Adaptive Electric Field Arrays for Multiple Tumor Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cancer treatment technologies struggle to effectively treat multiple and diffuse tumors throughout the human torso without damaging normal cells, as they lack the versatility and adaptability to address varying tumor locations, sizes, and growth rates.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing an array of insulated electrode elements, controlled by a control device, that delivers tumor treating electric fields (TTFields) to multiple tumor areas, adapting the intensity, frequency, and angle of delivery based on the spatial relationship of tumors and vital organs, and incorporating predictive data to optimize treatment and prevent recurrence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cancer treatment technologies are used to treat multiple tumors, then tumor destruction is achieved, but normal cells are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different electric field parameters (frequency, intensity, angle) to different tumor locations and sizes. The system customizes treatment for each tumor based on its spatial relationship to vital organs and other tumors, delivering localized optimized therapy that spares normal tissues while effectively destroying cancer cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts treatment parameters over time based on tumor response, changes in tumor size and location, and patient compliance. The electric field delivery is continuously optimized by adjusting frequency, intensity, and angle parameters according to real-time tumor characteristics and treatment progress.
2Ease of operation
If fixed treatment parameters are used for multiple tumors, then treatment simplicity is maintained, but treatment effectiveness varies across different tumor locations and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines optimal treatment parameters for each tumor based on imaging data and spatial relationships. The control system self-adjusts frequency, intensity, and angle parameters without requiring manual intervention for each tumor, maintaining ease of operation while achieving customized effective treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically varies electric field parameters (frequency, intensity, angle of delivery) to optimize treatment for each tumor. By changing these parameters based on tumor characteristics and location, the system achieves effective treatment across diverse tumors while maintaining automated operation.
3Device complexity
If the treatment system does not adapt to tumor changes over time, then device complexity is reduced, but treatment optimization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor tumor response, changes in tumor size and location, and patient compliance over time. Based on this feedback, the control system automatically adjusts treatment parameters to maintain optimal effectiveness, adapting to tumor evolution while managing system complexity through automated control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system efficiently reduces multiple tumors by maximizing the immunogenic response, minimizing damage to normal cells, and adapting treatment strategies to patient compliance and tumor changes, ensuring comprehensive and adaptive cancer therapy.
Implementation Method 1
Alternating Electric Fields, also referred to as Tumor Treating Fields (TTF's), can be employed as a type of cancer treatment therapy by using low-intensity electromagnetic fields. These low-intensity fields rapidly change direction, thousands of times per second.
Implementation Method 2
A secondary mechanism of action of sending select electric fields through solid tumors is called Dielectrophoresis. Electric fields may push polarizable macromolecules and/or organelles toward the mitotic furrow during late stage mitosis.
Implementation Method 3
Under exposure to an alternating electric field, dipole proteins essential to mitosis rotate back and forth with the alternating charge of the field.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of delivering tumor treating electric fields to a body of a patient. The method includes scanning the body of the patient for identifying at least two tumor-filled areas. The method further includes determining a spatial relationship in between the at least two tumor-filled areas. The method further includes arranging an array of insulated electrode elements on the body of the patient. The method further includes implementing at least two subarray firing configurations for the array of insulated electrode elements to treat the at least two tumor-filled areas depending at least in part upon the spatial relationship in between the at least two tumor-filled areas such that each subarray firing configuration treats a respective tumor-filled area.