Tumor treating fields system

Abstract

The present application provides a tumor treating fields system, comprising an electric field generator and a plurality of electrode patches arranged in pairs, wherein the plurality of pairs of electrode patches comprise a pair of first electrode patches and a pair of second electrode patches, the first electrode patches and the second electrode patches are each provided with a plurality of electrode units, and the plurality of electrode units are separately arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns, wherein centers of the plurality of electrode units, located in the same row, of the first electrode patch lie on the same arc, and centers of the plurality of electrode units, located in the same row, of the second electrode patch lie on the same horizontal line. The tumor treating fields system of the present application comprises the first electrode patches and the second electrode patches. The electrode units of the first electrode patches and the second electrode patches are distributed in different patterns. The first electrode patches have a relatively low mean current density, while the second electrode patches exhibit better current density uniformity, so that corresponding electrode patches can be applied to different sites of a patient.

Description

Tumor electric field therapy system Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a tumor electric field therapy system. Background Technology

[0002] Intermediate-frequency alternating electric field therapy has been proven to be an effective method for tumor treatment. It can interfere with the mitotic process of cancer cells and induce apoptosis, thus having therapeutic applications. A tumor electric field therapy system typically includes an electric field generator, an adapter, and multiple pairs of electrode patches. The electric field generator produces an alternating electrical signal, which is transmitted to the electrode patches via the adapter. The electrode patches are applied in pairs to opposite sides of the patient's skin, and an alternating current signal is applied between each pair of electrode patches to non-invasively apply a tumor-treating electric field to the target area.

[0003] The electrode patch has several electrode units. During electric field therapy, each electrode unit transfers heat outward. The system monitors the temperature of each electrode unit in real time. When the temperature of any electrode unit reaches a threshold, the system reduces the electric field strength to lower the temperature of the corresponding electrode unit and prevent low-temperature burns to the patient. Research has found that due to the edge effect, electrode units at the edges of the electrode patch are more prone to heating. The edge effect refers to the phenomenon of a sudden increase in local current density at the edges of the electrode patch caused by the superposition of electromagnetic field vectors. This increased local current density leads to increased heat generation in the corresponding area of ​​the electrode patch. Local heat accumulation can cause the temperature of the corresponding electrode unit to exceed the threshold, requiring the system to reduce the applied electric field strength. However, uneven heat distribution across the entire electrode patch can lead to a decrease in the overall energy output of the electrode patch due to a single point exceeding the threshold, resulting in poor treatment efficacy.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to improve existing tumor electric field therapy systems and their electrode patches to overcome the problems described in the background art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a tumor electric field therapy system that applies electrode patches with different properties to different areas, which can improve the uniformity of the overall current density of the electrode array and the effectiveness of electric field transmission.

[0006] Specifically, this application is achieved through the following technical solution: a tumor electric field therapy system, including an electric field generator and a plurality of paired electrode patches, wherein the plurality of pairs of electrode patches include a pair of first electrode patches and a pair of second electrode patches, and both the first electrode patches and the second electrode patches are provided with a plurality of electrode units, which are arranged in multiple rows and columns, wherein the centers of the plurality of electrode units of the first electrode patch in the same row are on the same arc line, and the centers of the plurality of electrode units of the second electrode patch in the same row are on the same horizontal line.

[0007] Furthermore, the first electrode patch and the second electrode patch are provided with the same number of electrode units, and the electrode units of the first electrode patch and the second electrode patch are symmetrically arranged along a horizontal center line and a vertical center line, respectively; in the first electrode patch, the two ends of the arc where the electrode unit located above the horizontal center line is located are arranged in an upward shape, and the two ends of the arc where the electrode unit located below the horizontal center line is located are arranged in a downward shape.

[0008] Furthermore, both the first electrode patch and the second electrode patch include twenty electrode units arranged in four rows and six columns. Two adjacent electrode units and the connecting portion between the two electrode units constitute an electrode unit group. The first row and the fourth row each have two electrode unit groups, and the third row and the fourth row each have three electrode unit groups. Each electrode unit has a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer of two electrode units in the electrode unit group also covers the connecting portion between the two electrode units and is continuously disposed thereon.

[0009] Furthermore, in the first electrode patch, the electrode unit group located between the second and third rows is arranged horizontally, while the other electrode unit groups are arranged at an angle. The angle between the line connecting the centers of two electrode units in the inclined electrode unit group and the horizontal line is 8°-12°.

[0010] Furthermore, the diameter of the electrode unit is 18 mm - 22 mm, and the center distance between two electrode units in the electrode unit group is 32 mm - 35 mm.

[0011] Furthermore, the arcs at the center of each electrode unit in each of the first to fourth rows of the first electrode patch are H1, H2, H3 and H4, respectively, wherein the curvature of arc H1 is greater than that of arc H2, and the curvature of arc H4 is greater than that of arc H3.

[0012] Furthermore, the central angle corresponding to the arc segment occupied by the electrode unit group on arc H1 is 11°-21°.

[0013] Furthermore, the central angle corresponding to the arc segment occupied by the electrode unit group on arc H2 is 7°-11°.

[0014] Furthermore, the horizontal lines where the centers of the electrode units in each of the electrode unit groups in the first to fourth rows of the second electrode patch are located are L1, L2, L3 and L4 respectively, and the vertical distance between adjacent horizontal lines is greater than the vertical distance between two electrode units in the second column of the first electrode patch that are located in the first and second rows respectively.

[0015] Furthermore, the horizontal distance between the two electrode unit groups in the first row of the first electrode patch is greater than the horizontal distance between the two electrode unit groups in the second row of the first electrode patch; the horizontal distance between the two electrode unit groups in the same row of the second electrode patch is greater than the horizontal distance between the two electrode unit groups in the first row of the first electrode patch.

[0016] The tumor electric field therapy system of this application includes a first electrode patch and a second electrode patch. The first electrode patch and the second electrode patch have the same number of electrode units but different distribution patterns. The first electrode patch has a lower average current density, while the second electrode patch has better uniformity of current density. Corresponding electrode patches can be applied to different areas of the patient to achieve uniformity of the overall current density of the electrode array and high efficiency of electric field transmission.

[0017] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 is a framework diagram of a tumor electric field therapy system according to one embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 is a plan view of a first electrode patch according to one embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 3 is a plan view of the electrode array of the first electrode patch in Figure 2;

[0021] Figure 4 is a plan view of the substrate of the electrode array in Figure 3 after the front conductive layer is applied.

[0022] Figure 5 is a plan view of a single electrode unit group of the electrode array in Figure 3;

[0023] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view obtained along line AA in Figure 3;

[0024] Figure 7 is a distribution diagram of the electrode unit groups of the electrode array in Figure 3;

[0025] Figure 8 is a plan view of a second electrode patch according to one embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 9 is a distribution diagram of the electrode unit groups of the electrode array of the second electrode patch in Figure 8;

[0027] Figure 10 is a diagram showing the distribution of electrode units in an electrode array in an electrode patch in the prior art;

[0028] Figure 11 is a comparison of the current density differences of each electrode unit in the first electrode patch in Figure 2, each electrode unit in the second electrode patch in Figure 8, and each electrode unit in the electrode patch in Figure 10.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0030] Tumor electric field therapy system 100, electric field generator 10, adapter 20, first electrode patch 30, first backing 31, first electrode array 32, electrode unit group C, C1-C10, electrode unit 420, temperature sensor 321, connecting part 322, boundary line 3221, wiring part 323, gold finger 3231, substrate 341, main body part 3411, connecting strip 3412, conductive sheet 342, opening 3421, solder pad 343, dielectric layer 344, insulating layer 345, alloy layer 346, first adhesive 33, second electrode patch 40, second electrode array 42, electrode unit 420. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses, systems, devices, and methods consistent with some aspects of this application.

[0032] Referring to Figure 1, the tumor electric field therapy system 100 includes an electric field generator 10, an adapter 20, and several paired electrode patches 30 and 40. The adapter 20 electrically connects the electric field generator 10 to each electrode patch. The electric field generator 10 generates an alternating current signal required for treatment. The adapter 20 receives the alternating current signal output from the electric field generator 10 and transmits it to the electrode patches 30 and 40. The electrode patches 30 and 40 are attached to the surface of the patient's body corresponding to the tumor area, applying the alternating current signal to the patient's tumor area for tumor electric field therapy. This application provides two similar electrode patches: a first electrode patch 30 (see Figure 2) and a second electrode patch 40 (see Figure 8). The structure of the first electrode patch 30 will be described below.

[0033] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the first electrode patch 30 includes a first backing 31, a first electrode array 32 attached to the front of the first backing 31, and a plurality of first adhesive pieces 33 attached to the front of the first electrode array 32. The front surfaces of the first backing 31, the first electrode array 32, and the first adhesive pieces 33 are all facing the patient's skin. The first electrode array 32 includes twenty electrode units 320 spaced apart and eight temperature sensors 321 selectively disposed on eight of the electrode units 320. The electrode units 320 apply an alternating current signal to the patient, and the temperature sensors 321 can provide feedback on the temperature of the corresponding electrode unit 320 at the point of application to the body surface, preventing heat generated on the electrode unit 320 during the application of the alternating current signal from causing burns to the patient's skin. The first adhesive piece 33 is sheet-shaped and covers each electrode unit 320. When in use, it is attached to the patient's body surface corresponding to the tumor. The first adhesive piece 33 is a conductive hydrogel, which can enhance the comfort of the electrode unit 320 to the patient's body surface. At the same time, it can also serve as a conductive medium to allow the alternating current signal passing through the electrode unit 320 to be applied to the patient's tumor site.

[0034] The first electrode array 32 includes a connection portion 322 connecting two adjacent electrode units 320 and a wiring portion 323 extending outward from one of the connection portions 322. The wiring portion 323 is provided with gold fingers 3231. The wiring portion 323 is soldered or detachably connected to a wire (not shown). The wire (not shown) is used to electrically connect the first electrode patch 30 to the adapter 20 to receive AC signals from the electric field generator 10 and transmit temperature detection signals from each temperature sensor 321 to the electric field generator 10.

[0035] The twenty electrode units 320 are arranged in a roughly four-row, six-column array. The first and fourth rows each have four electrode units 320, and the second and third rows each have six electrode units 320. The six electrode units 320 in each of the second and third rows correspond one-to-one and are arranged in roughly six columns. The four electrode units 320 in each of the first and fourth rows are located in the middle four columns. The twenty electrode units 320 are numbered 1-20 from left to right and top to bottom. Multiple electrode units 320 in the same row are not distributed along a horizontal line, but rather roughly along an arc. The electrode units 320 in the first and second rows are distributed along the arcs that curve upwards at both ends, while the electrode units 320 in the third and fourth rows are distributed along the arcs that curve downwards at both ends. This shape design makes the first electrode array 32 more suitable for application to areas of the skin surface with large undulations and prone to large deformations, such as the armpits and the left and right sides of the body. This can improve the adhesion of the first electrode patch 30 and prevent wrinkles during application.

[0036] In the first electrode array 32, each row of adjacent electrode units 320 from left to right and the connecting portion 322 between these two electrode units 320 constitute an electrode unit group C. These twenty electrode units 320 constitute ten electrode unit groups C, as shown in Figure 3, arranged from left to right and from top to bottom as electrode unit groups C1-C10. Each electrode unit group C is dumbbell-shaped. There are ten first adhesive pieces 33. The shape of the first adhesive piece 33 is roughly the same as that of a single electrode unit group C, also dumbbell-shaped, and its size is slightly larger than that of the electrode unit group C, corresponding to cover each electrode unit group C.

[0037] Referring to Figures 4 and 6, the first electrode array 32 includes a flexible substrate 341 arranged in a sheet shape. The substrate 341 serves as a support layer. Each electrode unit 320, each connecting portion 322, and each wiring portion 323 are further configured by providing other structures on the front and / or bottom surfaces of corresponding portions of the substrate 341. The portion of the substrate 341 corresponding to each electrode unit 320 is the main body portion 3411, and the portion of the substrate 341 corresponding to each connecting portion 322 and wiring portion 323 is the connecting strip 3412. The main body portion 3411 is arranged in a circular sheet shape, and the electrode unit 320 has a conductive sheet 342 on the main body portion 3411. The conductive sheet 342 is arranged in a circular shape with a through hole 3421 at its center. In other embodiments, the main body portion 3411 may also be arranged in a triangular, polygonal, or elliptical shape, and the conductive sheet 342 is arranged according to the shape of the main body portion 3411. Temperature sensor 321 is placed inside the opening 3421 of conductive sheet 342 of corresponding electrode unit 320. A pair of pads 343 are provided on the main body 3411 for soldering connection to temperature sensor 321. Several conductive traces (not shown) are also provided on the front and back sides of substrate 341 for transmitting AC signals to each conductive sheet 342, transmitting DC signals for temperature measurement to the corresponding pads 343, or grounding the corresponding pads 343. The conductive sheet 342, pads 343, conductive traces (not shown) on the front side of substrate 341, and gold fingers 3231 form the front conductive layer of the first electrode array 32. The conductive traces (not shown) are omitted in Figure 4.

[0038] Referring to Figures 3, 5, and 6, the first electrode array 32 further includes a dielectric layer 344 covering the conductive sheet 342 and electrically connected to it. The dielectric layer 344 is laid out individually for each electrode unit group C, meaning the dielectric layers 344 between each electrode unit group C are disconnected. The dielectric layers 344 of the two electrode units 320 within each electrode unit group C are continuously arranged by covering the connecting portion 322 within the corresponding electrode unit group C. The dielectric layer 344 allows two electrode units 320 within each electrode unit group C to simultaneously apply an AC signal. The shape of the dielectric layer 344 corresponding to each electrode unit group C is consistent with the shape of the electrode unit group C, and it is arranged in a dumbbell shape. The dielectric layer 344 can completely cover the corresponding conductive sheet 342 to prevent direct current conduction from occurring between the conductive sheet 342 and the human body, thus affecting human safety. The edge of the dielectric layer 344 does not exceed the outer contour of the substrate 341, so that the dielectric layer 344 can be fully supported by the substrate 341. The dielectric layer 344 can be made of ceramic material or a polymer dielectric layer with high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss, and it is made of a thin film material with non-fixed crystal orientation, high flexibility and high toughness. In this embodiment, the dielectric layer 344 is a polymer dielectric layer.

[0039] As shown in Figure 6, the first electrode array 32 also includes an insulating layer 345. After the front conductive layer (unlabeled) is formed and before the dielectric layer 344 is formed, the insulating layer 345 is laid on the substrate 341 to form a solder resist layer on the substrate 341. The insulating layer 345 must avoid the pads 343 and expose part of the conductive sheet 342 to avoid affecting the electrical connection between the pads 343 and the corresponding temperature sensor 321, and between the conductive sheet 342 and the corresponding dielectric layer 344. The insulating layer 345 can reduce the heat transfer from the conductive sheet 342 to the dielectric layer 344, thus playing a heat insulation role. An alloy layer 346 is further selectively laid on the dielectric layer 344, and the first adhesive piece 33 is attached to the alloy layer 346. The alloy layer 346 is used as an auxiliary layer to increase the conductivity between the dielectric layer 344 and the first adhesive piece 33.

[0040] Referring to Figure 5, each electrode unit group C has the same structure, arranged in a dumbbell shape as described above. Electrode unit group C has a horizontal axis X1 and a vertical axis Y1, and is symmetrically arranged along the horizontal axis X1 and vertical axis Y1. The center distance between two electrode units 320 within a single electrode unit group C is 32-35 mm, preferably 33.5 mm, and the radius of a single electrode unit 320 is 9-11 mm, preferably 11 mm. The boundary line 3221 of the connecting portion 322 within the electrode unit group C is two symmetrical arc segments, with the central angle corresponding to the boundary line 3221 being 40°-44°, preferably 42°. The upper boundary line 3221 is arranged with both ends curving upwards, and the lower boundary line 3221 is arranged with both ends pressing downwards.

[0041] Figure 7 shows the distribution of the ten electrode unit groups C of the first electrode patch 30. It can be understood that only the electrode unit groups C covered by the dielectric layer 344 on the first electrode patch 30 are effective areas for applying an alternating current field; other parts have little impact on the current distribution of the alternating current field, hence other parts are omitted in Figure 7. Referring to Figure 7, electrode unit groups C1, C2, C3, C5, C6, C8, C9, and C10 located at the outer edges of the first electrode patch 30 are defined as peripheral electrode unit groups C, and electrode unit groups C4 and C7 located at the center of the first electrode patch 30 are defined as central electrode unit groups C. At least a portion of the perimeter of each peripheral electrode unit group C constitutes the outer boundary M of the entire first electrode array 32, and the portion of the outer boundary M that overlaps with each peripheral electrode unit group C does not exceed 10% of the perimeter of each peripheral electrode unit group C. Furthermore, the outer boundary M has both concave and convex portions; specifically, its upper and lower edges are concave, and its left and right edges are convex. The area where these ten electrode unit groups C are located has a horizontal center line X2 and a vertical center line Y2. These ten electrode unit groups C are arranged symmetrically along the horizontal center line X2 and the vertical center line Y2. The intersection of the horizontal center line X2 and the vertical center line Y2 is the center point of these ten electrode unit groups C.

[0042] Electrode unit groups C4 and C7, located at the center of the second and third rows, are horizontally positioned, meaning that the horizontal axis X1 of electrode unit groups C4 and C7 is a horizontal line parallel to the horizontal center line X2. Other electrode unit groups C are all inclined relative to the horizontal center line X2, so that the center (i.e., the center of the circle) of each electrode unit 320 in each row is located on the same arc. The center (i.e., the center of the circle) of each electrode unit 320 in the first row is defined as being located on arc H1, the center (i.e., the center of the circle) of each electrode unit 320 in the second row is located on arc H2, the center (i.e., the center of the circle) of each electrode unit 320 in the third row is located on arc H3, and the center (i.e., the center of the circle) of each electrode unit 320 in the fourth row is located on arc H4. Arcs H1 and H4 are symmetrical along the axis of the horizontal center line X2, and arcs H2 and H3 are symmetrical along the axis of the horizontal center line X2. Arcs H1, H2, H3, and H4 are each symmetrically arranged along the vertical center line Y2. Arcs H1 and H2 curve upwards at both ends, while arcs H3 and H4 curve downwards at both ends.

[0043] Electrode unit groups C1 and C2 are both inclined relative to the horizontal centerline X2 and symmetrical relative to the vertical centerline Y2. Taking electrode unit group C1 as an example, the angle α1 between the horizontal axis X1 of electrode unit group C1 and the horizontal line is 8°-12°, preferably 10°; the central angle corresponding to the arc segment AB of arc H1 of electrode unit group C1 is 11°-21°, preferably 16°. In this embodiment, the radius of the circle containing arc H1 is approximately 192 mm, the central angle corresponding to arc H1 is approximately 36°, and the arc length of arc H1 is approximately 121 mm. In this embodiment, the horizontal line is parallel to the horizontal centerline X2.

[0044] Electrode unit groups C3 and C5 are both inclined relative to the horizontal centerline X2 and symmetrical relative to the vertical centerline Y2. Taking electrode unit group C3 as an example, the angle α2 between the horizontal axis X1 of electrode unit group C3 and the horizontal line is 8°-12°, preferably 10°; the central angle corresponding to the arc segment DE of arc H2 in electrode unit group C3 is 7-11°, preferably 9°. In this embodiment, the radius of the circle containing arc H2 is approximately 361 mm, the central angle corresponding to arc H2 is approximately 29°, and the arc length of arc H2 is approximately 183 mm. Electrode unit group C4 is horizontally arranged relative to the horizontal centerline X2 and symmetrical along the vertical centerline Y2.

[0045] Electrode unit group C9 is symmetrically arranged with electrode unit group C1, electrode unit group C10 is symmetrically arranged with electrode unit group C2 along the transverse center line X2. Electrode unit group C6 is symmetrically arranged with electrode unit group C3, electrode unit group C7 is symmetrically arranged with electrode unit group C4, electrode unit group C8 is symmetrically arranged with electrode unit group C5 along the transverse center line X2. The relevant arrangement can be found in the relevant content of electrode unit groups C1 to C5.

[0046] It is understandable that the arc lengths of arc segments AB and DE are similar, but the central angle corresponding to arc segment AB is larger than that corresponding to arc segment DE. This means that the curvature of arc H1 is greater than that of arc H2, and arc H1 is more curved. The vertical distances between adjacent arcs H1, H2, H3, and H4 are basically consistent, approximately 33-35 mm. The vertical distance between the center (i.e., the center of the circle) of the electrode unit 320 in electrode unit group C1 that is far from the vertical center line Y2 and the center (i.e., the center of the circle) of the electrode unit 320 in the third electrode unit group C3 that is close to the vertical center line Y2 is d1. That is, the vertical distance between the centers (i.e., the centers of the circles) of two electrode units 320 located in the first row and the second row, both in the second column, is d1, which is approximately 38 mm. The vertical distance d2 between the center (i.e., the center of the circle) of another electrode unit 320 in electrode unit group C1 near the vertical center line Y2 and the center (i.e., the center of the circle) of an electrode unit 320 in the adjacent fourth electrode unit group C4 is the vertical distance between the centers (i.e., the centers of the circles) of the two electrode units 320 located in the first row and the second row and the third column. d2 is less than d1 and is approximately 35 mm. The horizontal dimension K1 of the gap between electrode unit groups C1 and C2 is approximately 11.5 mm, and the horizontal dimension K2 of the gap between electrode unit groups C3 and C4 is approximately 7.5 mm.

[0047] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, Figure 8 shows the second electrode array 42 of the second electrode patch 40, and Figure 9 shows the distribution of electrode unit groups C' in the second electrode array 42. The structure of other components of the second electrode patch 40 is similar to that of the first electrode patch 30, and will not be described again. The second electrode array 42 also includes twenty electrode units 420 arranged in four rows and six columns, numbered 1-20 from left to right and top to bottom. These twenty electrode units 420 constitute ten electrode unit groups C'. Similarly, the electrode unit groups C'1, C'2, C'3, C'5, C'6, C'8, C'9, and C'10 located at the outer edge of the second electrode patch 40 are defined as the outer electrode unit groups C', and the electrode unit groups C'4 and C'7 located at the center of the second electrode patch 40 are defined as the center electrode unit groups C'. The hierarchical structure of the second electrode array 42 is also the same as that of the first electrode array 32, as described above.

[0048] The second electrode array 42 differs from the first electrode array 32 only in that all ten electrode unit groups C'1-C'10 are horizontally arranged and symmetrically arranged along the horizontal central axis X3 and the vertical central axis Y3. At least a portion of the perimeter of each outer electrode unit group C' constitutes the outer boundary N of the corresponding entire electrode array, and the overlap between this outer boundary N and each outer electrode unit group C' does not exceed 10% of the perimeter of that outer electrode unit group C'. The centers (i.e., the centers of the circles) of the four electrode units 420 in the first row are located on the horizontal line L1, the centers (i.e., the centers of the circles) of the six electrode units 420 in the second row are located on the horizontal line L2, the centers (i.e., the centers of the circles) of the six electrode units 420 in the third row are located on the horizontal line L3, and the centers (i.e., the centers of the circles) of the four electrode units 420 in the fourth row are located on the horizontal line L4. The lengths of lines L1 and L4 are approximately 126 mm, and the lengths of lines L2 and L3 are approximately 198 mm. The spacing between adjacent straight lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 is equal, all being d3, and is greater than the spacing d1 between two adjacent electrode units 320 in the first row and second row of the first electrode array 32, both located in the second column. d3 is approximately 44 mm. The horizontal dimension K3 of the gap between two adjacent electrode unit groups C' in each row is the same, approximately 16 mm.

[0049] Referring to Figure 10, it shows the specific distribution of twenty electrode units in the electrode array of the electrode patch in the prior art. The spatial arrangement of these electrode units is similar to that of electrode unit 420 in the second electrode array 42. The specific hierarchical structure of these electrode units is similar to that of electrode units 320 and 420, and will not be described again here. The difference is that in the prior art, these electrode units are all independently set and individually subjected to AC signals.

[0050] In this application, the electrode array in the prior art electrode patch shown in Figure 10 is used as a comparison electrode array and the first electrode array 32 and the second electrode array 42 for finite element simulation analysis to determine the current density and current density uniformity of each electrode unit. Specifically, as shown in Figure 11, the current density of each electrode unit 320 in the first electrode array 32 is lower than that of the corresponding electrode unit 420 in the second electrode array 42, and the current density of the corresponding electrode unit 420 in the second electrode array 42 is lower than that of the corresponding electrode unit in the comparison electrode array. This shows that the current density of each electrode unit 320 and 420 in the first electrode array 32 and the second electrode array 42 is lower, meaning that the grouped electrode unit arrangement can effectively alleviate the edge effect. Further comparison of the first electrode array 32 and the second electrode array 42 shows that the current density reduction of each electrode unit in the two electrode arrays is different. Among them, the current density reduction of electrode units 320 (numbered 7 and 8) in the first electrode array 32 is the largest, about 27%, compared with the current density reduction of electrode units 420 (numbered 7 and 8) in the second electrode array 42. That is, the average current density of the first electrode array 32 of the first electrode patch 30 is lower.

[0051] However, in terms of the uniformity of current density in each electrode unit 320, the standard deviation of the first electrode array 32 is 4.8, and the standard deviation of the second electrode array 42 is 2.9, that is, the second electrode array 42 of the second electrode patch 40 has better uniformity of current density.

[0052] Based on the above calculations, the current density flowing through each electrode unit 320 in the first electrode patch 30 is relatively low, while the current density flowing through each electrode unit 420 in the second electrode patch 40 has better uniformity, resulting in a better combined effect. Specifically, in areas with relatively flat skin, such as the front and back sides of the body, where the equivalent resistance of the body is also relatively uniform, the second electrode patch 40 can be used. However, in areas with greater skin undulations and prone to significant deformation, such as the armpits and the left and right sides of the body, the equivalent resistance of the body can be adjusted according to the specific changes in the body's shape (the equivalent resistance is higher in the armpit area, and decreases as the distance between the edges of the first electrode array 32 and the two sides of the body shortens). The first electrode patch 30 can be used by differentiating the arc length and curvature of the arcs H1, H2, H3, and H4 of the first electrode array 32 to compensate for the body's electrical parameters. Combined with the second electrode patch 40, this improves the overall uniformity of current density and the effectiveness of electric field transmission, maximizing patient benefit.

[0053] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A tumor electric field therapy system, comprising an electric field generator and a plurality of paired electrode patches, characterized in that: The plurality of electrode patches include a pair of first electrode patches and a pair of second electrode patches. Each of the first electrode patches and the second electrode patches is provided with a plurality of electrode units, which are arranged in multiple rows and columns. The centers of the plurality of electrode units of the first electrode patch in the same row are on the same arc line, and the centers of the plurality of electrode units of the second electrode patch in the same row are on the same horizontal line.

2. The tumor electric field therapy system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first electrode patch and the second electrode patch are provided with the same number of electrode units. The electrode units of the first electrode patch and the second electrode patch are arranged symmetrically along a horizontal center line and a vertical center line, respectively. In the first electrode patch, the two ends of the arc where the electrode unit located above the horizontal center line is located are arranged in an upward shape, and the two ends of the arc where the electrode unit located below the horizontal center line is located are arranged in a downward shape.

3. The tumor electric field therapy system according to claim 2, characterized in that: Both the first electrode patch and the second electrode patch include twenty electrode units arranged in four rows and six columns. Two adjacent electrode units and the connecting portion between the two electrode units constitute an electrode unit group. The first row and the fourth row each have two electrode unit groups, and the third row and the fourth row each have three electrode unit groups. Each electrode unit has a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer of two electrode units in the electrode unit group also covers the connecting portion between the two electrode units and is continuously disposed thereon.

4. The tumor electric field therapy system according to claim 3, characterized in that: In the first electrode patch, the electrode unit group located between the second and third rows is arranged horizontally, while the other electrode unit groups are arranged at an angle. The angle between the line connecting the centers of two electrode units in the inclined electrode unit group and the horizontal line is 8°-12°.

5. The tumor electric field therapy system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The diameter of the electrode unit is 18 mm - 22 mm, and the center distance between two electrode units in the electrode unit group is 32 mm - 35 mm.

6. The tumor electric field therapy system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The arcs at the center of each electrode unit in each of the first to fourth rows of the first electrode patch are H1, H2, H3 and H4, respectively. The curvature of arc H1 is greater than that of arc H2, and the curvature of arc H4 is greater than that of arc H3.

7. The tumor electric field therapy system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The central angle corresponding to the arc segment occupied by the electrode unit group on arc H1 is 11°-21°.

8. The tumor electric field therapy system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The central angle corresponding to the arc segment occupied by the electrode unit group on arc H2 is 7°-11°.

9. The tumor electric field therapy system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The horizontal lines where the centers of the electrode units in each of the electrode unit groups in the first to fourth rows of the second electrode patch are located are L1, L2, L3 and L4 respectively. The vertical distance between adjacent horizontal lines is greater than the vertical distance between two electrode units in the second column of the first electrode patch that are located in the first and second rows respectively.

10. The tumor electric field therapy system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The horizontal distance between the two electrode unit groups in the first row of the first electrode patch is greater than the horizontal distance between the two electrode unit groups in the second row of the first electrode patch. The horizontal distance between the two electrode unit groups in the same row of the second electrode patch is greater than the horizontal distance between the two electrode unit groups in the first row of the first electrode patch.

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