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: 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 transducer apparatus for delivering tumor treating fields to a subject's body, the transducer apparatus including: an array of electrode elements electrically coupled to each other, the array including all electrode elements present on the transducer apparatus, the array configured to be positioned over the subject's body with a face 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 of the array has a rounded convex shape; a number of the electrode elements of the array are peripheral electrode elements defining the outer perimeter of the array, the peripheral electrode elements substantially surrounding any other electrode elements of the array; and wherein for each peripheral electrode element, at least a portion of a length of a perimeter of the peripheral electrode element is touching the outer perimeter of the array.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering tumor treating fields to a subject's body. The apparatus comprises: a plurality of electrically coupled electrode elements to be located on a subject's body and able to deliver tumor treating fields to the subject's body, wherein at least one electrode element of the plurality of electrically coupled electrode elements comprises a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer has a first surface to face the subject's body and a second surface opposite the first surface, and at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the dielectric layer is a non-planar surface.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A transducer apparatus for delivering tumor treating fields to a subject's body, the transducer apparatus including: a plurality of electrode elements; wherein the plurality of electrode elements comprises a first electrode element and a second electrode element, wherein the first electrode element and the second electrode element are substantially located in a plane of the transducer apparatus; and when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane, the first electrode element and the second electrode element have edges located adjacent each other without any other electrodes between them, wherein the edges of the first electrode element and the second electrode element extend parallel to each other along their length.

Abstract: A data transfer apparatus (“DTA”) connects to the field generator in a TTFields therapy system using the same connector on the field generator that is used to connect a transducer interface to the field generator. The field generator automatically determines whether the transducer interface or the DTA is connected to it. When the transducer interface is connected to the field generator, the field generator operates to deliver TTFields therapy to a patient. On the other hand, when the DTA is connected to the field generator, the field generator transfers patient-treatment data to the DTA, and the DTA accepts the data from the field generator. After the field generator and the DTA have been disconnected, the DTA transmits the data to a remote server, e.g., via the Internet or via cellular data transmission.

Abstract: Alternating electric fields (e.g., TTFields) may be applied to a subject's body using one or more electrode assemblies that includes a sheet of anisotropic material, at least one layer of conductive material disposed on the front face of the sheet of anisotropic material, and an electrode element positioned behind the sheet of anisotropic material. The electrode element has a front face disposed in electrical contact with the rear face of the sheet of anisotropic material. The sheet of anisotropic material spreads both heat and current out in directions that are parallel to the front face of the sheet, which eliminates or at least minimizes hot spots on the electrode assembly. This in turn makes it possible to increase the current without exceeding a temperature safety threshold (e.g., 41° C.).

Abstract: Alternating electric fields (e.g., TTFields) may be applied to a subject's body using one or more electrode assemblies that includes a sheet of graphite, at least one layer of conductive material disposed on the front face of the sheet of graphite, and an electrode element positioned behind the sheet of graphite. The electrode element has a front face disposed in electrical contact with the rear face of the sheet of graphite. The sheet of graphite spreads both heat and current out in directions that are parallel to the front face of the sheet, which eliminates or at least minimizes hot spots on the electrode assembly. This in turn makes it possible to increase the current without exceeding a temperature safety threshold (e.g., 41° C.).

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: Transducer arrays for applying alternating electric fields (e.g., tumor treating fields a.k.a. TTFields) to a subject's body typically include a plurality of capacitively coupled electrode elements. Often, certain electrode elements on a given array tend to run hotter than other electrode elements. For example, in many anatomical contexts, the corner elements of the transducer array tend to run hotter than the non-corner elements. The spread of operating temperatures between the electrode elements that tend to run hotter and the other electrode elements can be reduced by wiring a capacitor in series with those electrode elements that tend to run hotter (e.g., the corner elements).

Abstract: Cancer treatment using TTFields (Tumor Treating Fields) can be customized to each individual subject by obtaining cancer cells from the subject, determining an electrical characteristic (e.g., dielectrophoretic forces, cell membrane capacitance, etc.) of the cancer cells, determining a frequency for the TTFields based on the determined electrical characteristic, and treating the cancer by applying TTFields to the subject at the determined frequency. In addition, cancer treatment can be planned for each individual subject by obtaining cancer cells from the subject, determining an electrical characteristic of the cancer cells, predicting whether TTFields would be effective to treat the cancer based on the determined electrical characteristic, and treating the subject by applying TTFields if the prediction indicates that TTFields would be effective.

Abstract: Certain drugs and other molecules cannot ordinarily traverse the blood brain barrier (BBB). However, when alternating electric fields at certain first frequencies (e.g., 100 kHz) are applied to the brain, the BBB becomes permeable to those molecules. Moreover, certain drugs and other molecules cannot ordinarily traverse cell membranes. However, when alternating electric fields at certain second frequencies are applied to the cells (e.g., 150 kHz for uterine sarcoma cells), the cell membranes become permeable to those molecules. To get a certain drug past both the BBB and the relevant cell membranes, the permeability of both of those barriers can be overcome by sequentially (or simultaneously) applying alternating electric fields at both the first frequency and the second frequency.

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: Methods of treating cancer are provided. In some instances, the method comprises applying alternating electric fields to the abdomen of the subject at a frequency of 100 to 500 kHz, administering a checkpoint inhibitor to the subject, and administering systemic cancer therapy to the subject. In some instances, the cancer is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Abstract: Tumor treating fields (TTFields) can be delivered to a subject's body with improved safety and efficacy by determining the condition of participating electrode elements and/or the subject's skin condition under positioned electrode elements. This may be accomplished by applying an AC signal to pairs or groups of electrode elements and taking corresponding impedance measurements. In some embodiments, the impedance measurements are indicative of electrode element condition and/or skin condition. These determined conditions can be used to adjust or pause TTFields treatment, for example to permit skin recovery or to ensure that participating electrode elements will properly function.

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 that are overheating without switching off other electrode elements that are not overheating. This may be accomplished using a plurality of temperature sensors, with each of the temperature sensors positioned to sense the temperature at a respective electrode element; and a plurality of electrically controlled switches, each of which is wired to switch the current to an individual electrode element on or off. A controller input signals from the temperature sensors to determine the temperature at each of the electrode elements, and controls the state of the control input of each of the electrically controlled switches to selectively switch off the current or adjusted the duty cycle at any electrode element that is overheating.

Abstract: Improved hydrogel configurations for use with a TTField-generating system is disclosed. Also disclosed are kits containing the improved hydrogel configurations and methods of producing and using the improved hydrogel configurations.

Abstract: Certain substances (e.g., large molecules) that ordinarily cannot traverse the cell membrane of cells can be introduced into cells by applying an alternating electric field to the cell for a period of time, wherein the frequency of the alternating electric field is selected so that application of the alternating electric field increases permeability of the cell membrane. Once the permeability of the cell membrane has been increased, the substance is able to cross the cell membrane. This approach is particularly useful in the context of cancer cells (e.g., glioblastoma).

Abstract: Methods of treating and preventing cancer are provided. In some instances, the method comprises delivering radioactive particles to an organ of the subject, wherein the organ contains a tumor, applying alternating electric fields to the organ at a frequency of 50 kHz to 10 MHz (e.g., 50 kHz to 1 MHz or 80 to 500 kHz), and administering systemic cancer therapy to the subject.