Adaptive Tumor Treating Fields for Metastatic Cancer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cancer treatment technologies are inadequate for effectively treating multiple, diffuse, or widespread tumors throughout the torso without damaging normal cells, and they lack the adaptability to adjust treatment strategies as tumors change in size, number, or location in metastatic patients.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing adaptive tumor treating fields (TTFs) that simultaneously treat multiple tumor areas with strategically tuned electric fields, adjusting intensity, frequency, and delivery angles based on the spatial relationship of tumors and vital organs, and incorporating predictive data to minimize recurrence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional cancer treatment methods are used to treat multiple diffuse tumors throughout the torso, then tumor destruction is achieved, but normal cells are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electric fields with specific frequencies and intensities tailored to each tumor's location, size, and characteristics. Multiple electrode arrays are configured to deliver localized TTF therapy to specific tumor sites while maintaining different field parameters for different regions, thereby destroying tumors selectively without damaging surrounding normal tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment system divides the torso into multiple treatment zones with separate electrode arrays for each tumor location. Each array can be independently controlled with specific firing configurations, allowing simultaneous or sequential treatment of multiple tumors with customized electric field parameters optimized for each tumor's characteristics.
2Ease of operation
If fixed treatment protocols are used for cancer therapy, then treatment simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to changing tumor characteristics is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time monitoring and adaptive control mechanisms that continuously adjust electric field parameters based on tumor response, size changes, and location shifts. Treatment protocols are dynamically modified through software control of electrode firing configurations, allowing the system to adapt to evolving tumor characteristics while maintaining operational simplicity through automated adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback loops that monitor treatment outcomes and tumor characteristics, using this information to automatically adjust subsequent treatment parameters. Clinical data and imaging results feed into the control system, which recalibrates electric field intensity, frequency, and electrode activation patterns to optimize treatment effectiveness as tumors respond to therapy.
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
This approach enables comprehensive and adaptive treatment of multiple tumors, maximizing immunogenic response and reducing tumor size while minimizing harm to normal cells, allowing for effective management of diffuse or widespread cancer over time.
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
Implementation Method 2
TTF's act to disrupt a cancer cell's mitotic process and cytokinesis by manipulating the cell's polarizable intracellular constituents, namely tubulins that form mitotic spindles
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
Implementation Method 4
Whether an electric field can penetrate a cancer cell wall is dependent on the relationship of the frequency of the field to the size of a cell
Data Source
AI summary
A method of delivering tumor treating electric fields to a body of a patient including: obtaining a topography and a location of a tumor in the patient; placing a mimicked tumor, in a phantom; positioning simulated arrays of simulated electrodes on the phantom; running simulated TTF treatments of the mimicked tumor in the mimicked arrays to determine a field strength in the mimicked tumor; altering electrical parameters of an electrical signal applied to selected pairs of electrodes; repeating the running and altering steps until a selected field strength of the electrical signal is obtained in the mimicked tumor; implementing arrays of electrodes on the patient that correspond to the simulated arrays; and treating the tumor in the patient by using the parameters of the electrical signal applied to selected electrodes on the patient that correspond to the parameters of the selected pairs on the phantom.