TTField Electrode Array With Anchored Hydrogel Discs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual application of medical gel to transducer arrays for Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) is labor-intensive and prone to lateral movement, necessitating improved array assemblies and manufacturing methods to anchor the gel and reduce movement.
Innovation Solution
A transducer array design featuring a flex circuit with branching configuration, adhesive-backed layers, and conductive hydrogel discs to secure the gel in place, enhancing adhesion and reducing lateral movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual application of medical gel is used, then the gel can be applied to the electrode elements, but the process is labor-intensive and the gel tends to move laterally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies medical gel to the electrode elements during the manufacturing process before the arrays are assembled and deployed. This preliminary application of gel eliminates the need for manual gel application at the point of use, reducing labor intensity and ensuring consistent gel coverage on each electrode element before patient application.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual application of medical gel is used, then the gel can be applied to the electrode elements, but the gel tends to move laterally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the medical gel application step with the electrode element manufacturing process. By integrating gel application into the manufacturing workflow, the gel is applied under controlled conditions and then secured during assembly, preventing lateral movement during patient use while maintaining ease of manufacture through process integration.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the transducer array is worn continuously for 2-4 days, then the treatment can be maintained, but the medical gel remains in continuous contact with skin requiring hygienic care
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable transducer arrays with pre-applied medical gel that are designed for single-use over a 2-4 day period. After this duration, the entire array including the gel is discarded and replaced with a new array. This approach eliminates skin hygiene concerns by preventing gel contamination accumulation while maintaining continuous treatment through regular array replacement.
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
The improved array design streamlines manufacturing, improves gel anchoring, and enhances patient comfort by minimizing gel displacement, thus optimizing the TTFields treatment process.
Implementation Method 1
adhesive-backed layer and a skin-level adhesive layer to which electrode elements are attached
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
A transducer array, comprising: a support layer (115); a plurality of electrode elements (110; 110a) configured to receive an electrical signal from a generator producing an electric signal as a tumor treating field, TTField; and a plurality of conductive gel elements (114) corresponding to respective ones of the electrode elements (110; 110a); wherein the gel elements (114) are anchored to reduce lateral movement of the gel elements (114) in relation to the electrode elements (110; 110a).