Abstract: A transducer apparatus for delivering tumor treating fields to a subject’s body, the transducer apparatus including: an array of electrode elements, the array configured to be positioned over the subject’s body with a face of the array facing the subject’s body; wherein, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the face of the array, an outer perimeter of the array substantially tracing the electrode elements has a shape including: at least one convex edge portion protruding away from a centroid of the array; and at least one concave edge portion recessed toward the centroid of the array.

Abstract: Cancer cells can be synchronized to the G2/M phase by delivering an anti-microtubule agent (e.g., paclitaxel or another taxane) to the cancer cells, and applying an alternating electric field with a frequency between 100 and 500 kHz to the cancer cells, wherein at least a portion of the applying step is performed simultaneously with at least a portion of the delivering step. This synchronization can be taken advantage of by treating the cancer cells with radiation therapy after the combined action of the delivering step and the applying step has increased a proportion of cancer cells that are in the G2/M phase. The optimal frequency and field strength will depend on the particular type of cancer cell being treated. For certain cancers, this frequency will be between 125 and 250 kHz (e.g., 200 kHz) and the field strength will be at least 1 V/cm.

Abstract: Tumors inside a person's head (e.g., brain tumors) can be treated using tumor treating fields (TTFields) by positioning capacitively coupled electrodes on opposite sides of the tumor, and applying an AC voltage between the electrodes. Unlike the conventional approach (in which all of the electrodes are positioned on the person's scalp) at least one of the electrodes is implemented using an implanted apparatus. The implanted apparatus includes a rigid substrate shaped and dimensioned to replace a section of the person's skull. At least one electrically conductive plate is affixed to the inner side of the rigid substrate, and a dielectric layer is disposed on the inner side of the conductive plate or plates. An electrically conductive lead is used to apply an AC voltage to the conductive plate or plates.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Tumors can be treated with an alternating electric field. The size of cells in the tumor is determined prior to the start of treatment by, for example, biopsy or by inverse electric impedance tomography. A treatment frequency is chosen based on the determined cell size. The cell size can be determined during the course of treatment and the treatment frequency is adjusted to reflect changes in the cell size. A suitable apparatus for this purpose includes a device for measuring the tumor impedance, an AC signal generator with a controllable output frequency, a processor for estimating the size of tumor cells and setting the frequency of the AC signal generator based thereon, and at least one pair of electrodes operatively connected to the AC signal generator such that an alternating electric field is applied to the tumor.

Abstract: Characteristics of alternating electric fields that will be applied to a target region in a subject’s body can be selected by applying different sets of pulses between electrode elements positioned on opposite sides of the target region. Thermal responses to the different sets of pulses are determined. Based on these thermal responses, the system selects a set of characteristics for output pulses of alternating current that will (a) maximize peak current amplitude and (b) keep temperatures at the electrode elements below a threshold value.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for managing placement of transducer arrays on a subject/patient.

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.

Abstract: A transducer apparatus for delivering tumor treating fields to a subject's body, the transducer apparatus including: a substrate and an array of electrodes disposed on the substrate, the array configured to be positioned over the subject's body with a face of the array facing the subject's body; wherein, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the face of the array, the substrate has at least one concave edge forming at least a portion of a boundary of the array, the at least one concave edge defines an opening between two opposing sides of the substrate, no electrodes are present in the opening, and the substrate has a substantially C-shaped, U-shaped, rounded V-shaped, or annular shaped surface.

Abstract: A transducer apparatus for delivering tumor treating fields to a subject's body, the transducer apparatus including: an array of electrodes configured to be positioned over the subject's body with a face of the array facing the subject's body; a substrate including an adhesive layer, wherein the array of electrodes is disposed entirely on a first side of the substrate, the face of the array faces away from the substrate, the adhesive layer is on the first side of the substrate facing the same direction as the face of the array; and, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the face of the array, a non-adhesive region is located between a pair of adjacent electrodes of the array, the non-adhesive region spanning at least 25% of a total distance between the pair of adjacent electrodes for at least one measurement measured along a straight line between the pair of adjacent electrodes.

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; and 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.

Abstract: This application describes a variety of approaches for generating high voltage sinusoidal signals whose output voltage can be adjusted rapidly, without introducing high-frequency artifacts on the output. When these approaches are used, stronger electric fields can be applied to the tumor for a higher percentage of time, which can increase the efficacy of TTFields therapy. In some embodiments, this is accomplished by preventing adjustments to a DC power source during times when the output of that DC power source is powering the output signal. In some embodiments, this is accomplished by synchronizing the operation of an AC voltage generator and an electronic switch that is connected to the output of the AC voltage generator.

Abstract: A method of determining susceptibility of cancer cells to treatment with alternating electric fields, or of reducing the viability of cancer cells by applying alternating electric fields, by measuring percentage of ciliated cancer cells or by measuring average length of a primary cilia of cancer cells. A method of treating Huntington's disease by applying alternating electric fields to a brain of a subject.

Abstract: Tumors inside a person's head (e.g., brain tumors) can be treated using tumor treating fields (TTFields) by positioning capacitively coupled electrodes on opposite sides of the tumor, and applying an AC voltage between the electrodes. Unlike the conventional approach (in which all of the electrodes are positioned on the person's scalp) at least one of the electrodes is implemented using an implanted apparatus. The implanted apparatus includes a rigid substrate shaped and dimensioned to replace a section of the person's skull. At least one electrically conductive plate is affixed to the inner side of the rigid substrate, and a dielectric layer is disposed on the inner side of the conductive plate or plates. An electrically conductive lead is used to apply an AC voltage to the conductive plate or plates.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method to determine placement of transducers on a subject's body for applying tumor treating fields, the method including: determining a pair of locations on the subject's body for placement of a pair of transducer arrays based on image data; receiving a detected concentration of a target molecule within a target region of the subject's body from a molecular imaging apparatus, the concentration of the target molecule being detected after tumor treating fields are induced between the pair of transducer arrays; determining, based on the detected concentration of the target molecule, how the tumor treating fields were distributed in the target region; determining a recommendation of a second pair of locations on the subject's body for placement of the pair of transducer arrays based on the distribution of the tumor treating fields in the target region; and outputting the recommendation of the second pair of locations to a user.

Abstract: A 3D model of AC electrical conductivity (at a given frequency) of an anatomic volume can be created by obtaining two MRI images of the anatomic volume, where the two images have different repetition times. Then, for each voxel in the anatomic volume, a ratio IR of the intensity of the corresponding voxels in the two MRI images is calculated. This calculated IR is then mapped into a corresponding voxel of a 3D model of AC electrical conductivity at the given frequency. The given frequency is below 1 MHz (e.g., 200 kHz). In some embodiments, the 3D model of AC electrical conductivity at the given frequency is used to determine the positions for the electrodes in TTFields (Tumor Treating Fields) treatment.

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.

Abstract: When electrodes are used to impose an electric field in target tissue within an anatomic volume (e.g., to apply TTFields to treat a tumor), the position of the electrodes can be optimized by generating a 3D map of electrical conductivity or resistivity of the anatomic volume. A location of the target tissue within the anatomic volume is identified, and a dipole is added to the 3D map at a location that corresponds to the target tissue. positions for the electrodes that maximize a potential attributable to the dipole are determined based on the 3D map of electrical conductivity or resistivity and the location of the dipole.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for managing placement of transducer arrays on a subject/patient.

Abstract: When treating a subject using alternating electric fields (e.g., using TTFields to treat a tumor), some subjects experience an electrosensation effect when the alternating electric field switches direction. This application describes a variety of approaches for reducing or eliminating this electrosensation. More specifically, during the course of treatment using alternating electric fields, additional electrical signals that reduce the subject's sensation are applied during each of a plurality of time intervals, and these additional electrical signals interact with the relevant nerve cells to reduce the sensations.