TTFields Compression Garment for Consistent Transducer Placement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing TTFields therapy systems face challenges in accurately and consistently positioning transducer arrays on a patient's body for effective tumor treatment.
Innovation Solution
A garment with adjustable connection points and tensioning mechanisms to securely hold transducer arrays in place, ensuring consistent electrical contact and ease of application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transducer arrays are placed on the patient's body without a specialized garment, then the therapy can be administered, but the positioning accuracy and consistency of the transducer arrays deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is divided into multiple panels (front panel, back panel, side panels) with distinct functions. Each panel contains specific features such as transducer array pockets, compression zones, and adjustment mechanisms positioned at appropriate locations to achieve accurate and consistent transducer placement while maintaining overall garment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment serves as an intermediary device between the transducer arrays and the patient's body. It provides a structured interface that ensures proper positioning through integrated pockets, straps, and compression elements, thereby achieving measurement precision without requiring direct complex positioning mechanisms on the transducers themselves.
2Reliability
If the garment includes multiple adjustment mechanisms and tensioning features, then the positioning consistency improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The garment incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including straps with buckles, hook-and-loop fasteners, and elastic components that allow the patient or caregiver to adjust the fit and tension according to body size and comfort requirements. This enables positioning consistency while maintaining ease of operation through user-friendly adjustment features.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment utilizes adjustable parameters such as strap length, fastener position, and compression level to accommodate different patient anatomies and achieve consistent transducer positioning. These parameter changes allow the same garment design to maintain reliability across various users without increasing operational complexity.
3Reliability
If the garment is designed to securely hold transducer arrays, then the electrical connection stability improves, but the patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The garment applies compression and securing forces locally at specific zones where transducer arrays are positioned, rather than applying uniform pressure across the entire garment. This ensures electrical connection stability at the transducer-skin interface while maintaining patient comfort in non-compression areas through breathable fabrics and ergonomic design.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment utilizes flexible, form-fitting materials that conform to the patient's body contours, providing secure transducer holding through elastic recovery and body movement accommodation. This flexible construction maintains electrical connection stability while preventing discomfort from rigid or overly tight structures.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
Garments for applying TTFields are disclosed, including a garment comprising a support layer sized and dimensioned to cover at least a portion of a treatment area, a first anchor point associated with the support layer and a first position on a patient, a second anchor point associated with the support layer and a second position on the patient, a transducer array comprising a first fastener and an attaching component, and one or more second fastener connected to the support layer and attachable to the first fastener to support the transducer array; the first and second fasteners separable with a first force. The attaching component, when attached to the patient, is separable from the patient with a second force greater than the first force, wherein application of the first force to the transducer array directed away from the patient does not cause separation of the transducer array from the patient.