Shiftable TTFields Transducer Arrays for Skin Hot Spot Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transducer arrays for tumor treating fields (TTFields) cause skin irritation due to uneven current and heat distribution, leading to hot spots and limited maximum operational current, which affects the strength of the induced fields.
Innovation Solution
The transducer arrays are designed with a shiftable configuration, allowing rotation or translation to reposition electrode elements, and incorporate an anisotropic material layer to spread heat and current evenly, reducing skin irritation while maintaining field intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional transducer arrays with fixed electrode arrangements are used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but skin irritation occurs due to uneven current and heat distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements shiftable transducer arrays that can rotate or translate to reposition electrode elements, transforming the fixed structure into a dynamic one. This allows the electrode array to shift positions on the subject's body, redistributing heat and current exposure areas, thereby reducing skin irritation while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The transducer array is divided into multiple independently controllable electrode elements arranged in rows and columns. This segmentation allows selective activation and positioning of individual electrodes, enabling optimized current distribution and heat management across different body regions.
2Power
If higher operational current is applied to increase field intensity, then treatment effectiveness improves, but skin irritation and hot spots worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The shiftable array allows dynamic redistribution of high-power current across different skin areas. By rotating or translating the array, the same treatment location receives optimal field intensity while surrounding areas experience reduced heat exposure, enabling higher operational currents without exacerbating skin irritation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different operational parameters to different regions of the transducer array. Edge electrodes, which generate more heat, can be positioned away from sensitive skin areas or activated at lower power levels, while central electrodes deliver higher power for effective treatment, creating localized quality variations in current application.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the transducer array is shifted to reduce skin irritation, then patient comfort improves, but the consistency of treatment delivery may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The shiftable array system maintains treatment reliability by enabling controlled repositioning while preserving the geometric relationship between electrode elements. The array can rotate or translate to new positions that still deliver the prescribed field pattern, ensuring consistent treatment delivery across multiple sessions while reducing cumulative skin irritation.
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 minimizes skin irritation by redistributing heat and current, enabling continuous optimal TTField application at the desired location and power level, improving patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
incorporate an anisotropic material layer to spread heat and current evenly
Implementation Method 2
incorporate an anisotropic material layer to spread heat and current evenly
Implementation Method 3
Electrical signals are applied to this conductive backing, and these signals are capacitively coupled into the subject'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 array for delivering tumor treating fields (TTFields) to a subject's body, comprising: an electrode array comprising a plurality of electrode elements, a front face, and a back face, the electrode array configured to deliver TTFields to the subject's body; at least one void space capable of enclosing an areal footprint equivalent to at least a portion of an areal footprint of at least one electrode element position, and superimposable on at least a portion of at least one electrode element position by rotation of the electrode array; a first conductive adhesive layer located on the front face of the electrode array; a second conductive adhesive layer comprising a front face for facing the subject's body and a back face facing the front face of the first conductive adhesive layer; wherein the first conductive adhesive layer and the second conductive adhesive layer comprise different adhesives.