Amplitude-Modulated Tumor Treating Fields for Tissue Permittivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The efficacy of tumor treating fields (TTFields) is diminished by the electrical permittivity and conductivity of intervening tissues, leading to reduced electric field strength at target tumor sites due to capacitive effects from tissues with different electrical properties.
Innovation Solution
Applying amplitude-modulated AC voltage between pairs of transducers to generate electric fields with specific frequency ranges, one for disrupting mitosis and another for attenuating tissue permittivity effects, thereby enhancing electric field strength at tumor sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If AC voltage is applied between transducers to generate electric fields for treating tumors, then tumor treatment efficacy is achieved, but the efficacy decreases due to capacitive effects from tissues with different electrical conductivity and permittivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies amplitude modulation to the AC voltage signal, creating a modulated electric field with varying amplitude over time. This parameter change in the electric field allows the system to overcome the capacitive blocking effects of intervening tissues by using the modulation envelope to drive current through the capacitive barriers, thereby maintaining effective field strength at the tumor site while accounting for tissue electrical properties
2Ease of operation
If standard AC voltage is used to generate electric fields, then simple operation is maintained, but electric field strength at target tumor sites is reduced due to tissue permittivity effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces amplitude modulation as an intermediary mechanism between the applied voltage and the tumor target. The modulated signal acts as a mediator that translates the simple AC voltage input into an effective therapeutic field at the tumor site, overcoming the intermediate barrier of capacitive tissues through the modulation envelope while maintaining ease of operation
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 increases the intracellular field strength and therapeutic efficacy of TTFields by maintaining desired frequency ranges and improving field intensity within the tumor region.
Implementation Method 1
a first transducer and a second transducer that are configured to induce a modulated electric field between the first transducer and the second transducer
Implementation Method 2
The obstructive effects of frequency-dependent electric tissue properties include the permittivity effects of tissues between the first transducer, the second transducer and the tumor of the subject's body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~3C
Figure 3D~5
AI summary
An apparatus for applying tumor treating fields to a subject's body, wherein the apparatus comprises a first transducer and a second transducer that are configured to induce a modulated electric field between the first transducer and the second transducer to treat a tumor of the subject's body, wherein the first transducer is located at a first location of the subject's body, and wherein the second transducer is located at a second location of the subject's body