Method and device for administering an alternating electric field to target tissue - Patent Application 20070122997

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for determining transducer positions for applying a tumor treating electric field to target tissue in a subject, the method comprising: obtaining a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of a subject having target tissue in one of the subject's lungs; determining a first location on the model (anterior to the thorax) for placing a first transducer; determining a second location on the model (posterior to the thorax) for placing a second transducer, wherein the subject's lung is located between the first and second transducers; determining a third location on the model (torso) for placing a third transducer; determining a fourth location on the model (torso) for placing a fourth transducer; and outputting the first, second, third, and fourth representations of the subject.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 416,152, filed October 14, 2022, and U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 379,504, filed October 12, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. [Background technology]

[0002] Tumor treating fields (TT fields) are low-intensity alternating current electric fields in the mid-frequency range (e.g., 50 kHz to 1 MHz) that can be used in the treatment of tumors, as described in U.S. Patent No. 7,565,205. TT fields are noninvasively induced in a region of interest by placing transducers on the patient's body and applying an alternating current (AC) voltage between the transducers. Conventionally, a first pair of transducers and a second pair of transducers are placed on the subject's body. An AC voltage is applied between the first pair of transducers for a first time interval, creating an electric field with field lines running generally in the anterior-posterior direction. Next, an AC voltage at the same frequency is applied between the second pair of transducers for a second time interval, creating an electric field with field lines running generally in the lateral direction. The system then repeats this two-step sequence throughout the treatment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0003] [Figure 1] 1 shows a flowchart illustrating an example of a computer-implemented method for determining transducer positions for applying a TT electric field to target tissue in a subject's body. [Figure 2] 1 shows a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for applying a TT electric field to a subject's body. [Figure 3A] Two example transducer layouts are shown for applying TT electric fields to the subject's body. [Figure 3B] Two example transducer layouts are shown for applying TT electric fields to the subject's body. [Figure 3C] Two example transducer layouts are shown for applying TT electric fields to the subject's body. [Figure 4A] Three example transducer layouts are shown for applying TT electric fields to the subject's body, targeting one lung. [Figure 4B] Three example transducer layouts are shown for applying TT electric fields to the subject's body, targeting one lung. [Figure 4C] Three example transducer layouts are shown for applying TT electric fields to the subject's body, targeting one lung. [Figure 5A] 1 shows examples of average magnetic field strength in the lungs obtained from various transducer layouts. [Figure 5B] 1 shows examples of average magnetic field strength in the lungs obtained from various transducer layouts. [Figure 5C] 1 shows examples of average magnetic field strength in the lungs obtained from various transducer layouts. [Figure 5D] 1 shows examples of average magnetic field strength in the lungs obtained from various transducer layouts. [Figure 5E] 1 shows examples of average magnetic field strength in the lungs obtained from various transducer layouts. [Figure 6] 1 shows an example of a device for applying an alternating electric field to a subject's body. [Figure 7A] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example of a transducer design for applying an alternating electric field. [Figure 7B] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example of a transducer design for applying an alternating electric field. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates an example of a computer device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This application describes exemplary methods and systems for determining transducer positions for applying an alternating electric field (e.g., a tumor treatment electric field (TT field)) to target tissue in a subject's body and for applying the alternating electric field to the subject's body.

[0005] As realized by the present inventors, when administering TT electric field treatment to a subject, the goal may be to focus maximum energy on the tumor. However, a subject with lung cancer may have tumors in both or only one lung. Furthermore, a subject with lung cancer or other cancer may have chemotherapy ports, shunts, sensitive scarring (e.g., from surgery or radiation therapy), or anatomical areas (e.g., ears or nipples) that should be avoided. When administering TT electric field treatment to a subject, the goal may be to avoid such areas when placing transducers on the subject. While exploring ways to solve these problems, the present inventors discovered that a specific layout of transducers for administering TT electric fields may be more beneficial for subjects with tumors in one lung rather than both lungs, and / or for subjects with specific areas that should be avoided when placing transducers on the subject. The present inventors discovered that by placing at least two pairs of transducers at specific locations on the subject's body, increased TT electric field energy may be delivered to the target tissue (e.g., a tumor). As an example, if a subject has a tumor in one lung but not both, the present invention may be used to focus the TT field on one lung, thereby delivering increased TT field energy to the tumor. Furthermore, by using computer simulations to determine the effects of various transducers and their locations, the inventors have discovered that avoiding certain areas of the subject may be part of the subject's TT field treatment plan.

[0006] FIG. 1 shows a flowchart illustrating an example of a computer-implemented method for determining transducer positions for applying a TT electric field to target tissue in a subject's body. Certain steps of method 100 are described as computer-implemented steps. The computer may be any device including, for example, one or more processors and memory accessible by the one or more processors, where the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computer to perform the relevant steps of method 100. Method 100 may be implemented by any suitable system or apparatus, such as the system of FIG. 8. While FIG. 1 shows an order of operations for illustrative purposes, the timing and order of such operations may be changed, where appropriate, without negating the objectives and advantages of the embodiments described in detail herein.

[0007] Referring to FIG. 1 , at step 102, method 100 may include acquiring a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of a subject's body. The three-dimensional model may be acquired from computer memory, either locally or over a network. The three-dimensional model may be generated based on one or more images of the subject's region of interest. In some embodiments, the one or more images are medical images. The medical images may include, for example, at least one of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, computed tomography (CT) images, x-ray images, ultrasound images, nuclear medicine images, positron emission tomography (PET) images, arthrography images, myelography images, or any image of the subject's body that provides an internal view of the subject's body. Each medical image may include an outline of a portion of the subject's body and an area of ​​the subject's body that corresponds to the region of interest (e.g., a tumor). As an example, the medical images may be three-dimensional (3D) MRI images. As another example, the three-dimensional model may be a computational phantom designed to mimic a real subject.

[0008] In some embodiments, a portion of the subject's body comprises a target tissue. The target tissue can comprise a cancer, a tumor, a lung, a brain, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, one lung of the subject comprises the target tissue.

[0009] At step 104, method 100 may include determining a first location on the three-dimensional model for placing a first transducer. In some embodiments, the first location may be the anterior portion of the subject's thorax. As an example, the thorax of the subject's body may be the region of the subject between the subject's neck and abdomen. As an example, the thorax of the subject's body may be the cavity of the subject's body that contains the subject's heart and lungs.

[0010] At step 106, method 100 may include determining a second location on the three-dimensional model for placing a second transducer. In some embodiments, the second location may be behind the thorax of the subject's body.

[0011] In some embodiments, one lung of the subject may be positioned between the first transducer and the second transducer. In some embodiments, the first and second transducers may form a first pair of transducers for administering a TT electric field to the subject. In some embodiments, the first and second transducers may be capacitively coupled. In some embodiments, the first and second transducers may not be capacitively coupled.

[0012] At step 108, method 100 may include determining a third location on the three-dimensional model for placing a third transducer. In some embodiments, the third location may be on the subject's body torso. As an example, the subject's body torso may be the region of the subject's body from the subject's neck to the groin. As an example, the subject's body torso may be the subject's body excluding the subject's head and extremities.

[0013] At step 110, method 100 may include determining a fourth location on the three-dimensional model for placing a fourth transducer. In some embodiments, the fourth location may be on the torso of the subject's body. In some embodiments, the first and second locations may not overlap with the third or fourth locations.

[0014] For example, the third location may be located under the subject's left armpit, and the fourth location may be located under the subject's right armpit. For example, the third location may be located on the front of the subject's body's thorax, and the fourth location may be located under the subject's armpit, where the third location does not overlap with the first location. For example, the third location may be located on the back of the subject's body's thorax, and the fourth location may be located under the subject's armpit, where the third location does not overlap with the second location.

[0015] The third and fourth transducers may form a second pair of transducers for administering a TT electric field to the subject. The third and fourth transducers may be capacitively coupled. Alternatively, the third and fourth transducers may not be capacitively coupled.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first and second transducers of the first pair of transducers may have the same number of electrode elements and the same shape. The third and fourth transducers of the second pair of transducers may have the same number of electrode elements and the same shape. The first and second transducers may have at least one of a different number of electrode elements and a different shape than the third and fourth transducers. As an example, the first and second transducers may each have 20 electrode elements, and the third and fourth transducers may each have 13 electrode elements. As an example, the first and second transducers may each have a substantially elliptical shape, and the third and fourth transducers may each have a substantially circular shape. Other combinations of numbers and shapes of electrode elements may be used.

[0017] The transducers and their locations determined in steps 104, 106, 108, and 110 may be determined automatically and / or based on user input. In some embodiments, one or more transducer placement locations (e.g., transducers and their locations) may be determined based on a region of interest in the subject's body, for example, corresponding to a target tissue (e.g., a tumor in one lung). As an example, the one or more transducer placement locations may be aimed at maximizing the TT field dose delivered to the region of interest in the subject's body.

[0018] In step 112, method 100 may include simulating the administration of a TT field to the subject using a three-dimensional model of the subject, a first transducer at a first location, a second transducer at a second location, a third transducer at a third location, and a fourth transducer at a fourth location, and determining a TT field dose to be administered to the target tissue based on the simulation results. These calculations in step 112 may involve solving complex algorithms using a large data set of the three-dimensional model of the subject and therefore require the use of a computer device because the human brain cannot perform the necessary calculations. If the determined TT field dose is sufficient, the transducer layout may be recommended for use on the subject and provided as an output in step 114.

[0019] In some embodiments, in situations where at least one of the third and fourth transducers is smaller in size and / or different in shape than the first and second transducers, the placement of the third and fourth transducers on the subject may avoid certain areas of the subject, such as avoiding chemotherapy ports, shunts, sensitive scars (e.g., from surgery or radiation therapy), or avoidable anatomical areas of the subject (e.g., ears or nipples). In this manner, avoiding certain areas of the subject by using method 100 to determine the effects of various transducers and their locations may be part of a TT electric field treatment plan for the subject.

[0020] At step 114, method 100 may include outputting a representation of the first, second, third, and fourth positions and / or transducers on the subject's body. As an example, a display may be used to show the representation of the first, second, third, and fourth positions and / or transducers on the subject's body. As an example, text may be used to show the representation of the first, second, third, and fourth positions and / or transducers on the subject's body.

[0021] Once the transducers are positioned based on the positions determined according to method 100, the transducers may induce alternating electric fields (e.g., TT electric fields). By way of example, the first and second transducers may generate a first alternating electric field, and the third and fourth transducers may generate a second alternating electric field. In some embodiments, when the first and second alternating electric fields are induced, one lung of a subject with a tumor may have a higher average electric field strength than the other lung of the subject.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a flowchart illustrating an example method 200 of applying a TT electric field to a subject's body. Certain steps of method 200 are described as computer-implemented steps. The computer may be any device including, for example, one or more processors and memory accessible by the one or more processors, where the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computer to perform the relevant steps of method 100. Method 200 may be performed by any suitable system or apparatus, such as the system of FIG. 6 and / or the apparatus of FIG. 8. While an order of operations is shown in FIG. 2 for illustrative purposes, the timing and order of such operations may be changed, where appropriate, without negating the objectives and advantages of the embodiments described in detail herein.

[0023] 2, the method 200 may include placing a first transducer at a first location on the subject's body at step 202. In some embodiments, the first location may be the anterior portion of the subject's thorax.

[0024] At step 204, method 200 may include placing a second transducer at a second location on the subject's body. In some embodiments, the second location may be at the back of the thorax of the subject's body. In some embodiments, one lung of the subject may be located between the first transducer and the second transducer.

[0025] At step 206, the method 200 may include placing a third transducer at a third location on the subject's body. In some embodiments, the third location may be on the torso of the subject's body.

[0026] At step 208, the method 200 may include placing a fourth transducer at a fourth location on the subject's body. In some embodiments, the fourth location may be on the torso of the subject's body.

[0027] For example, the third location may be located under the subject's left armpit, and the fourth location may be located under the subject's right armpit. For example, the third location may be located on the front of the subject's body's thorax, and the fourth location may be located under the subject's armpit, where the third location does not overlap with the first location. For example, the third location may be located on the back of the subject's body's thorax, and the fourth location may be located under the subject's armpit, where the third location does not overlap with the second location.

[0028] At step 210, the method 200 may include inducing a first electric field between at least a portion of the first transducer and at least a portion of the second transducer by applying an AC voltage between the first pair of transducers.

[0029] In step 212, method 200 may include inducing a second electric field between at least a portion of the third transducer and at least a portion of the fourth transducer by applying an AC voltage between the first pair of transducers. The flow cycles between steps 210 and 212 to generate the AC electric field for a specific duration and at specific intervals depending on the determined TT electric field dose.

[0030] For example, an alternating current electric field (e.g., a TT electric field) may be applied to a target tissue (e.g., a lung tumor or cancer), cell, or portion of a subject. In some embodiments, the alternating current electric field may be applied with predetermined parameters. By way of example, the alternating current electric field may include a frequency within a frequency range of about 50 kHz to about 1 MHz. By way of example, the alternating current electric field may include a frequency within a frequency range of about 50 kHz to about 10,000 kHz. By way of example, the frequency of the alternating current electric field may be about 50 kHz to about 1000 kHz or about 100 kHz to about 300 kHz. By way of example, the frequency of the alternating current electric field may be about 100 kHz, about 150 kHz, about 200 kHz, about 250 kHz, or about 300 kHz.

[0031] By way of example, the AC electric field (e.g., a TT electric field) may have an intensity within a range of about 1 V / cm to about 10 V / cm. By way of example, the intensity of the AC electric field may be between about 1 V / cm and about 4 V / cm. Other possible exemplary parameters of the AC electric field may include, among other parameters, an active time, a dimming time, and a duty cycle (all of which may be measured, for example, in milliseconds). The parameters may be modified based on the subject's condition (e.g., the size of the target tissue, the type of tumor, or the subject's age or gender) or the purpose of treatment. By way of example, the intensity of the AC electric field may be between about 1 V / cm and about 4 V / cm, and the frequency of the AC electric field may be between about 150 kHz and about 250 kHz to treat tumors / cancer cells. In some embodiments, the AC electric field may be applied using two pairs of transducer arrays positioned on the subject and directed toward the subject's target tissue (e.g., a tumor).

[0032] In some embodiments, when the first and second electric fields are induced, one lung of the subject may have a higher average electric field strength than the other lung of the subject, hi some embodiments, the one lung may have an average electric field strength of at least 1.0 V / cm when the alternating electric field is applied.

[0033] Various combinations of transducer pairs as discussed herein, or similar pairs of transducers, may be used together. Various locations of transducers as discussed herein, or other locations, may be used. Transducers may be used in a single pair of transducers or in two or more pairs of transducers. Transducers may be split to be used in a single pair of transducers or in two or more pairs of transducers. The transducers, transducer locations, transducer pairs, and two or more pairs of transducers discussed herein are not exhaustive.

[0034] Experimental results TT electric fields may be considered a novel antimicrobial therapy that utilizes low-intensity alternating current electric fields to halt cell growth. They may be delivered using two pairs of transducers placed on the subject's skin. The distribution of the TT electric field is determined by the electrical properties of the tissue, the subject's geometry, and the system's geometry. Therefore, the location of the transducers on the subject's body can significantly affect the TT electric field dose the subject may receive. Transducer layout may be determined according to clinical guidelines for thoracic disease, taking into account the patient's size. However, actual placement of the transducers can be challenging. Lung cancer patients often also have shunts that may overlap with the array location. Furthermore, areas of skin damage from surgery or radiation therapy may prevent array placement in those areas, ultimately resulting in an unexpected magnetic field distribution. Thus, as discovered by the inventors, exemplary methods and devices may be used to apply AC electric fields to target tissues in a subject's body and to determine the location of transducers for applying AC electric fields to the subject's body to treat one or more cancers / tumors located within the subject's body.

[0035] Using Sim4Life V6.2 (ZMT Zurich), we simulated the electric field distribution in a healthy human model (Duke, from the ITI Foundation, Zurich). Dirichlet boundary conditions were applied to surfaces of different sizes (25% to 121% of the area of ​​the actual transducer used in the thorax) that contacted the model's skin. The surfaces were positioned in different locations: above the clavicle, above the heart, and below the lungs, with their lower edges aligned with the diaphragm. The magnetic field distribution within the lungs obtained from each surface configuration was then analyzed and compared with that from a surface approximately the same size as the actual transducer. Furthermore, the resistance of the model was analyzed in each case to determine its effect on actual current delivery during treatment.

[0036] We evaluated the delivery of TT electric fields to the lung by placing arrays consisting of 13 or 20 ceramic disks on the skin of a realistic human computational phantom. We then simulated the TT electric field distribution using Sim4Life v6.0 software. Five layouts were evaluated. First, Figures 3A–3C show two example transducer layouts for applying TT electric fields to the subject's body. In the two guideline-recommended layouts (Figures 3A–3C), four arrays were placed in the anterior and posterior directions of the thorax and connected in a cross shape (i.e., left posterior and right anterior, and vice versa), creating a nearly diagonal electric field within the body. Figures 3A–3C show the transducer layouts used for lung cancer treatment in a male patient. Figure 3A shows a first diagonal transducer layout (two pairs with 20 transducer discs), Figure 3B shows a second diagonal transducer layout (each pair with 20 transducer discs on the back and 13 transducer discs on the front), and Figure 3C shows front and back views of two transducer positions (e.g., the first and second transducer pairs).

[0037] Next, Figures 4A-4C show three example transducer layouts for applying TT electric fields to a subject's body while targeting one lung. In some embodiments, in the three single-lung transducer layouts (Figures 4A-4C), the channels are centered on the right lung (anterior and lateral channels), with two transducers placed under each armpit, or one transducer placed in the anterior or posterior part of the left lung and the other in the right armpit. A current of 4.0 A was applied to the channel with a 20-disc transducer array, while a current of 2.6 A was applied to the channel with at least one 13-disc transducer array. For each layout, the average magnetic field strength delivered to each lung was calculated. Figures 4A-4C show transducer layouts positioned to target the right lung. For this example, each transducer contains two 20-disc transducer arrays positioned above the right lung. In Figure 4A, the second channel includes two 13-disc transducer arrays, one under each armpit. In Figures 4B and 4C, the second channel includes a first 13-disc transducer array under the right armpit and a second 13-disc transducer array over the dorsal (Figure 4B) or anterior (Figure 4C) of the left lung.

[0038] The lung region with peak magnetic field strength varied with transducer position and generally remained around the centerline connecting the transducers. While therapeutic levels could be achieved outside this region, field strength tended to decrease with increasing distance from the transducer. Resistance analysis showed sensitivity to transducer size, with resistance increasing up to 2.5-fold from baseline size. However, transducer position had little effect on resistance, with a maximum span of 5 Ω for a resistance of 45 Ω (for the smallest transducer). The vertical location of the high-field-strength region varied with the vertical position of the transducer relative to the lung. This localized effect decreased with increasing transducer size. However, even with relatively small transducers, therapeutic TT electric fields can be achieved across most of the lung, regardless of the vertical position of the transducer.

[0039] Figures 5A-5E show examples of average field strength in the lungs obtained from various layouts. As can be seen from Figures 5A and 5B, which correspond to the transducer layouts of Figures 3A and 3B, respectively, these transducer layouts provide better and more comprehensive coverage of both lungs. In contrast, as can be seen from Figures 5C, 5D, and 5E, which correspond to the transducer layouts of Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C, respectively, these transducer layouts are focused on the target (right) lung, covering the lower part of the right lung and providing lower values ​​for the upper part of the right lung and the entire left lung. In terms of local minimum power density (LMiPD), the guideline-recommended transducer layout (Figure 3A) provides 0.83 mW / cm for both lungs. 3 However, the transducer layout of the present invention (Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C) provided 0.62–0.81 mW / cm to the right and left lungs, respectively. 3 and 0.22-0.27mW / cm 3 Provided.

[0040] Table 1 below shows the simulation results for the average field strength for each of the five transducer layouts shown in Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, and 4C, as well as Figures 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E. For the guideline-recommended transducer layout (Figure 3A), the average field strength obtained from the recommended layout was 1.69 V / cm for each lung. For the transducer layout of the present invention (Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C), voltages ranging from 1.60 V / cm to 1.69 V / cm were applied to the right lung and 0.88 V / cm to 0.99 V / cm to the left lung. The field strengths were locally averaged across the two channels of each transducer layout to yield the values ​​in Table 1.

[0041] [Table 1]

[0042] The disclosed results demonstrate that lung magnetic field strength is sensitive to array location. The magnitude of this sensitivity depends on the size of the array. The nose of a smaller array in the armpit may limit the expected output current from the device. Furthermore, placement of a smaller array may prevent the field strength from adequately covering the mediastinal periphery. However, if a tumor is present in one lung of a subject, some embodiments of a transducer layout for administering TT fields may be more beneficial because they focus the TT field energy on one lung rather than both lungs. Furthermore, smaller transducers not only provide a similar amount of TT field therapy as single-lung energy, but also provide the ability to avoid certain areas (e.g., chemotherapy ports, shunts, sensitive scarring (e.g., from surgery or radiation therapy), or anatomical sites that should be avoided (e.g., ears or nipples)) when placing smaller transducers on a subject.

[0043] Exemplary Apparatus 6 shows an exemplary device for applying an AC electric field (e.g., a TT electric field) to a subject's body. A first transducer array 601 includes 13 electrode elements 603 disposed on a substrate 604, the electrode elements 603 being electrically and mechanically connected to one another by conductive wiring 609. A second transducer array 602 includes 13 electrode elements 605 disposed on a substrate 606, the electrode elements 605 being electrically and mechanically connected to one another by conductive wiring 610. The first transducer array 601 and the second transducer array 602 are connected to an AC voltage generator 607 and a controller 608. The controller 608 may include one or more processors and memory accessible by the one or more processors. The memory may store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, control the AC voltage generator 607 to implement one or more embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the AC voltage generator 607 and the controller 608 may be integrated with the first transducer array 601 and the second transducer array 602 to form a first electric field generator and a second electric field generator.

[0044] The structure of the transducer can take many forms. The transducer may be fixed to the subject's body or attached to or incorporated into clothing covering the subject's body. The transducer may comprise any suitable material for attaching the transducer to the subject's body. For example, suitable materials may include fabric, foam, flexible plastic, and / or conductive medical gel. The transducer may be conductive or non-conductive.

[0045] The transducer may include any desired number of electrode elements. The electrode elements may be of various shapes, sizes, and materials. Any structure for implementing a transducer (or electric field generator) for use with embodiments of the present invention may be used as long as it (a) delivers a TT electric field to the subject's body and (b) is capable of being positioned as specified herein. In some embodiments, at least one electrode element of the first, second, third, or fourth transducer may include at least one ceramic disk adapted to generate an AC electric field. In a non-limiting embodiment, at least one electrode element of the first, second, third, or fourth transducer may include a polymer film adapted to generate an AC electric field. In some embodiments, the disclosed system may have four or more transducers.

[0046] 7A shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary design of a transducer for applying an AC electric field. The transducer array 701 includes 20 electrode elements 702 disposed on a substrate 703, with the electrode elements 702 electrically and mechanically connected to each other by conductive traces 704. In some embodiments, the electrode elements 702 may include ceramic discs.

[0047] FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary design of a transducer for applying an alternating electric field. The transducer 705 can include substantially planar electrode elements 706. In some embodiments, the electrode elements 706 are non-ceramic dielectric materials disposed over planar conductors. Examples of non-ceramic dielectric materials disposed over planar conductors can include polymer films disposed over pads on a printed circuit board or over flat metal pieces. In some embodiments, such polymer films have a high dielectric constant, e.g., a dielectric constant greater than 10. In some embodiments, the electrode elements 706 can have various shapes. For example, the electrode elements can be triangular, rectangular, circular, oval, elliptical, oval, or elliptical in shape, or substantially triangular, substantially rectangular, substantially circular, substantially oval, substantially elliptical, substantially oval, or substantially elliptical in shape. In some embodiments, the electrode elements 706 can each have the same shape, similar shapes, and / or different shapes.

[0048] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a computing device for use in embodiments of the present invention. As an example, device 800 may be a computer for implementing certain inventive techniques disclosed herein. For example, the methods of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be performed by a computer such as device 800. As an example, device 800 may be a controller device for applying an AC electric field (e.g., a TT electric field) according to embodiments of the present invention. Controller device 800 may be used as controller 608 in FIG. 6. Device 800 may include one or more processors 802, memory 803, one or more input devices, and one or more output devices 805.

[0049] In some embodiments, based on input 801, one or more processors 802 may generate control signals to control a voltage generator to implement one or more embodiments of the present invention. As an example, input 801 is a user input. As an example, input 801 may be an input from another computer in communication with device 800. Input 801 may be received in conjunction with one or more input devices (not shown) of device 800.

[0050] Memory 803 may be accessible by one or more processors 802 (e.g., via link 804) such that the one or more processors 802 can read information from and write information to memory 803. Memory 803 may store instructions that, when executed by one or more processors 802, implement one or more embodiments described herein. Memory 803 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium (or non-transitory processor-readable medium) that stores a set of instructions that, when executed by a processor (such as one or more processors 802), cause the processor to perform one or more methods disclosed herein.

[0051] One or more output devices 805 may provide the status of the computer-implemented techniques described herein. One or more output devices 805 may provide visualization data according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0052] The device 800 may include one or more processors (such as one or more processors 802) and memory accessible by the one or more processors (such as memory 803), which store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to perform one or more methods disclosed herein.

[0053] Illustrative Embodiments The present invention includes other exemplary embodiments as follows.

[0054] Exemplary Embodiment 1. A computer-implemented method for determining a transducer position for applying a tumor treating electric field to a target tissue in a subject's body, the computer-implemented method comprising: acquiring a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of the subject's body, the portion of the subject's body including the target tissue, and one lung of the subject's body including the target tissue; determining a first location on the three-dimensional model for placing a first transducer, the first location being an anterior portion of the subject's body's thorax; and determining a second location on the three-dimensional model for placing a second transducer, the second location being an anterior portion of the subject's body's thorax. determining a third position on the three-dimensional model for placing a third transducer, the third position being on a torso of the subject's body; determining a fourth position on the three-dimensional model for placing a fourth transducer, the fourth position being on the torso of the subject's body; and outputting a representation of the first, second, third, and fourth positions on the subject's body.

[0055] Exemplary Embodiment 2. The computer-implemented method of Exemplary Embodiment 1, wherein the third location is under the subject's left armpit and the fourth location is under the subject's right armpit.

[0056] Exemplary Embodiment 3. The computer-implemented method of Exemplary Embodiment 1, wherein the third location is at the anterior portion of the subject's rib cage and the fourth location is at the subject's armpit, and the third location does not overlap with the first location.

[0057] Exemplary Embodiment 4. The computer-implemented method of Exemplary Embodiment 1, wherein the third location is at the back of the subject's rib cage and the fourth location is at the subject's armpit, and the third location does not overlap with the second location.

[0058] Exemplary Embodiment 5. The computer-implemented method of Exemplary Embodiment 1, wherein a first alternating electric field is simulated to be generated by the first transducer at the first location and the second transducer at the second location, and a second alternating electric field is simulated to be generated by the third transducer at the third location and the fourth transducer at the fourth location, and wherein for the simulated first alternating electric field and the simulated second alternating electric field, the one lung has a higher average electric field strength than the other lung.

[0059] Exemplary Embodiment 6. The computer-implemented method of Exemplary Embodiment 5, wherein the one lung has a simulated average electric field strength of at least 1.0 V / cm.

[0060] Exemplary Embodiment 7. The computer-implemented method of Exemplary Embodiment 1, wherein the first and second transducers have the same number of electrode elements and the same shape, the third and fourth transducers have the same number of electrode elements and the same shape, and the first and second transducers have at least one of a different number of electrode elements than the third and fourth transducers or a different shape than the third and fourth transducers.

[0061] Exemplary embodiment 8. A system for applying a tumor treating electric field to a body of a subject, the system comprising: a first transducer adapted to be placed at a first location on the body of the subject, the first location being on an anterior thorax of the body of the subject; a second transducer adapted to be placed at a second location on the body of the subject, the second location being on a posterior thorax of the body of the subject, wherein one lung of the subject is adapted to be placed between the first and second locations; a third transducer adapted to be placed at a third location on the body of the subject, the third location being on a torso of the body of the subject; and a fourth transducer adapted to be placed at a fourth location on the body of the subject. a fourth transducer positioned at a fourth location on the torso of the subject's body, the fourth location being on the torso of the subject's body; a voltage generator adapted to supply a first voltage to the first transducer, a second voltage to the second transducer, a third voltage to the third transducer, and a fourth voltage to the fourth transducer; and a controller coupled to the voltage generator, the controller adapted to instruct the voltage generator to induce a first alternating current electric field between at least a portion of the first transducer and at least a portion of the second transducer and to induce a second alternating current electric field between at least a portion of the third transducer and at least a portion of the fourth transducer.

[0062] Exemplary embodiment 9. The system of exemplary embodiment 8, wherein the third location is under the subject's left armpit and the fourth location is under the subject's right armpit.

[0063] Exemplary embodiment 10. The system of exemplary embodiment 8, wherein the third location is at the anterior portion of the subject's rib cage and the fourth location is at an armpit of the subject, and the third location does not overlap with the first location.

[0064] Exemplary embodiment 11. The system of exemplary embodiment 8, wherein the third location is at the back of the subject's rib cage and the fourth location is at the subject's armpit, and the third location does not overlap with the second location.

[0065] Exemplary embodiment 12. The system of exemplary embodiment 8, wherein when the first and second alternating electric fields are induced, the one lung has a higher average electric field strength than the other lung.

[0066] Exemplary Embodiment 13. The system of Exemplary Embodiment 8, wherein the at least one electrode element of the first, second, third, or fourth transducer includes at least one ceramic disc adapted to generate an alternating electric field.

[0067] Exemplary Embodiment 14. The system of Exemplary Embodiment 8, wherein the at least one electrode element of the first, second, third, or fourth transducer comprises a polymer film adapted to generate an alternating electric field.

[0068] Exemplary embodiment 15. A method for applying a tumor treating electric field to a body of a subject, the method comprising: placing a first transducer at a first location on the body of the subject, the first location being in an anterior portion of the thorax of the body of the subject; placing a second transducer at a second location on the body of the subject, the second location being in a posterior portion of the thorax of the body of the subject, one lung of the subject being between the first and second transducers; and placing a third transducer at a third location on the body of the subject. wherein the third location is on the torso of the subject's body; placing a fourth transducer at a fourth location on the subject's body, the fourth location being on the torso of the subject's body; inducing a first alternating current electric field between at least a portion of the first transducer and at least a portion of the second transducer; and inducing a second alternating current electric field between at least a portion of the third transducer and at least a portion of the fourth transducer.

[0069] Exemplary embodiment 16. The method of exemplary embodiment 15, wherein the third location is in the subject's left armpit and the fourth location is in the subject's right armpit.

[0070] Exemplary embodiment 17. The method of exemplary embodiment 15, wherein the third location is at the anterior portion of the rib cage of the subject's body and the fourth location is at an armpit of the subject, and the third location does not overlap with the first location.

[0071] Exemplary embodiment 18. The method of exemplary embodiment 15, wherein the third location is at the back of the rib cage of the subject's body and the fourth location is at an armpit of the subject, and the third location does not overlap with the second location.

[0072] Exemplary embodiment 19. The method of exemplary embodiment 15, wherein when the first and second alternating electric fields are induced, the one lung has a higher average electric field strength than the other lung.

[0073] Exemplary embodiment 20. The method of exemplary embodiment 19, wherein the one lung has an average electric field strength of at least 1.0 V / cm.

[0074] Exemplary Embodiment 21. The apparatus, method, and / or system are substantially as shown and described.

[0075] Embodiments described under any heading or in any portion of this disclosure may be combined with embodiments described under the same or any other heading or other portion of this disclosure, unless otherwise stated herein or clearly contradicted by context.

[0076] Numerous modifications, variations, and alterations can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the described embodiments, but rather to have the full scope defined by the language of the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. 1. A computer-implemented method for determining transducer positions for applying a tumor treating electric field to a target tissue in a subject's body, the computer-implemented method comprising: acquiring a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of the subject's body, the portion of the subject's body including the target tissue, and one lung of the subject's body including the target tissue; determining a first location on the three-dimensional model for placing a first transducer, the first location being an anterior portion of a thorax of a body of a first subject; determining a second position on the three-dimensional model for placing a second transducer, the second position being at the back of the thorax of the subject's body, and the one lung of the subject being located between the first transducer and the second transducer; determining a third location on the three-dimensional model for placing a third transducer, the third location being on a torso of the subject's body; determining a fourth location on the three-dimensional model for placing a fourth transducer, the fourth location being on the torso of the subject's body; and outputting a representation of the first, second, third, and fourth locations on the subject's body.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the third location is under the subject's left armpit and the fourth location is under the subject's right armpit.

3. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the third location is at the anterior portion of the subject's rib cage and the fourth location is at the subject's armpit, and the third location does not overlap with the first location.

4. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the third location is at the back of the subject's rib cage and the fourth location is at the subject's armpit, and the third location does not overlap with the second location.

5. a first alternating electric field is simulated to be generated by the first transducer at the first location and the second transducer at the second location; a second alternating electric field is simulated to be generated by the third transducer at the third location and the fourth transducer at the fourth location; 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the one lung has a higher average electric field strength than the other lung for the first simulated alternating electric field and the second simulated alternating electric field.

6. 1. A system for applying a tumor treating electric field to a body of a subject, the system comprising: a first transducer adapted to be placed at a first location on the subject's body, the first location being at an anterior thorax of the subject's body; a second transducer adapted to be placed at a second position on the subject's body, the second position being a back portion of the subject's thorax, and the subject's lung being adapted to be placed between the first position and the second position; a third transducer adapted to be placed at a third location on the subject's body, the third location being on a torso of the subject's body; and a fourth transducer adapted to be placed at a fourth location on the subject's body, the fourth location being on the torso of the subject's body; and a voltage generator adapted to supply a first voltage to the first transducer, a second voltage to the second transducer, a third voltage to the third transducer, and a fourth voltage to the fourth transducer; a controller coupled to the voltage generator, the controller adapted to instruct the voltage generator to induce a first alternating current electric field between at least a portion of the first transducer and at least a portion of the second transducer, and to induce a second alternating current electric field between at least a portion of the third transducer and at least a portion of the fourth transducer.

7. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the third location is under the subject's left armpit and the fourth location is under the subject's right armpit.

8. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the third location is at the anterior portion of the subject's rib cage and the fourth location is at the subject's armpit, and the third location does not overlap with the first location.

9. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the third location is at the back of the subject's thorax and the fourth location is at the subject's armpit, and the third location does not overlap with the second location.

10. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one electrode element of the first, second, third, or fourth transducer comprises at least one ceramic disc adapted to generate an alternating electric field.

11. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one electrode element of the first, second, third, or fourth transducer comprises a polymer film adapted to generate an alternating electric field.

12. 1. A method for applying a tumor treating electric field to a body of a subject, the method comprising: placing a first transducer at a first location on the subject's body, the first location being at an anterior thoracic portion of the subject's body; placing a second transducer at a second location on the subject's body, the second location being at a posterior portion of the thorax of the subject's body, with one lung of the subject being between the first transducer and the second transducer; placing a third transducer at a third location on the subject's body, the third location being on a torso of the subject's body; placing a fourth transducer at a fourth location on the subject's body, the fourth location being on the torso of the subject's body; inducing a first alternating electric field between at least a portion of the first transducer and at least a portion of the second transducer; and inducing a second alternating electric field between at least a portion of the third transducer and at least a portion of the fourth transducer.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the third location is under the subject's left armpit and the fourth location is under the subject's right armpit.

14. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the third location is at the anterior portion of the rib cage of the subject's body and the fourth location is at an armpit of the subject, and the third location does not overlap with the first location.

15. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the third location is at the back of the rib cage of the subject's body and the fourth location is at an armpit of the subject, and the third location does not overlap with the second location.

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