Abstract: Alternating electric fields (e.g., tumor treating fields, a.k.a. TTFields) may be applied to a target region in a subject's body via sheets of graphite that are implanted in the subject's body. One or more ports configured for affixation to the subject's body include or connect to one or more mating electrical connectors. Electrical conductors are positioned to route electrical signals between the electrical connector(s) and the sheets of graphite. The alternating electric fields are applied to the target region by applying (via the ports) an alternating voltage between two sheets of graphite that are positioned on opposite sides of the target region.

Abstract: Assemblies for use in applying TTFields are disclosed. A treatment assembly can include a circuit board, a plurality of electrode elements, and a cover. Each electrode element of the plurality of electrode elements can have a metal layer and, optionally, a capacitive layer. Each electrode element can be coupled to the circuit board via the metal layer of the electrode element. At least a first electrode element of the plurality of electrode elements can be positioned on an outer side of the circuit board. A first portion of the cover can be disposed over the first electrode element and the outer side of the circuit board, and the first portion can contact the first electrode. A second portion of the cover can be positioned radially outside of a perimeter of the circuit board. The cover can include a layer of anisotropic material and at least one conductive adhesive or gel layer.

Abstract: A transducer apparatus for delivering tumor treating fields to a subject's body, including: a substrate; an electrode element coupled to the substrate; a layer of anisotropic material electrically coupled to the electrode element, wherein the electrode element is located between the substrate and the layer of anisotropic material having a front face and a back face, wherein the back face of the layer of anisotropic material faces the electrode element; a non-conductive material border disposed over an outer perimeter of the layer of anisotropic material, the non-conductive material border being electrically non-conductive, wherein, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the front face of the layer of anisotropic material: an inner edge of the non-conductive material border overlaps a portion of the front face of the layer of anisotropic material, and an outer edge of the non-conductive material border extends outside the outer perimeter of the layer of anisotropic material.

Abstract: Tumor treating Fields (TTFields) can be applied to a subject's body using an apparatus that comprises a flex circuit, at least one electrode element that is not integrated into the flex circuit, and one or more temperature sensors that are electrically connected to conductive traces of the flex circuit. A flexible backing is positioned behind and affixed to the electrode elements and the flex circuit. The electrode elements and the flex circuit are positioned so that, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the flex circuit, the electrode elements lie within the outer boundary of the flex circuit.

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: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a subassembly having one or more electrode elements, each electrode element having a skin-facing side and a skin-facing surface. The apparatus can further comprise a skin contact layer comprising a conductive adhesive. The skin contact layer can be coupled to the subassembly and can be disposed on the skin-facing side of the electrode elements. The conductive adhesive is electrically coupled to the electrode and configured to contact skin of a subject. At least a portion of the skin contact layer is selectively removable from the subassembly.

Abstract: A transducer apparatus for delivering tumor treating fields to a subject's body, including: a substrate; an electrode element coupled to the substrate; a layer of anisotropic material electrically coupled to the electrode element, wherein the electrode element is located between the substrate and the layer of anisotropic material having a front face and a back face, wherein the back face of the layer of anisotropic material faces the electrode element; a non-conductive material border disposed over an outer perimeter of the layer of anisotropic material, the non-conductive material border being electrically non-conductive, wherein, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the front face of the layer of anisotropic material: an inner edge of the non-conductive material border overlaps a portion of the front face of the layer of anisotropic material, and an outer edge of the non-conductive material border extends outside the outer perimeter of the layer of anisotropic material.

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 half bridge comprising: a high side (HS) transistor; a low side (LS) transistor connected in series with the high side transistor at an output node of the half bridge; and a third quadrant state (TQS) detector connected in parallel with the HS or LS transistor and in series respectively with the LS and/or HS transistor, which TQS detector generates a signal responsive to a direction of a voltage drop across the transistor that is in parallel with the TQS detector.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a subassembly having one or more electrode elements, each electrode element having a skin-facing side and a skin-facing surface. The apparatus can further comprise a skin contact layer comprising a conductive adhesive. The skin contact layer can be coupled to the subassembly and can be disposed on the skin-facing side of the electrode elements. The conductive adhesive is electrically coupled to the electrode and configured to contact skin of a subject. At least a portion of the skin contact layer is selectively removable from the subassembly.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: at least one electrode element; a layer of anisotropic material; a first layer of conductive adhesive positioned between a skin-facing surface of the at least one electrode element and an outwardly facing surface of the layer of anisotropic material; and a skin contact layer. The skin contact layer includes a biocompatible conductive adhesive and is disposed on a skin-facing side of the layer of anisotropic material. The first layer of conductive adhesive facilitates electrical contact between the skin-facing surface of the at least one electrode element and the outwardly facing surface of the layer of anisotropic material. A plurality of openings extend through the layer of anisotropic material.

Abstract: A power switch comprising: a cascode having a normally ON transistor connected in series with a normally OFF transistor at a cascode node; a safety switch between a gate of the normally ON transistor and a first ground common to the cascode and the switch; and a controller comprising: a controller power supply having a power supply output connected to the cascode node at which output the controller power supply provides a voltage relative to a second ground that is floating relative to the first ground; a first controller output connected to the gate of the normally ON transistor at which the controller generates a first voltage relative to the second ground; wherein the controller power supply is connected to the safety switch and voltage provided by the controller power supply is coupled to and operates to maintain the safety switch OFF and nonconducting and in the absence of the voltage the safety switch is turned ON and conducting.

Abstract: An assembly for providing tumor treating fields includes an electrode subassembly with at least one electrode element. The electrode subassembly has a skin-facing surface and an opposing outwardly facing surface. The assembly further includes a skin contact subassembly removably coupled to the skin-facing surface of the electrode subassembly. The skin contact subassembly includes a base portion. The base portion includes an electrically conductive skin contact layer configured to contact skin of a subject. The skin contact subassembly further includes a plurality of flaps, each flap having a respective edge congruent with or attached to the base portion and pivotably coupled to the base portion. The respective edges of the plurality of flaps cooperate to at least partially surround a receiving area. The electrode subassembly has an outer perimeter that overlies the receiving area and fits within an outer perimeter of the receiving area.

Abstract: Apparatuses for use in applying TTFields are disclosed. An apparatus comprises an electrode subassembly including at least one electrode element having a skin-facing side and a skin-facing surface. The apparatus further includes a skin contact subassembly comprising a skin contact conductive adhesive or gel configured to contact skin of a subject. One of the electrode subassembly or the skin contact subassembly comprises an electrically conductive polymer layer, and the other of the electrode subassembly or the skin contact subassembly comprises a second conductive adhesive or gel. The electrically conductive polymer layer is disposed against, and removably coupled to, the second conductive adhesive or gel, thereby removably coupling the electrode subassembly to the skin contact subassembly so that the skin contact conductive adhesive or gel is electrically coupled to the at least one electrode element.

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 front face of the array facing the subject's body, the array comprising electrode elements; an anisotropic material layer electrically coupled to the array of electrodes and located on a front side of the front face of the array, the anisotropic material layer comprising a front face and a back face, the back face facing the array of electrodes, the anisotropic material layer further including a hole passing through the front face and the back face of the anisotropic material layer; and a foam layer coupled to the front face of the anisotropic material layer and covering the hole on the front face of the anisotropic material layer.

Abstract: Short circuit protection circuitry comprising: a HEMT (high electron mobility transistor) comprising a source, drain, and gate controllable to be turned ON and OFF by voltage applied to the gate; a comparator having an input coupled to a high-pass filter and an output at which the comparator generates an output signal responsive to a voltage induced across an inductance if the voltage after filtering by the filter exhibits a voltage surge greater than a threshold voltage; and a voltage divider controllable to be turned ON and turned OFF to control voltage provided to the gate of the HEMT, and wherein the voltage divider is turned ON responsive to the output signal from the comparator to provide the gate with a reduced voltage that is less than an ON-threshold voltage of the HEMT.