Alternating-Field Electrode Assemblies for Multiple Tumor Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tumor treating field (TTFields) therapies struggle to ensure sufficient electric field strength in multiple, non-contiguous tumor regions within a subject's body, often resulting in one tumor receiving inadequate field strength when optimizing for another.
Innovation Solution
Employing additional electrode assemblies to shape the electric field path, positioning them strategically to ensure sufficient field strength in multiple regions of interest, using alternating voltage sequences to induce electric fields in different directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional TTFields therapy uses two pairs of transducer arrays (anterior/posterior and left/right) to treat a single tumor, then the electric field strength can be optimized for that one tumor region, but the system cannot provide sufficient field strength to multiple non-contiguous tumor regions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the treatment into multiple independent electrode assemblies (first pair: anterior/posterior; second pair: left/right) that can be independently controlled. Each pair can be activated separately to target different tumor regions, allowing the system to treat multiple non-contiguous tumors by segmenting the electric field application into distinct spatial zones
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different electrode assembly configurations by applying alternating voltages in different sequences. The controller can activate the first pair of transducer arrays for one tumor region, then switch to the second pair for another region, creating a dynamic treatment protocol that adapts to multiple tumor locations throughout the treatment cycle
2Manufacturing precision
If the transducer arrays are positioned to maximize field strength in one tumor region, then that region receives adequate therapeutic field strength, but other tumor regions receive insufficient field strength
Solution Approach 1:
Each electrode assembly pair is positioned and configured to create a localized electric field optimized for a specific tumor region. The first pair (anterior/posterior) creates a field concentrated in one region, while the second pair (left/right) creates a field concentrated in a different region. This local optimization ensures that each tumor receives the precise field strength it needs without compromising treatment of other regions
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode assemblies are designed with multi-functionality, where each assembly can serve multiple purposes: the first pair can treat one tumor while the second pair treats another, and vice versa. The system can also combine both pairs to treat multiple tumors simultaneously, providing universal coverage for various tumor configurations and locations
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
Ensures strong electric fields are maintained in multiple tumor regions, meeting therapeutic thresholds while minimizing interference with other body regions.
Implementation Method 1
applying an alternating voltage between (i) a first electrode assembly positioned at a first location on or in the subject's body and (ii) a plurality of second electrode assemblies... the alternating voltage has a frequency between 50 kHz and 1 MHz
Data Source
AI summary
With certain types of cancer and/or in certain subjects, situations may arise in which the cancer is not confined to a single, well localized position. For example, an individual subject may have two distinct tumor regions that are located a few cm apart from each other. When alternating electric fields (e.g., TTFields) are used to treat such tumors, it can be difficult to ensure that both tumors receive a sufficiently high electric field strength using the prior art approach that relies on only four transducer arrays to induce the TTFields. The embodiments described herein employ one or more additional electrode assemblies to shape the path of the electric field within the subject's body, so that the strength of the electric field will be above the therapeutic threshold in all the regions of interest (e.g., in both of the two distinct tumor regions).