Non-Planar Dielectric Electrodes for TTFields Voltage Drop Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tumor treating fields (TTFields) systems experience voltage drop across the dielectric layer of the electrode elements, resulting in inefficient delivery of electric fields to the body, without the ability to increase the transducer array size.
Innovation Solution
The use of transducers with electrode elements featuring a dielectric layer with a non-planar surface, which increases capacitance and reduces voltage drop, thereby enhancing the delivery of TTFields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional transducers with uniform dielectric layer thickness are used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but voltage drop across the dielectric layer is significant resulting in inefficient TTFields delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric layer is designed with non-uniform thickness where specific regions have different thicknesses optimized for their functional requirements. Thinner regions reduce voltage drop and increase capacitance, while thicker regions provide adequate insulation. This local variation in thickness allows the structure to optimize electrical performance without requiring complete redesign of the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a uniform one-dimensional thickness parameter to a two-dimensional or three-dimensional varying thickness profile. By introducing spatial variation in the dielectric layer thickness across different regions of the electrode element, the design optimizes capacitance distribution and reduces overall voltage drop while maintaining structural integrity.
2Power
If the transducer array size is increased to improve TTFields delivery, then more voltage can be delivered to the body, but the device becomes larger and less comfortable for patient use
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the physical size of the transducer array, the invention changes the electrical parameters by varying the dielectric layer thickness. This parameter change increases capacitance and reduces voltage drop, allowing more effective voltage delivery to the body without requiring a larger array footprint, thus maintaining patient comfort while improving power delivery.
3Reliability
If uniform thickness dielectric layer is used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but capacitance is insufficient leading to voltage wastage
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric layer thickness is made dynamic rather than static, with different regions having different thicknesses optimized for their specific functional requirements. This dynamic variation in thickness allows the structure to achieve higher capacitance and better voltage delivery efficiency while using standard manufacturing techniques to create the varied thickness profile.
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 approach allows for the maximization of voltage delivered to the body, improving the efficiency of TTFields treatment for tumors by minimizing voltage wastage across the dielectric layer.
Implementation Method 1
The use of transducers with electrode elements featuring a dielectric layer with a non-planar surface, which increases capacitance and reduces voltage drop
Implementation Method 2
TTFields are induced non-invasively into the region of interest by transducers (e.g., arrays of capacitively coupled electrode elements) placed directly on the patient's body (e.g., using the Novocure Optune system), and applying AC voltages between the transducers
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for delivering tumor treating fields to a subject's body. The apparatus comprises: a plurality of electrically coupled electrode elements to be located on a subject's body and able to deliver tumor treating fields to the subject's body, wherein at least one electrode element of the plurality of electrically coupled electrode elements comprises a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer has a first surface to face the subject's body and a second surface opposite the first surface, and at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the dielectric layer is a non-planar surface.