Applying Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) Via Electrodes Embedded into Skull Implants

Abstract

Tumors inside a person's head (e.g., brain tumors) can be treated using tumor treating fields (TTFields) by positioning capacitively coupled electrodes on opposite sides of the tumor, and applying an AC voltage between the electrodes. Unlike the conventional approach (in which all of the electrodes are positioned on the person's scalp) at least one of the electrodes is implemented using an implanted apparatus. The implanted apparatus includes a rigid substrate shaped and dimensioned to replace a section of the person's skull. At least one electrically conductive plate is affixed to the inner side of the rigid substrate, and a dielectric layer is disposed on the inner side of the conductive plate or plates. An electrically conductive lead is used to apply an AC voltage to the conductive plate or plates.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a tumor in a person's head, the method comprising:
 positioning a first set of electrodes on an inner side of a first skull implant on a first side of the tumor;   positioning a second set of electrodes on a second side of the tumor that is opposite to the first side; and   applying an AC voltage between the first set of electrodes and the second set of electrodes to generate an alternating electric field that passes through the tumor.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second set of electrodes is positioned on an inner side of the first skull implant. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second set of electrodes is positioned on an inner side of a second skull implant. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second set of electrodes is positioned on an exterior surface of the person's head.