Composite Electrode Sensor Integration for Reduced TTField Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing TTField delivery systems for tumor treatment are cumbersome due to the attachment of numerous wires for temperature sensors and transducer arrays, which increase cost and reduce patient comfort.
Innovation Solution
A system with reduced wire count is implemented, utilizing a hub and distal circuits to interface temperature sensors with transducer arrays, allowing for efficient temperature measurement and control of TTField delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If numerous wires are attached for temperature sensors and transducer arrays, then temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity and patient discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple temperature sensors are integrated onto a single printed circuit board (PCB) rather than being connected through separate wires. The PCB serves as a common platform that electrically connects multiple sensors to the control system, reducing wire count while maintaining temperature monitoring capability across multiple measurement points
Solution Approach 2:
The printed circuit board acts as an intermediary component that consolidates multiple temperature sensor connections. Instead of requiring individual wire connections from each sensor to the control system, the PCB provides a centralized interface that simplifies the connection architecture and reduces overall system complexity
2Reliability
If numerous wires are attached for temperature sensors and transducer arrays, then temperature control capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple temperature sensors are integrated onto a single printed circuit board (PCB) rather than being connected through separate wires. The PCB serves as a common platform that electrically connects multiple sensors to the control system, reducing wire count while maintaining temperature monitoring capability across multiple measurement points
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a cost-effective PCB design that can be manufactured using standard printing and circuit board fabrication techniques. This approach replaces expensive custom-wired assemblies with a more affordable, easily manufacturable solution that achieves the same functional requirements
3Measurement precision
If numerous wires are attached for temperature sensors and transducer arrays, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but patient comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple temperature sensors are integrated onto a single printed circuit board (PCB) rather than being connected through separate wires. The PCB serves as a common platform that electrically connects multiple sensors to the control system, reducing wire count while maintaining temperature monitoring capability across multiple measurement points
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the excessive wire connections from the system while retaining the essential temperature measurement functionality. By consolidating sensor connections onto a PCB, the solution removes the problematic wire clutter that causes patient discomfort while preserving multi-point temperature monitoring capability
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
Reduces the number of wires, thereby decreasing cost and enhancing patient comfort while maintaining effective temperature control for TTField delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature measurements on the patient's skin are obtained using temperature sensors (e.g., thermistors) placed beneath some of the disks of the transducer arrays
Implementation Method 2
a conductive layer is formed on a top surface of nonconductive ceramic material. A bottom surface of the nonconductive ceramic material is coupled to the conductive medical gel
Implementation Method 3
Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields or TTFs) are low intensity (e.g., 1-3 V/cm) alternating electric fields within the intermediate frequency range (100-500 kHz) that target solid tumors by disrupting mitosis
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for imposing electric fields through a target region a patient are described. An apparatus includes a transducer array having a first and second electrode element receiving an alternating current waveform and a sensor array having a first temperature sensor positioned to detect a first temperature of the first electrode element and a second temperature sensor positioned to detect a second temperature of the second electrode element. The first temperature sensor is connected to a first conductor and second conductor. The second temperature sensor is connected to the second conductor and third conductor. A circuit provides a first known amount of electricity via the first conductor and second conductor to obtain the first temperature and a second known amount of electricity via the second conductor and the third conductor to obtain the second temperature. A controller adjusts the alternating current waveform based on the temperatures.