TTFields Electrode Arrays With Adjustable Active Areas for Overheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing TTFields therapy systems face inefficiencies due to loss of electrical contact between electrode elements and the body, leading to overheating and reduced treatment efficacy, particularly when hydrogel dries out or hair growth occurs, necessitating complete shutdown of affected electrode elements, which disrupts electric field distribution.
Innovation Solution
Implementing sets of electrode elements with individually adjustable active areas, where each set includes a first and second electrode element in thermal contact, allowing independent control of current flow through each element, and using temperature sensors to adjust active areas based on thermal measurements to prevent overheating without complete shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If electrode elements are completely shutdown when overheating occurs, then safety is improved, but treatment efficacy is reduced due to disrupted electric field distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides each electrode element into multiple independently controllable heating zones. When overheating is detected in a specific zone, only that zone is reduced or shut down while other zones continue operating. This segmented control prevents complete shutdown of electrode elements, maintaining electric field distribution and treatment efficacy while addressing the overheating issue locally.
2Reliability
If hydrogel dries out or hair growth occurs, then electrical contact is lost, but complete shutdown of affected elements is required, reducing treatment continuity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of active areas in electrode elements based on real-time temperature monitoring and electrical contact status. When hydrogel dries out or hair growth occurs causing contact loss, the system dynamically reduces or adjusts the active area of affected zones while maintaining operation in unaffected zones, ensuring continuous treatment without complete shutdown.
3Measurement precision
If more thermistors are placed beneath each disk for better temperature monitoring, then temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the number of conductors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple temperature sensing functions into a single thermistor per electrode element by positioning it beneath the center of each disk. This single thermistor monitors the temperature of the entire electrode element, eliminating the need for multiple conductors while maintaining adequate temperature measurement capability for controlling the active area.
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
Maintains effective TTFields treatment by preventing overheating of individual electrode elements, ensuring consistent electric field strength and distribution, while reducing the number of conductors needed in cables, thus enhancing patient comfort and treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
each set includes a first and second electrode element in thermal contact, allowing independent control of current flow through each element, and using temperature sensors to adjust active areas based on thermal measurements
Implementation Method 2
TTFields are delivered to patients via four transducer arrays that are placed on the patient's skin in close proximity to a tumor. The transducer arrays are arranged in two pairs, and each transducer array is connected via a multi-wire cable to an AC signal generator. The AC signal generator sends an AC current through one pair of arrays during a first period of time, which induces an electric field with a first direction through the tumor
Implementation Method 3
Each electrode element includes an electrically conductive substrate with a dielectric layer (more specifically, a layer of ceramic material with a high dielectric constant) disposed thereon
Data Source
AI summary
Tumor treating fields (TTFields) can be delivered to a subject's body using electrode elements that are arranged in sets, wherein each set includes a respective first electrode element and a respective second electrode element disposed in thermal contact with each other. Individual first conductors provide an electrically conductive path between each of the first electrode elements and a respective pin of a connector. And a second conductor provides an electrically conductive path between all of the second electrode elements and another pin of the connector. Temperature sensors are disposed in thermal contact with each set of electrode elements. Because the electrode elements are arranged in sets, the current that flows through any given set can be reduced (with respect to its maximum value) by switching off the first electrode element within the given set, in order to prevent the area that corresponds to the given set from overheating.