the one or more landmarks and the one or more skin surface conditions; determining multiple placement positions for one or more transducer arrays on the subject's body for application of the tumor treating electric field based on the representations in 3D space of the one or more landmarks and the one or more skin surface conditions; determining one or more recommended placement positions of the multiple placement positions for the one or more transducer arrays based on the one or more skin surface conditions in 3D space; and outputting an indicator indicating the one or more recommended placement positions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to methods and systems for the placement of transducer arrays and the avoidance of skin surface conditions.

[0002] Cross - reference to related applications This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 487,xxx filed on September 28, 2021 and U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 085,xxx filed on September 30, 2020, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0003] Tumor treatment electric fields (TT fields) are low - intensity alternating electric fields within the intermediate frequency range and can be used to treat tumors as described in U.S. Patent No. 7,565,205. TT fields are non - invasively induced within the region of interest by transducers placed on the patient's body and an AC voltage applied between them. Conventionally, a first pair of transducers and a second pair of transducers are placed on the body of the subject. An AC voltage is applied between the first pair of transducers for a first time interval to generate an electric field whose lines of force generally extend in the front - to - back direction. Then, an AC voltage is applied between the second pair of transducers at the same frequency for a second time interval to generate an electric field whose lines of force generally extend in the left - to - right direction. Then, the system repeats this two - step sequence throughout the treatment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] Note: In the translation of the priority claim part, the "xxx" in the patent application numbers should be the actual numbers in the original patent applications, but they are not provided in the original text, so they are left as placeholders here.One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for determining the placement of transducer arrays on a subject's body for the purpose of applying a tumor-treating electric field. The method includes the steps of: determining one or more landmarks and one or more skin surface conditions based on two-dimensional (2D) image data relating to a part of the subject's body; determining a three-dimensional (3D) representation of the one or more landmarks and one or more skin surface conditions based on the one or more landmarks and one or more skin surface conditions determined from the 2D image data; determining a plurality of placement positions for one or more transducer arrays on the subject's body for the purpose of applying a tumor-treating electric field based on the three-dimensional representations of the one or more landmarks and one or more skin surface conditions; determining one or more recommended placement positions among the plurality of placement positions for one or more transducer arrays based on one or more skin surface conditions in three-dimensional space; and outputting a label indicating one or more recommended placement positions for one or more transducer arrays.

[0006] The above-described embodiments of the present invention are illustrative, and other embodiments and variations of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an example flowchart for determining the placement of a transducer array on a subject's body for the purpose of applying a TT field. [Figure 2] This flowchart shows another example of determining the location of a transducer array on a subject's body for the purpose of applying a TT field. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows another example of determining the location of a transducer array on a subject's body for the purpose of applying a TT field. [Figure 4A]This figure shows an exemplary system for determining the location of a transducer array on a subject's body. [Figure 4B] This figure shows an exemplary system for determining the location of a transducer array on a subject's body. [Figure 4C] This figure shows an exemplary system for determining the location of a transducer array on a subject's body. [Figure 4D] This figure shows an exemplary system for determining the location of a transducer array on a subject's body. [Figure 5A] This figure shows an example of a visual notification regarding the placement of transducer arrays. [Figure 5B] This figure shows an example of a visual notification regarding the placement of transducer arrays. [Figure 5C] This figure shows an example of a visual notification regarding the placement of transducer arrays. [Figure 5D] This figure shows an example of a visual notification regarding the placement of transducer arrays. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a transducer array positioned on the torso of a subject. [Figure 7] This figure shows an exemplary system for determining the location of a transducer array. [Figure 8] This figure shows an illustrative flowchart of a method for determining the location of a transducer array. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] This application describes exemplary methods and systems for determining the location of transducer arrays on a subject's body to avoid and / or prevent skin surface conditions. When TT field therapy is applied, one or more skin surface conditions may occur. For example, if the placement of one or more transducer arrays is not routinely repositioned relative to a part of the patient's body, surface conditions beneath the arrays may occur at the routine placement sites of one or more transducer arrays.

[0009] Figure 1 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 100 for determining the placement of a transducer array on a subject's body for the purpose of applying a TT field. Referring to Figure 1, in step S102, method 100 includes the step of determining one or more landmarks and one or more skin surface conditions based on two-dimensional (2D) image data related to a part of the subject's body. In some examples, the 2D image data may be multiple images acquired by a user device, e.g., a smartphone, mobile device, or computing device. In one example, each image in the multiple images relates to a different favorable location on a part of the subject's body. In some examples, the part of the subject's body is the head. In other examples, the part of the subject's body is the torso. In one embodiment, one or more landmarks and one or more skin surface conditions can be determined automatically through object recognition, machine learning, and / or similar. In another embodiment, one or more landmarks and one or more skin surface conditions can be marked by the user within the user device.

[0010] In one example, one or more landmarks include at least one of anatomical landmarks, stickers, or temporary tattoos. For example, anatomical landmarks may include body locations such as the head, bones / ligaments, joints, and / or facial expression points (e.g., eyes, nose, eyebrows). In another example, one or more skin surface conditions include at least one of skin irritation, skin reaction, scar tissue, surgical site, or medical device implantation area. For example, one or more skin surface conditions under the array may be skin irritation, skin reaction, scar tissue, surgical site, medical device implantation (e.g., Ommaya cistern implantation, cranioplasty implantation, or electrode implantation) area, and / or any other dermatologic occurrence. Skin irritation under the array may be the result of prolonged / extended TT field treatment where the transducer array placement was not routinely repositioned. For example, skin irritation under the array may include skin reactions, excessive sweating, dryness, itching, skin erosions / ulcers, infection, and / or similar.

[0011] In step S104, method 100 includes determining a representation in three-dimensional (3D) space of one or more landmarks and one or more skin surface conditions. The step of determining a representation in three-dimensional space of one or more landmarks and one or more skin surface conditions may include applying a projection matrix to one or more 2D coordinates associated with one or more landmarks and one or more skin surface conditions.

[0012] In step S106, method 100 includes determining a plurality of placement positions of one or more transducer arrays on the subject's body for the application of a TT field, based on a 3D spatial representation of one or more landmarks and one or more skin surface conditions. In one embodiment, the transducer array comprises a plurality of coupled electrodes. In another embodiment, the transducer array comprises a plurality of uncoupled electrodes. In one example, the transducers are a plurality of ceramic discs. In another example, the transducers are polymer films.

[0013] In another embodiment, 3D points and / or 3D coordinates can be generated and / or determined using additional image data related to parts of the subject's body. As an example, the additional image data may include medical imaging data, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) data, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) image data, and / or positron emission tomography (PET) data.

[0014] In step S108, method 100 includes determining one or more recommended placement positions among a plurality of placement positions of one or more transducer arrays based on one or more skin surface conditions in 3D space. In one embodiment, two of the recommended placement positions differ by at least one of the location on the subject's body where one or more transducer arrays are placed, the size of the electrodes of the one or more transducer arrays, the shape of the one or more transducer arrays, or the orientation of the one or more transducer arrays. As an example, two of the recommended placement positions differ by the transducer array being rotated about its center of mass by about 10 degrees to about 20 degrees when compared to each other. As another example, at least one of the recommended placement positions includes cutting out a portion of the bandage of one of the transducer arrays at the recommended placement position. As another example, at least one of the recommended placement positions includes removing an electrode or a portion of an electrode of one of the transducer arrays at the recommended placement position. Examples of these embodiments regarding the recommended placement positions are shown in FIGS. 5A - 5D and are discussed further below.

[0015] In one embodiment, one or more recommended placement positions can be determined based on an overlap with one or more skin surface conditions. In one example, one or more transducer arrays at one or more recommended placement positions do not overlap with one or more skin surface conditions. For example, each electrode of one or more transducer arrays at one or more recommended placement positions does not overlap with one or more skin surface conditions. In another example, at least one electrode of one or more transducer arrays at one or more recommended placement positions partially overlaps with one or more skin surface conditions. In this example, method 100 can further include determining and outputting a percentage of overlap between each of one or more skin surface conditions and one or more transducer arrays at one or more recommended placement positions.

[0016] In another embodiment, one or more recommended placement positions can be further determined based on the power density delivered to a tumor location within the subject's body, calculated for each of a plurality of placement positions. The power density of the TT field can be used to represent the dose of the TT field delivered to a corresponding region of interest, such as a tumor location.

[0017] In one embodiment, method 100 can further include ranking a plurality of placement positions. In some examples, the step of ranking a plurality of placement positions can be based on at least one of the power density delivered to a tumor location within the subject's body, calculated for each placement position, the percentage of overlap between the skin surface condition and the bandage of each transducer array at each placement position, or the percentage of overlap between the skin surface condition and each electrode of each transducer array at each placement position. As an example, based on the ranking of a plurality of placement positions, one or more recommended transducer placement positions can be determined (step S108).

[0018] In step S110, method 100 includes the step of outputting a marker indicating one or more recommended placement positions for one or more transducer arrays. In one embodiment, the markers indicating one or more recommended placement positions are output to a user device. In some embodiments, the markers indicating one or more recommended placement positions, one or more landmarks, and / or one or more skin surface conditions may be displayed (e.g., superimposed, overlaid, etc.) with actual images and / or realistic depictions of the user and / or parts of the user's body.

[0019] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 200 for determining the location of a transducer array on a subject's body for application of a TT field. Referring to Figure 2, in step S202, the method 200 includes receiving a marker indicating one or more potential skin surface conditions on the subject's body based on 2D image data relating to a part of the subject's body. In one embodiment, the one or more potential skin surface conditions may be one or more of the skin surface conditions discussed in step S102.

[0020] In step S204, method 200 includes receiving a label indicating that one or more potential skin surface conditions are associated with one or more skin surface conditions. In one embodiment, the label indicating that one or more potential skin surface conditions are associated with one or more skin surface conditions can be determined based on object recognition.

[0021] In step S206, method 200 includes determining a three-dimensional (3D) representation of one or more skin surface conditions based on the 2D image data received in S202 and the labels determined in step S204 that indicate that one or more potential skin surface conditions are associated with one or more skin surface conditions.

[0022] In step S208, method 200 includes determining one or more recommended locations for a transducer array on a subject's body for application of a TT field, based on a 3D spatial representation of one or more skin surface conditions. In one embodiment, the determination of one or more recommended locations for the transducer array is further based on transducer placement constraints. In one example, the transducer placement constraints limit one or more recommended locations based on the overlap between the transducer array and one or more skin surface conditions. In a specific example, the transducer placement constraints include a threshold for the overlap between the transducer array and one or more skin surface conditions. For example, the transducer placement constraints may require that the overlap between the transducer array and one or more skin surface conditions be 20% or less.

[0023] In step S210, the method includes outputting to a user device one or more recommended locations of the transducer array on the subject's body for the application of the TT field. In one embodiment, the method further includes generating composite data and sending it to the user device. In one example, the composite data includes representations of parts of the subject's body, representations of at least one skin surface condition, and representations of at least one recommended location of the transducer array.

[0024] Figure 3 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 300 for determining the location of a transducer array on a subject's body for application of a TT field. Referring to Figure 3, in step S302, method 300 includes the step of generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a part of the subject's body based on two-dimensional (2D) image data of that part of the subject's body. In one embodiment, the 3D model includes one or more landmarks and one or more skin surface conditions of the subject's body.

[0025] In step S304, method 300 includes the step of determining one or more recommended locations for the transducer array based on the generated 3D model. In one embodiment, one or more recommended locations for the transducer array are determined based on the amount of overlap with one or more skin surface conditions. In some embodiments, the method may further include the step of ranking the transducer array into multiple locations based on the overlap between the transducer array and one or more skin surface conditions. In this example, one or more recommended locations for the transducer array can be generated based on the ranking.

[0026] In step S306, method 300 includes outputting to a user device one or more recommended locations of a transducer array for the purpose of applying a tumor treatment electric field.

[0027] Figures 4A to 4D show an exemplary system for determining the location of the transducer array on the subject's body.

[0028] Figure 4A illustrates an exemplary use of user device 420 for determining and / or capturing 2D image data, which can be used for the placement of transducer arrays and avoidance of skin surface conditions. In Figure 4A, user device 420 can capture multiple 2D images of a portion of user 401's head. User 401's head may include one or more skin surface conditions 402 and 403 consisting of skin irritations. User 401's head may include one or more landmarks and / or tracking points, such as anatomical landmarks and / or visual / artificial landmarks. For example, anatomical landmark 408 may include the bridge of the nose, and anatomical landmark 409 may include the tragus of the ear. Landmark 410 may include an indicator (e.g., a sticker, mark / temporary tattoo, object, etc.) placed on user 401's cheek so that a portion of the user's body can be identified and related to and / or associated with 3D image data (e.g., MRI image data, CT image data, medical image data, etc.) related to the user.

[0029] To facilitate the placement of the transducer array and avoid skin surface conditions, the user device 420 can capture multiple images of user 401. Multiple images can be taken from multiple advantageous locations, viewpoints, and / or similar. For example, the user device 420 can capture images from locations 404, 405, 406, and 407.

[0030] Figure 4B shows an exemplary representation of user 401 in 3D space 422 of Figure 4A, based on image data from user device 420. The 3D avatar 421 can represent user 401. As shown, landmarks 408, 409, and 410, as well as markings indicating skin surface conditions 402 and 403, can also be represented within the 3D avatar 421. In some embodiments, representations and / or markings of landmarks 408, 409, and 410, as well as skin surface conditions 402 and 403, can be displayed (e.g., superimposed, overlaid, etc.) with actual images and / or realistic depictions of the user and / or parts of the user's body.

[0031] Figures 4C and 4D show exemplary representations of surface-based alignment. Using image data of user 401, multiple points 431 (e.g., a dataset) representing the facial skin surface of user 401 can be determined. Surface 432 represents the skin surface extracted from 2D image data associated with user 401. Figure 4C shows the initial positions of the multiple points 431. Figure 4D shows the multiple points 431 after alignment to surface 432. Alignment can be performed, for example, using an iterative nearest point algorithm and / or similar.

[0032] Figures 5A to 5D show examples of visual notifications regarding the placement of transducer arrays.

[0033] Figure 5A shows an exemplary visual notification 530 that can be used for the placement of transducer arrays and the avoidance of skin surface conditions. One or more recommended placement locations for one or more transducer arrays and one or more skin surface conditions 402 and 403 can be displayed to the user. One or more skin surface conditions 402 and 403 can be presented on the user's volumetric representation 500, determined from user-related 2D image data, for example, as a colored mesh and / or using a more realistic texture. One or more recommended placement locations for one or more transducer arrays can be represented by gray circles 501. This notification can visually instruct the user on where to place the transducer arrays in order to 1) avoid one or more skin surface conditions and / or comply with transducer array placement constraints, and 2) receive an optimized electric field applied to a region of interest, such as a tumor site.

[0034] Figures 5B and 5C show exemplary notifications that can be used for the placement of transducer arrays. For example, object recognition can be used to determine the actual placement location of one or more transducer arrays, and the actual placement location can be compared to one or more recommended placement locations for one or more transducer arrays. Based on this comparison, the difference between at least one of the one or more placement locations and at least one of the recommended placement locations can be determined. To eliminate / correct this difference, a notification can be sent to the user device to prompt the user to change the location / position so that one or more transducer arrays are positioned to match one or more recommended placement locations. In the example shown in Figure 5B, a notification is sent to the user device saying, "Move 2 cm in the bottom direction and 1 cm in the face direction." In the example shown in Figure 5C, a notification is sent to the user device saying, "Rotate 15 degrees in the face direction."

[0035] Figure 5D shows a visual notification regarding adjustments to the size or shape of the transducer array, which can be sent to a user device to position the transducer array and avoid skin surface conditions. In the example shown in Figure 5D, the transducer array comprises a bandage 504 and multiple electrodes 505. As an example, the visual notification may include a recommendation to cut off a portion of the bandage 504 (e.g., portion 506A). As another example, the visual notification may include a recommendation to remove an electrode 505 (e.g., cut portion 506B) or a portion of an electrode 505 (e.g., cut portion 506C).

[0036] Figure 6 shows an example of transducer arrays placed on the torso of a subject. In Figure 6, the determination of the placement of transducer arrays 601, 602, 603, and 604 is similar to the process discussed above, for example, in Figures 4A-4D and 5A-5D.

[0037] Figure 7 shows an exemplary system for determining the location of the transducer array. In one embodiment, the components of system 700 can be implemented as a single device. In another embodiment, the components of system 700 can be implemented as separate devices / components that communicate collectively.

[0038] System 700 may include a user device 701. The user device 701 may be an electronic device such as a smartphone, mobile device, computing device, and / or similar that can communicate with the patient assistance module 706. The user device 701 may include an interface module 702. The interface module 702 may provide an interface for the user to interact with the user device 701 and / or the patient assistance module 706. The interface module 702 may include one or more interfaces for presenting to and / or receiving from the user information such as one or more landmarks, one or more skin surface conditions, one or more recommended placement positions for transducer arrays, and / or data / information indicating compliance with placement restrictions for transducer arrays (e.g., 2D data / information, 3D data / information, etc.). The interface module 702 may include one or more audio devices (e.g., stereo, speaker, microphone, etc.) for capturing / acquiring audio information and / or transmitting audio information, such as audio information captured / acquired from and / or transmitted to the user. The interface module 702 may include a graphical user interface (GUI), a web browser (e.g., Internet Explorer®, Mozilla Firefox®, Google Chrome®, Safari®, or similar), or an application / API. The interface module 702 can request and / or query various files from local sources and / or remote sources, such as the patient support module 706.The interface module 702 may include one or more displays (e.g., monitors, liquid crystal displays, organic light-emitting diode displays, active-matrix organic light-emitting diode displays, stereo displays, etc.) for displaying / presenting information to the user, such as images and / or avatars related to the user, image data showing the arrangement of one or more transducer arrays on the user's surface (skin), image data showing areas optimized for the arrangement of one or more transducer arrays on the user's surface (skin) and / or recommended areas, superimposed image data, and / or similar information.

[0039] The user device 701 may include a communication module 704. The communication module 704 can enable the user device 701 to communicate with components of the system 700, such as a patient assistance module 706. The user device 701 may include an imaging module 703. The imaging module 703 may include one or more image capture devices, such as one or more cameras that determine / capture image data (e.g., static / still images, moving / interactive images, videos, etc.). The imaging module 703 can capture image data that provides real-time representations and / or real-world representations of the user (e.g., a patient, subject, etc.), such as real-time representations and / or real-world representations of the user, and / or parts of the user's body (e.g., head, torso, etc.). The user device 701 may include an image processing module 705. The image processing module 705 can process image data received from the imaging module 703 and determine one or more landmarks and / or one or more skin surface conditions from this image data. The image processing module 705 can identify one or more landmarks and one or more skin surface conditions indicated by one or more images among multiple images contained in the image data, using artificial intelligence and / or machine learning (e.g., a trained machine learning model), such as image recognition / object recognition. The image processing module 705 can determine / detect the location of one or more landmarks and one or more skin surface conditions using one or more object recognition algorithms and / or object tracking algorithms.

[0040] The patient support module 706 may include a memory (system) 707. The memory 707 may include one or a combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drives, tapes, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, etc.). Furthermore, the memory 707 may incorporate electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, and / or other types of storage media. In one embodiment, the memory 707 may have a distributed architecture, in which various components are located remotely from one another but can be accessed by the processor 712. The memory 707 may include an EFG configuration application 708, a patient modeling application 710, imaging data 711, and a suitable operating system (O / S) 709. The operating system 709 can essentially control the execution of other computer programs and perform scheduling, input-output control, file and data management, memory management, and communication control and related services.

[0041] The patient assistance module 706 may include a processor 712. The processor 712 may be a hardware device for executing software, particularly software stored in memory 707. The processor 712 may be any custom-made processor or any commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the patient assistance module 706, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chipset), or generally any device for executing software instructions. The patient assistance module 706 may include an I / O interface 713 used to receive user input from one or more devices or components, such as user device 701, and / or to supply system output to one or more devices or components. The I / O interface 713 may include, for example, a serial port, a parallel port, a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), an IR interface, an RF interface, and / or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. A network interface 714 may be used to send and receive data / information from the patient assistance module 706.

[0042] The patient support module 706 may include an image processing module 715. The image processing module 715 can process image data received from a user device 701 (e.g., an imaging module 703). The image processing module 715 can determine one or more landmarks from this image data.

[0043] The patient support module 706 may include an image alignment module 716. The image alignment module 716 can align 3D coordinates related to an anatomical coordinate system (e.g., 3D points converted from image data) to a 3D transducer array layout map. For example, the image alignment module 716 can determine the converted coordinates of various landmarks indicated by the image data to an anatomical coordinate system. The image alignment module 716 can determine that the converted coordinates of various landmarks indicated by the image data (e.g., 3D points converted from image data) correspond to the coordinates of one or more landmarks indicated by the 3D transducer array layout map. The aligned image data can be supplied to a graphics rendering module 717. The graphics rendering module 717 can generate a graphic guide along the aligned image data. The graphic guide may include representations of one or more transducer arrays of the 3D transducer array layout map, shown at a location on the user (e.g., an optimized location) that avoids one or more skin surface conditions (e.g., does not overlap with one or more skin surface conditions). Aligned image data and associated graphic guides can be supplied to the image rendering module 718. The image rendering module 718 can use the aligned image data and associated graphic guides to generate composite data. The composite data may include representations of body parts of the subject, representations of at least one skin surface condition, and representations of at least one recommended location of the transducer array. The avatar mapping and rendering module 719 can send the avatar (e.g., data / information representing the avatar) to the user device 701 for display.

[0044] Figure 8 shows an illustrative flowchart of a method for determining the location of the transducer array. This method allows points in 2D image data related to the patient / subject's body to be converted into points in 3D space.

[0045] In 801, a user device (e.g., a smartphone, mobile device, computing device, etc.) can capture multiple images from various advantageous locations and / or viewpoints of a part of a patient / subject's body that includes one or more landmarks and / or shows one or more skin surface conditions and / or any other skin disease occurrence. The multiple images can capture one or more landmarks and / or one or more skin surface conditions.

[0046] Points and / or coordinates associated with coordinate systems (e.g., 2D coordinate system, 3D coordinate system, etc.) related to multiple images captured by a user device can be converted to 3D points and / or 3D coordinates (if they are not yet 3D points and / or 3D coordinates). For example, object recognition and / or similar can be used to determine / identify one or more anatomical landmarks represented by multiple images. Points and / or coordinates associated with one or more landmarks can be converted to 3D points / 3D coordinates. Identification information (e.g., device identifier, user identifier, user information, etc.) contained in data / information indicating 3D points / 3D coordinates associated with one or more transducer arrays and / or one or more landmarks can also be sent to a computing device and / or system (e.g., patient assistance module 706).

[0047] In 802, computing devices and / or patient assistance systems can use this identification information to identify medical imaging data, such as MRI data, associated with a patient / subject. The MRI data is used to plan TT field therapy / treatment for the patient / subject. The MRI data may include volumetric representations of body parts of the patient / subject. The MRI data may include 3D coordinates. Using object recognition and / or similar methods, anatomical landmarks in the MRI data can be determined that correspond to anatomical landmarks from multiple images. 3D points and / or 3D coordinates associated with anatomical landmarks in the MRI data can be determined that correspond to anatomical landmarks from multiple images.

[0048] In 803, point-based alignment can be performed between anatomical landmarks from multiple images and their corresponding anatomical landmarks in the MRI data. Any method may be used to align 3D points and / or 3D coordinates associated with anatomical landmarks from multiple images to 3D points and / or 3D coordinates associated with anatomical landmarks in the MRI data.

[0049] In 804, based on the alignment of 3D points and / or 3D coordinates related to anatomical landmarks from multiple images to 3D points and / or 3D coordinates related to landmarks in the MRI, all coordinates related to the coordinate system of multiple images captured by the user device can be converted to coordinates of the MRI data. Thus, any object contained in and / or determined / detected from multiple images, such as one or more skin surface conditions, can be represented together with the volume representation of the body part of the patient / subject. One or more skin surface conditions can be represented together with the volume representation of the body part of the patient / subject using coordinates that indicate the actual location / position of one or more skin surface conditions. One or more transducer array placement positions can be determined using coordinates that indicate an optimized (e.g., recommended) transducer array placement position determined from a previous analysis of the MRI data, so as to avoid one or more skin surface conditions and / or any other skin disease occurrences (e.g., not overlapping with one or more skin surface conditions and / or any other skin disease occurrences) and / or comply with transducer array placement constraints. The optimized (e.g., recommended) transducer array placement can be represented (e.g., displayed) along with volume representations of body parts of the patient / subject.

[0050] In 805, the locations / positions where one or more areas of skin irritation exist can be compared to an optimized (e.g., recommended) transducer array placement location that avoids one or more skin surface conditions (e.g., does not overlap with one or more skin surface conditions) and / or conforms to transducer array placement restrictions. For example, one or more skin surface conditions can be displayed (e.g., superimposed, overlaid, etc.) together with the optimized (e.g., recommended) transducer array placement location to indicate avoidance. One or more skin surface conditions can be displayed (e.g., superimposed, overlaid, etc.) together with a representation of a transducer array patch, disk, and / or similar at the optimized (e.g., recommended) transducer array placement location that avoids one or more skin surface conditions (e.g., does not overlap with one or more skin surface conditions) and / or conforms to transducer array placement restrictions. The display may include actual images and / or realistic depictions of the patient / subject and / or parts of the patient / subject's body.

[0051] Numerous modifications, alterations, and changes are possible to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. It is intended that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but rather encompasses the entire scope defined by the following claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 401 User 402,403 Skin surface condition 404,405,406,407 position 408,409 Anatomical landmarks, landmarks 410 Landmarks 420 User Devices 421 3D Avatars 422 3D space 431 points 432 Surface 500 Volume Expressions 501 Gray circle 504 Bandage 505 Electrode 506A part 506B,506C Cutout part 530 Visual Notifications 601, 602, 603, 604 transducer array 700 System 701 User Device 702 Interface Module 703 Imaging Module 704 Communication Module 705 Image Processing Module 706 Patient Support Module 707 Memory (System) 708 EFG Configuration Application 709 Operating Systems (O / S) 710 Patient Modeling Application 711 Imaging data 712 Processors 713 I / O Interfaces 714 Network Interface 715 Image Processing Module 716 Image Alignment Module 717 Graphics Rendering Module 718 Image Rendering Module 719 Avatar Mapping and Rendering Module

Claims

1. 1. A method implemented by a computing device for determining placement locations of a transducer array on a subject's body for application of a tumor treatment electric field, the method comprising: determining a skin surface condition at one or more landmarks and one or more locations based on two-dimensional (2D) image data relating to a body part of the subject; determining a representation in three-dimensional (3D) space of the one or more landmarks and the skin surface condition at the one or more locations based on the one or more landmarks and the skin surface condition at the one or more locations determined from the 2D image data; determining, based on the representation in 3D space of the one or more landmarks and the skin surface condition at the one or more locations and the tumor location, multiple placement locations of one or more transducer arrays on the subject's body for application of tumor treating electric fields; determining recommended placement locations for one or more of the plurality of placement locations for the one or more transducer arrays based on a skin surface condition at the one or more locations in 3D space; outputting an indication of the one or more recommended placement locations of the one or more transducer arrays; A method comprising:

2. Two of the recommended placement locations are: a location on the subject's body at which to place the one or more transducer arrays; the size of the electrodes of the one or more transducer arrays; the shape of said one or more transducer arrays; or Orienting the one or more transducer arrays relative to the subject's body. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nucleotides differ from each other by at least one of:

3. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein two of the suggested placement locations differ when compared to one another by the transducer array being rotated about 10 degrees to about 20 degrees about its center of mass.

4. At least one of the recommended placement locations is cutting away a portion of the bandage of one of the transducer arrays at the recommended placement location; or removing an electrode or a portion of an electrode of one of the transducer arrays at the recommended placement location; 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the location includes at least one of:

5. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more transducer arrays at the one or more recommended placement positions do not overlap with the skin surface condition at the one or more locations.

6. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein each electrode of the one or more transducer arrays at the one or more recommended placement positions does not overlap with the skin surface condition at the one or more locations.

7. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one electrode of the one or more transducer arrays at the one or more recommended placement positions overlaps with the skin surface condition at the one or more locations.

8. Determining and outputting a percentage of overlap between the skin surface condition of the one or more locations and each of the one or more transducer arrays of the one or more recommended placement positions.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

9. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining one or more recommended placement locations is further based on a power density delivered to a tumor location within the subject's body for each of the plurality of placement locations.

10. determining one or more recommended placement locations; for each placement location, the power density delivered to a tumor location within the subject's body; the percentage of overlap between the skin surface condition and the bandage for each transducer array at each placement location; or The percentage of overlap between the skin surface condition and each electrode of each transducer array at each placement location. ranking the plurality of placement locations based on at least one of: determining the one or more recommended placement locations based on the ranking; 10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising:

11. the one or more landmarks include at least one of an anatomical landmark, a sticker, or a temporary tattoo; the skin surface condition of the one or more locations includes at least one of skin irritation, skin reaction, scar tissue, a surgical site, or a medical device placement area; 11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. 1. A method implemented by a computing device for determining a location of a transducer array on a subject's body for application of a tumor treating electric field, the method comprising: receiving an indication indicating a potential skin surface condition of one or more locations on a body of a subject, the potential skin surface condition of the one or more locations being determined based on two-dimensional (2D) image data relating to a portion of the body of the subject; receiving an indication that the potential skin surface condition at the one or more locations is associated with a skin surface condition at the one or more locations; determining a representation in three-dimensional (3D) space of the skin surface condition at the one or more locations based on the 2D image data and the indication that the potential skin surface condition at the one or more locations is associated with the skin surface condition at the one or more locations; determining one or more recommended locations of a transducer array on the subject's body for application of a tumor treating electric field based on the representation in 3D space of the skin surface condition at the one or more locations and the tumor location; outputting the one or more recommended locations of a transducer array on the subject's body for application of a tumor treating electric field; A method comprising:

13. outputting the one or more recommended locations of a transducer array; sending composite data to a user device, the composite data including a representation of the portion of the subject's body, a representation of a skin surface condition at at least one location, and a representation of at least one recommended location of the transducer array.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising:

14. 14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the step of determining one or more recommended locations for a transducer array is further based on transducer placement constraints, the transducer placement constraints limiting the one or more recommended locations based on an overlap between the transducer array and a skin surface condition at the one or more locations.

15. 1. A method implemented by a computing device for determining a location of a transducer array on a subject's body for application of a tumor treating electric field, the method comprising: generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of the part of the subject's body based on two-dimensional (2D) image data of the part of the subject's body, the 3D model including one or more landmarks of the subject's body and a skin surface condition at one or more locations on the subject's body; determining one or more recommended locations for a transducer array based on the 3D model and the tumor location, wherein the one or more recommended locations for a transducer array are determined based on an amount of overlap of the one or more locations with a skin surface condition; outputting the one or more recommended locations of a transducer array for application of a tumor treatment field; A method comprising:

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