Modular Electrode Array for Metastatic Tumor Treating Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current TTF systems for cancer treatment face limitations in adaptability, efficiency, and safety due to fixed electrode arrays, which fail to effectively target metastatic disease spread, leading to inadequate tumor coverage, discomfort, and potential overheating or current leakage issues.
Innovation Solution
A modular system with dynamically reassignable array elements that can be programmed to energize in any configuration and frequency, equipped with current monitoring sensors and flexible attachment methods to adapt to body composition and movement, ensuring effective field distribution and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed electrode arrays are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different body compositions and metastatic disease patterns deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is divided into multiple independently controllable electrode groups that can be selectively activated. Each group can be individually assigned to different phases (A or B) and configured to target specific tumor locations, allowing the system to adapt to various body compositions and metastatic patterns without requiring a completely different device for each case.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reassigns electrode groups to different phases and configurations based on real-time treatment requirements. The controller can reconfigure which electrodes are active and their phase assignments during treatment, enabling adaptation to patient movement and changing treatment needs while maintaining a single fixed physical array structure.
2Reliability
If fixed electrode configurations are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but tumor coverage effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A single electrode array design serves multiple treatment purposes by allowing dynamic reconfiguration of electrode groups. The same physical array can be programmed to treat different tumor locations, accommodate various body types, and adapt to different metastatic patterns, eliminating the need to manufacture multiple specialized array designs for different clinical scenarios.
3Power
If high current is applied to ensure effective field strength, then treatment efficacy is improved, but skin discomfort and potential tissue damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies electric field power non-uniformly across the electrode array by selectively activating specific electrode groups and assigning them to different phases. This allows concentration of effective field strength at tumor locations while reducing or eliminating field application to areas without tumors, thereby maintaining treatment efficacy while minimizing skin discomfort and potential tissue damage in non-target areas.
4Reliability
If continuous monitoring and dynamic reassignment capabilities are added, then treatment safety and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor treatment parameters such as impedance, temperature, and field distribution. This feedback information is fed to the controller, which automatically adjusts electrode group assignments and phase configurations to optimize treatment safety and efficacy. The feedback mechanism enables real-time adaptation without requiring complex manual intervention or overly complicated control systems.
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 system allows for flexible and adaptive tumor treatment, improving tumor coverage, reducing discomfort, and preventing overheating and current leakage, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy and patient safety.
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. These low-intensity fields rapidly change direction, thousands of times per second.
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 tublins that form mitotic spindles that pull the genetic material in the nucleus into tow sister cells.
Data Source
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AI summary
An insulated electrode system for delivering a plurality of tumor treating electromagnetic fields including an array of electrode elements for proximate location on a body of a patient. Each electrode element of the array having an insulation layer. Each electrode element being independently electrically accessible and configured to be dynamically assigned to emanate an electromagnetic field relative to at least one other of said electrode elements.