Transducer Array Fastening System for TTFields Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients face difficulties in reapplying and maintaining transducer arrays for TTFields therapy without professional assistance, which is crucial for effective tumor treatment.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a frame with bodily interfaces, support panels, and transducer arrays with complementary fasteners that allow patients to easily and securely attach the arrays to predetermined body locations, ensuring a stable electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If transducer arrays are applied directly to patient skin without support structure, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of electrical connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A support panel acts as an intermediary component between the transducer array and the patient's body. The support panel includes fasteners that attach to the frame and provide a stable base for the transducer array, ensuring reliable electrical connection while allowing the patient to independently apply and remove the array.
2Reliability
If transducer arrays are secured with strong attachment force, then reliability of electrical connection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into multiple components: frame fasteners that attach to the support panel, and transducer array fasteners that attach to the frame. This segmentation allows the transducer array to be securely attached during treatment while enabling easy removal and reapplication by the patient through sequential detachment of fastener pairs.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex fastening system is used to ensure accurate positioning, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support panel serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the transducer array, incorporates fasteners for secure attachment to the frame, and includes positioning features to ensure accurate placement on the patient's body. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving positioning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for applying TTFields are disclosed, including an apparatus comprising a frame having a bodily interface for engaging a patient's body part, a support panel for covering a portion of a treatment area, a transducer array having a skin-facing surface and an opposed support panel surface and comprising a complementary array fastener positioned on the opposed support panel surface and an attaching component positioned on the skin-facing surface, and an array fastener connected to the support panel for attaching to the complementary array fastener to support the transducer array within the portion of the treatment area, wherein the array fastener is separable from the complementary array fastener with a first force, the attaching component is separable from the patient with a second force, and applying the first force to the transducer array in a direction away from the patient does not cause separation.