Novocure Gmbh

Ariel Naveh

Zeev Bomzon

Ofir Yesharim

Yoram Wasserman

Moshe Giladi

Eilon Kirson

Hadas Sara Hershkovich

Tali Voloshin-Sela

Golan Bar-Tal

Shay Levi

Noa Urman

Lilach Avigdor

Ori Farber

Yissachar Avraham

The planning of treatment using tumor treating fields (TTFields) in a portion of a subject's body (e.g., the subject's head) can be improved by obtaining an image of the body portion, and generating, based on the image, a 3D model of electrical conductivity. A target volume within the 3D model is identified, and a set of model electrodes is added to the 3D model at given locations. Then, for each voxel in the target volume, the power loss density (PLD) that will be present when TTFields are eventually applied is determined. The same process is repeated for a plurality of different electrode locations. Finally, the set of electrode locations that yielded the best PLD is selected, and a description of those locations is output.

Using power loss density and related measures to quantify the dose of tumor treating fields (TTFields)

A method for treating tumor cells around a resection cavity comprises positioning a nonconductive material within a resection cavity that is adjacent to a target region. At least a first electrode and a second electrode are positioned relative to the tumor resection cavity so that electric fields between the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode travel through the target region. Tumor-treating electric fields are the generated between the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode.

Nonconductive field guide for resection cavity, and systems and methods of using same

Alternating electric fields (e.g., TTFields) can be delivered at a therapeutically effective strength to a target region of the spinal anatomy. In some embodiments, first and second sets of electrode elements are positioned with their centroids adjacent to upper and lower portions of the person's spine, respectively. In other embodiments, a first set of electrode elements is positioned with its centroid on an upper surface of the person's head, and a second set of electrode elements is positioned with its centroid adjacent to the person's spine (e.g., below the L3 vertebrae). Applying an AC voltage between the first and second sets of electrode elements generates a generally vertical field in the target region at levels that are not achievable using other layouts for positioning the electrode elements on the subject's body. These configurations are particularly useful for preventing and/or treating metastases.

Delivering alternating electric fields (e.g., TTFields) to a subject's spinal anatomy

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.

Delivering tumor treating fields (TTFields) using implantable transducer arrays

This application discloses configurations for arranging transducer arrays on a person's head to impose tumor treating fields (TTFields) in the brain at field strengths that are as uniform as possible throughout the entire brain. In some embodiments, L-shaped sets of electrodes are positioned near the right and left ears, each with a horizontal arm above the ear and a vertical arm behind the ear. Optionally, these embodiments may be combined with a second pair of electrodes positioned on top of the head and behind the neck. In other embodiments, one pair of electrodes is positioned above the right ear and on the left/rear portion of the neck; and a second pair of electrodes is positioned above the left ear and on the right/rear portion of the neck. These configurations improve the uniformity of the electric fields imposed throughout the brain, and are particularly useful for preventing and/or treating metastases.

Generating tumor treating fields (TTFields) with high uniformity throughout the brain

A method of applying tumor treating fields to a torso of a subject's body, the method including: locating a first transducer at a first location of the subject's body, the first location being on the torso of the subject's body; locating a second transducer at a second location of the subject's body, the second location being below the torso of the subject's body; and inducing an electric field between at least part of the first transducer and at least part of the second transducer.

Method and apparatus for delivering tumor treating fields to a torso, and method for determining locations for transducers to deliver tumor treating fields

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) can be used to treat tumors (and/or prevent metastases) in or near a person's neck by affixing a first transducer array (i.e., a set of electrode elements) to the person's head and affixing a second transducer array to the person's chest. Subsequently, an AC voltage at a desired frequency (e.g., 100-300 kHz) is applied between the first transducer array and the second transducer array. This induces an electric field that is strong enough to be effective (e.g., greater than 1 V/cm) in most of the person's neck. In some embodiments, the center of the first transducer array is positioned on the vertex of the head or on an upper surface of the person's head. In some embodiments, the second set of electrode elements is positioned immediately below the base of the neck.

Delivering tumor treating fields (TTFields) to the neck

This application discloses an improved approach for delivering alternating electric fields (e.g., TTFields) at a therapeutically effective strength to a target region of the spinal anatomy. In some embodiments, first and second sets of electrode elements are positioned with their centroids adjacent to upper and lower portions of the person's spine, respectively. In other embodiments, a first set of electrode elements is positioned with its centroid on an upper surface of the person's head, and a second set of electrode elements is positioned with its centroid adjacent to the person's spine (e.g., below the L3 vertebrae). Applying an AC voltage between the first and second sets of electrode elements generates a generally vertical field in the target region at levels that are not achievable using other layouts for positioning the electrode elements on the subject's body. These configurations are particularly useful for preventing and/or treating metastases.

This application discloses an improved approach for delivering Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) at a therapeutically effective strength to the infratentorial regions of the brain. A first set of electrode elements is positioned on top of the head and a second set of electrode elements is positioned on the back of the neck. Third and fourth sets of electrode elements are positioned on the lower back right and the lower back left portions of the scalp, respectively. Applying an AC voltage between the first and second sets of electrode elements generates a generally vertical field in the infratentorial regions of the brain; and applying an AC voltage between the third and fourth sets of electrode elements generates a generally horizontal field in those regions.

Growing community of inventors

Haifa, Israel

Ariel Naveh