Electrode Assembly for Delivering Alternating Electric Fields (e.g., TTFields) with Peripherally-Positioned Temperature Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode assemblies for applying alternating electric fields (TTFields) face limitations in temperature monitoring, as hotspots often occur beneath electrode elements, restricting current delivery due to safety thresholds, and prior designs may inadequately monitor peripheral heating in transducer arrays using conductive materials.
Innovation Solution
Position temperature sensors outside a convex hull enclosing metal pads, with a layer of graphite or anisotropic material to spread heat and current, allowing for comprehensive temperature monitoring and safer current delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are positioned at the center of electrode elements, then temperature monitoring is performed at the hottest spots, but peripheral heating is not detected and current delivery is limited by safety thresholds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the temperature monitoring function into multiple sensors positioned at different locations (center and periphery) of the electrode assembly, allowing comprehensive detection of temperature distribution patterns including hotspots and peripheral heating
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a thermally conductive material layer between the electrode element and the subject's skin to act as a heat spreader, reducing peak temperatures at the electrode-skin interface and enabling higher current delivery while maintaining safety
2Temperature
If a layer of conductive material is added to spread heat and current, then temperature distribution is improved and current delivery capacity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the electrode assembly, combining conductive materials with thermally conductive spreader layers to achieve both electrical functionality and thermal management in a single integrated structure
Solution Approach 2:
The thermally conductive material layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it spreads heat to reduce hotspots, provides a uniform interface for current delivery, and acts as a thermal pathway for heat dissipation, thereby managing temperature distribution without proportionally increasing device complexity
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
Enhances temperature monitoring efficacy by detecting peripheral heating, preventing overheating, and enabling higher current delivery without exceeding safety thresholds, thus improving treatment effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The layer of graphite is positioned to be in thermal contact with (a) each of the plurality of temperature sensors and (b) the at least one metal pad
Implementation Method 2
The alternating electric fields are induced by electrode assemblies (e.g., arrays of capacitively coupled electrodes, also called transducer arrays) placed on the subject's skin
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of temperature sensors, each of the temperature sensors being disposed on the substrate at a position that is outside a first convex hull that encloses the at least one metal pad
Data Source
AI summary
Alternating electric fields (e.g., Tumor Treating Fields or TTFields) can be applied to a subject's body using an apparatus (e.g., a transducer array) that includes at least one metal pad disposed on a substrate and a plurality of temperature sensors (e.g., thermistors). The temperature sensors are disposed on the substrate at positions that are outside a first convex hull that encloses the at least one metal pad (e.g., at the edges of the apparatus). A layer of graphite is disposed in front of the metal pads and the temperature sensors and is in thermal contact with both the metal pads and the temperature sensors. Positioning the thermistors outside the first convex hull (e.g., at the edges of the apparatus) can help prevent overheating in situations where the edges of the apparatus tend to be the hottest portions of the apparatus.