Shiftable Transducer Array with Anisotropic Layer for TTFields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tumor treating field (TTFields) transducers cause skin irritation due to uneven current distribution and heat concentration, particularly at the edges and corners of the transducer array.
Innovation Solution
The transducer apparatus includes an array of electrodes with an anisotropic material layer that spreads heat and current, reducing concentration at individual electrode elements. The transducer can be shifted via rotation or translation to minimize skin irritation without significantly altering the field intensity of TTFields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional transducer arrays with ceramic disks are used, then TTFields can be generated to treat tumors, but skin irritation occurs due to uneven current distribution and heat concentration at electrode edges and corners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces relief regions (void spaces) at specific locations between adjacent electrodes, creating non-uniform local structure. These relief regions are positioned to receive greater amounts of heat and current, allowing different areas of the transducer array to have different functions: electrodes generate fields while relief regions dissipate heat and reduce skin irritation.
Solution Approach 2:
The relief regions act as intermediary elements between adjacent electrodes, receiving and redistributing heat and current that would otherwise concentrate at electrode edges and corners. This intermediary structure prevents direct transmission of harmful concentrated energy to the skin surface.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If transducer array is shifted via rotation or translation, then skin irritation is minimized by redistributing contact pressure, but maintaining optimal field intensity for tumor targeting becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic repositioning of the transducer array through rotation about a centroid or translation along a surface. This dynamic capability allows the array to be shifted to different positions and orientations, redistributing contact pressure and heat away from irritated skin areas while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The relief regions are asymmetrically positioned between adjacent electrodes rather than being uniformly distributed. This asymmetric arrangement creates preferential pathways for heat and current redistribution that work effectively during both static and dynamic (rotated/translated) positions of the transducer array.
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 design reduces skin irritation by distributing heat and current more evenly, allowing for continuous induction of TTFields at optimal power levels for targeting tumors, thereby improving patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
an anisotropic material layer that spreads heat and current, reducing concentration at individual electrode elements
Implementation Method 2
an anisotropic material layer that spreads heat and current, reducing concentration at individual electrode elements
Implementation Method 3
Electrical signals are applied to this conductive backing, and these signals are capacitively coupled into the patient's body through the ceramic discs
Implementation Method 4
TTFields are induced non-invasively into a region of interest by transducers placed on the patient's body and applying alternating current (AC) voltages between the transducers
Data Source
AI summary
A transducer apparatus for delivering tumor treating fields to a subject's body, the transducer apparatus including: an array of electrodes, the array configured to be positioned over the subject's body with a front face of the array facing the subject's body, the array comprising electrode elements positioned in existing electrode positions arranged around a centroid of the array; an anisotropic material layer electrically coupled to the array of electrodes and located on a front side of the front face of the array; and at least one void space in the array of electrodes capable of enclosing an areal footprint equivalent to at least a portion of an areal footprint of at least one existing electrode position, and superimposable on at least a portion of at least one existing electrode position by rotation of the array around the centroid.