Asymmetric Electrode Placement for Multi-Region TTFields Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy using the Optune® system struggles to achieve therapeutically effective electric field intensities (>1 V/cm) in multiple distributed tumor locations within the subject's body, such as the cervical spine, thoracic spine, and head.
Innovation Solution
A novel arrangement of electrode assemblies is proposed, where four conventional 9-element Optune® electrode assemblies are positioned on the scalp and posterior thorax in an unconventional manner, applying alternating voltages between electrode elements on the left/right scalp and right/left posterior thorax to induce TTFields with intensities above 1 V/cm in all relevant regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrode assemblies are positioned on the scalp and posterior thorax, then the system can deliver TTFields to the head and spine regions, but the electric field intensities are insufficient (>1 V/cm) to achieve therapeutic effectiveness in multiple distributed tumor locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning electrode assemblies in non-conventional locations (left scalp, right scalp, right posterior thorax, left posterior thorax) rather than the standard symmetric placement. This asymmetric arrangement creates electric field pathways that specifically target multiple distributed tumor locations in the head and spine regions, achieving the necessary field intensity (>1 V/cm) for therapeutic effectiveness in these specific areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by customizing the electrode placement to match the specific anatomical locations of tumors. By positioning electrodes at particular locations on the scalp and posterior thorax, the system creates localized electric field pathways that concentrate field intensity at specific tumor sites while maintaining overall therapeutic coverage across multiple distributed locations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional electrode positioning is used, then the system structure remains simple, but it cannot achieve uniform field intensities across multiple distributed tumor locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing an electrode assembly configuration that can simultaneously target multiple distributed tumor locations (head, cervical spine, thoracic spine) using a single systematic approach. The four-electrode arrangement creates electric field pathways that cover multiple regions, allowing one electrode configuration to serve multiple therapeutic functions across different tumor sites rather than requiring separate targeted arrangements for each location.
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 new arrangement effectively delivers TTFields at therapeutically effective levels (>1 V/cm) in the cervical spine, thoracic spine, and head, addressing the limitations of conventional positioning by achieving uniform field intensities across multiple tumor locations.
Implementation Method 1
The AC signal generator (a) sends an AC current through the anterior/posterior (A/P) pair of electrode assemblies for 1 second, which induces an electric field with a first direction through the tumor
Implementation Method 2
the at least one first electrode element, the at least one second electrode element, the at least one third electrode element, and the at least one fourth electrode element are capacitively coupled
Data Source
AI summary
During Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy, one or more pairs of electrode assemblies are used to impose an alternating electric field to the tumor. However, when the cancer cells are distributed among two or more different locations within the subject's body, it can be difficult to achieve sufficient field intensities in all of the different locations. By positioning one pair of electrode assemblies on the left half of the subject's scalp and the right side of the subject's posterior thorax, and positioning another pair of electrode assemblies on the right half of the subject's scalp and the left side of the subject's posterior thorax, it becomes possible to achieve sufficient field intensities in the following three locations simultaneously: (i) an upper half of the subject's thoracic spine, (ii) the subject's cervical spine, and (iii) the subject's head.