Abstract: Compositions, systems, and methods for reducing electrosensation and/or skin irritation in response to the application of alternating electric fields to a skin of a subject are disclosed. The compositions, systems, and methods involve administration of at least one composition comprising at least one localized numbing agent to the subject followed by application of an alternating electric field to the subject.

Abstract: A cage assembly can have at least one enclosure. Each enclosure can have a floor defining a floor area having a major dimension and a cover having a bottom surface. A spacing between the bottom surface of the cover and the floor can define a cage height. At least one sidewall can extend between the floor and the cover. A ratio of the cage height to the major dimension of the floor area of each enclosure of the at least one enclosure can be at least 0.70.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an electric field is disclosed. The apparatus has a plurality of elongate elements including at least a first elongate element and a second elongate element. Each elongate element of the plurality of elongate elements has a proximal end an opposed distal end, and at least one stimulation zone. The plurality of elongate elements are coupled together at their respective proximal ends. The plurality of elongate elements are selectively moveable about and between a retracted position and a deployed position. In the retracted position, the respective distal ends of the first and second elongate elements are spaced by a first distance. In the deployed position, the respective distal ends of the first and second elongate elements are spaced by a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

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: 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.

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: 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: 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: Systems and methods for increasing absorption of ingested substances into a subject's bloodstream are disclosed. The systems and methods involve application of an alternating field to the subject's abdomen, and may further include oral administration of at least one substance to the subject. Also disclosed are methods of treating or reducing the occurrence of a malabsorption condition in a subject via application of the alternating electric field to the subject's abdomen.

Abstract: An implantable apparatus for providing tumor treating fields to a target site is disclosed. The implantable apparatus includes an inflatable body having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of stimulation zones coupled to the inflatable body. The stimulation zones are configured to produce an electric field. Inflation of the body causes elongation of the body along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method to treat a target region of a subject's body with an alternating electric field, the method including: applying the alternating electric field to the target region of the subject's body at a first frequency while increasing an intensity of the alternating electric field from zero to a target intensity; and changing the frequency of the alternating electric field from the first frequency to a target frequency while maintaining the alternating electric field at the target intensity, wherein the target frequency and the target intensity have a known efficacy for treating the target region of the subject's body with the alternating electric field; and wherein the first frequency is greater than the target frequency.

Abstract: When treating a subject using alternating electric fields (e.g., using TTFields to treat a tumor, or using alternating electric fields to increase the permeability of the blood brain barrier), some subjects experience an unpleasant electrosensation effect. This electrosensation can be reduced or eliminated by increasing the area of the transducer arrays that is active during certain times in the treatment. In some embodiments, this is accomplished by applying an AC signal between two pairs of transducer arrays at certain times (as opposed to the prior art approach of applying an AC signal between two individual transducer arrays).

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: 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: 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: Viral infections in a target region can be inhibited by imposing an alternating electric field in the target region for a duration of time. The alternating electric field has a frequency and a field strength such that when the alternating electric field is imposed in the target region for the duration of time, the alternating electric field inhibits infection of the cells in the target region by the virus. Optionally, the inhibition of viral infections using the alternating electric field approach can be combined with delivering an antiviral agent to the target region so that a therapeutically effective dose of the antiviral agent is present in the target region while the alternating electric fields are imposed.

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: 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: Viral infections in a target region can be inhibited by imposing an alternating electric field in the target region for a duration of time. The alternating electric field has a frequency and a field strength such that when the alternating electric field is imposed in the target region for the duration of time, the alternating electric field inhibits infection of the cells in the target region by the virus. Optionally, the inhibition of viral infections using the alternating electric field approach can be combined with delivering an antiviral agent to the target region so that a therapeutically effective dose of the antiviral agent is present in the target region while the alternating electric fields are imposed.