Tumor Treating Fields Transducer Edge Placement for Near-Surface Tumors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tumor treating field (TTFields) therapies face inefficiencies in delivering high electric field strength to target tumor sites due to the edge effect in transducer arrays, where electrode elements along the array edges drive higher current concentrations, leading to uneven field distribution.

Innovation Solution

The method involves positioning the outer perimeter of transducers at near-tumor locations on the subject's body to harness the edge effect, ensuring higher electric field strength is delivered to the tumor by placing the edge of the transducer closer to the tumor, thereby optimizing field distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If transducers are positioned with central portion at near-tumor location, then even field distribution is achieved, but electric field strength at tumor site is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield distribution uniformityVSAvoidelectric field strength at tumor

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional transducer positioning approach by placing the outer perimeter at the near-tumor location instead of the central portion. This inversion exploits the edge effect to concentrate electric field strength at the tumor site while maintaining adequate field distribution through the transducer array geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform field distribution intentionally - concentrating high field strength at the tumor location (near-tumor position) while accepting lower field strength in other regions. This localized optimization matches the therapeutic need for high field strength at the target site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Power

If transducers are positioned with outer perimeter at near-tumor location, then electric field strength at tumor is increased, but field distribution becomes uneven

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric field strength at tumorVSAvoidfield distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful edge effect (uneven field distribution) into a beneficial feature by intentionally positioning the outer perimeter at the near-tumor location. The edge effect, which normally causes non-uniformity, is now exploited to concentrate therapeutic field strength at the tumor site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If conventional transducer positioning is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but treatment efficacy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransducer positioning simplicityVSAvoidtreatment efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the positioning parameter from central-alignment to perimeter-alignment. This parameter change optimizes the electric field distribution characteristics to improve treatment efficacy for near-surface tumors while maintaining a systematic approach to transducer placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances the therapeutic effect of TTFields by increasing electric field power density at the tumor site, improving treatment efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

transducers (e.g., arrays of capacitively coupled electrode elements) placed directly on the patient's body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

TTFields are induced non-invasively into the region of interest by transducers... applying AC voltages between the transducers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field induction: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS12409332B2Methods and apparatuses for delivering tumor treating fields to a subject's body for near-surface tumors

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 NOVOCURE GMBH

AI summary

A method for determining a location of a transducer on a subject's body for applying tumor treating fields. The method comprises determining a near-surface portion of a tumor in the subject's body, the near-surface portion of the tumor closer to a surface of the subject's body than other portions of the tumor; determining a near-tumor position on the subject's body, the near-tumor position on the subject's body closer to the near-surface portion of the tumor than other positions of the subject's body; determining an outer perimeter of the transducer, the transducer comprising a plurality of electrode elements electrically coupled to each other, the plurality of electrode elements of the transducer being located within the outer perimeter; and identifying a portion of the outer perimeter of the transducer to be located substantially at the near-tumor position on the subject's body.