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EP-4735097-A1 - APPARATUS HAVING ELECTRODE ARRAY SUBASSEMBLIES COUPLED TOGETHER BY A FLEXIBLE COUPLING

EP4735097A1EP 4735097 A1EP4735097 A1EP 4735097A1EP-4735097-A1

Abstract

An electrode array assembly for providing tumor-treating fields includes first and second electrode array subassemblies, each of the first and second electrode array subassemblies including at least one electrode. The electrode array assembly further includes a flexible coupling extending between, and coupled to, the first and second electrode array subassemblies. The flexible coupling provides a spacing, measured along a surface of the electrode array assembly, between the first and second electrode array subassemblies.

Inventors

  • YAACOBI, Elie

Assignees

  • Novocure GmbH

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240628

Claims (20)

  1. 1. An electrode array assembly comprising: first and second electrode array subassemblies, each of the first and second electrode array subassemblies comprising at least one electrode; and a flexible coupling extending between, and coupled to, the first and second electrode array subassemblies, wherein the flexible coupling provides a spacing, measured along a surface of the electrode array assembly, between the first and second electrode array subassemblies.
  2. 2. The electrode array assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode of each of the first and second electrode array subassemblies comprises a plurality of electrodes.
  3. 3. The electrode array assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible coupling provides a fixed, non-adjustable spacing, measured along the surface of the electrode array assembly, between the first and second electrode array subassemblies.
  4. 4. The electrode array assembly of claim 3, wherein the fixed, non-adjustable spacing is a subject-specific spacing.
  5. 5. The electrode array assembly of claim 3, wherein the fixed, non-adjustable spacing is a subject-specific spacing that positions the first and second electrode array subassemblies over a first and second target location in or on the subject or over opposite sides of the same target location in or on the subject.
  6. 6. The electrode array assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible coupling permits adjustment of the spacing, measured along the surface of the electrode array assembly, between the first and second electrode array subassemblies.
  7. 7. The electrode array assembly of claim 6, wherein the flexible coupling comprises an adjustable strap.
  8. 8. The electrode array assembly of claim 7, wherein the flexible coupling comprises at least one of: an adjustable slide strap adjuster; or hook material on a first portion of the flexible coupling and loop material on a second portion of the flexible coupling.
  9. 9. The electrode array assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible coupling has a length that permits simultaneous positioning of the first electrode array subassembly on a front portion of a torso of a subject and the second electrode array subassembly on a back portion of the torso of the subject.
  10. 10. The electrode array assembly of claim 1, wherein the spacing, measured along the surface of the electrode array assembly, between the first and second electrode array subassemblies is from about 0.05 m to about 1.5 m.
  11. 11. The electrode array assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional strap extending between the first and second electrode array subassemblies.
  12. 12. The electrode array subassembly of claim 11, wherein the at least one additional strap is coupled to the first and second electrode array subassemblies.
  13. 13. The electrode array subassembly of claim 11, wherein the at least one additional strap compressively retains the first and second electrode array subassemblies against the subject.
  14. 14. A system comprising: a plurality of electrode array assemblies including at least a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly, each of the plurality of electrode array assemblies comprising at least a first electrode array subassembly and a second electrode array subassembly and a flexible coupling extending between, and coupled to, the first and second electrode array subassemblies ; and at least one additional strap extending between the first electrode array subassembly of the first electrode assembly and the first electrode array subassembly of the second electrode assembly; wherein each of the first and second electrode array subassemblies comprises at least one electrode; and wherein the flexible coupling provides a spacing, measured along a surface of the electrode array assembly, between the first and second electrode array subassemblies.
  15. 15. The system of claim 14 wherein the at least one additional strap extends compressively around a torso of a subject and retains at least the first electrode array subassembly of the first electrode assembly and the first electrode array subassembly of the second electrode assembly against the torso of the subject.
  16. 16. A method comprising: positioning, on a body of a subject, an electrode array assembly comprising: a plurality of electrode array subassemblies, the plurality of electrode array subassemblies comprising at least a first electrode array subassembly and a second electrode array subassembly, wherein each electrode array subassembly of the plurality of electrode array subassemblies comprises at least one electrode; and a flexible coupling extending between, and coupled to, the first and second electrode array subassemblies, wherein the flexible coupling provides a spacing, measured along a surface of the electrode array assembly, between the first and second electrode array subassemblies.
  17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein positioning the electrode array assembly comprises: applying the first electrode array subassembly on a first location of the body of the subject; and applying the second electrode array subassembly on a second location of the body of the subject that is spaced along the surface of the body by the spacing, measured along the surface of the electrode array assembly, between the first and second electrode subassemblies.
  18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein, upon applying the second electrode assembly, the flexible coupling contacts the body of the subject along substantially an entire length of the flexible coupling.
  19. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first location is on a front of a torso of the body of the subject, and wherein the second location is on a back of the torso of the body of the subject.
  20. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the flexible coupling comprises an adjustable strap, the method further comprising adjusting a length of the adjustable strap.

Description

APPARATUS HAVING ELECTRODE ARRAY SUBASSEMBLIES COUPLED TOGETHER BY A FLEXIBLE COUPLING CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/511,507, filed June 30, 2023, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. FIELD [0002] This application relates to apparatuses for providing Tumor Treating Fields. BACKGROUND [0003] Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy is a proven approach for treating tumors using alternating electric fields at frequencies between 100-500 KHz. The alternating electric fields are induced by electrode assemblies (e.g., arrays of capacitively coupled electrodes, also called transducer arrays) placed on opposite sides of a target location in the subject’s body. When an AC voltage is applied between opposing electrode assemblies, an AC current is coupled through the electrode assemblies and into the subject’s body. [0004] Proper positioning of electrode arrays relative to each other and a target region (e.g., a tumor) can affect performance of treatment. However, proper placement can be difficult, particularly when the subject is placing the electrode arrays on himself/herself. Thus, this difficulty can diminish the independence of the subject, requiring the subject to have another person (helper) position the electrode arrays. Accordingly, a way to assist a subject with properly positioning one or more electrode arrays is desirable. [0005] Further, treatment often requires use of multiple electrode arrays. Conventionally, each array requires its own cable, which can be undesirable for many reasons. For example, multiple cables can lead to complications from discomfort due to tangling of cables and/or, in some situations, pulling on or detachment of the arrays. SUMMARY [0006] Disclosed herein, in one aspect, is an electrode array assembly including first and second electrode array subassemblies, each of the first and second electrode array subassemblies including at least one electrode. The electrode array assembly further includes a flexible coupling extending between, and coupled to, the first and second electrode array subassemblies. The flexible coupling provides a spacing, measured along a surface of the electrode array assembly, between the first and second electrode array subassemblies. [0007] Also disclosed herein is a system comprising a plurality of electrode array assemblies including at least a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly, each of the plurality of electrode array assemblies comprising at least a first electrode array subassembly and a second electrode array subassembly and a flexible coupling extending between, and coupled to, the first and second electrode array subassemblies. The system further comprises at least one additional strap extending between the first electrode array subassembly of the first electrode assembly and the first electrode array subassembly of the second electrode assembly. Each of the first and second electrode array subassemblies comprises at least one electrode. The flexible coupling provides a spacing, measured along a surface of the electrode array assembly, between the first and second electrode array subassemblies. [0008] In further aspects, methods of positioning the electrode array assemblies are disclosed. For example, a method includes positioning, on a body of a patient, an electrode array assembly including a plurality of electrode array subassemblies, the plurality of electrode array subassemblies including at least a first electrode array subassembly and a second electrode array subassembly. Each electrode array subassembly of the plurality of electrode array subassemblies includes at least one electrode. A flexible coupling extends between, and couples to, the first and second electrode array subassemblies. The flexible coupling provides a spacing, measured along a surface of the electrode array assembly, between the first and second electrode array subassemblies. In further aspects, the method can further include applying an electric field between the at least one electrode of the first electrode array subassembly and the at least one electrode of the second electrode array subassembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of an exemplary electrode array assembly for providing TTFields as disclosed herein. [0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of another exemplary electrode array assembly for providing TTFields as disclosed herein. [0011] FIG. 3 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the electrode array assembly of FIG. 1, taken at line A-A’, showing an exemplary electrode array subassembly. [0012] FIG. 4 is another exemplary cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 1, taken at line A-A’, showing an exemplary electrode array subassembly. [0013] FIG. 5 is yet another exemplary cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 1, taken at l