A transducer array capable of forming a de facto cone shape.

Abstract

A transducer device for delivering a tumor treatment site to the body of a subject, the transducer device comprising a substrate and at least one array disposed on the substrate, configured to be positioned across the body of the subject with the faces of the array facing the body of the subject, the transducer being substantially non-planar, and being substantially formed in the shape of a truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid, a truncated oblique cone, or a truncated cone, wherein an opening is formed in the truncation of the truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid, truncated oblique cone, or truncated cone, and the opening is substantially circular in the truncation of the truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid, truncated oblique cone, or truncated cone.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 524,561, filed Jun. 30, 2023, and U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 756,587, filed Jun. 27, 2024, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. This application relates to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 524,586, filed Jun. 30, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background Art

[0002] Tumor treatment fields (TT fields) are low - intensity alternating electric fields within the intermediate frequency range (e.g., 50 kHz to 1 MHz) and can be used for the treatment of tumors as described in U.S. Patent No. 7,565,205. In current commercial systems, TT fields are non - invasively induced in the region of interest by applying an alternating current (AC) voltage between an electrode assembly (e.g., an array of capacitive coupling electrodes, also called an electrode array, a transducer array, or simply a "transducer") placed on the patient's body. 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, generating an electric field with electric field lines running generally in the anteroposterior direction. Next, an AC voltage is applied between the second pair of transducers at the same frequency for a second time interval, 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 1A] An example of a transducer for delivering a TT field placed on a subject's body is shown. [Figure 1B] An example of a transducer for delivering a TT field placed on a subject's body is shown. [Figure 2A]An example of a transducer for delivering a TT field placed on a subject's body is shown. [Figure 2B] An example of a transducer for delivering a TT field placed on a subject's body is shown. [Figure 3A] Two example top views of transducers are shown. [Figure 3B] Figure 3A shows an example transducer applied to the chest area. [Figure 4A] Two example top views of transducers are shown. [Figure 4B] Figure 4A shows an example transducer applied to the chest area. [Figure 5A] An example top view of a transducer is shown. [Figure 5B] An example top view of a transducer is shown. [Figure 5C] An example top view of a transducer is shown. [Figure 5D] An example top view of a transducer is shown. [Figure 6A] An example top view of a transducer is shown. [Figure 6B] Figure 6A shows a transducer applied to an exemplary chest area. [Figure 6C] An example top view of a transducer is shown. [Figure 6D] Figure 6C shows a transducer applied to an exemplary chest area. [Figure 7] This illustrates an exemplary system for applying an alternating electric field to a subject's body. [Figure 8] An example of a computer device is shown. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows an exemplary method for determining the shape and placement of transducers on a subject's body for applying a TT field. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0004] This application describes an exemplary transducer (or transducer device) used to apply a TT field to a subject's body in order to treat one or more cancers.

[0005] A transducer used to apply a TT field to a subject's body often comprises multiple electrode elements that are electrically coupled together on a substrate and attached to a desired location on the subject's body, for example, via adhesive backing on the substrate or a separately applied adhesive. The transducer may have a large rectangular surface to maximize the number of electrode elements located on the transducer for applying a TT field to the subject's body. As the inventors recognize, such transducers may not be desirable to attach to parts of the subject that have non-planar surfaces, such as the chest.

[0006] Now, the inventors recognize the need for transducers that can conform to the three-dimensional structure of a subject's body. For example, a transducer can be structured to surround, conform to, adapt to, or position on or around the subject's chest and / or chemotherapy port. In some embodiments described herein, the transducer may be deformable from substantially planar to substantially conical, e.g., substantially truncated elliptic paraboloid, substantially truncated oblique cone, substantially truncated cone, or the like. For example, when positioned around a chest area, a substantially circular opening may be formed by a truncated portion opening, such as a truncated elliptic paraboloid, truncated oblique cone, or truncated cone, so as not to cover the subject's nipple. For example, when positioned around a chemotherapy port, the chemotherapy port may be located within the transducer's opening, and the transducer may have one or more parts to form the opening.

[0007] The system described herein further provides a practical method for determining the shape and placement of transducers on a subject's body for applying a tumor treatment field. For example, a computer-based system may select a first location on the subject's body for placing a first transducer and a second location on the subject's body for placing a second transducer, based on one or more simulations of the electric field distribution through a target region within the subject's body. The computer-based system may select a transducer such as those described herein as one of the selected transducers.

[0008] This specification describes various types of transducers. Each of the embodiments disclosed herein may be used with one or more of the transducer types described herein.

[0009] Figures 1A and 1B show examples of transducers positioned at the subject's body location for delivering a TT field. Figure 1A shows a first transducer 100 positioned on the front of the subject's right chest and a second transducer 102 positioned on the front of the subject's left thigh. Figure 1B shows a third transducer 104 located on the left side of the subject's upper back and a fourth transducer 106 located on the back of the subject's right thigh. Each of the transducers 100, 102, 104, and 106 may include one or more electrode elements positioned on a flexible surface to adapt the transducer to the subject's body. Transducers 100, 102, 104, and 106 may be capable of delivering a TT field to the subject's body.

[0010] Similarly, Figures 2A and 2B show another example of transducers positioned at the subject's body location for delivering the TT field. Figure 2A shows a first transducer 200 positioned on the front of the subject's right chest and a second transducer 202 positioned on the front of the subject's left thigh. Figure 2B shows a third transducer 204 located on the left side of the subject's upper back and a fourth transducer 206 located on the back of the subject's right thigh. Each of 200, 202, 204, and 206 may include one or more electrode elements positioned on a flexible surface to adapt the transducer to the subject's body.

[0011] Transducers placed on the subject's torso (shown in Figures 1A to 2B) can apply a TT field to tumors in the subject's chest or abdomen. Transducers can be placed in various combinations of positions on the subject's torso, in addition to the positions shown in Figures 1A to 2B.

[0012] Figures 1A and 1B, and 2A and 2B, show assemblies for applying a TT field to a subject's body while avoiding at least one area having an anatomical shape or device. For example, in Figure 1A, the surface of the transducer 100 is molded and adapted to conform to the contour of the subject's chest while avoiding the subject's nipple 108. In some embodiments, when placed on the subject's body, the substantially circular opening 110 coincides with the subject's nipple 108, thereby preventing the transducer's electrodes from being positioned across the nipple 108.

[0013] In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 2A, the surface of the transducer 200 is shaped and adapted to avoid a chemotherapy port 208 on the subject's body. In particular, the surface of the transducer 200 is adapted to be positioned on the subject's body such that the substantially circular opening 210 of the transducer 200 coincides with the location on the subject's body where the chemotherapy port 208 is located. In other embodiments, the surface of the transducer 200 may be positioned on the subject's body such that two opposing portions of the transducer surface are separated and straddle the site of the subject's chemotherapy port 208. The electrodes of the transducer 200 may not be positioned across the chemotherapy port 208. The chemotherapy port 208 is often inserted into the subject's body before the subject receives TT field treatment. The transducers disclosed herein may enable the application of a TT field to a region of interest in the subject's chest or abdomen without interfering with or affecting the subject's chemotherapy port 208.

[0014] Returning to FIGS. 1A and 1B, one or more other transducers 102, 104, 106 may have a different shape than transducer 100. As shown, the second, third, and fourth transducers 102, 104, 106 of the assembly each have, for example, a different shape than the first transducer 100. In some embodiments, the second, third, and fourth transducers 102, 104, 106 may each have the same or substantially similar shapes to one another. As shown, at least one surface of transducers 102, 104, 106 may have a generally convex shape. More specifically, at least one surface of transducers 102, 104, 106 may be rectangular, substantially rectangular with rounded corners (as shown), circular, oval, egg-shaped, curved, or oblate. A similar situation may also apply to transducers 200, 202, 204, and 206. Specifically, the transducer 200 illustrated in FIG. 2A may have a similar shape to the transducer 100 illustrated in FIG. 1A, and the transducers 202, 204, and 206 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B may have similar shapes to the transducers 102, 104, and 106 illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

[0015] In other embodiments, one or more of the other transducers 102, 104, 106 may have the same surface as the shape or mirror image shape of the transducer 100 in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Similarly, one or more of the other transducers 202, 204, 206 may have a surface of the same shape or mirror image shape compared to the transducer 200 in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0016] Figure 3A shows top views of two exemplary transducers 300A and 300B. Transducers 300A, 300B (and other transducers disclosed or discussed herein) are capable of delivering a TT field to the body of a subject. Transducers 300A and 300B have the same shape and the same shape portions. Transducers 300A, 300B may include a substrate 302 (having a first side facing the subject and a second side opposite the first side) and an array of at least one electrode (not shown) disposed on the first side of the substrate 302. In some embodiments, transducers 300A, 300B (and other transducers disclosed or discussed herein) may include an anisotropic material layer, as will be further described below. For example, the anisotropic material layer may overlap at least one electrode on the skin-facing side of the array of at least one electrode (so that the anisotropic material layer may face the first side of the substrate 302). In some embodiments, the anisotropic material layer may exist as a laminate having a layer of conductive adhesive, an anisotropic material layer, and a layer of conductive adhesive, or may include them. In some embodiments, the anisotropic material is a sheet of graphite. In some embodiments, the anisotropic material layer is a sheet of pyrolysis graphite, a graphitized polymer film, or a graphite foil manufactured from compressed high-purity exfoliated mineral graphite. In some embodiments, the anisotropic material layer may have the same or similar shape as the substrate 302 and may be similar in size to or slightly smaller than that of the substrate. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a layer of adhesive may be present between the substrate and the anisotropic material layer. For the sake of clarity, Figures 1 to 5 do not show both the substrate and the anisotropic material layer, but both may be present in one or more (or all) of these embodiments. In embodiments without an anisotropic material layer, the shape of the transducer body may (or may not) reflect the shape of the substrate (e.g., 302, 402, 502, 702 in Figures 3 to 5 and Figure 7). Figure 6A shows the anisotropic material layer 603, whose outer edge 642 may or may not follow the shape of the transducer body (as in Figure 6A).Similarly, when describing the process of transforming a planar transducer to produce a non-planar transducer, it should be understood that the substrate and the anisotropic material layer may have the same or similar shapes (overlapping each other), and further, may be adhered to each other. Thus, in some embodiments, bending a first portion of the substrate over a second portion of the substrate may include bending both layers (the substrate and the anisotropic material layer) simultaneously.

[0017] Transducers 300A, 300B (and any other transducers disclosed or contemplated herein) may include any of the features discussed herein and may further include any desired number of electrode elements (e.g., one or more electrode elements). Transducers 300A, 300B may be configured such that the plane of the array faces the subject's body and is positioned over the subject's body. In some forms, transducers 300A, 300B may be substantially planar. In some embodiments, transducers 300A, 300B may be substantially planar prior to being placed, applied, or affixed to a subject. In some embodiments, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane of the array, transducers 300A, 300B may have a substantially pear-shaped or rounded triangular surface. In some embodiments, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane of the array, substrate 302 (or anisotropic material layer 303) may have a substantially pear-shaped or rounded triangular surface.

[0018] In some embodiments, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane of the array, and when the transducers 300A and 300B are substantially planar, the substrate 302 (or anisotropic material layer 303) may have an opening 304 that is positioned toward the wider portion 316 rather than toward the narrower portion 318 of the substrate 302 (or anisotropic material layer 303). In some embodiments, no electrodes are present in the opening 304. The opening 304 may have at least one concave edge 305 that defines the opening 304 between two opposing portions of the substrate 302 (or anisotropic material layer 303), namely, a first portion 330 and a second portion 332. The concave edge 305 may include a substantially C-shaped concave surface. The first portion 330 and the second portion 332 may be mirror images of each other and have mirror symmetry. The mirror symmetry of the first portion 330 and the second portion 332 may be centered on a center line 325. In other embodiments, the first portion 330 and the second portion 332 may not be mirror images of each other and may not have mirror symmetry.

[0019] In some embodiments, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane of the array, and when the transducers 300A and 300B are substantially planar, the transducers 300A and 300B may include a first end 306 separated from a second end 308 by a gap 310. The gap 310 may be located closer to the wider portion 316 of the substrate 302 (or anisotropic material layer 303) than to the narrower portion 318. The centerline 325 may extend through the longest dimension direction of the substrate 302 (or anisotropic material layer 303) and through the center of the gap 310. The substrate 302 (or anisotropic material layer 303) may have mirror symmetry, and the mirror symmetry of the substrate 302 (or anisotropic material layer 303) may be centered on the centerline 325.

[0020] The substrate 302 (or anisotropic material layer 303) may have two opposing ends (or opposing sides), namely a first end 312 and a second end 314. The gap 310 can be defined as being located between the two opposing ends 312, 314 of the substrate 302 (or anisotropic material layer 303). The first end 312 may include a convex edge, and the second end 314 may include a convex edge portion.

[0021] The first end 306 may have a first edge 320 and a second edge 322. The first edge 320 may define a portion of the outer edge 340 of the substrate 302 (or the layer of anisotropic material 303) and may be convex. The second edge 322 may define a portion of the concave edge 305 of the opening 304 and may be concave. The second end 308 may have a first edge 324 and a second edge 326. The first edge 324 may define a portion of the outer edge 340 of the substrate 302 (or the layer of anisotropic material 303) and may be convex. The second edge 326 may define a portion of the concave edge 305 of the opening 304 and may be concave. The opening 304 may have a partially circular, nearly circular, substantially partially circular, or substantially nearly circular edge defined by the first edge 322 and the second edge 326.

[0022] In some embodiments, the first portion 330 and the second portion 332 may be used to define the opening 304. In some embodiments, the first end 306 and the second end 308 may be used to define the opening 304. In some embodiments, the first end 306 and the second end 308 may be used to define the gap 310. In some embodiments, the first portion 330 and the second portion 332 may be close to the narrow portion 318, and the first end 306 and the second end 308 may be close to the wide portion 316. In some embodiments, the first portion 330 and the first end 306 may overlap at least partially, and in some embodiments, the second portion 332 and the second end 308 may overlap at least partially.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first end 306 and the second end 308 may each include part of an array of at least one electrode. In other embodiments, only one of the first end 306 or the second end 308 includes part of an array of at least one electrode. In some embodiments, the first end 306 and the second end 308 are part of a single continuous substrate 302 (or a layer of anisotropic material 303). In other embodiments, the first end 306 and the second end 308 are located in two separate discontinuous sections on the substrate 302 (or a layer of anisotropic material 303).

[0024] Transducers 300A and 300B are substantially planar and can be deformed to be substantially nonplanar, for example, into substantially truncated elliptic parabolas, substantially truncated oblique cones, or similar shapes. As nonplanar shapes, transducers 300A and 300B may be substantially conical, such as substantially truncated elliptic parabolas or substantially truncated oblique cones.

[0025] Figure 3B shows transducer 300B applied to an exemplary chest area. For ease of explanation, transducer 300B is depicted on a mannequin. When transducer 300B is deformed and formed in the shape of a substantially truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone, the opening 304 may form a substantially circular opening 350 in the truncated portion 352 of the truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone. In some embodiments, when transducer 300B is formed in the shape of a substantially truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone, the substantially circular opening 350 may be formed in the truncated portion 352 of the truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone by removing the gap 310 between the two opposing ends of the substrate 302 (or anisotropic material layer 303), i.e., the first end 312 and the second end 314. In some embodiments, when transducer 300B is formed in the shape of a substantially truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone, the first end 306 abuts, contacts, or overlaps with the second end 308, and / or the second end 308 abuts, contacts, or overlaps with the first end 306. As seen in Figure 3B, the second end 314 of the second end 308 overlaps with the first end 312 of the first end 306. As seen in Figure 3B, the abutment, contact, or overlap of the first end 306 and the second end 308 is located in the lower part of the subject's chest. A similar description may apply to transducer 300A when it is deformed and formed in the shape of a substantially truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone (indicated by similar labels as shown in Figures 3A / 3B). The transducer 300A can also be applied to the chest area.

[0026] In some embodiments, the transducers 300A and 300B may be substantially non-planar. In such embodiments, the transducers 300A and 300B may be formed substantially as a truncated elliptic paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone, and further, an opening 304 may form a substantially circular opening 350 in the truncated portion 352 of the truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone. In such embodiments, the transducers 300A and 300B may be adapted to be positioned on or around an anatomical part of the subject, such as the chest (Figure 3B). The substantially circular opening 350 may coincide with a first location on the subject, such as the nipple, and the electrodes of the transducer array may not be positioned on the nipple.

[0027] Figure 4A shows top views of two exemplary transducers 400A and 400B. Transducers 400A and 400B are mirror images of each other, but otherwise have the same shape and characteristics. In Figure 4A, the two exemplary transducers 400A and 400B are shown as mirror images of each other, but this is not necessarily required, and therefore the labeling scheme in Figure 4A follows left-right notation rather than mirror image notation. Transducers 400A and 400B are similar to transducers 300A and 300B (following the same description and labeling notation), but differ in that each of transducers 400A and 400B does not have mirror symmetry. Substrates 402A and 402B (or anisotropic material layers 403A and 403B) have openings 404A and 404B, and gaps 410A and 410B, respectively. In some embodiments, the gaps 410A, 410B may be located on one side of the substrates 402A, 402B (or the anisotropic material layers 403A, 403B). When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane of the array, and when the transducer 400A is substantially planar, the gap 410A is located to the left of the substrate 402A (or the anisotropic material layer 403A). The first portion 430A is smaller than the second portion 432A. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane of the array, and when the transducer 400B is substantially planar, the gap 410B is located to the right of the substrate 402B (or the anisotropic material layer 403B). The first portion 430B is larger than the second portion 432B.

[0028] Transducers 400A and 400B may be deformable from a substantially planar shape to a non-planar shape, for example, a truncated elliptic paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone. Figure 4B shows transducer 400B applied to an exemplary chest area. For ease of explanation, transducer 400B is depicted on a mannequin. When transducer 400B is deformed and substantially formed into the shape of a truncated elliptic paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone, an opening 404B may form a substantially circular opening 450B in the truncated portion 452B of the truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone. In some embodiments, when the transducer 400B is formed in the shape of a substantially truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone, a substantially circular opening 450B may be formed in the truncated portion 452B of the truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone by removing the gap 410B between the two opposing ends of the substrate 402B (or anisotropic material layer 403B), i.e., the gap 410B between the first end 412B and the second end 414B. In some embodiments, when the transducer 400B is formed in the shape of a substantially truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone, the first end 406B abuts, contacts, or overlaps with the second end 408B, and / or the second end 408B abuts, contacts, or overlaps with the first end 406B. As seen in Figure 4B, the second end 414B of the second end 408B overlaps with the first end 412B of the first end 406B. As seen in Figure 4B, the contact, contact, or overlap of the first end 406B and the second end 408B is located in the lower part of the subject's chest (however, in other embodiments, other locations of contact, contact, or overlap may exist). If the transducer 400A is deformed and substantially formed in the shape of a truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone, a similar description may apply to the transducer 400A (the labeling is the same as in Figure 4A, except that for the transducer 400A, the first end is 408A, the second end is 406A, the second end is 412A, and the first end is 414A). The transducer 400A may also be applied to the chest area.

[0029] Figures 5A and 5B show a top view of an exemplary transducer 500A. Transducer 500A is similar to transducer 400B but includes a second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570A. In some embodiments, transducer 500A may include a second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570A separate from substrate 502A (or anisotropic material layer 503A) (Figure 5A). A second array of at least one electrode may be placed on the second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570A, and further, the second array may be configured to be positioned across the subject's body with the faces of the second array facing the subject's body. In some embodiments, the second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570A is substantially C-shaped. In some embodiments, the transducer 500A may include a second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570A that may abut, contact, or overlap with the first substrate 502A (or anisotropic material layer 503A) (Figure 5B). In some embodiments, if the transducer 500A (which may include abutting, contacting, or overlapping with the second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570A) is formed substantially as a truncated elliptic paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone, the substantially circular opening 550A is defined by the previous opening 504A (within the previous gap 510A in Figure 5A) and the substantially C-shaped second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570A. In some embodiments, if the transducer 500A is formed in the shape of a substantially truncated elliptic paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone, the first end 576A of the substantially C-shaped second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570A may overlap with the first end 506A of the substrate 502A (or anisotropic material layer 503A) in overlapping area 580 (shaded area in Figure 5B), and the second end 578A of the substantially C-shaped second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570A may overlap with the second end 508A of the substrate 502A (or anisotropic material layer 503A) in overlapping area 582 (shaded area in Figure 5B).In Figure 5B, overlapping area 580 and overlapping area 582 have different sizes and / or different shapes. However, in some embodiments, overlapping area 580 and overlapping area 582 may have the same size and / or the same shape. In some embodiments, the array placed on substrate 502A and the second array placed on substrate 570A are electrically connected when one overlaps (and contacts) the other. Before placing the transducer 500A on a subject, substrate 502A (or anisotropic material layer 503A) and the second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570A may be separated (and not electrically connected) from each other, as seen in Figure 5A. When the transducer 500A is placed on the subject, the substrate 502A (or anisotropic material layer 503A) and the second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570A may be in contact with, touch, or overlap each other, as can be seen in Figure 5B. In an alternative embodiment, the substrate 502A (or anisotropic material layer 503A) and the second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570A may be in contact with, touch, or overlap each other before the transducer 500A is positioned on the subject.

[0030] Figures 5C and 5D show a top view of an exemplary transducer 500B. Transducer 500B is similar to transducers 300A and 300B, but in addition to the substrate 502B (or anisotropic material layer 503B) (similar to substrate 302 / anisotropic material layer 303), transducer 500B includes a second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570B. Similar to the second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570A, the second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570B may also be substantially C-shaped. The substrate 502B (or anisotropic material layer 503B) of transducer 500B may be substantially similar in structure to the substrate 502A (or anisotropic material layer 503A) of transducer 500A, except that the gap 510B between the openings 504B may be located in a different exemplary position (Figure 5C) compared to the gap 510A between the openings 504A (Figure 5A). In some embodiments, if the transducer 500B is formed in the shape of a substantially truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone, the first end 576B of the substantially C-shaped second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570B may overlap with the first end 506B of the substrate 502B (or anisotropic material layer 503B) in overlapping area 584 (shaded area in Figure 5D), and the second end 578B of the substantially C-shaped second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570B may overlap with the second end 508B of the substrate 502B (or anisotropic material layer 503B) in overlapping area 586 (shaded area in Figure 5D). In Figure 5D, overlapping areas 584 and 586 have the same size and / or the same shape (however, they do not have to, and in some embodiments, overlapping areas 584 and 586 may have different sizes and / or different shapes). In other respects, the formation and operation of transducer 500B (including the formation of a substantially circular opening 550B) is similar to that of transducer 500A (including the formation of a substantially circular opening 550A), and can be similarly formed as a truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone.In some embodiments, the array placed on substrate 502B and the second array placed on substrate 570B are electrically connected if one overlaps (and is in contact with) the other. Before the transducer 500B is placed on a subject, the substrate 502B (or anisotropic material layer 503B) and the second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570B may be separated (and not electrically connected) from each other, as seen in Figure 5C. Once the transducer 500B is placed on a subject, the substrate 502B (or anisotropic material layer 503B) and the second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570B may be in contact with each other, or overlap, as seen in Figure 5D. In an alternative embodiment, before positioning the transducer 500B on the subject, the substrate 502B (or anisotropic material layer 503B) and the second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570B may be in contact with, touch, or overlap each other.

[0031] When applied to anatomical areas such as the subject's chest or chemotherapy port, it can be difficult to position the transducer correctly. For example, the transducer may be too small to cover the correct location on the chest, or, as an alternative, it may be impossible or impractical to place the transducer in a chemotherapy port. In such situations, for example, transducers 500A, 500B may be used to form a truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated cone having substantially circular openings 550A, 550B by first positioning the substrate 502A, 502B (or anisotropic material layer 503A, 503B) on the subject, and then positioning the second substrate (and / or anisotropic material layer) 570A, 570B on the subject. In some embodiments, the second substrates (and / or anisotropic material layers) 570A and 570B have the same or very similar shape and / or size, and can be used in combination with substrates of various shapes, such as substrates 502A and 502B (or anisotropic material layers 503A, 503B).

[0032] Figure 6A shows a top view of an exemplary transducer 600. Transducer 600 is similar to the exemplary transducers 300A and 300B in Figure 3, and its features are described similarly, except that transducer 600 includes a slit 660 instead of a gap 310. The top view of Figure 6A also shows an anisotropic material layer 603 that may further cover (and partially cover) the substrate 602. The substrate 602 may be or include an adhesive bandage for attaching the transducer 600 to a subject. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the transducer 600, and the transducer 600 is substantially planar, the slit 660 may be located between the outer edge 640 of the substrate 602 and the concave edge 605 of the opening 604. The slit 660 may separate the first end 606 of the transducer 600 from the second end 608 of the transducer 600. The slit 660 can be defined by the first edge 662 of the first end 606 and the second edge 664 of the second end 608. For example, the slit 660 may be a visible gap between the first edge 662 and the second edge 664. For example, the slit 660 may be formed by making a cut in the transducer 600. Both the first edge 662 and the second edge 664 may be straight lines between the outer edge 640 and the concave edge 605 of the substrate 602. The slit 660 may penetrate the layer of anisotropic material 603 having a peripheral edge 642. The slit 660 may penetrate the substrate 602 having an outer edge 640. The slit 660 may penetrate both the substrate 602 and the anisotropic material layer 603 (as shown in Figure 6A). Similar embodiments may also exist for transducers that have a substrate but lack an anisotropic material layer, or transducers that have an anisotropic material layer but lack a substrate.

[0033] Figure 6B shows a transducer 600 applied to an exemplary chest area. For ease of explanation, the transducer 600 is depicted on a mannequin. In some embodiments, when the transducer 600 is deformed and substantially formed in the shape of a truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone, the opening 604 can form a substantially circular opening 650 in the truncated portion 652 of the truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone. To form a substantially circular opening 650, the first end 606 may overlap with the second end 608 (and vice versa). Referring to Figure 6A, the overlapping portion 668 (shaded portion) of the second end 608 may be designated to overlap with the first end 606. In Figure 6B, the second end 608 overlaps with at least a portion of the first end 606. In other embodiments, the first end 606 may overlap with at least a portion of the second end 608. Referring again to Figure 6B, the edge 664 overlaps (or extends) with the first end 606 at least partially, and the edge 662 is located at least partially behind the second end 608. This overlap may result in the substantially circular opening 650 being either perfectly circular or not (the latter being illustrated in Figure 6B).

[0034] Figure 6C shows a top view of an exemplary transducer 610. Transducer 610 is similar to the exemplary transducer 600 in Figure 6A, and its features are similarly described, but instead of having a substantially pear-shaped or rounded triangular surface, transducer 610 has a circular surface. Having a circular surface shape, transducer 610 can be better adapted to be placed on or around a subject's chest or chemotherapy port than transducers with substantially pear-shaped or rounded triangular surfaces. The top view in Figure 6C shows an anisotropic material layer 613 that may further cover (and partially cover) the substrate 612. The substrate 612 may be or include an adhesive bandage for attaching transducer 610 to a subject. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the array plane, and when the transducer 610 is substantially planar, the slit 670 may be located between the outer edge 621 of the substrate 612 and the concave edge 615 of the opening 614. The slit 670 may separate the first end 616 of the transducer 610 from the second end 618 of the transducer 610. The slit 670 may be defined by the first edge 672 of the first end 616 and the second edge 674 of the second end 618. For example, the slit 670 may be a visible gap between the first edge 672 and the second edge 674. For example, the slit 670 may be formed by making a cut in the transducer 610. Both the first edge 672 and the second edge 674 may be straight lines between the outer edge 621 of the substrate 612 and the concave edge 615. The slit 670 may penetrate a layer of anisotropic material 613 having a peripheral edge 619. The slit 670 may penetrate a substrate 612 having an outer edge 621. The slit 670 may penetrate both the substrate 612 and the anisotropic material layer 613 (as shown in Figure 6C). Similar embodiments may also exist for transducers that have a substrate but no anisotropic material layer, or transducers that have an anisotropic material layer but no substrate.

[0035] Figure 6D shows a transducer 610 applied to an exemplary chest area. For ease of explanation, the transducer 610 is depicted on a mannequin. In some embodiments, when the transducer 610 is deformed and substantially formed in the shape of a truncated cone, the opening 614 can form a substantially circular opening 680 in the truncated portion 682 of the truncated cone. To form a substantially circular opening 680, the first end 616 may overlap with the second end 618 (and vice versa). Referring to Figure 6C, the overlapping portion 678 (shaded portion) of the second end 618 may be designated to overlap with the first end 616. In Figure 6D, the second end 618 overlaps with at least a portion of the first end 678 (by an amount corresponding to the overlapping portion 678). In other embodiments, the first end 616 may overlap with at least a portion of the second end 618. Referring again to Figure 6D, edge 674 overlaps (or extends) at least partially with the first end 616, and edge 672 is located at least partially behind the second end 618. This overlap may result in the substantially circular opening 680 being a perfect circle (we will make it a perfect circle) or not (the latter is illustrated in Figure 6D, primarily to illustrate the first end 616 and the first edge 672, which would be hidden if the overlap were perfect).

[0036] Figure 7 shows an exemplary apparatus 700 for applying an alternating current electric field (e.g., a TT electric field) to a subject's body. This system can be used to treat a target area of ​​a subject's body with the alternating current electric field. In another example, the target area may be within the subject's torso, and the alternating current electric field can be delivered to the subject's body via two pairs of transducer arrays positioned on at least one of the subject's body's chest, abdomen, or one or both thighs (e.g., in Figures 1A and 1B, there are four transducers 100, 102, 104, and 106; in Figures 2A and 2B, there are four transducers 200, 202, 204, and 206). In yet another example, the target area may be within the subject's brain, and the alternating current electric field can be delivered to the subject's body via two pairs of transducer arrays positioned on the subject's head. Other arrangements of transducer arrays on the subject's body are also possible.

[0037] Exemplary apparatus 700 illustrates an exemplary system having four transducers (or “transducer arrays”) 700A–D. Each transducer 700A–D may include substantially flat electrode elements 704A–D positioned on substrates 702A–D and electrically and physically connected (e.g., through conductive wiring 707A–D). The substrates 702A–D may include, for example, cloth, foam, flexible plastic, and / or conductive medical gel or adhesive. As described herein, the transducers 700A–D may be substantially planar (flat), but one or more transducers 700A–D may be configured to be deformable from substantially planar to substantially nonplanar (e.g., substantially formed as a truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid, truncated oblique cone, truncated cone, or similar shapes). Two transducers (e.g., 700A and 700D) may constitute a first pair of transducers configured to apply an alternating electric field to a target area of ​​the subject's body. Two other transducers (e.g., 700B and 700C) may constitute a second pair of transducers similarly configured to apply an alternating electric field to a target area.

[0038] Transducers 700A-D may be coupled to an AC voltage generator 720, and the system may further include a controller 710 communicatively coupled to the AC voltage generator 720. The controller 710 may include a computer including one or more processors 724 and a memory 726 accessible by one or more processors. The memory 726 may store instructions, when executed by one or more processors, that cause the computer to control the AC voltage generator 720 to induce an alternating electric field between the transducer pair 700A-D according to one or more voltage waveforms, and / or one or more methods disclosed herein. The controller 710 may monitor the operation performed by the AC voltage generator 720 (e.g., via a processor 724). One or more sensors 728 may be connected to the controller 710 to provide the controller 710 with measured values ​​or other information (e.g., a thermistor providing temperature measurement).

[0039] The voltage generator 720 can supply one or more voltages to various pairs of transducers (e.g., 700A / D, 700B / C) to apply an alternating electric field to the subject's body. The controller 710 can instruct the voltage generator 720 to generate one or more voltages according to one or more waveforms. For example, the method described below with reference to Figure 7 can be implemented using the voltage generator 720 and the controller 710.

[0040] The structure of transducers 700A-D can take various forms. The transducer may be attached to the subject's body, or attached to or incorporated into clothing covering the subject's body. The transducer may include suitable materials for attaching the transducer to the subject's body. For example, suitable materials may include cloth, foam, flexible plastic, and / or conductive medical gel.

[0041] A transducer may include any desired number of electrode elements (e.g., one or more electrode elements). For example, this transducer may include one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more electrode elements (e.g., twenty electrode elements). 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 an AC electric field to the subject's body and (b) being positioned at locations specified herein. The transducer may be conductive or nonconductive. In some embodiments, an AC signal may be capacitively coupled to the subject's body. In some embodiments, at least one electrode element of the first, second, third, or fourth transducer may include at least one ceramic disc adapted to generate an AC electric field. In some embodiments, at least one electrode element of a first, second, third, or fourth transducer includes a polymer film adapted to generate an alternating electric field. For example, at least one electrode element may include a polymer film arranged across pads on a printed circuit board or across a substantially flat metal piece. In one embodiment, such a polymer film has a high dielectric constant, such as greater than 10.

[0042] The disclosed transducer apparatus may also include an anisotropic material layer located on the side of the array of electrode elements facing the subject's body, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2023 / 0037806A1. The anisotropic material layer may have anisotropic thermal properties and / or anisotropic electrical properties. If the anisotropic material layer has anisotropic thermal properties (e.g., thermal conductivity in the plane of the layer is higher than thermal conductivity through the plane of the layer), the layer diffuses heat more uniformly over a larger surface area. If the anisotropic material layer has anisotropic electrical properties (e.g., electrical conductivity in the plane of the layer is higher than electrical conductivity through the plane of the layer), the layer diffuses current more uniformly over a larger surface area. In either case, this results in a decrease in the temperature of hot spots and an increase in the temperature of cold regions when a given AC voltage is applied to the array of electrode elements. Thus, the current can be increased (and consequently, the therapeutic effect can be increased) without exceeding a safe temperature threshold at any point on the subject's skin.

[0043] In some embodiments, the anisotropic material layer is anisotropic with respect to electrical conductivity. In some embodiments, the anisotropic material layer is anisotropic with respect to thermal conductivity. In some preferred embodiments, the anisotropic material layer is anisotropic with respect to both electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity.

[0044] Anisotropic thermal properties include directional thermal properties. Specifically, an anisotropic material layer may have a first thermal conductivity in a direction perpendicular to the front surface (the surface facing the skin), which is different from the thermal conductivity of the anisotropic material layer in a direction parallel to the front surface. For example, the thermal conductivity of the anisotropic material layer in the direction parallel to the front surface is more than twice as high as the first thermal conductivity. In some preferred embodiments, the thermal conductivity in the parallel direction is more than 10 times higher than the first thermal conductivity. For example, the thermal conductivity of the sheet in the direction parallel to the front surface may be 1.5 times, 2 times, 3 times, 5 times, 10 times, 20 times, 100 times, 200 times, or even more than 1,000 times the first thermal conductivity.

[0045] Anisotropic electrical properties include directional electrical properties. Specifically, an anisotropic material layer may have a first electrical conductivity (or, conversely, resistance) perpendicular to the front surface that differs from the electrical conductivity (or resistance) of the anisotropic material layer in the direction parallel to the front surface. For example, the resistance of the anisotropic material layer in the direction parallel to the front surface may be less than the first resistance. In some preferred embodiments, the resistance in the parallel direction is less than half of the first resistance, or less than 10% of the first resistance. For example, the resistance of the anisotropic material layer in the direction parallel to the front surface may be less than 75%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, 1%, 0.5%, or even less than 0.1% of the first resistance.

[0046] In some embodiments (for example, when the anisotropic material layer is a sheet of pyrolytic graphite), the anisotropic material layer has both anisotropic electrical properties and anisotropic thermal properties.

[0047] Figure 8 shows an exemplary computer device for use in embodiments of the present invention. For example, the device 800 may be a computer for performing certain inventive techniques disclosed herein, such as selecting the position of a transducer for delivering a TT electric field to a subject, as discussed later with respect to Figure 9. For example, the device 800 may be a controller device for applying an AC electric field for embodiments herein. For example, the device 800 may be used as the controller 710 in Figure 7. The device 800 may include one or more processors 802, memory 804, one or more input devices (not shown, but depicted as input 808), and one or more output devices 806.

[0048] Memory 804 is accessible by one or more processors 802 so that they can read and write information to and from memory 804. When executed by one or more processors 802, memory 804 may store instructions that implement one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, device 800 includes one or more processors and memory accessible by one or more processors, the memory which, when executed by one or more processors, stores instructions that cause device 800 to perform operations to implement one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0049] In one example, based on input 808, one or more processors 802 may control a voltage generator to generate control signals for implementing embodiments of the present invention. Input 808 may be a user input, a sensor input, or an input from another computer communicating with the device 800. Input 808 may be received in conjunction with one or more input devices (not shown) of the device 800. Output device 806 may provide operational status of the present invention, such as transducer selection, generated voltage, and other operational information. Output device 806 may provide visualization data.

[0050] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 900 for determining the shape and placement of transducers on a subject's body to apply a TT field. As illustrated, method 900 may begin from step S902 with determining a target region within the subject. This can be achieved, for example, by analyzing one or more sets of image data (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, computed tomography (CT) data, etc.) to determine the approximate location and / or 3D volume of a target (e.g., a tumor) and / or target region within the subject's body.

[0051] In step S904, method 900 includes selecting positions for transducer placement on the subject's body based on one or more simulations of electric field distributions passing through target regions within the subject's body. This may involve, for example, performing one or more simulations (using simulation algorithms) of expected electric field distributions passing through target regions of the subject's body based on image data associated with the subject's body. More specifically, this decision may be performed by comparing simulations of different assumed transducer positions based on the expected electric field distributions passing through the target regions, ranking the results, and further recommending the pairs of transducer positions.

[0052] In step S906, method 900 includes determining whether the above location intersects with a designated area of ​​the subject's body. The designated area may be, for example, the chest or a chemotherapy port. The chest area may be identified, for example, via an image processing module that identifies landmarks (e.g., anatomical features and / or devices) depicted in one or more images included in image data of the subject's body. The image processing module may determine / detect the location of one or more landmarks using one or more object recognition and / or tracking algorithms. As another example, the chest area may be identified based on user input, for example, the presence and / or approximate location of a chemotherapy port in the area, physiometric measurements (e.g., chest size measurements), the presence and / or approximate location of a nipple, and so on. The area surrounding a chemotherapy port may be similarly designated.

[0053] In step S908, method 900 includes selecting a transducer shape based on a designated area on the subject's body. Selecting a transducer shape may involve, for example, determining in step S906 whether the location overlaps with at least one nipple in the chest area or with a chemotherapy port. The selected shape may include the shapes described above. In some embodiments, method 900 may include selecting a specific shape based on factors such as the relative size and location of overlapping portions of the chest, nipples, or chemotherapy port. The selected transducer shape may be a shape other than the default shape. The selected transducer shape may be such that the transducer is deformable from substantially planar to substantially non-planar (e.g., substantially formed as a truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid, truncated oblique cone, truncated cone, or similar shape).

[0054] In one example, in step S910, method 900 may optionally further include determining the orientation of the transducer in relation to the subject's body position so as to prevent the transducer from covering at least a portion of a designated area (e.g., a papilla or chemotherapy port within the designated area).

[0055] If it is determined in step S912 that the above position does not overlap with the specified area, another transducer shape (for example, the default transducer shape) may be selected for the transducer in step S912. For example, the default transducer shape may be a rectangle, a nearly rectangular shape with rounded corners, a circle, an ellipse, an egg shape, a curved shape, or an oblate circle.

[0056] In step S924, method 900 includes outputting a recommended transducer shape and position to the user (e.g., via an output on the user interface). Step S924 may further include outputting a recommended orientation of the transducer to the user. The output may be in the form of a visual notification regarding the placement of the transducer array. That is, one or more recommended placement locations for the transducer array and the chest, nipple, and / or chemotherapy port may be displayed to the user. The notification may visually instruct the user on where to place the transducer array in order to 1) avoid nipples or chemotherapy ports on the subject's body, and 2) receive an optimized electric field applied to the target area.

[0057] Figure 9 shows the sequence of operations for illustrative purposes, but the timing and sequence of such operations may be modified where appropriate without prejudice to the purpose and merits of the examples, which are described in detail throughout the remainder of this disclosure. Exemplary Embodiments

[0058] The present invention includes other exemplary embodiments ("Embodiments") as follows:

[0059] Embodiment 1. A transducer device for delivering a tumor treatment area to the body of a subject, the transducer device comprising a substrate and at least one array disposed on the substrate, configured to be positioned across the body of the subject with the faces of the array facing the body of the subject, the substrate having a substantially pear-shaped or rounded triangular surface with openings located toward a broad portion of a substantially pear-shaped or rounded triangular surface when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the face of the array, the openings being undisposed of electrodes, the transducer device being substantially planar and deformable from substantially planar to substantially nonplanar, substantially formed as a truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone, and if the transducer device is substantially formed as a truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone, the openings forming substantially circular openings at the truncation of the truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone.

[0060] Embodiment 2: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 1, wherein, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane of the array and the transducer apparatus is substantially planar, the transducer apparatus includes a first end separated from the second end by a gap, and when the transducer apparatus is substantially formed in the shape of a truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone, the first end abuts, contacts, or overlaps with the second end.

[0061] Embodiment 2A: The transducer device according to Embodiment 2, wherein the first end has a first edge and a second edge, the first edge defines a portion of the outer edge of a substantially pear-shaped or rounded triangular surface, and the second edge defines a portion of the opening.

[0062] Embodiment 2B: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 2, wherein the first end and the second end each include a portion of the array of at least one electrode.

[0063] Embodiment 2C: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 2, wherein only one of the first or second ends includes a portion of the array of at least one electrode.

[0064] Embodiment 5D: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 2, wherein the first end and the second end are part of a single continuous substrate.

[0065] Embodiment 5E: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 2, wherein the first end and the second end are located in two separate discontinuous sections of the substrate.

[0066] Embodiment 3: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 1, wherein, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane of the array and the transducer apparatus is substantially, the substrate includes a slit between the outer edge of the substrate and the edge of the opening, the slit separating a first end of the transducer apparatus from a second end of the transducer apparatus, and, if the transducer apparatus is substantially formed in the shape of a truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone, the first end overlaps the second end.

[0067] Embodiment 4: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 1, wherein, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the array and the transducer apparatus is substantially planar, the substrate has at least one concave edge defining an opening between two opposing sides of the substrate, the opening defining a substantially C-shaped surface in a broad portion of a substantially pear-shaped or rounded triangular surface.

[0068] Embodiment 5: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 4, wherein the substrate has mirror symmetry.

[0069] Embodiment 6: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 4, wherein the gap defined by the substantially C-shaped surface is located on one side of the substrate, passes through the longest dimension direction of the substrate, and passes through the center of the gap,

[0070] Embodiment 7: The transducer device according to Embodiment 1, further comprising a second substrate separated from the substrate, wherein the second substrate is substantially C-shaped, and if the transducer device is substantially formed in the shape of a truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone, the substantially circular opening is defined by the opening and the substantially C-shaped second substrate, and optionally, a second array of at least one electrode is placed on the second substrate, and the second array is configured to be positioned across the body of a subject with the faces of the second array facing the body of the subject.

[0071] Embodiment 8: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 7, wherein, when the transducer apparatus is substantially formed in the shape of a truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone, each end of the substantially C-shaped second substrate overlaps a separate portion of the substrate.

[0072] Embodiment 9: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 7, wherein the above array and the second array are electrically connected.

[0073] Embodiment 10: The transducer device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the substrate is adapted to be positioned on or around the anatomical shape of a subject.

[0074] Embodiment 11: The transducer device according to Embodiment 10, wherein the anatomically shaped part is the chest.

[0075] Embodiment 12: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 1, wherein the substantially circular opening coincides with a first location of the subject, the first location includes the nipple, and none of the electrodes of the transducer array are located on the nipple.

[0076] Embodiment 13: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 1, further comprising an anisotropic material layer on the skin-facing side of the array.

[0077] Embodiment 14: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 13, wherein the anisotropic material is a sheet of graphite.

[0078] Embodiment 14A: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 13, wherein the anisotropic material layer is a sheet of pyrolysis graphite, a graphitized polymer film, or a graphite foil manufactured from compressed high-purity exfoliated mineral graphite.

[0079] Embodiment 14B: A method of using the apparatus of Embodiment 1, comprising applying the substrate to or around an anatomical shape of the subject's body such that the substantially circular opening coincides with a first location on the subject's body, and generating an electric field from the array of electrodes.

[0080] Embodiment 14C: The method according to Embodiment 14B, wherein the first position includes the nipple, and none of the electrodes of the array are located on the nipple.

[0081] Embodiment 14D: A transducer device for delivering a tumor treatment area to the body of a subject, the transducer device comprising a substrate and at least one array disposed on the substrate, configured to be positioned across the body of the subject with the faces of the array facing the body of the subject, the substrate having a substantially pear-shaped or rounded triangular surface when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the array, the substrate having two ends defining a gap between two opposing sides of the substrate, the gap being the substantially pear-shaped or rounded triangular surface A transducer device wherein the transducer device is located closer to the wider portion of the surface than to the narrow portion, no electrodes are placed in the gap, the transducer device is substantially planar, is deformable from substantially planar to substantially nonplanar, is substantially formed in the shape of a truncated elliptic paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone, and when the transducer device is substantially formed in the shape of a truncated elliptic paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone, a substantially circular opening is formed at the truncation of the truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone by removing the gap between two opposing sides of the substrate.

[0082] Embodiment 14E: A computer implementation method for determining the shape and placement of transducers on a subject's body for applying a tumor treatment field, wherein the computer comprises one or more processors and a memory accessible by the one or more processors, the memory storing instructions for the computer to perform the method when executed by the one or more processors, the method comprising: determining a target region on the subject's body for applying a tumor treatment field; selecting a first position on the subject's body for placing a first transducer device and a second position on the subject's body for placing a second transducer device, based on one or more simulations of the electric field distribution passing through the target region within the subject's body; selecting a first transducer device based on the first position intersecting the chest area of ​​the subject's body; and placing the transducer at the second position A computer implementation method comprising selecting a second transducer device and outputting the first transducer device, the first position, the second transducer device, and the second position to the user, wherein, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the first transducer device, the first transducer device has a substantially pear-shaped or rounded triangular surface with an opening located toward a broad portion of the substantially pear-shaped or rounded triangular surface, the first transducer device is deformable from substantially planar to substantially nonplanar, and is substantially formed in the shape of a truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone, and if the first transducer device is substantially formed in the shape of a truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone, a substantially circular opening is formed at the truncation of the truncated elliptic paraboloid or truncated oblique cone.

[0083] Embodiment 15: A transducer device for delivering a tumor treatment area to the body of a subject, the transducer device comprising a substrate and at least one array disposed on the substrate, configured to be positioned across the body of the subject with the faces of the array facing the body of the subject, the transducer device being substantially non-planar, and being substantially formed in the shape of a truncated elliptic paraboloid, a truncated oblique cone, or a truncated cone, wherein an opening forms a substantially circular opening at the truncation of the truncated elliptic paraboloid, truncated oblique cone, or truncated cone.

[0084] Embodiment 16: The transducer device according to Embodiment 15, wherein the substrate is adapted to be positioned on or around the anatomical shape of a subject.

[0085] Embodiment 16A: The transducer device according to Embodiment 16, wherein the anatomically shaped part is the chest.

[0086] Embodiment 17: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 15, wherein the substantially circular opening coincides with a first location of the subject, the first location includes the nipple, and none of the electrodes of the transducer array are located on the nipple.

[0087] Embodiment 18: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 15, further comprising an anisotropic material layer on the skin-facing side of the array.

[0088] Embodiment 19: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 18, wherein the anisotropic material is a sheet of graphite.

[0089] Embodiment 19A: The transducer apparatus according to Embodiment 18, wherein the anisotropic material layer is a sheet of pyrolysis graphite, a graphitized polymer film, or a graphite foil manufactured from compressed high-purity exfoliated mineral graphite.

[0090] Embodiment 20: A computer implementation method for determining the shape and placement of transducers on a subject's body for applying a tumor treatment field, wherein the computer comprises one or more processors and a memory accessible by the one or more processors, the memory storing instructions for the computer to perform the method when executed by the one or more processors, the method comprising determining a target region on the subject's body for applying the tumor treatment field, and determining a first position on the subject's body for placing a first transducer device and a second position on the subject's body for placing a second transducer device, based on one or more simulations of the electric field distribution passing through the target region within the subject's body. A computer implementation method comprising: selecting a second position on the body; selecting a first transducer device based on the first position intersecting the chest area of ​​the subject's body; selecting a second transducer device for the second position; and outputting the first transducer device, the first position, the second transducer device, and the second position to the user, wherein the first transducer device is substantially non-planar, and is substantially formed in the shape of a truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid, a truncated oblique cone, or a truncated cone, with a substantially circular opening formed at the truncation of the truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid, truncated oblique cone, or truncated cone.

[0091] Embodiment 21: A method for administering a tumor treatment field (TT field) to a subject, the method comprising: determining a target region of the subject's body to apply the tumor treatment field; selecting a position on the subject's body to place a transducer device based on one or more simulations of the electric field distribution passing through the target region within the subject's body; and selecting a transducer device based on a position intersecting the chest area of ​​the subject's body, wherein the transducer device includes a first end separated from a second end by a gap, and the transducer A method comprising: if the transducer is formed substantially in the shape of a truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid, a truncated oblique cone, or a truncated cone, the first end abuts, contacts, or overlaps with the second end; applying the transducer device to the position on the subject intersecting the chest area of ​​the subject's body; and overlapping the first end and the second end to obtain a three-dimensional structure or a non-planar transducer structure, wherein a substantially circular opening is formed at the truncation of the truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid, truncated oblique cone, or truncated cone.

[0092] Embodiment 21A: The method according to Embodiment 21, further comprising delivering an alternating electric field to the subject via at least one pair of transducer devices, wherein the at least one pair of transducer devices is located at a position intersecting the chest area of ​​the subject's body.

[0093] Embodiment 22: A method for positioning a transducer array across a contoured surface of a subject, the method comprising: determining a target region of the subject's body for applying a tumor treatment field; selecting a position on the subject's body for positioning the transducer device based on one or more simulations of an electric field distribution through the target region within the subject's body; and selecting the transducer device based on a position intersecting the chest area of ​​the subject's body, wherein the transducer device includes a first end separated from a second end by a gap. A method comprising: if the transducer is substantially formed in the shape of a truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid, a truncated oblique cone, or a truncated cone, the first end abuts, contacts, or overlaps with the second end; applying the transducer device to the position on the subject intersecting the chest area of ​​the subject's body; and overlapping the first end and the second end to obtain a three-dimensional structure or a non-planar transducer structure, wherein a substantially circular opening is formed at the truncation of the truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid, truncated oblique cone, or truncated cone.

[0094] Embodiment 22A: The method according to Embodiment 22, further comprising delivering an alternating electric field to the subject via at least one pair of transducer devices, wherein the at least one pair of transducer devices is located at a position intersecting the chest area of ​​the subject's body.

[0095] Optionally, in each embodiment described herein, the voltage generating component supplies the transducer with an AC waveform suitable for delivering TT field therapy to the subject's body at a frequency in the range of approximately 50 kHz to approximately 1 MHz or approximately 100 kHz to approximately 500 kHz.

[0096] The embodiments described in any heading or portion of this disclosure may be combined with embodiments described 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 claim form or dependent claim form).

[0097] 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 transducer device for delivering a tumor treatment site to the body of a subject, wherein the transducer device circuit board and The array includes at least one array of electrodes disposed on the substrate, configured to be positioned across the subject's body with the surface of the array facing the subject's body, When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane of the array, The substrate has a substantially pear-shaped or rounded triangular surface having an opening located toward a broad portion of the substantially pear-shaped or rounded triangular surface, The aforementioned opening does not contain the aforementioned electrode. The transducer device is substantially planar, The transducer device is substantially deformable from a planar shape to a substantially nonplanar shape, and is substantially formed in the shape of a truncated elliptic paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone. The transducer device, when substantially formed in the shape of a truncated elliptic paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone, wherein the opening forms a substantially circular opening at the truncation of the truncated elliptic paraboloid or the truncated oblique cone.

2. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane of the array, and the transducer device is substantially planar, the transducer device includes a first end separated from the second end by a gap, The transducer device according to claim 1, wherein, if the transducer device is substantially formed in the shape of a truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone, the first end abuts, contacts, or overlaps with the second end.

3. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane of the array, and when the transducer device is substantially planar, the substrate includes a slit between the outer edge of the substrate and the edge of the opening. The slit separates the first end of the transducer device from the second end of the transducer device. The transducer device according to claim 1, wherein, if the transducer device is substantially formed in the shape of a truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone, the first end overlaps the second end.

4. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane of the array, and the transducer device is substantially planar, The substrate has at least one concave edge that defines the opening between two opposing sides of the substrate, The transducer device according to claim 1, wherein the opening defines a substantially C-shaped surface in a broad portion of the substantially pear-shaped or rounded triangular surface.

5. Furthermore, Includes a second substrate separated from the aforementioned substrate, The second substrate is essentially C-shaped, If the transducer device is formed substantially as a truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone, the substantially circular opening is defined by the opening and the U-shaped second substrate, optionally The transducer device according to claim 1, wherein a second array of at least one electrode is disposed on the second substrate, and the second array is configured to be positioned across the body of the subject with the surface of the second array facing the body of the subject.

6. The transducer device according to claim 5, wherein, if the transducer device is substantially formed in the shape of a truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid or a truncated oblique cone, each end of the substantially C-shaped second substrate overlaps a separate portion of the substrate.

7. The transducer device according to claim 5, wherein the array and the second array are electrically connected.

8. The transducer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the substantially circular opening coincides with a first position of the subject, the first position includes the nipple, and none of the electrodes of the transducer array are positioned on the nipple.

9. Furthermore, the transducer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an anisotropic material layer on the skin-facing side of the array.

10. The transducer apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the anisotropic material is a sheet of graphite.

11. A transducer device for delivering a tumor treatment site to the body of a subject, wherein the transducer device circuit board and The array includes at least one array of electrodes disposed on the substrate, configured to be positioned across the subject's body with the surface of the array facing the subject's body, The transducer device is substantially non-planar, A transducer device wherein the transducer is substantially formed in the shape of a truncated elliptic paraboloid, a truncated oblique cone, or a truncated cone, and an opening is formed by the opening at the truncation of the truncated elliptic paraboloid, truncated oblique cone, or truncated cone, thereby forming a substantially circular opening.

12. The transducer apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the substantially circular opening coincides with a first position of the subject, the first position includes the nipple, and none of the electrodes of the transducer array are positioned on the nipple.

13. Furthermore, the transducer apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising an anisotropic material layer on the skin-facing side of the array.

14. The transducer apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the anisotropic material is a sheet of graphite.

15. A computer implementation method for determining the shape and placement of transducers on the body of a subject for applying a tumor treatment field, wherein the computer comprises one or more processors and memory accessible by the one or more processors, the memory storing instructions for causing the computer to perform the method when executed by the one or more processors, and the method is Determining the target region within the subject's body for applying the tumor treatment field, Based on one or more simulations of the electric field distribution passing through the target region within the subject's body, a first position on the subject's body for positioning the first transducer device and a second position on the subject's body for positioning the second transducer device are selected. Based on the first position that intersects with the chest area of ​​the subject's body, a first transducer device is selected. Regarding the second position, the second transducer device is selected, This includes outputting the first transducer device, the first position, the second transducer device, and the second position to the user, The first transducer device is substantially non-planar, A computer mounting method wherein the first transducer device is substantially formed in the shape of a truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid, a truncated oblique cone, or a truncated cone, and a substantially circular opening is formed at the truncation of the truncated ellipsoidal paraboloid, truncated oblique cone, or truncated cone.

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