CN216603803U - Device and system for applying an electric field to a subject's body - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and system for applying an electric field to a subject's body is provided. The device may be used with an electric field generator comprising: a plurality of electrode arrays configured for contact with respective body parts of a subject; a plurality of temperature sensor arrays configured to sense temperatures at respective body parts to generate respective temperature signals; a first cable configured to provide a first electric field signal path and a plurality of temperature signal paths; and an adaptor configured to: transmitting a plurality of alternating electric field signals generated by the electric field generator to respective ones of the plurality of electrode arrays via a first electric field signal path to apply an electric field to the respective body parts; and receiving respective temperature signals transmitted in parallel via the plurality of temperature signal paths and transmitting a plurality of temperature values corresponding to the respective temperature signals to the electric field generator for controlling the plurality of alternating electric field signals based on the plurality of temperature values.

Description

Device and system for applying an electric field to a subject's body

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to Tumor electric field therapy (TTF) technology, and more particularly to Tumor electric field therapy devices and systems.

Background

The tumor electric field treatment is that the formation of spindle microtubules in the mitosis process of some tumor cells is prevented through a low-intensity medium-frequency (for example, 100-300 kHz) alternating electric field, the separation of intracellular organelles in the cell division period is inhibited, and the apoptosis in the mitosis period is induced, so that the tumor treatment effect is realized.

Compared with traditional cancer treatment methods, TTF has an innovative mechanism of action. Some of the physiological properties of tumor cells, such as geometry and high frequency mitosis, make them susceptible to TTF. TTF disrupts the normal aggregation of tubulin by exerting a directional force on intracellular polar particles (e.g., macromolecules and organelles). These processes may lead to physical disruption of the cell membrane and apoptosis. At the terminal stage of mitosis of the cell, the structural morphology of the cleavage furrow can cause uneven distribution of electric fields around the cleavage furrow, and meanwhile, under the influence of TTF, the electric field intensity at the cleavage furrow is obviously enhanced, and charged substances in the cell move to the cleavage furrow, so that the formation of the cell structure is interfered and even destroyed, and finally, the cell can fail to divide and go to apoptosis.

In the related art, TTFs are delivered to a subject via multiple transducer arrays placed on the subject's skin in close proximity to a tumor. Due to the application of the alternating electric field, the heat applied to the skin surface of the subject rises. When the skin surface temperature of the detected person exceeds the human body threshold temperature, low-temperature skin scald is easy to cause, and therefore, a device and a system for monitoring and rapidly transmitting the body surface temperature of the patient in real time are needed.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

It would be advantageous to provide a mechanism that alleviates, mitigates or even eliminates one or more of the above-mentioned problems.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a device for applying an electric field to a subject's body, usable with an electric field generator, comprising: a plurality of electrode arrays configured for contact with respective body parts of a subject; a plurality of temperature sensor arrays configured to sense temperatures at respective body parts to generate respective temperature signals; a first cable configured to provide a first electric field signal path and a plurality of temperature signal paths; and an adaptor configured to: transmitting a plurality of alternating electric field signals generated by the electric field generator to respective ones of the plurality of electrode arrays via a first electric field signal path to apply an electric field to the respective body parts; and receiving respective temperature signals transmitted in parallel via the plurality of temperature signal paths and transmitting a plurality of temperature values corresponding to the respective temperature signals to the electric field generator for the electric field generator to control the plurality of alternating electric field signals based on the plurality of temperature values, the temperature signals being analog signals and the temperature values being digital signals.

Optionally, the adaptor comprises a buffer, the buffer comprising: the temperature sensor array comprises a plurality of input ends and a plurality of output ends, wherein the plurality of input ends are electrically connected to the plurality of temperature sensor arrays, and the temperature signal of each temperature sensor is acquired in parallel.

Optionally, the adapter comprises: an analog-to-digital converter connected to the plurality of output terminals of the buffer and configured to convert the respective temperature signals into digital signals; and a signal processor connected with the analog-to-digital converter and configured to calculate and store a plurality of temperature values based on the digital signals.

Optionally, each of the plurality of temperature sensor arrays comprises a plurality of thermistors. In some embodiments of the apparatus, the adapter further comprises a voltage regulator and a plurality of precision resistors electrically connected between the voltage regulator and respective ones of the plurality of thermistors. In some embodiments of the apparatus, the plurality of outputs of the buffer are further electrically connected to respective ones of the plurality of precision resistors.

Optionally, the converter comprises a serial communication circuit configured to serially transmit the plurality of temperature values to the electric field generator.

Optionally, a second cable is further included, the second cable configured to provide a second electric field signal path electrically connected to the first electric field signal path, the second electric field signal path transmitting the plurality of alternating electric field signals from the electric field generator to the adaptor.

Optionally, a first connector is further included, the first connector being mechanically and electrically connected between the first cable and the adaptor.

Optionally, the first connector comprises a push-type spring connector.

Optionally, a second connector is further included, the second connector configured to mechanically and electrically connect the second cable to the electric field generator.

Optionally, the second connector comprises a push-type spring connector.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system for applying an electric field to a subject's body, comprising: an electric field generator; and an apparatus as described above.

These and other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

Drawings

Further details, features and advantages of the disclosure are disclosed in the following description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for applying an electric field to a subject's body according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for applying an electric field to a subject's body according to another example embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the converter shown in FIG. 2;

fig. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram of the converter shown in fig. 2.

Detailed Description

Medium frequency alternating electric field therapy is a proven effective method for tumor therapy. A system for applying an electric field to a subject's body may include an electric field generator, an adaptor, and four transducer arrays. The medium-frequency alternating voltage is generated by the electric field generator and transmitted to the adapter through the specially-made eight-core cable, the adapter is transmitted to the transducer array through the ten-core cable, and finally, the four transducer array is clung to the skin surface of a detected person to form an electric field capable of treating tumors, and two pairs of electric fields in different directions are formed at different moments to interfere the mitosis process of tumor cells. In a certain treatment period, the electric field generator alternately outputs intermediate frequency alternating voltage to the two pairs of transducer arrays.

Due to the holding of the alternating electric field, the human body has impedance, and the heat on the surface of the patch is increased. The upper limit of the safe temperature of the human body surface is 41 ℃, and the phenomenon of low-temperature skin scald is easily caused when the upper limit temperature is exceeded. To avoid low temperature burns of the skin, it is necessary to monitor and control the temperature of the application surface (or body surface) in real time.

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 100 for applying an electric field to a subject's body according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in fig. 1, the device 100 can be used with an electric field generator 110. The apparatus 100 includes a plurality of electrode arrays 120, a plurality of temperature sensor arrays (not numbered), a first cable 130, and an adapter 140.

Each electrode array 120 is configured for contact with a respective body part of a subject. In one example, each electrode array 120 may include a plurality of capacitively coupled electrodes. When the electrode array 120 is placed on the subject, good electrical contact with the body is made.

The plurality of temperature sensor arrays are configured on the capacitively coupled electrodes on the plurality of electrode arrays 120 and configured to sense a temperature at the respective body part to generate a respective temperature signal. In some exemplary embodiments, each of a plurality of temperature sensor arrays (not numbered) includes a plurality of thermistors. Each thermistor is capable of sensing a temperature at a corresponding body part and generating a corresponding analog voltage value.

In some embodiments, multiple electrode arrays 120 and multiple temperature sensor arrays may be combined into multiple transducer arrays. In one example, each transducer array comprises a biocompatible substrate, a flexible circuit board, a plurality of capacitive coupling electrodes, a conductive gel, release paper, and a plurality of temperature sensors, wherein the connections between the plurality of capacitive coupling electrodes are realized by conductor materials on the flexible circuit board, and the plurality of temperature sensors are electrically connected with the conductor materials on the flexible circuit board. When the transducer array is applied to the body of a subject, it can be adhered to the skin surface at a predetermined location by a biocompatible backing and a conductive gel.

The first cable 130 is configured to provide a first electric field signal path and a plurality of temperature signal paths. In one example, the first cable 130 may be a cable containing ten-core copper wires, 8 of which represent 8 temperature signal paths for transmitting temperature information generated by 8 temperature sensors; 1 core represents a first electric field signal path for transmitting the alternating electric field signal generated by electric field generator 110; there are also 1 core available for grounding.

The adaptor 140 is configured to: transmitting a plurality of alternating electric field signals generated by the electric field generator 110 to the plurality of electrode arrays 120 via a first electric field signal path to apply an electric field to the respective body part; and receives respective temperature signals transmitted in parallel via the plurality of temperature signal paths and transmits a plurality of temperature values corresponding to the respective temperature signals to the electric field generator 110 for the electric field generator 110 to control the plurality of alternating electric field signals based on the plurality of temperature values. In one example, the adapters 140 can be positioned between the electric field generator 110 and each of the electrode arrays 120. The adaptor 140 may be electrically connected to the electric field generator 110 and transmit the temperature values to the electric field generator 110, and may be electrically connected to each of the electrode arrays 120 and transmit the plurality of alternating electric field signals generated by the electric field generator 110 to the corresponding electrode array 120.

As described above, in the apparatus 100, the temperature sensors and the adaptor 140 are connected in parallel via the first cable 130. The temperature signals generated by the temperature sensors can be input to the adaptor 140 in parallel. Compared with the scheme of serially transmitting the temperature signal, the transmission speed is increased to facilitate real-time monitoring of the temperature of the application surface of each electrode array 120.

In some exemplary embodiments, the apparatus 100 further comprises a second cable 150. The second cable 150 is configured to provide a second electric field signal path electrically connected with the first electric field signal path. The second electric field signal path transmits a plurality of alternating electric field signals from the electric field generator 110 to the adaptor 140. In one example, the second cable 150 may be a cable containing eight-core copper wires and an outer jacket shielding layer for the copper wires. A portion of the core of the second cable 150 may serve as a second electric field signal path and be electrically connected to the first electric field signal paths in the first cable 130, respectively. For example, for 4 sets of electrode arrays 120, there are 4 first cables 130 electrically connected to the corresponding electrode arrays 120, respectively. At this time, 4 cores in the second cable 150 are electrically connected to 4 first electric field signal paths of the 4 first cables 130, respectively. Thus, a plurality of alternating electric field signals generated by the electric field generator 110 can be transmitted to the 4 first cables 130 through the 4 cores of the second cable 150, respectively, and applied to the 4 sets of electrode arrays 120.

In some exemplary embodiments, the apparatus 100 further comprises a first connector 160. The first connector 160 is mechanically and electrically connected between the first cable 130 and the adaptor 140. In one example, the first connector 160 may comprise a push-on spring connector to facilitate quick replacement between the adapter 140 and the electrode element 120.

In some exemplary embodiments, the apparatus 100 further comprises a second connector 170. The second connector 170 is configured for mechanically and electrically connecting the second cable 150 to the electric field generator 110. In one example, the second connector 170 may comprise a push-on spring connector.

In summary, the device 100 including the first connector 160, the second connector 170, and the second cable 150 helps the subject or caregiver to facilitate attachment of the electrode array 120 to the skin of the subject while avoiding obstruction due to the presence of the cable.

In some exemplary embodiments, the temperature signal generated by the temperature sensor is an analog signal, and therefore, the temperature signal needs to be analog-to-digital converted for subsequent operations. Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a device 200 for use with an electric field generator 210 according to another example embodiment. It will be understood that only one electrode array (E1, E2 … En) and one temperature sensor array (T1, T2 … Tn) are shown in fig. 2 for clarity of illustration, but the disclosure is not so limited.

As shown in fig. 2, the adaptor 240 includes an analog-to-digital converter 250 and a signal processor 260. The analog-to-digital converter 250 is configured to convert the respective temperature signals into digital signals, and the signal processor 260 is configured to calculate and store a plurality of temperature values based on the digital signals. In one example, analog-to-digital converter 250 may select an analog-to-digital conversion integrated circuit with a communication protocol (e.g., SPI, I)²C, etc.) for digitizing the collected temperature signals to form digital signals for processing by the signal processor 260. In one example, the signal processor 260 is electrically connected to the analog-to-digital converter 250 and receives digital signals. In one example, the signal processor 260 may select an integrated circuit (e.g., a single chip, an FPGA, etc.) with data operation storage to calculate a plurality of temperature values based on the digital signals. In other examples, the signal processor 260 may also adopt a built-in analog-to-digital converter and a processor of a serial communication protocol (for example, STM32F103 series MCU) to simplify the circuit structure.

In some exemplary embodiments, adaptor 240 also includes serial communication circuitry 270. Serial port communication circuit 270 is configured to serially transmit the plurality of temperature values to electric field generator 210. In one example, serial communication circuit 270 may select an integrated circuit (e.g., RS232, RS485, etc.) with a serial communication protocol for transmitting the plurality of temperature values.

In some exemplary embodiments, each of the plurality of temperature sensor arrays includes a plurality of thermistors T1, T2 … Tn. The temperature of the contact portion can be determined by measuring the voltage value thereof using the thermistor, and the thermistor can be flexibly configured to contact the human body due to its small size.

In some exemplary embodiments, each temperature sensor array may directly transmit the voltage signal of the thermistor to the analog-to-digital converter 250 in parallel. For example, an array of 8 thermistors, the positive side copper conductor (TC1, TC2 … TCn) of each thermistor being electrically connected in parallel to the analog-to-digital converter 250. In some exemplary embodiments, the positive side copper lead of each thermistor (TC1, TC2 … TCn) may be electrically connected in parallel to the analog-to-digital converter 250 by the first connector 220.

In some exemplary embodiments, the adaptor 240 further includes a buffer 280. The buffer 280 includes a plurality of input terminals electrically connected to respective ones of the plurality of thermistors; and a plurality of output terminals electrically connected to respective ones of a plurality of input terminals of the analog-to-digital converter 250. In some exemplary embodiments, the positive copper leads (TC1, TC2 … TCn) of each thermistor may be coupled in parallel to multiple inputs of the buffer 280 through the first connector 220, and the common terminals of the thermistors are coupled in cascade to a common switch 240.

In some exemplary embodiments, the buffer 280 may be formed using an operational amplifier circuit for isolating the front-stage signal protection back-end analog-to-digital converter 250. In one example, buffer 280 may employ a voltage follower circuit.

In some exemplary embodiments, each electrode array may include a plurality of ceramic transducer patches E1, E2 … En. In one example, the ac electric field signal 290 may be applied to the ceramic transducer patches E1, E2 … En through the adaptor 240, the first connector 220, and a first cable (not shown in fig. 2).

In some exemplary embodiments, the device 200 may further include a second connector 230 for electrically connecting the adaptor 240, a second cable (not shown in fig. 2), to the electric field generator 210. The second connector 230 will be described in detail below in conjunction with fig. 3.

In summary, in the device 200, each thermistor T1, T2 … Tn in the temperature sensor array is electrically connected in parallel to the analog-to-digital converter 250. And may also be connected to the analog-to-digital converter 250 through the first connector 220 and the buffer 280. For example, if 4 sets of temperature sensor arrays are used, each set including 8 thermistors, then 32 thermistors would be sent in parallel through the buffer 280 to the analog-to-digital converter 250, increasing the transmission rate.

Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the internal structure of the adaptor 240 shown in fig. 2. As shown in fig. 3, the apparatus 200 may further include a second cable 310. In one example, the second cable 310 is an 8-core copper wire connected to the adaptor 240 via the second connector 230, wherein the 8-core copper wire corresponds to 8 signals, which are: power VCC, ground GND, serial data transmitting terminal TX, serial data receiving terminal RX, ac voltage signal X1, ac voltage signal X2, ac voltage signal Y1, and ac voltage signal Y2. The power supplies VCC shown in fig. 3 are connected, and the ground GND is also connected. The dotted terminals of the alternating voltage signals X1, X2, Y1 and Y2 are connected. The power VCC, ground GND and ac voltage signals in the transconnector 240 are each routed to the plurality of electrode arrays through respective corresponding conductive connections in the first connector ports 220-1, 220-2, 220-3, 220-4.

In the example of fig. 3, the adapter 240 includes a buffer 330, an analog-to-digital converter 340, a signal processor 350, and a serial communication circuit 360. In this example, analog-to-digital converter 340 and serial communication circuit 360 are shown separate from signal processor 350, but as previously described, in some embodiments, signal processor 350 may have an analog-to-digital converter 340 and serial communication circuit 360 built in to simplify the circuit structure. The temperature signals from the plurality of temperature sensor arrays are passed back through respective corresponding conductive connections in the first connector ports 220-1, 220-2, 220-3, 220-4 into the buffer 330, passed to the analog-to-digital converter 340 for conversion into digital signals, passed to the signal processor 350 for calculation of temperature values, passed by the signal processor 350 to the serial communication circuit 360 (e.g., RS232), and finally the serial communication circuit 360 serially transmits the temperature value data to the electric field generator 210.

Fig. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram of the adaptor 240 shown in fig. 2. Like reference numerals in fig. 4 and 2 denote like elements, which are not described again. In the example of fig. 4, the adapter 240 includes an analog-to-digital converter 450, a signal processor 460, and a serial communication circuit 470. In this example, analog-to-digital converter 450 and serial communication circuit 470 are shown separate from signal processor 450, but as previously described, in some embodiments, signal processor 450 may have an analog-to-digital converter 450 and serial communication circuit 470 built in to simplify the circuit structure.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the plurality of temperature sensor arrays includes a plurality of thermistors T1-T8. The positive terminals of the thermistors T1-T8 are electrically connected in parallel to the input port of the analog-to-digital converter 450. In some exemplary embodiments, the adapter 240 further includes a voltage regulator VCC and a plurality of precision resistors R1-R8. A plurality of precision resistors R1-R8 are electrically connected between the voltage regulator VCC and respective ones of the plurality of thermistors T1-T8. For example, a precision resistor R1 is connected between the voltage regulator VCC and the thermistor T1. In some exemplary embodiments, the adaptor 240 further includes a buffer 420. In one example, a plurality of inputs of the buffer 420 are electrically connected to a plurality of thermistors T1-T8, respectively, and a plurality of outputs of the buffer 420 are also electrically connected to respective ones of a plurality of precision resistors R1-R8.

Since the change of temperature can synchronously cause the change of thermistor resistance value, a precision resistor R is connected_SAnd a voltage stabilizer VCC, wherein the thermistor and the precision resistor are equivalent to two resistors which are connected in series for voltage division. Resistance value R of thermistor_TAnd voltage V_RTSatisfies the following relationship:

V_RT＝VCC×(R_T/(R_T+R_S))

wherein R is_TIs the resistance value of the thermistor at a temperature T (K)_SIs the precise resistance value connected with the thermistor.

It can be seen that when the thermistor resistance R is_TThe resistance value is reduced under the influence of temperature change, and the collected voltage V_RTAnd also decreases. Due to electricityPressure V_RTWhich is an analog quantity, is converted into a digital signal by the analog-to-digital converter 430. The signal processor 440 calculates a current temperature value based on the digital signal, wherein the thermistor resistance value R_TAnd voltage V_RTThe relationship between them satisfies:

wherein R is_NAt a rated temperature T_N(K) The thermistor resistance at time, T target temperature (K) temperature in Kelvin, B thermistor coefficient, e constant (2.71828), e.g., using a 3.3V power supply (VCC), and B3380 thermistor, R at 25 deg.C_NAt 10K, at a collected voltage V_RTR obtained at 1.5022V_TAbout 8355.88ohm, while the target T was calculated to be 29.8 ℃. In one example, the adc 430 uses a 12-bit adc chip, and the minimum voltage measurable at 3.3V is about 0.8056mV, the minimum resolution for temperature is about 0.03 ℃, and the accuracy of the measurable temperature value is high. In addition, 4 groups of 32 thermistors T1, T2 and the like transmit voltage signals to the analog-to-digital converter 450 in parallel, and the voltage signals are processed by the signal processor 460 and then transmitted through the serial communication circuit 470, so that the transmission rate is improved.

According to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for applying an electric field to a subject's body comprises: an electric field generator (e.g., electric field generator 110 or 210) and the apparatus 100 or 200 described above with respect to fig. 1-4.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative and exemplary and not restrictive; the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed subject matter, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps not listed, the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality, the term "a" or "an" means two or more, and "based on" should be construed as "based, at least in part, on". The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims (13)

1. A device for applying an electric field to a subject's body, usable with an electric field generator, comprising:

a plurality of electrode arrays configured for contact with respective body parts of a subject;

a plurality of temperature sensor arrays configured to sense temperatures at the respective body parts to generate respective temperature signals;

a first cable configured to provide a first electric field signal path and a plurality of temperature signal paths; and

an adaptor configured to:

transmitting a plurality of alternating electric field signals generated by the electric field generator to respective ones of the plurality of electrode arrays via the first electric field signal path to apply an electric field to the respective body parts; and is

Receiving the respective temperature signals transmitted in parallel via the plurality of temperature signal paths, and transmitting a plurality of temperature values corresponding to the temperature signals to the electric field generator for the electric field generator to control the plurality of alternating electric field signals based on the plurality of temperature values, the temperature signals being analog signals and the temperature values being digital signals.

2. The apparatus for applying an electric field to a subject's body as in claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises:

an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the respective temperature signals to digital signals; and

a signal processor configured to calculate and store the plurality of temperature values based on the digital signal.

3. The apparatus for applying an electric field to a subject's body as in claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of temperature sensor arrays comprises a plurality of thermistors.

4. The apparatus for applying an electric field to a subject's body of claim 3, wherein the adapter further comprises a potentiostat and a plurality of precision resistors electrically connected between the potentiostat and respective ones of the plurality of thermistors.

5. The apparatus for applying an electric field to a subject's body of claim 4, wherein the adapter further comprises a buffer comprising:

a plurality of input terminals electrically connected to respective ones of the plurality of thermistors; and

a plurality of output terminals electrically connected to respective ones of a plurality of input terminals of the analog-to-digital converter.

6. The apparatus for applying an electric field to a subject's body of claim 5, wherein the plurality of outputs of the buffer are further electrically connected to respective ones of the plurality of precision resistors.

7. The apparatus for applying an electric field to a subject's body of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises a serial communication circuit configured to serially transmit the plurality of temperature values to the electric field generator.

8. The apparatus for applying an electric field to a body of a subject of any of claims 1-7, further comprising a second cable configured to provide a second electric field signal path in electrical connection with the first electric field signal path, the second electric field signal path transmitting the plurality of alternating electric field signals from the electric field generator to the adapter.

9. The apparatus for applying an electric field to a subject's body of any one of claims 1-7, further comprising a first connector mechanically and electrically connected between the first cable and the adapter.

10. The apparatus for applying an electric field to a subject's body of claim 9, wherein the first connector comprises a push-type spring connector.

11. The apparatus for applying an electric field to a subject's body of claim 8, further comprising a second connector configured to mechanically and electrically connect the second cable to the electric field generator.

12. The apparatus for applying an electric field to a subject's body as in claim 11, wherein the second connector comprises a push-type spring connector.

13. A system for applying an electric field to a subject's body, comprising:

an electric field generator; and

the apparatus for applying an electric field to a subject's body of any one of claims 1-12.

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