TTFields Electrode Skin Contact Layer with Anisotropic Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy systems face limitations due to hot spots under electrode elements, which restrict current delivery and cause skin irritation, and the hydrogel skin contact layer has a limited shelf-life, variability in signal transmission, and adverse reactions in patients.
Innovation Solution
The use of a sheet of anisotropic material with a conductive adhesive composite skin contact layer, which spreads heat and current evenly, reducing hot spots and eliminating the need for hydrogel, thereby increasing current delivery without exceeding skin temperature thresholds and minimizing skin irritation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrogel skin contact layer is used, then electrical contact with skin is ensured, but hot spots occur under electrode elements and skin irritation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hydrogel layer from the electrode assembly structure, extracting the problematic substance that causes hot spots and skin irritation while maintaining electrical contact through alternative means (conductive adhesive composite and anisotropic material sheet).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a composite structure consisting of an anisotropic material sheet combined with a conductive adhesive composite, replacing the单一 hydrogel layer. This composite structure provides both thermal management and electrical conductivity functions.
2Reliability
If hydrogel skin contact layer is used, then electrical contact is maintained, but shelf-life is limited and signal transmission varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for hydrogel by using a stable, non-degradable conductive adhesive composite and anisotropic material sheet, removing the shelf-life limitation associated with hydrogel's moisture content changes and degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters from hydrogel (variable moisture content, degradable) to anisotropic material sheet with conductive adhesive composite (stable, non-degradable), resulting in consistent signal transmission and unlimited shelf-life.
3Reliability
If hydrogel skin contact layer is used, then electrical contact is achieved, but frequent replacements are required due to adverse reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hydrogel layer that causes adverse reactions, replacing it with a biocompatible conductive adhesive composite and anisotropic material sheet that do not require frequent replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a durable, non-degradable material structure that eliminates the need for frequent replacements, contrasting with the short shelf-life of hydrogel-based systems.
4Reliability
If hydrogel skin contact layer is used, then conductivity is provided, but heat dissipation is poor causing hot spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure with an anisotropic material sheet and conductive adhesive composite that simultaneously provides good electrical conductivity and superior thermal dissipation, eliminating the hot spot problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The anisotropic material sheet provides directionally dependent thermal and electrical properties, with high thermal conductivity in the plane of the sheet to dissipate heat laterally and prevent hot spots, while maintaining necessary electrical conductivity for current delivery.
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 solution allows for higher operating currents, enhancing the efficacy of TTFields treatment while reducing skin irritation and the need for frequent hydrogel replacements, and providing consistent signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
The sheet has a first thermal conductivity in a direction that is perpendicular to the front face, and thermal conductivity of the sheet in directions that are parallel to the front face is more than two times higher than the first thermal conductivity
Implementation Method 2
a skin contact layer comprising a conductive adhesive composite... the first electrode element has a first front face disposed in electrical contact with the rear face of the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
Alternating electric fields (e.g., TTFields) may be applied to a subject's body using an electrode assembly that includes a skin contact layer formed at least partially of a conductive adhesive. An electrode element is electrically coupled to the conductive adhesive. Optionally, the electrode assembly can include a layer (e.g., sheet) of anisotropic material between the electrode element and the skin contact layer. Optionally, the skin contact layer may comprise an outer adhesive layer comprising conductive adhesive composite, an inner adhesive layer comprising conductive adhesive composite, and a substrate positioned between the inner and outer adhesive layers.