TTField Transducer Placement Using Geometric Pair Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Determining precise locations for transducers to induce tumor treating fields (TTFields) is challenging due to the complexity of simulating different tissue conductivities and higher resolution images, which is computationally costly and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A method to determine transducer placements based on relationships between transducers, using intersecting line segment pairs on body images, calculating pair values, and selecting optimal pairs to minimize computational simulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional computer simulations are used to determine transducer locations by modeling tissue conductivities and high-resolution images, then measurement precision and manufacturing precision of transducer placement is improved, but computational cost and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex simulation problem into simplified geometric components (line segments representing transducer positions) and uses a grid-based approach to divide the body image into discrete regions. This segmentation allows the system to evaluate transducer placements without performing full electromagnetic simulations of tissue conductivities, thereby reducing computational resources while maintaining placement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simplified mathematical model (pair value calculations based on line segment intersections) that acts as a low-cost proxy for expensive full-physics simulations. This computationally inexpensive method provides sufficient accuracy for transducer placement determination without requiring significant computational resources, effectively replacing the need for resource-intensive simulations.
2Reliability
If full electromagnetic simulations with tissue conductivity modeling are performed, then reliability of TTField delivery is improved, but productivity of treatment setup process deteriorates due to lengthy computations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary geometric analysis by identifying line segment intersections and calculating pair values before final transducer placement determination. This preliminary action using simplified geometry provides a reliable basis for placement decisions without requiring time-consuming electromagnetic simulations, thereby improving treatment setup efficiency while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the evaluation parameters from full electromagnetic field simulations to simplified geometric parameters (line segment lengths, intersection points, and pair values). This parameter transformation maintains the essential information needed for reliable transducer placement while dramatically reducing computational requirements, thus improving productivity without sacrificing reliability.
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 allows for efficient and cost-effective determination of transducer locations without extensive simulations, ensuring effective TTField delivery to tumors.
Implementation Method 1
TTFields are induced non-invasively into a region of interest by transducers placed on the patient's body and applying AC voltages between the transducers
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method to determine placement of transducers on a subject's body, the method including: selecting a plurality of intersecting line segment pairs on an image of the subject's body, each of the line segment pairs intersecting in a region of the image corresponding to a tumor in the subject's body, each of the line segment pairs corresponding to locations to place the transducers on the subject's body; determining a pair value for each of the intersecting line segment pairs, each pair value based on a length of each line segment of the corresponding intersecting line segment pair; selecting one or more intersecting line segment pairs based on the pair values to obtain one or more selected intersecting line segment pairs; and outputting the locations to place the transducers on the subject's body corresponding to the one or more selected intersecting line segment pairs.