Transducer Array Layout for Predictive Tumor Treating Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tumor treatment methods, such as radiation therapy, often result in severe side effects and have limitations in effectiveness due to the predictive spread of tumors, while existing tumor treating fields (TTFields) technologies face challenges in efficiently determining optimal transducer placements for delivering alternating electric fields.
Innovation Solution
A computational method for determining transducer array layouts based on three-dimensional models of the subject's body, incorporating predictive clinical target volumes to predict tumor spread, allowing for flexible and efficient deployment of TTFields with reduced side effects and improved treatment planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radiation therapy is applied to treat tumor locations, then tumor treatment effectiveness is improved, but severe side effects occur and treatment limitations arise due to predictive spread
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary computational determination of optimal transducer placements based on 3D body models and predictive clinical target volumes before actual treatment delivery. This advance planning allows the system to predict tumor spread and position transducers proactively to treat both current and potential future tumor locations, reducing the need for aggressive radiation therapy and its associated side effects
2Ease of operation
If conventional transducer placements are used for TTFields delivery, then treatment can be administered, but efficient determination of optimal transducer locations is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a computational 3D model copy of the patient's body from medical imaging data, allowing virtual testing and optimization of transducer placements without requiring physical trial-and-error on the patient. This digital twin approach enables rapid evaluation of multiple placement scenarios and quick determination of optimal locations, saving significant time while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system computationally varies multiple parameters including transducer positions, orientations, and configurations within the 3D body model to identify optimal placements. By systematically changing these parameters and evaluating treatment effectiveness for each configuration, the system quickly determines the best transducer locations without time-consuming manual adjustment
3Adaptability or versatility
If transducer arrays are placed to cover predictive spread areas, then treatment coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the treatment approach by using multiple pairs of transducers positioned at specific locations determined by computational optimization. Rather than using one complex large array, the system divides the treatment into multiple smaller transducer pairs that can be independently positioned and configured, simplifying each individual component while achieving comprehensive coverage through coordinated operation
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 enables quicker determination of transducer locations, reduces side effects, and allows for flexible combination of treatment methods, enhancing the effectiveness of TTFields delivery by targeting predicted tumor locations and potential spread areas.
Implementation Method 1
TTFields are induced non-invasively into the region of interest by transducers placed on the patient's body and applying AC voltages between the transducers
Implementation Method 2
Electrical signals are applied to this conductive backing, and these signals are capacitively coupled into the patient's body through the ceramic discs
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining a three-dimensional model of a subject, the model comprising voxels; identifying a gross tumor volume for the three-dimensional model, the gross tumor volume representing a current location of a tumor in the subject; identifying a primary clinical target volume for the three-dimensional model, the primary clinical target volume having a larger volume than the gross tumor volume, the primary clinical target volume representing an approximation of the current location of the tumor in the subject; identifying a predictive clinical target volume for the three-dimensional model, the predictive clinical target volume having a larger volume than the primary clinical target volume, the predictive clinical target volume representing a predicted future location of the tumor in the subject; and selecting at least one transducer layout for delivering tumor treating fields to the subject based on the primary clinical target volume and the predictive clinical target volume.