Combination of tumor treatment site and radiation therapy plan

Abstract

The computer implementation method includes: obtaining a three-dimensional model of a subject; identifying a radiotherapy region in the model for delivering radiotherapy to the subject's tumor, wherein the radiotherapy region includes first and second radiotherapy regions for receiving first and second doses of radiotherapy, respectively; identifying a tumor treatment electric field region in the model for delivering tumor treatment electric field therapy to the tumor, wherein the tumor treatment electric field region includes a first radiotherapy region; identifying a first dose of tumor treatment electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy region to supplement a first dose of radiotherapy that is less than a second dose of radiotherapy; and selecting one or more transducer layouts to deliver tumor treatment electric fields to the subject based on the first dose of tumor treatment electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 456,298, filed on Mar. 31, 2023, and U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 613,280, filed on Mar. 22, 2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Background Art

[0002] Tumor treating electric fields (TT fields) are low - intensity alternating electric fields within an intermediate frequency range (e.g., 50 kHz to 1 MHz) and can be used in the treatment of tumors as described in U.S. Patent No. 7,565,205. TT fields are placed on a patient's body and are non - invasively induced within the region of interest by transducers that apply an alternating current (AC) voltage between the transducers. Conventionally, transducers used to generate TT fields include a plurality of electrode elements including ceramic disks. One side of each ceramic disk is placed in contact with the patient's skin, and a conductive backing is attached to the other side of each disk. Electrical signals are applied to this conductive backing, and these signals are capacitively coupled through the ceramic disks into the patient's body. Conventional transducer designs include arrays of ceramic disks attached to a subject's body via a conductive skin contact layer such as a hydrogel. At time intervals, an AC voltage is applied between a pair of transducers, generating an electric field with electric field lines running generally in the anteroposterior direction. Next, an AC voltage is applied at another time interval at the same frequency between at least another pair of transducers, generating an electric field with electric field lines running generally in the left - right direction. The system repeats this two - step sequence over the course of treatment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0003] [Figure 1] An exemplary method for selecting one or more transducer layouts for delivering a TT field to a subject is shown. [Figure 2A] An example of a treatment region is shown. [Figure 2B] An example of a treatment area is shown. [Figure 2C] An example of a treatment area is shown. [Figure 2D] An example of a treatment area is shown. [Figure 3] An example of a device that applies an alternating electric field to a subject's body is shown. [Figure 4] An exemplary system for attaching a transducer to a subject's head to deliver a TT field is shown. [Figure 5A] An example structure of a transducer array is shown. [Figure 5B] An example structure of a transducer array is shown. [Figure 6] An example of a device for determining the position of a transducer to apply a TT field to the subject's head is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0004] This application describes exemplary techniques for computationally selecting and determining at least one transducer array layout to deliver a TT field to a subject.

[0005] Traditionally, in tumor treatment, radiation is applied to treat the location where the tumor is identified and situated. Radiation therapy often causes serious side effects and may be difficult to administer. For example, the inherent toxicity of radiation therapy can cause side effects that may outweigh the benefits of treating the tumor. Furthermore, the human body may also have a maximum lifespan limit to the effectiveness of radiation therapy. Additionally, it may be undesirable to apply radiation therapy to specific areas of a subject's body.

[0006] As an alternative or supplemental therapy, TT fields can be delivered to a subject at the site where they have very few side effects and offer greater flexibility in adjusting tumor treatment plans. Generally, one or more pairs of transducers are placed on the subject's body to apply a TT field to the subject's body. Typically, at least two pairs of transducers are used. Transducers used to apply a TT field to a subject's body often contain multiple electrode elements coupled to each other on a substrate.

[0007] The inventors have discovered a computational technique for determining and selecting one or more transducer layouts for delivering a TT field to a subject, in addition to existing radiotherapy. The technique of the present invention is particularly integrated into practical applications. For example, in some embodiments, treatment of more areas on a subject may be provided with fewer side effects compared to using radiation alone. For example, in some embodiments, flexible deployment and combinations of tumor treatment methods and dose use may be employed for beneficial treatment of a subject's tumor. In some embodiments, since the human body may have a lifetime limit to the effectiveness of radiotherapy, gaps in treatment may occur or can be prevented by using a TT field. Therefore, gaps in radiotherapy coverage can be filled by using a TT field to treat those areas of a subject that cannot receive radiation due to radiation-induced side effects and / or the lifetime limit of radiation. In some embodiments, the use of a TT field can also simplify and / or accelerate radiotherapy planning, as healthcare providers may use simpler radiation plans / procedures and complement the TT field as needed.

[0008] Figure 1 shows an exemplary computer implementation method 100 for selecting one or more transducer layouts to deliver a TT field to a subject. Method 100 may be implemented by a computer, which includes one or more processors and memory accessible by one or more processors, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the computer to perform the steps of Method 100. Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to Method 100.

[0009] Method 100 includes obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) model of the subject in step 102. The model includes voxels. Each voxel in the model may be assigned a tissue type (e.g., bone, organ, fluid, skin, or tumor) and / or a conductivity associated with the tissue type. As an example, the model of the subject may represent the subject's head. As another example, the model of the subject may represent the subject's torso. Other body parts of the subject may be represented in the model of the subject in other embodiments.

[0010] In some embodiments, the model may be acquired using image data, for example, via a computer that identifies different types of tissue from the image data. The image data may include one or more medical images of parts of the subject's body (e.g., X-ray images, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) images, ultrasound images, or any images that provide an internal view of the subject's body). Each medical image may include the outline of a part of the subject and a region corresponding to the subject's area of ​​interest (e.g., a tumor). The 3D model may be acquired, for example, locally or via a network from computer memory.

[0011] In step 104, method 100 may include identifying a radiotherapy area in a 3D model of the subject in order to deliver radiotherapy to the subject's tumor. In some embodiments, the radiotherapy area may have a first radiotherapy area that receives a first dose of radiotherapy and a second radiotherapy area that receives a second dose of radiotherapy. Specifically, the first radiotherapy area may not be able to safely absorb the second dose of radiotherapy and may be, for example, the spinal region, optic muscles, optic canal, pituitary gland, brainstem, hypothalamus, parotid gland, intestine, or skin. In some embodiments, the first dose of radiotherapy may be based on user input. In particular, the first and second doses of radiotherapy may be in energy / mass units.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first radiotherapy area may correspond to an area of ​​the subject that is more sensitive to radiotherapy than the area of ​​the subject corresponding to the second radiotherapy area. In some embodiments, the first radiotherapy area may correspond to the spinal area of ​​the subject. In some embodiments, the first radiotherapy area may correspond to an area of ​​the subject that is less susceptible to radiotherapy than the area of ​​the subject corresponding to the second radiotherapy area.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first dose of radiotherapy may be below a first threshold for the first radiotherapy area, the first threshold being based on minimizing radiotherapy side effects on the subject and / or the limit of radiotherapy that can be applied to the first treatment area. In some embodiments, the first dose of radiotherapy may be based on the area of ​​the subject corresponding to the first radiotherapy area.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first dose of radiation therapy may be up to 50% less, up to 50% more, or any amount in between, than the second dose of radiation therapy. In some embodiments, the first dose of radiation therapy may be 50% or less but greater than 0% of the second dose of radiation therapy. In some embodiments, the first dose of radiation therapy may be 20% or less but greater than 0% of the second dose of radiation therapy. For example, the first dose of radiation therapy may be 45 Gray ("Gy") and the second dose of radiation therapy may be 75 Gy. The first dose of radiation therapy may be 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75 Gy, or any value in between. The area receiving the first dose of radiation therapy may overlap, partially overlap, or not overlap with the area receiving the second dose of radiation therapy.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first and second doses of radiotherapy may depend on the location of the tumor within the subject relative to other tissues and / or organs of the subject. The dose of radiotherapy may be limited by the subject's predetermined radiation tolerance to its tissues and / or organs.

[0016] Examples of predetermined radiation tolerance for the tissues and / or organs of subjects include, for example, Emami B., “Tolerance of Normal Tissue to Therapeutic Radiation,” Reports of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Spring 2013, Vol.1, No.1, pages 35-48 (hereinafter, “Emami 2013”), Bisello S. et al., “Dose-Volume Constraints for Or oRganS At risk In Radiotherapy (CORSAIR): An “All-in-One” Multicenter-Multidisciplinary Practical Summary,” Current Oncology, 2022, 29, 7021-7050 (hereinafter, “Bisello 2022”), and Emami B. et al., “Tolerance of Normal Tissue to Therapeutic Irradiation,” Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys, 1991, 21:109-122 (hereinafter, “Emami This is described in Marks LB et al., “Use of Normal Tissue Complication Probability Models in the Clinic,” Int. J. Radiation Oncology Biol. Phys., vol. 76, no. 3, Supplement, pp. S10-S19, 2010 (hereinafter referred to as “Marks 2010”), and the contents of these are incorporated herein by reference as a whole.

[0017] For example, the specified radiation tolerances for the tissues and / or organs of a subject are described in Table 2 of Emami 2013, Table 1 of Bisello 2022, Table 1 of Emami 1991, and Table 1 of Marks 2010, for example, reproduced as Table 1 below.

[0018] Table 1: Table 2 of the recreated Emami 2013. [Table 1]

Table 2

[0019] The use of the terms "first" and "second" discussed herein with respect to dose indicates separate doses and does not necessarily indicate the order of application of the doses. In some embodiments, the first dose of radiation therapy can be applied in one, two or more portions at separate times to obtain the first dose of radiation therapy. In some embodiments, the second dose of radiation therapy can be applied in one, two or more portions at separate times to obtain the second dose of radiation therapy. In some embodiments, a portion of the first dose of radiation therapy and a portion of the second dose of radiation therapy can be applied to the subject either simultaneously or at different times.

[0020] In some embodiments, three or more radiation therapy regions may be required. The number of radiation therapy regions may depend on the tumor location and / or the number of their positions relative to the subject's tissue and / or organs.

[0021] In step 106, method 100 may include identifying a TT field therapy region within a 3D model of the subject to deliver TT field therapy to the subject's tumor. In some embodiments, the TT field therapy region may at least partially include the first radiation therapy region. In some embodiments, the TT field therapy region may at least partially include the second radiation therapy region.

[0022] In step 108, method 100 may include identifying a first dose of TT field therapy to a first radiotherapy area to complement the first dose of radiotherapy in order to achieve a cumulative dose. The cumulative dose may be a predetermined therapeutic dose sufficient to treat or remove a tumor or cancerous tissue. In some embodiments, the cumulative dose may be substantially equal to or greater than the second radiation dose. In some embodiments, the first dose of tumor treatment field therapy to a first radiotherapy area may be based on the first dose of radiotherapy to a first radiotherapy area. In particular, the first dose of TT field therapy may be in energy / volume units.

[0023] More specifically, identifying a first dose of tumor-treating electric field therapy to a first radiotherapy area may include determining a nearly equivalent first dose of radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area in energy / volume units, and determining a first dose of tumor-treating electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area based on the nearly equivalent first dose of radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area.

[0024] In some embodiments, the combination (cumulative dose) of a first dose of TT field therapy to a first radiotherapy area and a first dose of radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area may satisfy or exceed the therapeutic dose threshold for treating a tumor in the first radiotherapy area using radiotherapy alone. In some embodiments, the first dose of radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area may be less than the therapeutic dose threshold for treating a tumor in the first radiotherapy area using radiotherapy alone. In some embodiments, the combination (cumulative dose) of a first dose of TT field therapy to a first radiotherapy area and a first dose of radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area may be less than the therapeutic dose threshold for treating a tumor in the first radiotherapy area using radiotherapy alone. In some embodiments, the combination (cumulative dose) of a first dose of TT field therapy to a first radiotherapy area and a first dose of radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area may be approximately equivalent to a second dose of radiotherapy.

[0025] Different organs or regions of a subject have varying treatment dose thresholds for treating tumors using radiotherapy alone. For example, the intestinal region of a subject may have a treatment dose threshold between 45 and 50 Gy, and the spinal region of a subject may have a treatment dose threshold between 45 and 54 Gy. As an example, when applying radiotherapy to the pancreatic region, the treatment dose threshold for treating a tumor within the radiotherapy region may be 45 Gy, as a higher dose could perforate the subject's intestine located next to the pancreas. In such an example, when treating a tumor within the pancreatic region, in addition to the 45 Gy dose of radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy region, a dose of TT field therapy to the first radiotherapy region may be applied, resulting in a dose combination that exceeds the treatment dose threshold using radiotherapy alone.

[0026] In an optional step 110, method 100 may include identifying a second dose of TT field therapy to a second radiotherapy area based on a second dose of radiotherapy to the second radiotherapy area. However, in some embodiments, the method may further include identifying a second dose of tumor treatment field therapy to a second radiotherapy area, regardless of the second dose of radiotherapy to the second radiotherapy area.

[0027] In some embodiments, three or more doses of tumor therapy may be required. The number of tumor therapy doses may depend on the number of tumor locations, the radiation dose, the radiation area, and / or the location of the radiation area relative to the subject's tissues and / or organs.

[0028] In step 112, method 100 may include determining a plurality of transducer layouts for delivering the TT field to a subject. In some embodiments, the transducer layouts within the plurality of transducer layouts may differ by at least one of the following: location on the subject, size of the transducers, shape of the transducers, number of electrodes in the transducers, size of the electrodes in the transducers, shape of the electrodes in the transducers, or material and / or structure to which the transducers are applied.

[0029] In step 114, method 100 may include selecting one or more transducer layouts from a plurality of transducer layouts for delivering the TT field to a subject. In some embodiments, the selection may be based on a first dose of TT field therapy to a first radiotherapy area. In some embodiments, the selection may further be based on a second dose of tumor treatment field therapy to a second radiotherapy area.

[0030] In some embodiments, at least one of the selected transducer layouts may be able to provide a first dose of tumor-treating field therapy to a first radiotherapy area and a second dose of tumor-treating field therapy to a second radiotherapy area. In some embodiments, at least one of the selected transducer layouts may be able to provide a first dose of tumor-treating field therapy to a first radiotherapy area and provide different doses of tumor-treating field therapy to at least one other area of ​​the subject. In particular, the first dose of tumor-treating field therapy and the second dose of tumor-treating field therapy may be different.

[0031] In step 116, method 100 may include applying the transducer to a subject using the selected transducer layout.

[0032] In step 118, method 100 may include delivering the TT field to the subject.

[0033] [Figure 2A] An example of a treatment area is shown.

[0034] [Figure 2B] An example of a treatment area is shown.

[0035] [Figure 2C] An example of a treatment area is shown.

[0036] [Figure 2D] An example of a treatment area is shown. For example, Figure 2A shows a radiotherapy area 202 having treatment areas 204 and 206, and a TT field treatment area 208 having treatment areas 206 and 210. Treatment areas 204 and 206 may receive different radiotherapy, and treatment areas 206 and 210 may receive different TT field treatment. Treatment area 204 may receive radiotherapy alone and may correspond to a portion of the tumor away from sensitive or hard-to-reach areas. Treatment area 206 may receive both radiotherapy and TT field treatment and may correspond to a portion of the tumor within or adjacent to sensitive or hard-to-reach areas. Treatment area 210 may receive TT field treatment alone.

[0037] Figure 2B shows the radiotherapy region 212, which includes a complete overlap with the TT field treatment region 214. Such regions may correspond to tumors that are located entirely within or adjacent to sensitive or difficult-to-reach tissue.

[0038] Figure 2C shows a radiotherapy area 216 having a treatment area 218 that receives only radiation, which may correspond to a portion of the tumor away from sensitive or hard-to-reach areas. Within the radiotherapy area 216, there is an area 220 that receives both radiotherapy and TT field therapy. Area 220 may correspond to a portion of the tumor within or adjacent to a sensitive or hard-to-reach area.

[0039] Figure 2D shows a TT-field treatment area 222 having a treatment area 224 that receives only TT-field treatment, which may correspond to portions of the tumor within or adjacent to sensitive or hard-to-reach areas, and / or portions including the potential location of the tumor. Within the TT-field treatment area 222, there are three radiotherapy areas 226, 228, and 230 that receive both radiotherapy and TT-field treatment. Areas 226, 228, and 230 may correspond to portions of the tumor that are away from sensitive or hard-to-reach areas. In some embodiments, the number of radiotherapy areas is not limited to three, but may be one, two, four, five, or more.

[0040] Geometrically, a tumor may be adjacent to normal tissue and / or one or more organs of a subject. The interaction between TT field therapy and radiotherapy may effectively allow for dose reduction when applying treatment to a subject. In some embodiments, Figure 2A may represent applying treatment to a tumor adjacent to an organ, for example, a tumor adjacent to the subject's intestines. For example, TT field therapy in region 208 may increase or supplement the dose applied only to treatment region 206 so that the dose applied to treatment region 206 may be reduced and / or so that the corresponding treatment dose threshold using only radiotherapy is not exceeded.

[0041] In some embodiments, Figure 2B may represent the application of treatment to a tumor in the center of an organ or region, for example, a tumor in the spinal region of a subject. For example, TT field treatment in region 214 may increase or supplement the therapeutic dose applied to the entire treatment region 212 so that the radiation dose applied to the treatment region 212 may be reduced and / or may not exceed the corresponding therapeutic dose threshold for using radiotherapy alone.

[0042] In some embodiments, Figure 2B may also represent applying treatment to a tumor in an organ that limits the radiation dose. For example, a subject's lungs (or both lungs) may have a limit to the radiation dose they can receive based on their size. When applying radiation therapy to the lungs, it may be necessary to apply a radiation dose to the entire lung region at a certain minimum level, while the tumor region requires a higher dose. This may result in the total radiation dose to the lungs exceeding the radiation dose limit. In such cases, TT field therapy may be applied to the entire treatment area 212 to supplement the radiation dose applied to the entire lung region, so that the total radiation dose does not exceed the radiation limit.

[0043] In some embodiments, Figure 2C may represent another example of applying treatment to a tumor in an organ that limits radiation dose. For example, in addition to applying radiotherapy to a radiotherapy area 218, such as the lung region of a subject, TT field therapy may be applied to a TT field therapy area 220 to supplement the therapeutic dose applied to the tumor, so that the total radiation dose does not exceed the radiation limit.

[0044] In some embodiments, Figure 2C may also represent the application of treatment to tumors around the subject's organs. For example, when applying radiotherapy to a radiotherapy area 218 such as a region adjacent to and / or inside the subject's intestines, the TT field therapy may be applied only to a TT field therapy area 220 within the intestinal region, so that area 220 may receive an additional therapeutic dose.

[0045] In some embodiments, Figure 2D may represent the application of treatment when not all tumor locations are detectable, for example, in the case of a spinal tumor in the subject's brain. For example, the entire brain of a subject may contain two or more tumor locations, and there may be concerns that not all tumor locations are detected in the medical image. In such situations, the entire brain may need to be radiotherapy, but the entire required dose of radiotherapy may cause neurotoxicity. For example, the permissible radiation dose for the entire brain may be 60 Gy, but the minimum dose of 60 Gy may be required to treat each individual tumor location. In such an example, radiotherapy may be applied to local regions 226, 228 and 230 determined to be tumor locations at a lower dose, such as 10 Gy for each local region 226, 228 and 230. In addition, TT field therapy may be applied to a TT field therapy region 224, such as the entire brain, to supplement the treatment dose to the entire brain, including local regions 226, 228 and 230 determined to have tumors, as well as areas of the brain where tumors have not yet been detected. Exemplary device

[0046] Figure 3 shows an exemplary apparatus for applying an alternating current electric field (e.g., a TT electric field) to a subject's body. The first transducer array 301 includes 13 electrode elements 303 arranged on a substrate 304, the electrode elements 303 being electrically and mechanically connected to each other by conductive wiring 309. The second transducer array 302 includes 13 electrode elements 305 arranged on a substrate 306, the electrode elements 305 being electrically and mechanically connected to each other by conductive wiring 310. The first transducer array 301 and the second transducer array 302 are connected to an AC voltage generator 307 and a controller 308. The controller 308 may include one or more processors and a memory accessible by one or more processors. The memory may store instructions for controlling the AC voltage generator 307 to implement one or more embodiments of the present invention when executed by one or more processors. In some embodiments, the AC voltage generator 307 and the controller 308 may be integrated into a first transducer array 301 and a second transducer array 302 to form a first electric field generator and a second electric field generator.

[0047] The structure of a 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 include a suitable material for attaching the transducer to the subject's body. Suitable materials may include, for example, cloth, foam, flexible plastic, and / or conductive medical gel. The transducer may be conductive or non-conductive. In some embodiments, the target region may be in the subject's brain, and the TT field may be delivered to the subject's head via two pairs of transducer arrays positioned over the subject's head (e.g., having four transducer arrays 400 as shown in Figure 4). In another example, the target region may be in the subject's lungs, and the TT field may be delivered to the subject's body via two pairs of transducer arrays positioned around the subject's chest and back.

[0048] A 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) used in conjunction with embodiments of the present invention may be used, insofar as they are capable of (a) delivering a TT electric field to the body of a subject and (b) being positioned at locations specified herein. In certain embodiments, at least one electrode element of a first, second, third, or fourth transducer may include at least one ceramic disc adapted to generate an alternating electric field. In non-limiting embodiments, at least one electrode element of a first, second, third, or fourth transducer may include a polymer film adapted to generate an alternating electric field.

[0049] Figure 5A shows an example of an alternative design for a transducer array. The transducer array 501 includes 20 electrode elements 502 arranged on a substrate 503, which are electrically and mechanically connected to one another by conductive wiring 504. In some embodiments, the electrode elements 502 may include ceramic disks.

[0050] Figure 5B shows an example of an alternative design for a transducer array. The transducer 505 may include substantially flat electrode elements 506. In some embodiments, the electrode elements 506 are non-ceramic dielectric materials arranged across a plurality of flat conductors. Examples of non-ceramic dielectric materials arranged across flat conductors may include polymer films arranged across pads on a printed circuit board or across flat metal pieces. In other embodiments, the electrode elements 506 are ceramic elements. In non-limiting embodiments, the electrode elements 502 and 506 can have a variety of shapes. For example, the electrode elements may be triangular, rectangular, circular, oval, oval, egg-shaped, or elliptical in shape, or substantially triangular, substantially rectangular, substantially circular, substantially oval, substantially oval, substantially egg-shaped, or substantially elliptical in shape.

[0051] Figure 6 shows an example of a computer device for use in embodiments of the present invention. For example, the device 600 may be a computer for implementing certain inventive techniques disclosed herein, such as selecting at least one transducer layout for delivering a TT field to a subject according to Figure 1. For example, steps 102-114 in Figure 1 may be performed by a computer such as the computer device 600. For example, the device 600 may be used as the controller 308 in Figure 3, or as a separate computer device located remotely from the controller 308. For example, step 118 in Figure 1 may be performed by a controller such as the controller 308. The device 600 may include one or more processors 602, memory 604, and one or more output devices 606.

[0052] In one example, based on input 608, one or more processors 602 generate control signals for controlling a voltage generator. For example, input 608 is a user input from one or more input devices (not shown). In another example, input 608 may be from another computer communicating with controller device 600. Memory 604 is accessible by one or more processors 602 (e.g., via link 603), so that one or more processors 602 can read information from and write information to memory 604. Memory 604 may store instructions that, when executed by one or more processors 602, implement one or more methods of the present disclosure. One or more output devices 606 may provide information about the operation of the present invention, such as transducer layout selection, generated voltage, and other operational information. Output devices 606 may provide visualization data according to certain embodiments of the present invention. Exemplary Embodiments

[0053] The present invention includes other exemplary embodiments ("Embodiments") as follows:

[0054] Embodiment 1: A computer implementation method for selecting at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor-treating electric field to a subject, comprising: acquiring a three-dimensional model of the subject, the model comprising voxels; and identifying a radiotherapy region within the three-dimensional model of the subject for delivering radiotherapy to a tumor of the subject, the radiotherapy region comprising a first radiotherapy region for receiving a first dose of radiotherapy and a second radiotherapy region for receiving a second dose of radiotherapy, wherein the first dose of radiotherapy is less than the second dose of radiotherapy. A computer implementation method comprising: identifying a tumor treatment electric field treatment region in the three-dimensional model of the subject in order to deliver tumor treatment electric field treatment to the tumor of the subject, wherein the tumor treatment electric field treatment region includes the first radiotherapy region; identifying a first dose of the tumor treatment electric field treatment to the first radiotherapy region and supplementing the first dose of the radiotherapy which is less than a second dose of the radiotherapy; and selecting one or more transducer layouts to deliver a tumor treatment electric field to the subject based on the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field treatment to the first radiotherapy region.

[0055] Embodiment 2: The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first radiotherapy area corresponds to an area of ​​the subject that is more sensitive to radiotherapy than the area of ​​the subject that corresponds to the second radiotherapy area.

[0056] Embodiment 3: The computer implementation method according to claim 2, wherein the first radiotherapy area corresponds to the spinal area of ​​the subject.

[0057] Embodiment 4: The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first dose of the radiotherapy is below a first threshold for the first radiotherapy area, and the first threshold is based on minimizing the side effects of radiotherapy on the subject.

[0058] Embodiment 5: The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first radiotherapy area corresponds to an area of ​​the subject that is more difficult to administer radiotherapy to than the area of ​​the subject that corresponds to the second radiotherapy area.

[0059] Embodiment 6: The computer implementation method according to claim 4, wherein the first radiotherapy area corresponds to the brain or lung area of ​​the subject.

[0060] Embodiment 7: The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first radiotherapy area cannot safely absorb the second dose of the radiotherapy.

[0061] Embodiment 8: The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first dose of the radiotherapy is based on the area of ​​the subject corresponding to the first radiotherapy area.

[0062] Embodiment 9: The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first dose of the radiation therapy is 50% or less and greater than 0% of the second dose of the radiation therapy.

[0063] Embodiment 10: The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first dose of the radiation therapy is 20% or less and greater than 0% of the second dose of the radiation therapy.

[0064] Embodiment 11: The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first dose of the radiotherapy is based on user input.

[0065] Embodiment 12: The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area is based on the first dose of the radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area.

[0066] Embodiment 13: The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the tumor treatment electric field treatment region in the three-dimensional model of the subject includes a portion or all of the second radiotherapy region, the method further comprises identifying a second dose of tumor treatment electric field therapy to the second radiotherapy region based on a second dose of radiotherapy to the second radiotherapy region, and selecting one or more transducer layouts to deliver the tumor treatment electric field to the subject is further based on the second dose of tumor treatment electric field therapy to the second radiotherapy region.

[0067] Embodiment 14: The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the tumor treatment electric field treatment area in the three-dimensional model of the subject includes part or all of the second radiotherapy area, the method further includes identifying a second dose of tumor treatment electric field therapy to the second radiotherapy area regardless of a second dose of radiotherapy to the second radiotherapy area, and selecting one or more transducer layouts to deliver the tumor treatment electric field to the subject is further based on the second dose of tumor treatment electric field therapy to the second radiotherapy area.

[0068] Embodiment 15: The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the combination of the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area and the first dose of the radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area satisfies or exceeds the therapeutic dose threshold for treating the tumor in the first radiotherapy area using radiotherapy alone, and the first dose of the radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area is less than the therapeutic dose threshold for treating the tumor in the first radiotherapy area using radiotherapy alone.

[0069] Embodiment 16: The combination of the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area and the first dose of the radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area is below a therapeutic dose threshold for treating the tumor in the first radiotherapy area using radiotherapy alone, the computer implementation method according to claim 1.

[0070] Embodiment 17: The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first dose of the radiotherapy is in energy / mass units, the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy is in energy / volume units, and identifying the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area includes determining a substantially equivalent first dose of the radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area in energy / volume units, and determining the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area based on the substantially equivalent first dose of the radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area.

[0071] Embodiment 18: The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second doses of radiotherapy are in energy / mass units, and the cumulative dose of the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area and the first dose of the radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area is approximately equal to or greater than the second dose of the radiotherapy.

[0072] Embodiment 19: The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the selected transducer layouts can provide a first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to a first radiotherapy area and a second dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to a second radiotherapy area, and the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy and the second dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy are different.

[0073] Embodiment 20: The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the selected transducer layouts can provide a first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area and can provide different doses of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to at least one other area of ​​the subject.

[0074] Embodiment 21: The computer implementation method according to claim 1, further comprising determining a plurality of transducer layouts for delivering a tumor treatment site to the subject, wherein the at least one transducer layout is selected from the plurality of transducer layouts, and the transducer layout among the plurality of transducer layouts differs in at least one aspect of its location on the subject, the size of the transducer, the shape of the transducer, the number of electrodes of the transducer, the size of the electrodes of the transducer, or the shape of the electrodes of the transducer.

[0075] Embodiment 22: Apparatus for selecting at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor-treating electric field to a subject, comprising one or more processors and a memory accessible by the one or more processors, wherein, when executed by the one or more processors, the apparatus acquires a three-dimensional model of the subject, the model comprising voxels, and identifies a radiotherapy region within the three-dimensional model of the subject for delivering radiotherapy to the subject's tumor, the radiotherapy region comprising a first radiotherapy region for receiving a first dose of radiotherapy, the first dose of radiotherapy being less than a therapeutic threshold for treating the tumor within the first radiotherapy region, and the tumor of the subject An apparatus including a memory for storing instructions to perform: identify a tumor therapeutic electric field treatment area in the three-dimensional model of the subject in order to deliver therapeutic electric field therapy, wherein the tumor therapeutic electric field treatment area includes the first radiotherapy area; identify a first dose of the tumor therapeutic electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area, wherein the combination of the first dose of radiotherapy in the first radiotherapy area and the first dose of the tumor therapeutic electric field therapy satisfies or exceeds a therapeutic threshold for treating the tumor in the first radiotherapy area; and select one or more transducer layouts to deliver a tumor therapeutic electric field to the subject based on the first dose of the tumor therapeutic electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area.

[0076] Embodiment 23: A non-temporary processor-readable medium containing a set of instructions, wherein, when executed by the processor, the instructions provide the processor with instructions to acquire a three-dimensional model of the subject, the model comprising voxels, and to identify a radiotherapy region within the three-dimensional model of the subject for delivering radiotherapy to a tumor of the subject, the radiotherapy region comprising a first radiotherapy region for receiving a first dose of radiotherapy and a second radiotherapy region for receiving a second dose of radiotherapy, wherein the first dose of radiotherapy is less than the second dose of radiotherapy. A non-transient processor-readable medium that performs the following actions: identifying a tumor-treatment electric field treatment region in the three-dimensional model of the subject in order to deliver tumor-treatment electric field therapy to the tumor of the subject, wherein the tumor-treatment electric field treatment region includes the first radiotherapy region; identifying a first dose of tumor-treatment electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy region based on a first dose of radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy region; and selecting one or more transducer layouts to deliver tumor-treatment electric fields to the subject based on a first dose of tumor-treatment electric field therapy to a second radiotherapy region.

[0077] Embodiments shown in any heading or portion of this disclosure may be combined with embodiments shown in the same or other headings or portions of this disclosure, unless otherwise stated herein or unless the context expressly contradicts the description. For example, an embodiment described in dependent claim form to a given embodiment (e.g., a given embodiment described in independent claim form) may be combined with other embodiments (described in independent or dependent claim form).

[0078] Numerous modifications, alterations, and changes are possible to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and is intended to have the entire scope as defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A computer implementation method for selecting at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor-treating electric field to a subject, The acquisition of a three-dimensional model of the subject, wherein the model includes voxels. Identifying a radiotherapy region within the three-dimensional model of the subject in order to deliver radiotherapy to the subject's tumor, wherein the radiotherapy region includes a first radiotherapy region for receiving a first dose of radiotherapy and a second radiotherapy region for receiving a second dose of radiotherapy, and the first dose of radiotherapy is less than the second dose of radiotherapy. Identifying a tumor treatment electric field therapy region within the three-dimensional model of the subject in order to deliver tumor treatment electric field therapy to the tumor of the subject, wherein the tumor treatment electric field therapy region includes the first radiotherapy region. Identifying the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy for the first radiotherapy area, and supplementing the first dose of the radiotherapy which is smaller than the second dose of the radiotherapy, A computer implementation method comprising selecting one or more transducer layouts to deliver a tumor-treating electric field to a subject based on a first dose of the tumor-treating electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area.

2. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first radiotherapy area corresponds to an area of ​​the subject that is more sensitive to radiotherapy than the area of ​​the subject that corresponds to the second radiotherapy area.

3. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first dose of the radiotherapy is below a first threshold for the first radiotherapy area, and the first threshold is based on minimizing the side effects of radiotherapy on the subject.

4. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first radiotherapy area corresponds to an area of ​​the subject to which radiotherapy is more difficult to administer than the area of ​​the subject corresponding to the second radiotherapy area.

5. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first dose of the radiation therapy is 50% or less and greater than 0% of the second dose of the radiation therapy.

6. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area is based on the first dose of the radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area.

7. The tumor treatment electric field treatment region in the three-dimensional model of the subject includes part or all of the second radiotherapy region. The method further includes identifying a second dose of tumor treatment electric field therapy to the second radiotherapy area based on a second dose of radiotherapy to the second radiotherapy area, The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the selection of one or more transducer layouts to deliver a tumor-treating electric field to the subject is further based on the second dose of the tumor-treating electric field therapy to the second radiotherapy area.

8. The tumor treatment electric field treatment region in the three-dimensional model of the subject includes part or all of the second radiotherapy region. The method further includes identifying the second dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to the second radiotherapy area, regardless of the second dose of the radiotherapy to the second radiotherapy area. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the selection of one or more transducer layouts to deliver a tumor-treating electric field to the subject is further based on the second dose of the tumor-treating electric field therapy to the second radiotherapy area.

9. The combination of the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area and the first dose of the radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area satisfies or exceeds the therapeutic dose threshold for treating the tumor in the first radiotherapy area using radiotherapy alone. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first dose of radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area is less than a therapeutic dose threshold for treating the tumor in the first radiotherapy area using radiotherapy alone.

10. The first dose of the aforementioned radiation therapy is expressed in energy / mass units, The first dose of the aforementioned tumor treatment electric field therapy is expressed in energy / volume units, Identifying the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy for the first radiotherapy area is: Determining a nearly equivalent first dose of radiation therapy for the first radiation therapy area in energy / volume units, The computer implementation method according to claim 1, comprising determining the first dose of tumor treatment electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area based on a substantially equivalent first dose of the radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area.

11. The first and second doses of radiation therapy are expressed in energy / mass units. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the cumulative dose of the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area and the first dose of the radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area is approximately equal to or greater than the second dose of the radiotherapy.

12. At least one of the selected transducer layouts can provide the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area and the second dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to the second radiotherapy area. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy and the second dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy are different.

13. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the selected transducer layouts can provide a first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area and can provide different doses of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to at least one other area of ​​the subject.

14. An apparatus for selecting at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor-treating electric field to a subject, One or more processors, A memory accessible by the one or more processors, which, when executed by the one or more processors, in the device, The acquisition of a three-dimensional model of the subject, wherein the model includes voxels. Identifying a radiotherapy region within the three-dimensional model of the subject in order to deliver radiotherapy to the subject's tumor, wherein the radiotherapy region includes a first radiotherapy region for receiving a first dose of radiotherapy, and the first dose of radiotherapy is less than a therapeutic threshold for treating the tumor within the first radiotherapy region. Identifying a tumor treatment electric field therapy region within the three-dimensional model of the subject in order to deliver tumor treatment electric field therapy to the tumor of the subject, wherein the tumor treatment electric field therapy region includes the first radiotherapy region. Identifying a first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy for the first radiotherapy area, wherein the combination of the first dose of radiotherapy and the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy in the first radiotherapy area satisfies or exceeds a treatment threshold for treating the tumor in the first radiotherapy area. An apparatus including a memory for storing instructions to perform the following actions: selecting one or more transducer layouts to deliver a tumor-treating electric field to a subject based on a first dose of the tumor-treating electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area.

15. A non-temporary processor-readable medium containing a set of instructions, When the aforementioned instruction is executed by the processor, the processor will: The acquisition of a three-dimensional model of the subject, wherein the model includes voxels. Identifying a radiotherapy region within the three-dimensional model of the subject in order to deliver radiotherapy to the subject's tumor, wherein the radiotherapy region includes a first radiotherapy region for receiving a first dose of radiotherapy and a second radiotherapy region for receiving a second dose of radiotherapy, and the first dose of radiotherapy is less than the second dose of radiotherapy. Identifying a tumor treatment electric field therapy region within the three-dimensional model of the subject in order to deliver tumor treatment electric field therapy to the tumor of the subject, wherein the tumor treatment electric field therapy region includes the first radiotherapy region. Based on the first dose of the radiotherapy to the first radiotherapy area, the first dose of the tumor treatment electric field therapy to the first radiotherapy area is identified, A non-transient processor-readable medium that causes the system to select one or more transducer layouts to deliver the tumor-treating electric field to the subject based on the first dose of the tumor-treating electric field therapy to the second radiotherapy area.

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