Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for interacting with images, segmenting the images, and determining one or more regions of interest within the images.
Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for interacting with images, segmenting the images, and determining one or more regions of interest within the images.
Abstract: This application discloses configurations for arranging transducer arrays on a person's head to impose tumor treating fields (TTFields) in the brain at field strengths that are as uniform as possible throughout the entire brain. In some embodiments, L-shaped sets of electrodes are positioned near the right and left ears, each with a horizontal arm above the ear and a vertical arm behind the ear. Optionally, these embodiments may be combined with a second pair of electrodes positioned on top of the head and behind the neck. In other embodiments, one pair of electrodes is positioned above the right ear and on the left/rear portion of the neck; and a second pair of electrodes is positioned above the left ear and on the right/rear portion of the neck. These configurations improve the uniformity of the electric fields imposed throughout the brain, and are particularly useful for preventing and/or treating metastases.
Abstract: To plan tumor treating fields (TTFields) therapy, a model of a patient's head is often used to determine where to position the transducer arrays during treatment, and the accuracy of this model depends in large part on an accurate segmentation of MRI images. The quality of a segmentation can be improved by presenting the segmentation to a previously-trained machine learning system. The machine learning system generates a quality score for the segmentation. Revisions to the segmentation are accepted, and the machine learning system scores the revised segmentation. The quality scores are used to determine which segmentation provides better results, optionally by running simulations for models that correspond to each segmentation for a plurality of different transducer array layouts.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 9, 2022
Date of Patent:
February 27, 2024
Assignee:
Novocure GmbH
Inventors:
Reuven R. Shamir, Zeev Bomzon, Mor Vardi
Abstract: Methods of reducing the viability of cancer cells, preventing cancer cells of a subject from developing resistance to TTFields, and restoring sensitivity of cancer cells to TTFields by recommending or prescribing a PTGER3 inhibitor to a subject and applying an alternating electric field to the cancer cells are provided. In some instances, sensitivity of cancer cells to TTFields can be restored with one or more PTGER3 inhibitors (e.g., NSAIDs, cox2 inhibitors).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 27, 2020
Date of Patent:
February 27, 2024
Assignee:
Novocure GmbH
Inventors:
David Tran, Son Bang Le, Dongjiang Chen
Abstract: The planning of treatment using tumor treating fields (TTFields) in a portion of a subject's body (e.g., the subject's head) can be improved by obtaining an image of the body portion, and generating, based on the image, a 3D model of electrical conductivity. A target volume within the 3D model is identified, and a set of model electrodes is added to the 3D model at given locations. Then, for each voxel in the target volume, the power loss density (PLD) that will be present when TTFields are eventually applied is determined. The same process is repeated for a plurality of different electrode locations. Finally, the set of electrode locations that yielded the best PLD is selected, and a description of those locations is output.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 18, 2019
Date of Patent:
February 27, 2024
Assignee:
Novocure GmbH
Inventors:
Zeev Bomzon, Hadas Sara Hershkovich, Noa Urman, Ariel Naveh, Shay Levi
Abstract: Tumor treating fields (TTFields) may be applied to a person's body using six different types of electrodes. More specifically, the electrodes may be shaped and dimensioned (a) for insertion into blood vessels so that they make contact with the person's blood; (b) for insertion into a central canal of a spinal cord, so that they make contact with the CSF; (c) for insertion into a body orifice at a position that contacts an interior surface of the person's body; (d) for affixation to skin of the person's body (e.g., on the person's head, torso, back, abdomen, etc.); (e) for insertion into a brain ventricle so that they make contact with the person's CSF; or (f) for insertion into lymph vessels so that they make contact with the person's lymph. Applying an AC voltage between any two of these electrodes will create TTFields in respective parts of the person's body.
Abstract: Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) can be used to treat tumors (and/or prevent metastases) in or near a person's neck by affixing a first transducer array (i.e., a set of electrode elements) to the person's head and affixing a second transducer array to the person's chest. Subsequently, an AC voltage at a desired frequency (e.g., 100-300 kHz) is applied between the first transducer array and the second transducer array. This induces an electric field that is strong enough to be effective (e.g., greater than 1 V/cm) in most of the person's neck. In some embodiments, the center of the first transducer array is positioned on the vertex of the head or on an upper surface of the person's head. In some embodiments, the second set of electrode elements is positioned immediately below the base of the neck.
Abstract: Apparatus and methods for imposing electric fields through a target region in a body of a patient are described. The apparatus includes a sensor array having a plurality of temperature sensors with a plurality of first temperature sensors of the sensor array connected to a first conductor, and a plurality of second temperature sensors connected to a second conductor. A circuit is configured to provide a known amount of electricity via the first conductor and the second conductor to a third temperature sensor, the third temperature sensor within the plurality of first temperature sensors, and within the plurality of second temperature sensors.
Abstract: A swivel assembly can have a longitudinal axis. The swivel assembly can have an upper portion and a lower portion that is rotationally coupled to the upper portion. The lower portion can have a connector configured to securely engage a cable. The lower portion can be configured to remain in electrical communication with the upper portion as the lower portion rotates with respect to the upper portion. A motor can be disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion and configured to selectively rotate the lower portion. A sensor can be configured to detect torsion in the cable. A controller can be in communication with the sensor and the motor. Upon receiving a signal from the sensor indicating a threshold torsion in the cable, the controller can be configured to cause the motor to rotate in a direction corresponding to a direction of the torsion in the cable.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 18, 2020
Date of Patent:
January 23, 2024
Assignee:
NOVOCURE GMBH
Inventors:
Michael Krinitsky, Yoram Wasserman, Michael Shtotland, Shiri Davidi, Roni Blat, Golan Bar Tal, Moshe Giladi, Shalom Strauss, Michal Munster, Nikolai Piterov
Abstract: Tumor treating fields (TTFields) can be delivered to a subject's body at higher field strengths by switching off one or more electrode elements in a transducer array that are overheating. This may be accomplished by using thermistors that sense the temperature of each electrode element. Portions of the wiring of each transducer array is shared between the electrode elements and the thermistors by using a plurality of conductors, each of which electrically connects (a) a pin of a connector, (b) a respective electrode element, and (c) a respective thermistor. In some embodiments, all of the thermistors are wired in series. In other embodiments, all the thermistors share a common connection.
Abstract: An apparatus includes a bottom panel with a transparent region and ceramic sidewalls affixed to the bottom panel to form a container. Electrodes are disposed on the outer surface of the sidewalls at positions selected so that when a sample is positioned in the container, applying a voltage between the electrodes induces an electric field through the sample. Electrical conductors provide contact with the electrodes. All the components are sized and shaped to facilitate positioning of the container on the stage of an inverted microscope so that when the sample is positioned in the container, light emanating from a light source is free to travel along an optical path that passes through the sample, through the transparent region, and into the objective of the inverted microscope. The electrodes and conductors are positioned with respect to the transparent region so as not to interfere with the optical path.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 3, 2023
Date of Patent:
January 23, 2024
Assignee:
Novocure GmbH
Inventors:
Moshe Giladi, Yoram Wasserman, Yoram Palti, Michael Krinitsky, Michael Shtotland
Abstract: A transducer array for use in tumor-treating fields (TTFields) therapy is particularly suited for use in treating abdominal or thoracic cancers. The transducer array has features that increase its flexibility and adhesion to the patient's skin, including a branching configuration and a correspondingly branching top covering adhesive-backed layer. Additionally, a skin-level adhesive layer is provided beneath the flex circuit to which the electrode elements are attached, to help ensure thorough, lasting adhesion of the transducer array to the patient's skin over the course of treatment.
Abstract: A transducer apparatus for delivering tumor treating fields to a subject's body, the transducer apparatus including: an array of electrodes, the array configured to be positioned over the subject's body with a face of the array facing the subject's body, the array including electrode elements positioned in existing electrode positions arranged around a centroid of the array; at least one void space in the array capable of enclosing an areal footprint equivalent to at least 40% of an areal footprint of at least one existing electrode position, and superimposable on at least 40% of at least one existing electrode position by rotation of the array around the centroid; and a hydrocolloid material disposed in the at least one void space.
Abstract: This application discloses configurations for arranging transducer arrays on a person's head to impose tumor treating fields (TTFields) in the brain at field strengths that are as uniform as possible throughout the entire brain. In some embodiments, L-shaped sets of electrodes are positioned near the right and left ears, each with a horizontal arm above the ear and a vertical arm behind the ear. Optionally, these embodiments may be combined with a second pair of electrodes positioned on top of the head and behind the neck. In other embodiments, one pair of electrodes is positioned above the right ear and on the left/rear portion of the neck; and a second pair of electrodes is positioned above the left ear and on the right/rear portion of the neck. These configurations improve the uniformity of the electric fields imposed throughout the brain, and are particularly useful for preventing and/or treating metastases.
Abstract: A method of treating acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a subject by applying an alternating electric field (AEF) to a region of the subject's torso. The ARDS may be caused by sepsis, viral infection, bacterial infection, near-drowning, chemical inhalation, acute pancreatitis, and chest injury. The viral infection may be COVID-19 or long covid. The ARDS may be identified using the Berlin Definition.
Abstract: An adhesive layer for use in a transducer apparatus, the adhesive layer extending in an x-y plane and having an adhesive layer outer edge, the adhesive layer including: an adhesive matrix material; a plurality of electrically conductive particles embedded at least partially within the adhesive matrix material forming a conductive adhesive region of the adhesive layer; and at least one non-conductive edge portion comprising an adhesive devoid of electrically conductive particles, the at least one non-conductive edge portion being electrically non-conductive; wherein, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the x-y plane, a first non-conductive edge portion is located adjacent to and extends along an outer edge of the conductive adhesive region and forms at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the adhesive layer.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 29, 2023
Publication date:
January 4, 2024
Applicant:
Novocure GmbH
Inventors:
Yoram WASSERMAN, Stas OBUCHOVSKY, Nataliya KUPLENNIK, David SHAPIRO
Abstract: Tumor treating fields (TTFields) can be delivered by implanting a plurality of sets of implantable electrode elements within a person's body. Temperature sensors positioned to measure the temperature at the electrode elements are also implanted, along with a circuit that collects temperature measurements from the temperature sensors. In some embodiments, an AC voltage generator configured to apply an AC voltage across the plurality of sets of electrode elements is also implanted within the person's body.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 15, 2023
Publication date:
January 4, 2024
Applicant:
Novocure GmbH
Inventors:
Yoram WASSERMAN, Zeev BOMZON, Hadas Sara HERSHKOVICH, Ariel NAVEH, Moshe GILADI, Eilon KIRSON, Golan BAR-TAL, Tali VOLOSHIN-SELA
Abstract: Alternating electric fields (e.g., TTFields) may be applied to a subject's body using electrode assemblies, each of which includes a plurality of graphite sheets (or sheets of another conductive anisotropic material) that are positioned adjacent to, but not touching, each other. One or more electrode elements are disposed in electrical contact with each of the graphite sheets. Strips of electrically insulating and thermally conductive material are disposed between the graphite sheets, and these strips are positioned in thermal contact with the adjacent graphite sheets. The graphite sheets facilitate the passive spreading of heat within the confines of any given sheet. And the strips of material allow the passive spreading of heat to continue beyond the confines of any given sheet without compromising inter-sheet electrical isolation.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 29, 2023
Publication date:
January 4, 2024
Applicant:
Novocure GmbH
Inventors:
Yoram WASSERMAN, Stas OBUCHOVSKY, Nataliya KUPLENNIK, David SHAPIRO