Inflatable Implantable Arrays for Skull-Bypassing TTFields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tumor treating fields (TTFields) therapy is challenging due to high skull resistivity and anatomical obstructions, particularly when delivering electrical fields to the brain, and there is a need for more effective and localized treatment of tumors and peritumoral regions.
Innovation Solution
Implantable apparatus with inflatable support structures and electrode arrays positioned within the body to generate TTFields, allowing for localized and varied field directions to enhance treatment efficacy, including the use of flexible conductive materials and multiple electrode configurations to maximize field patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external transducer arrays are placed on the patient's scalp to deliver TTFields, then the treatment can be non-invasive and easy to apply, but the high skull resistivity and anatomical obstructions reduce the effectiveness and field strength at the target site
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the electrode arrays from the external scalp position and relocates them into the brain tissue itself. By implanting the electrodes directly into the brain, the system bypasses the high-resistivity skull barrier, allowing effective TTFields delivery to the target site while maintaining treatment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new intermediary component - the implantable electrode array system with cephaloport access - that mediates between the external power source and the target brain tissue. This intermediary overcomes the skull resistivity problem by providing a direct conduction path through the skull into the brain.
2Reliability
If implantable electrode arrays are positioned within the brain to overcome skull resistivity, then field strength and treatment effectiveness are improved, but the device complexity and surgical implantation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable electrode array is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the electrical stimulus delivery system and the structural framework for positioning. The array can be configured in various patterns (e.g., hexagonal arrangements) to treat different tumor locations and sizes, making the device adaptable to multiple treatment scenarios without requiring entirely different systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode array structure employs a nested configuration where multiple electrodes are arranged in concentric or hierarchical patterns around the target site. This nesting allows compact positioning of numerous electrodes within a limited intracranial space, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective field coverage.
3Reliability
If multiple electrode arrays are used to provide varied field directions for maximizing coverage, then tumor-killing efficacy is enhanced, but the number of components and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system is segmented into multiple independent electrode arrays that can be positioned at different locations and orientations within the brain. Each array generates electric fields in specific directions, and by combining multiple segmented arrays, the system achieves comprehensive multi-directional field coverage that maximizes tumor-killing efficacy while allowing flexible configuration to manage complexity.
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 implantable apparatus provides enhanced tumor-killing efficacy by maximizing field strength and coverage in target regions, including peritumoral areas, while minimizing damage to healthy tissue and avoiding external obstructions.
Implementation Method 1
TTFields are low intensity (e.g., 1-6 V/cm) alternating electrical fields within an intermediate frequency range (e.g. 50-500 kHz). TTFields disrupt cell division through physical interactions with key molecules during mitosis.
Implementation Method 2
The apparatus can comprise an inflatable support structure and a plurality of electrode arrays disposed on the support structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
An implantable apparatus which can be positioned in a body of a patient. The implantable apparatus can comprise a plurality of stimulation zones that are configured to provide tumor treating fields to a target site in one or a plurality of sequences that apply differential stimulation amplitudes and electric field directions relative to the target region in the body, thereby optimizing the treatment efficacy to kill tumor cells in a solid tumor or stray tumor cells in the peripheral area surrounding the tumor.