Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a transducer apparatus for delivering tumor treating fields to a subject's body, which includes an array of electrode elements configured to be positioned over the subject's body with a face thereof facing the subject's body, and, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the face, a number of the electrode elements are peripheral electrode elements defining an outer perimeter which substantially surrounds all other electrode elements.

<CIT> discloses a method for making an anisotropic dielectric layer which includes the steps of forming a fluid layer comprising a plurality of magnetizable particles, for example, in a fluid capable of solidifying to fix the configuration of the magnetizable particles in a dielectric matrix, aligning the magnetizable particles of the fluid layer in a predetermined configuration by applying a magnetic field thereto, and fixing the aligned magnetizable particles in the predetermined configuration within the dielectric matrix by solidifying the fluid.

In one aspect the present invention provides the transducer apparatus according to claim <NUM>.

This application describes exemplary transducer apparatuses used to apply TTFields to a subject's body, for example, for treating one or more cancers.

Transducers used to apply TTFields to a subject's body often include multiple electrode elements electrically coupled together on a substrate and attached to the subject's body at a desired location, for example, via an adhesive backing of the substrate or a separately applied adhesive. Conventional transducers have large, rectangular surfaces so as to maximize a number of electrode elements that are located on the transducer for applying TTFields to the subject's body. However, subjects can experience skin irritation on portions of their skin that are contacted by the electrode elements during TTField treatment. Such irritation may be common at positions directly underneath the electrode elements, where heat and current may be at their highest concentrations, particularly for electrodes around the outer edge of the array.

As recognized by the inventors, on transducer arrays that comprise multiple electrode elements, the portions of the transducer arrays positioned directly beneath the electrode elements may become hotter than the portions of the transducer arrays positioned between the electrode elements. Furthermore, higher currents flow through the electrode elements that may be located along the edge of the array compared to the electrode elements located toward the middle of the array. Further still, an electrode element located at a corner or similar sharp bend in the edge of the array may have a higher current than other electrode elements along the edge and near the center of the array.

As recognized by the inventors, an uneven distribution of current through the transducer array may lead to higher temperature zones (or "hot spots"), e.g., at the corners or edges of the transducer array, which, in turn, may limit the maximum operational current that may be driven by a transducer array and, as a result, the strength of the resulting TTFields.

The inventors have now recognized that a need exists for transducers that can reduce, minimize, prevent, soothe, heal, or treat skin irritation without significantly changing the field intensity of TTFields being induced in the subject's body. For example, transducers that are able to be shifted so that skin previously contacted by electrode elements can be uncovered (or covered by a topical medication) without substantially moving the transducer from an optimal location on the subject's body are desired. The new position of the transducer after shifting is in substantially the same location if the footprint of the new position after shifting covers greater than or equal to <NUM>% of the footprint of the original position before shifting; or if it covers greater than or equal to <NUM>% of the footprint of the original position before shifting; or if it covers greater than or equal to <NUM>% of the footprint of the original position before shifting. In some embodiments, the footprint of the new position of the transducer after shifting covers <NUM>% of the footprint of the original position of the transducer before shifting. The shifting of the transducer apparatuses can reduce, minimize, prevent, soothe, heal, and/or treat skin irritation while maintaining the transducer in an optimal location on the subject's body. As a result, the transducers can continuously induce TTFields at an ideal location and power level for targeting a region of interest (e.g., tumor) in the subject's body, thereby improving patient outcomes.

The disclosed transducer apparatuses are shifted via rotation about a centroid of the array of electrodes, so that one or more portions of the subject's skin that were previously contacted by electrode elements may be uncovered (or covered by a medication), while maintaining an optimal location of the transducer on the subject's body. In some embodiments, the array of electrodes does not comprise an electrode position that encompasses the centroid of the array. The disclosed transducer apparatuses may have a substantially rounded shape enabling the transducers to be positioned on a subject's head. In other examples, the disclosed transducer apparatus may have other (e.g., non-rounded) shapes.

The disclosed transducer apparatuses also include an anisotropic material layer located on a side of the array of electrode elements facing the subject's body. Such an anisotropic material layer may spread the heat and/or current generated at the individual electrode elements within a plane that is perpendicular to the direction from the electrode elements to the subject's body. Spreading heat and/or current in this plane may reduce the concentration of heat and/or current at locations directly under the individual electrode elements, thus reducing the amount or severity of irritation, if any, that occurs on the subject's skin.

Descriptions of embodiments related to specific exemplary Figures herein may be applicable, and may be combined with, descriptions of embodiments related to other exemplary Figures herein unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

<FIG> depicts transducers <NUM> positioned on the head of a subject's body. Such arrangement of transducers <NUM> is capable of applying TTFields to a tumor in a region of the subject's brain. Various other positions and/or orientations on the subject's head may be selected for placement of transducers. Each transducer <NUM> may have an array of electrode elements disposed thereon. Each transducer <NUM> may be placed on a subject's head with a face of the array of electrode elements facing and conforming to the subject's head. As illustrated, the transducers <NUM> on the subject's head do not overlap one another, e.g., due to their rounded shape.

<FIG> depicts transducers <NUM> and <NUM> attached to other portions (e.g., a thorax/torso and a thigh) of the subject's body. The transducers <NUM> and <NUM> may be affixed to the subject's body via a medically appropriate gel or adhesive. In other embodiments, the transducers <NUM> and <NUM> may be attached to one or more garments and held against the subject's body. Each of the transducers <NUM> and <NUM> may have an array of electrode elements <NUM> disposed thereon. Each transducer <NUM> and <NUM> may be placed over the subject's body with a face of the array of electrode elements facing and conforming to the subject's body.

In the first transducer <NUM> and the second transducer <NUM>, an outer perimeter <NUM> (defined by a dashed line in <FIG>) traces the array of electrode elements <NUM>. In an example, the outer perimeter <NUM> of the array on each transducer may have a substantially rounded edge. The outer perimeter <NUM> may be substantially circular, oval, ovaloid, ovoid, or elliptical in shape. For example, as illustrated, the outer perimeter <NUM> may have a circular shape. In another example, the outer perimeter <NUM> may have other shapes such as, for example, a square or rectangular shape or substantially square or rectangular shape with rounded corners (e.g., as shown in <FIG>).

The structure of the transducers may take many forms. In <FIG>, the transducer 300A has a plurality of electrode elements 302A positioned on a substrate 304A. The substrate 304A is configured for attaching the transducer 300A to a subject's body. Suitable materials for the substrate 304A include, for example, cloth, foam, flexible plastic, and/or a conductive medical gel. The transducer 300A may be affixed to the subject's body via the substrate 304A (e.g., via an adhesive layer and/or a conductive medical gel). The adhesive layer that contacts the subject's skin may be present around the outer perimeter of the array of electrodes, and/or may be present between one or more gaps between electrodes. Alternatively, areas between electrodes may be non-adhesive regions. The transducer may be conductive or non-conductive. <FIG> depicts another example of the structure of the transducer 300B. In this example, the transducer 300B includes a plurality of electrode elements 302B that are electrically and mechanically connected to one another without a substrate. As an example, electrode elements 302B are connected to each other through conductive wires 306B.

In <FIG>, the transducers 300C and 300D include one or more medication regions 308C and 308D, respectively. The medication regions 308C and 308D may be non-adhesive regions. For example, no exposed adhesive is present in the medication region(s) 308C and 308D. The medication region(s) 308C and 308D may each comprise a medication substrate. The medication substrate may be capable of at least one of receiving, absorbing, or holding a topical medication applied thereto. The medication substrate may comprise a cloth, a gauze, a non-woven material, a foam, or a sponge located between one or more pairs of electrode elements 302C and 302D. As an example, the medication region(s) 308C and 308D may also comprise a topical medication integrated in or on the medication substrate. The topical medication may comprise a base component of oil, water, petrolatum, wax, cellulose, or a combination thereof. The topical medication may be a cream, an ointment, a lotion, a gel, a wax, a paste, or a mineral oil jelly. The topical medication may comprise at least one of an antibiotic, a steroid, an antiseptic, an emollient, an anesthetic, a terpene, a plant extract, a silicon-based organic polymer, an antifungal agent, a burn relief agent, a skin repair agent, an astringent, or an antihistamine. The topical medication may be any desired compound capable of soothing, healing, and/or providing relief for inflammation, sores, or other irritation that may develop on the skin of the subject's body. The topical medication may be substantially evenly distributed through a thickness of the medication substrate to form the medication regions 308C and 308D. Alternatively, the topical medication may be substantially disposed on the surface of the medication substrate to form the medication regions 308C and 308D.

As shown in <FIG>, the transducer 300C may include a transducer substrate 304C that is separate from the medication region(s) 308C. The array of electrode elements 302C may be disposed on a surface of the transducer substrate 304C, and the transducer substrate 304C may include an adhesive layer 310C for attaching the transducer apparatus to the subject's body. The medication substrate may be a portion of the transducer substrate 304C, or may be disposed on the surface of the transducer substrate 304C. Thus, the medication region 308C may be disposed on the surface of the transducer substrate 304C (as shown in <FIG>). In other embodiments, for example as shown in <FIG>, the transducer 300D may not include a transducer substrate, but rather merely an adhesive layer 310D for attaching the transducer 300D to the subject's body, and the medication region(s) 308D may be coupled between different portions of the adhesive layer 310D and span a distance between the electrode elements 302D.

The transducers 300A, 300B, 300C, 300D, and 300E may comprise arrays of substantially flat electrode elements 302A, 302B, 302C, 302D, and 302E, respectively. The array of electrode elements may be capacitively coupled. The electrode elements 302A, 302B, 302C, 302D, and 302E may be non-ceramic dielectric materials positioned over a plurality of flat conductors such as, for example, polymer films disposed over pads on a printed circuit board or over flat pieces of metal. Also, the electrode elements 302A, 302B, 302C, 302D, and 302E can be ceramic elements. In other transducers, the electrode elements do not have a dielectric material.

In some embodiments, the dielectric material of the electrode elements 302A, 302B, 302C, 302D, and 302E may have a dielectric constant ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>. In some embodiments, the layer of dielectric material comprises a high dielectric polymer material such as poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene) and/or poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-<NUM>-chlorofluoroethylene). Those two polymers are abbreviated herein as "Poly(VDF-TrFE-CTFE)" and "Poly(VDF-TrFE-CFE)," respectively. The dielectric constant of these materials is on the order of <NUM>. In some embodiments, the polymer layer may be poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene) or "Poly(VDF-TrFE-CTFE-CFE)".

In some embodiments, the layer of dielectric material of the electrode elements 302A, 302B, 302C, 302D, and 302E comprises a terpolymer comprising polymerized units of monomers such as VDF, TrFE, CFE and/or CTFE in any suitable molar ratio. Suitable terpolymers include those, for example, having <NUM> to <NUM> mol% VDF, <NUM> to <NUM> mol% TrFE, with CFE and/or CTFE constituting the balance of the mol% of the terpolymer.

<FIG> depict another example transducer 300E, where <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of <FIG>, taken across the section 3F-3F'. The transducer 300E includes a plurality of electrode elements 302E positioned on a substrate 304E, similar to the substrate 304A described above with reference to <FIG>. The substrate 304E is configured for attaching the transducer 300E to a subject's body. The electrode elements 302E may be connected to each other through conductive wires 306E.

As shown in <FIG>, embodiments described herein incorporate an anisotropic material layer 310E. As shown, the anisotropic material layer 310E has a front face 312E and a back face 314E, wherein the back face 314E faces the array of electrode elements 302E. The anisotropic material layer 310E has anisotropic thermal properties and/or anisotropic electrical properties. If the anisotropic material layer 310E has anisotropic thermal properties (for example, greater thermal conductivity in the plane of the layer than through the plane of the layer), then the layer spreads the heat out more evenly over a larger surface area. If the anisotropic material layer 310E has anisotropic electrical properties (for example, greater electrical conductivity in the plane of the layer than through the plane of the layer), then the layer spreads the current out more evenly over a larger surface area. In each case, this lowers the temperature of the hot spots and raises the temperature of the cooler regions when a given AC voltage is applied to the array of electrode elements. Accordingly, the current may be increased (thereby increasing the therapeutic effect) without exceeding the safety temperature threshold at any point on the subject's skin.

In some embodiments, the anisotropic material layer 310E is anisotropic with respect to electrical conductivity properties. In some embodiments, the anisotropic material layer 310E is anisotropic with respect to thermal conductivity properties. In some preferred embodiments, the anisotropic material layer 310E is anisotropic with respect to both electrical conductivity properties and thermal conductivity properties.

The anisotropic thermal properties include directional thermal properties. Specifically, the anisotropic material layer 310E may have a first thermal conductivity in a direction that is perpendicular to its front face (skin-facing surface) 312E that is different from a thermal conductivity of the anisotropic material layer 310E in directions that are parallel to the front face 312E. For example, the thermal conductivity of the anisotropic material layer 310E in directions parallel to the front face 312E is more than two times higher than the first thermal conductivity. In some preferred embodiments, the thermal conductivity in the parallel directions is more than ten times higher than the first thermal conductivity. For example, the thermal conductivity of the sheet in directions that are parallel to the front face 312E may be more than: <NUM> times, <NUM> times, <NUM> times, <NUM> times, <NUM> times, <NUM> times, <NUM> times, <NUM> times, or even more than <NUM>,<NUM> times higher than the first thermal conductivity.

The anisotropic electrical properties include directional electrical properties. Specifically, the anisotropic material layer 310E may have a first electrical conductivity (or, conversely, resistance) in a direction that is perpendicular to its front face 312E that is different from an electrical conductivity (or resistance) of the anisotropic material layer 310E in directions that are parallel to the front face 312E. For example, the resistance of the anisotropic material layer 310E in directions parallel to the front face 312E may be less than the first resistance. In some preferred embodiments, the resistance in the parallel directions is less than half of the first resistance or less than <NUM>% of the first resistance. For example, the resistance of the anisotropic material layer 310E in directions that are parallel to the front face 312E may be less than: <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, or even less than <NUM>% of the first resistance.

In some embodiments (e.g., when the anisotropic material layer 310E is a sheet of pyrolytic graphite), the anisotropic material layer 310E has both anisotropic electrical properties and anisotropic thermal properties.

The anisotropic material layer 310E may comprise graphite (e.g., a sheet of graphite). Examples of suitable forms of graphite include synthetic graphite, such as pyrolytic graphite (including, but not limited to, Pyrolytic Graphite Sheet (PGS), available from Panasonic Industry, Kadoma, Osaka, Japan), other forms of synthetic graphite, including but not limited to, graphite foil made from compressed high purity exfoliated mineral graphite (including, but not limited to, that supplied as MinGraph® 2010A Flexible Graphite, available from Mineral Seal Corp. , Tucson, Arizona, USA), or graphitized polymer film, e.g., graphitized polyimide film, (including, but not limited to, that supplied by Kaneka Corp. , Moka, Tochigi, Japan). In alternative embodiments, conductive anisotropic materials other than graphite may be used instead of graphite.

In some embodiments, the anisotropic material layer 310E is a sheet of pyrolytic graphite. Thermal conductivity of pyrolytic graphite sheets in directions that are parallel to the front face 312E of those sheets is typically more than <NUM> times higher than the thermal conductivity of those sheets in directions that are perpendicular to the front face 312E. Electrical resistivity of pyrolytic graphite sheets in directions that are parallel to the front face 312E of those sheets is typically less than <NUM>% of the electrical resistivity of those sheets in directions that are perpendicular to the front face 312E.

The transducer 300E may further include at least one layer of conductive adhesive material 316E disposed on a front facing side of the anisotropic material layer 310E. In some embodiments, the at least one layer of conductive adhesive material 316E may be disposed on the front face 312E of the anisotropic material layer 310E. The at least one layer of conductive adhesive material 316E may have a biocompatible front surface. Note that in the transducer illustrated in <FIG>, there is only a single layer of conductive adhesive material 316E, and that single layer (the front layer) is biocompatible. In alternative transducers, there are more than one layer of conductive adhesive material 316E, in which case only the front layer may be biocompatible, or the front layer and one or more other layers may be biocompatible. In the <FIG> transducer, the front layer of conductive adhesive material 316E is configured to ensure good electrical contact between the device and the body. In some transducers, the front layer of conductive adhesive material 316E may cover the entire front face 312E of the anisotropic material layer 310E. The front layer of conductive adhesive material 316E may be the same size or larger than the anisotropic material layer 310E. In some transducers, the front layer of conductive adhesive material 316E comprises hydrogel. In these transducers, the hydrogel may have a thickness between <NUM> and <NUM>,<NUM>. In other transducers, the front layer of conductive adhesive material 316E comprises a conductive adhesive composite as further disclosed herein.

The transducer 300E may further include a first layer of conductive material 318E positioned between the array of electrode elements 302E and the back face 314E of the anisotropic material layer 310E facing the array. The first layer of conductive material 318E facilitates the electrical contact between the array of electrode elements 302E and the back face 314E of the anisotropic material layer 310E. In some transducers, the layer of conductive material 318E is a layer of hydrogel. In other transducers, a different conductive material (e.g., conductive grease, conductive adhesives, conductive tape, etc.) could be used. For example, the layer of conductive material 318E may comprise a conductive adhesive composite as further disclosed herein.

In some transducers, the at least one layer of conductive adhesive material 316E and/or the layer of conductive material 318E is a single layer of non-hydrogel conductive adhesive such as the developmental product FLX068983 - FLEXcon® OMNI-WAVE™ TT <NUM> BLACK H-<NUM><NUM> POLY H-<NUM>44PP-<NUM> from FLEXcon, Spencer, MA, USA, or other such OMNI-WAVE products from FLEXcon; or ARcare® <NUM> electrically conductive adhesive composition manufactured and sold by Adhesives Research, Inc. (Glen Rock, PA, USA). Non-hydrogel conductive adhesives may comprise a waterless polymer with adhesive properties and carbon particles, powder, fibers, flakes, granules and/or nanotubes. The adhesive polymer may be, for example, an acrylic polymer or a silicone polymer, or combination thereof, which may be available as acrylic- or silicone-based carbon-filled adhesive tapes. The adhesive may additionally include one or more conductive polymers (such as, for example, polyaniline (PANI), or poly(<NUM>,<NUM>-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), or others known in the art). The conductive filler in the at least one layer of conductive adhesive material 316E or conductive material 318E may be non-metallic. In these transducers, the conductive adhesive may have a thickness between <NUM> and <NUM>,<NUM>, such as, from <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, or <NUM> to <NUM>.

In some transducers, the transducer 300E may be constructed using a pre-formed <NUM>- (or more) layer laminate comprising the conductive material 318E, the anisotropic material layer 310E, and the at least one layer of conductive adhesive material 316E. In some transducers, the at least one conductive adhesive material 316E and the conductive material 318E are both conductive adhesive composites as described above, and the anisotropic material layer 310E is a thin sheet of synthetic graphite such as pyrolytic graphite, as described above. The at least one conductive adhesive material 316E and the conductive material 318E may be the same material or may be different. By way of example, in a transducer, both the conductive adhesive material 316E and the conductive material 318E may comprise an acrylic polymer and a carbon powder filler; or both the conductive adhesive material 316E and the conductive material 318E may comprise an acrylic polymer and a carbon fiber filler. In another transducer, the conductive adhesive material 316E comprises an acrylic polymer and a carbon fiber filler, and the conductive material 318E comprise an acrylic polymer and a carbon powder filler; or vice-versa. In other transducers, one or both of the conductive adhesive material 316E and the conductive material 318E may be a hydrogel.

<FIG> illustrate examples of transducer apparatuses or, in some examples, arrays of electrode elements of transducer apparatuses that may be used to apply TTFields to a subject's body. Such transducer apparatuses may include a construction similar to those discussed above and/or described below, and the arrays of electrode elements may be incorporated into transducer apparatuses which may include a construction similar to those discussed above and/or described below. Each example transducer apparatus enables a simple rotation of the transducer to reposition at least one void region (which may be a non-adhesive void region formed in the electrode array, or, alternatively, at least one medication region as described above with reference to <FIG>) over an area of the subject's skin that was previously covered by an electrode element. Positioning a void region over the area of the subject's skin that was previously covered by an electrode element allows this area of the subject's skin to "breathe" and recover from the prior contact it had with the electrode element used to induce TTFields. The relative positioning of electrode elements and void regions (or medication regions) disclosed herein may be used along with the anisotropic material layer (e.g., 310E of <FIG>) described above to further reduce irritation of the subject's skin.

As some subjects experience skin irritation in response to prolonged interaction of the skin with the electrode elements used to induce TTFields, moving the transducer so that a void is positioned over an affected area of the subject's skin may help to minimize, reduce, or prevent irritation of the subject's skin throughout TTField treatment. In addition, positioning a medication region over the area of the subject's skin that was previously covered by an electrode element allows an application of a topical medication to this area of the subject's skin to soothe, heal, reduce inflammation or soreness, or otherwise improve the condition of the subject's skin. In addition, spreading heat and/or current in a plane perpendicular to the direction from the electrode elements to the subject's skin may allow for a reduction in the heat and/or current at any particular location above the subject's skin, thereby reducing overall skin irritation. Since the transducer apparatus may be rotated about a centroid of the array of electrodes, this allows the transducer to continue outputting TTFields from the same optimal location on the subject's body during treatment while providing relief and/or healing to areas of the subject's skin.

<FIG> depict an example transducer apparatus <NUM>, which may include an array of electrodes <NUM> (i.e., 402A-F) configured to be positioned over the subject's body with a face of the array facing the subject's body. <FIG> illustrate the transducer apparatus <NUM> as viewed from a direction perpendicular to this face of the array. As shown in <FIG>, the transducer apparatus <NUM> may also include one or more blank spaces <NUM> (i.e., 404A-F), which do not overlap with any electrodes <NUM>. At least part of one or more of the blank spaces <NUM> may be a relief region, defined herein as either <NUM>) void regions of the transducer apparatus <NUM> that are fully uncovered or fully uncovered other than the transducer substrate and/or an anisotropic material layer (with or without conductive adhesive layer(s) (e.g., 316E) and/or a conductive layer (e.g., 318E)), or <NUM>) non-adhesive regions comprising a medication substrate capable of receiving, absorbing, and/or holding a topical medication applied thereto, or <NUM>) medication regions of the transducer apparatus comprising a medication substrate and a topical medication integrated therein or thereon used to administer a topical medication to an area of the subject's skin. These relief regions may, optionally, have no exposed adhesive present. The topical medication may cover the entire surface of the medication substrate or may cover some portion of it; or it may be infused through some or the entire thickness of the medication substrate below the entire areal surface of the medication substrate or below an areal portion thereof; or it may be located in some combination of these. The areal footprint of the medication substrate may fill the entire area of the blank space or some portion thereof. In some embodiments, the medication region has a surface area sufficient enough to occupy at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>%, of the areal surface of one of the electrodes of the array of electrodes. In some embodiments, the medication region has a surface area sufficient enough to occupy at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>%, of the areal surface of one of the electrodes of the array of electrodes. In some embodiments, the medication substrate is a portion of the transducer substrate. The array of electrodes <NUM> may be spaced about a centroid <NUM> of the array, and the blank spaces <NUM> may each be located between two adjacent electrodes. In some embodiments, the array of electrodes <NUM> comprises a number, x', of electrodes which may be arranged in Cx' rotational (point) symmetry about the centroid, where x' is an integer greater or equal to <NUM>; or in some embodiments, greater or equal to <NUM>. For example, the array of electrodes <NUM> may be arranged around the centroid in C3 symmetry, or C4 symmetry, or C5 symmetry, or C6 symmetry. In some embodiments, the transducer apparatus <NUM> has an alternating pattern of electrodes <NUM> and blank spaces <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the transducer apparatus <NUM> has an alternating pattern of electrodes <NUM> and blank spaces <NUM>. In other embodiments, non-alternating rotational patterns of electrodes <NUM> and blank spaces <NUM> may be used. The electrodes <NUM> may be electrically coupled together via one or more printed circuit board (PCB) layer(s) / connector(s) <NUM> or wire(s). The PCB layer(s) / connector(s) <NUM> (and <NUM> in <FIG>) are not electrodes and are non-adhesive regions. Although six electrodes <NUM> and six blank spaces <NUM> are shown in <FIG>, other embodiments may include different numbers of electrodes <NUM>, blank spaces <NUM>, or both in the array. For example, some embodiments include six electrodes <NUM> and three blank spaces <NUM> (<FIG>); other embodiments include five electrodes <NUM> and five blank spaces <NUM> (<FIG>); or four electrodes <NUM> and four blank spaces <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>); or three electrodes <NUM> and three blank spaces <NUM> (<FIG>).

The blank spaces <NUM> are present at one or more locations that correspond to, or may encompass, relative locations of one or more electrodes <NUM> upon rotation of the array about the centroid <NUM> by a first rotation amount (e.g., shown by arrow <NUM> in <FIG>). Upon rotation of the transducer apparatus <NUM> by a particular rotation amount (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> degrees), the electrodes <NUM> are located (i.e., new positions shown in <FIG>) in areas that were previously (e.g., in <FIG>) occupied by the blank spaces <NUM> between adjacent electrodes <NUM>. In addition, in the position of <FIG>, the blank spaces (of former positions <NUM> shown in <FIG>) between electrodes <NUM> are moved into locations <NUM> (i.e., 436A-F) that were previously occupied by the electrodes <NUM>. This allows the skin that was previously in contact with or near the electrodes <NUM> to recover from exposure to the electrodes and/or receive a topical medication, thereby minimizing, reducing, preventing, soothing, healing, and/or treating skin irritation.

As shown in <FIG>, each electrode <NUM> of the array may extend in a substantially radial direction (e.g., extending radially outward) away from the centroid <NUM> of the array. In addition, a centroid of each electrode <NUM> may be spaced substantially equidistant from the centroid <NUM> of the array. Each electrode <NUM> may have a substantially similar shape, and the blank space <NUM> between two electrodes <NUM> may have a size sufficient enough to occupy an electrode <NUM> therein. The electrodes <NUM> may be spaced substantially equidistant from each other about the centroid <NUM> of the array. Each electrode <NUM> may include (as shown with respect to electrode 402A) a first edge <NUM> extending in a radially outward direction relative to a center portion of the array and a second edge <NUM> extending in a radially outward direction relative to the center portion of the array. The electrode (e.g., 402A) may further include a rounded edge <NUM> connecting the first edge <NUM> to the second edge <NUM> at an end of the electrode 402A located radially away from the center portion. An outer perimeter <NUM> substantially tracing the array of electrodes <NUM> may have a circular shape, although other shapes may be possible (e.g., oval or ellipsoid in <FIG>; or rectangular in <FIG> and <FIG>; or rounded triangular in <FIG>). In some embodiments described herein, there is no electrode positioned at the centroid, or overlapping the centroid, of the array of electrodes.

A relative size of one blank space <NUM> with respect to an adjacent electrode <NUM> may be described as follows. A first distance <NUM> (<FIG>) is defined as a distance between a first point <NUM> on a first outer edge of an electrode (e.g., 402E) and a second point <NUM> on a second outer edge of the electrode (e.g., 402E), with the first and second points <NUM>/<NUM> each being the same distance <NUM> from the centroid <NUM> of the array. A second distance <NUM> is defined as a distance between the first point <NUM> and a third point <NUM> on an adjacent outer edge of a second electrode (e.g., 402D), the adjacent outer edge of the second electrode and the first outer edge being located adjacent each other without any electrodes between them. The first and third points <NUM>/<NUM> are also each the same distance <NUM> from the centroid <NUM>. The second distance <NUM> may be at least <NUM>% of the length of the first distance <NUM>. In some embodiments, the second distance <NUM> may be greater than or equal to the first distance <NUM>. That way, the transducer apparatus <NUM> may provide sufficient space surrounding a portion of the subject's skin that has been previously exposed to an electrode element.

As shown with reference to electrodes 402A and 402F (<FIG>), when a bisector <NUM> is drawn between an outer edge <NUM> of the electrode 402A and the adjacent outer edge of the electrode 402F, a distance <NUM> from the outer edge <NUM> of the electrode 402A to the bisector <NUM> measured in a direction perpendicular to the bisector <NUM> equals a distance <NUM> from the adjacent outer edge to the bisector <NUM> measured in the direction perpendicular to the bisector <NUM>, along the length of the two outer edges. That is, the outer edges of two adjacent electrodes <NUM> may have a constant rate of change with respect to their bisector.

A relative shape of one blank space <NUM> (e.g., 404C, <FIG>) with respect to an adjacent electrode <NUM> (e.g., 402C) may be described as follows. A first angle <NUM> greater than <NUM>° is formed between a first edge and a second edge of the electrode element (e.g., 402C), the first angle <NUM> facing exterior to the array. A second angle <NUM> is formed between the first edge of the electrode element (e.g., 402C) and an adjacent edge of an adjacent electrode element (e.g., 402D), the second angle <NUM> facing exterior to the array. The value of the second angle <NUM> may be at least <NUM>% of the value of the first angle <NUM>. In some embodiments, the second angle <NUM> may be greater than or equal to the first angle <NUM>. That way, the transducer apparatus <NUM> may provide sufficient space surrounding a portion of the subject's skin that has been previously exposed to an electrode element.

<FIG> depicts another example transducer apparatus <NUM>(<NUM>). The transducer apparatus <NUM>(<NUM>) uses the same relative positioning of the electrodes 402A-F described above with reference to <FIG>. As shown, the electrodes 402A-F may be disposed on a substrate layer <NUM>, similar to the substrates (304A, 304C, and 304E) described above with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>. In particular, substrate layer <NUM> may be an overlay bandage including an adhesive layer on the skin-facing side of the bandage. In addition, the transducer apparatus <NUM>(<NUM>) of <FIG> includes an anisotropic material layer <NUM> directly or indirectly electrically coupled to the array of electrodes and located on a side of the face of the array configured to face the subject's body. The anisotropic material layer <NUM> may take any of the forms and include any of the features described above with reference to the anisotropic material layer 310E of <FIG>. The anisotropic material layer <NUM> may be disposed over the array of electrodes such that the anisotropic material layer <NUM> covers the electrode elements 402A-F and the at least one blank space <NUM> (e.g., void space) in the array. As illustrated, the anisotropic material layer <NUM> may be disposed over the array of electrodes to cover the electrode elements 402A-F and every blank space 404A-F in the array. The anisotropic material layer <NUM>, as shown, may not extend radially outward all the way to the edge of the substrate layer <NUM>. When the transducer apparatus <NUM>(<NUM>) of <FIG> is rotated from the first rotation position (e.g., as shown in <FIG>) to the second rotation position (e.g., as shown in <FIG>), the anisotropic material layer <NUM> will cover an area of the subject's body that was previously covered by at least a portion of an electrode <NUM>.

Although the layout of the array of electrode elements 402A-F (in <FIG>) is the same as the layout of the array in <FIG>, a similar arrangement of the anisotropic material layer <NUM> with respect to electrode elements / blank spaces may be used in embodiments having other numbers, shapes, sizes, and/or arrangements of electrode elements, e.g., as described with reference to any of <FIG> and <FIG> below. In particular, the anisotropic material layer <NUM> may cover both electrode elements and the space(s) therebetween. The anisotropic material layer <NUM> spreads heat and/or current therethrough, allowing the current to be increased (thereby increasing the therapeutic effect of the TTFields treatment) without exceeding a safety temperature threshold at any point on the subject's skin. In the event that current through the electrode elements causes hot spots or skin irritation to occur, the transducer may be rotated to prevent or reduce skin irritation.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> depict other transducer apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), and <NUM>(<NUM>), respectively. The transducer apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>), and <NUM>(<NUM>) of <FIG> and <FIG> may include a similarly shaped array of electrodes 502A-F (i.e., <NUM>), 602A-F (i.e., <NUM>), 602A(<NUM>)-F(<NUM>) (i.e., <NUM>(<NUM>)), and 602A(<NUM>)-F(<NUM>) (i.e., <NUM>(<NUM>)) as the array of <FIG>. The transducer apparatus <NUM>(<NUM>) of <FIG> may include a different array of electrodes (e.g., as shown, having four electrodes instead of six) 502A(<NUM>)-502D(<NUM>) (i.e., <NUM>(<NUM>)) than the arrays of <FIG> and <FIG>, although, in other embodiments, six electrodes or other number of electrodes are similarly contemplated. Transducer arrays <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), and <NUM>(<NUM>) also include a different array of electrodes, having either <NUM> electrodes (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) or <NUM> electrodes (<NUM>(<NUM>)).

In <FIG> and <FIG>, the transducer apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) may include a substrate layer (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the form of an adhesive layer, or overlay (tape) bandage with an adhesive layer, and an array of electrodes (<NUM>, <NUM>) on the substrate layer. In <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the transducer apparatus (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) includes a substrate layer (<NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)), an array of electrodes (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) on the substrate layer (<NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)), and an anisotropic material layer (<NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) directly or indirectly electrically coupled to the array of electrodes (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) and located on a side of the array configured to face the subject's body (e.g., a side of the array opposite to that of the substrate layer (<NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)). In each of <FIG> and <FIG>, the transducer apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) <NUM>(<NUM>)) includes the array of electrodes (502A-F, 502A(<NUM>)-D(<NUM>), 602A-F, 602A(<NUM>)-F(<NUM>), 602A(<NUM>)-F(<NUM>), 602A(<NUM>)-D(<NUM>), 602A(<NUM>)-C(<NUM>)) with spaces (504A-F, 504A(<NUM>)-D(<NUM>), 604A-F, 604A(<NUM>)-F(<NUM>), 604A(<NUM>)-F(<NUM>), 604A(<NUM>)-D(<NUM>), 604A(<NUM>)-C(<NUM>)) located therebetween.

The arrays shown in <FIG> are examples, and it should be noted that any number, shape, and/or arrangement of electrodes may be present in the rotational array of the transducers. For example, similar arrangements of the anisotropic material layer with respect to electrode elements / spaces may be used in embodiments having other numbers, shapes, sizes, and/or arrangements of electrode elements (e.g., as described with reference to any of <FIG> below).

Turning specifically to <FIG> and <FIG>, the substrate layer (<NUM>, <NUM>), for example an adhesive layer (or overlay bandage with an adhesive layer), may be connected to and substantially covering (from beneath) the array of electrodes (<NUM>, <NUM>). To further enable the skin on the subject's body to breathe while it is uncovered by an electrode element, the adhesive layer (<NUM>, <NUM>) may include one or more adhesive layer cut-outs (552A-F, 652B-F) formed therein to leave one or more spaces (504A-F, 604B-F) between the electrodes of the array uncovered. As discussed above, the cut-outs may be cut-outs through both the overlay (tape) bandage support (not shown in <FIG>) and the adhesive layer, or just through the adhesive layer (for example, leaving a non-adhesive void region).

In <FIG>, one or more adhesive layer cut-outs <NUM> may have a closed shape so that the one or more cut-outs <NUM> are surrounded by the adhesive layer <NUM>. The adhesive layer <NUM> may extend toward the outer edges of one or more electrodes <NUM> (from the underside), and may, or may not (as shown) cover the outer edges of the one or more electrodes <NUM>. In <FIG> and <FIG>, one or more adhesive layer cut-outs (<NUM>, <NUM>) may have an open shape so that the one or more cut-outs (<NUM>, <NUM>) define one or more concave portions along an outer edge of the adhesive layer (<NUM>, <NUM>) (see, for example, 552D in <FIG> and 652B-F in <FIG>). The adhesive layer <NUM> may entirely cover the outer edges of one or more electrodes <NUM> (from the underside), as shown in <FIG>. As illustrated with respect to the electrode 602F, the adhesive layer <NUM> may extend beyond each of the first outer edge (e.g., by a distance <NUM>) and the second outer edge (e.g., by a distance <NUM>) of the electrode 602F by the same amount or by a different amount, and may extend beyond an end edge (e.g., by a distance <NUM>) of the electrode 602F located radially away from the centroid by the same amount (as distance <NUM> and/or distance <NUM>) or by a different amount. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer may extend beyond an end edge of the electrode located radially away from the centroid (e.g., distance <NUM>) by a larger amount than an amount extending towards another electrode (such as circumferentially towards another electrode) (e.g., more than distance <NUM> and distance <NUM>). This may enable the adhesive layer <NUM> to connect the transducer apparatus <NUM> to a subject's skin without covering too much of the space <NUM> between adjacent electrodes <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the anisotropic material layer (<NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>)) may be directly or indirectly electrically coupled to and substantially covering (from above) the array of electrodes (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)). The phrase "substantially covering" may refer to the layer covering at least <NUM>%, at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>%, of the surface area of the electrodes in the array. To further enable the skin on the subject's body to breathe while it is uncovered by an electrode element, the anisotropic material layer (<NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>)) may include one or more anisotropic material layer cut-outs (574A-D, 674B-F) (i.e., <NUM>, <NUM>) formed therein, located over at least one void space of the array, to leave one or more spaces (504A(<NUM>)-D(<NUM>), 604B(<NUM>)-F(<NUM>)) (i.e., <NUM>, <NUM>) between the electrodes of the array uncovered. Optionally, one or more void space of the array may not have a corresponding cut-out in the anisotropic material layer, for example, there may be no anisotropic material layer cut-out where there is a connector or connecting wire incoming to the electrodes of the array (see, for example, <FIG>); or, alternatively, there may be a smaller size cut-out in a void area containing the connector or connecting wire (for example, analogous to the adhesive layer cut-out 552A in <FIG>, which does not show an anisotropic material layer). The anisotropic material layer cut-outs (<NUM>, <NUM>) may be formed through the anisotropic material layer (<NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>)) and, optionally, also through any other conductive layers (e.g., conductive adhesive material layer(s) <NUM>(E) and conductive material layer <NUM>(E) of <FIG>) that are packaged with the anisotropic material layer. The anisotropic material layer cut-outs (<NUM>, <NUM>) may or may not be formed through the substrate layer (<NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>)) as well. As an example, the substrate layer (<NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>)) covers the anisotropic material layer cut-outs (<NUM>, <NUM>), and the anisotropic material layer cut-outs (<NUM>, <NUM>) are aligned with non-adhesive regions of the substrate layer (<NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>)). When the transducer apparatus (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) is rotated from a first position to a second position, the anisotropic material layer (<NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>)) does not cover at least part of an area of the subject's body that was previously covered in the first position by at least a portion of an electrode (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) (because this region of the anisotropic material layer in the second position presents a cut-out region instead).

In some embodiments, the anisotropic material layer cut-out areas (<NUM>, <NUM>) may provide relief regions as discussed herein. For example, the anisotropic material layer cut out areas (<NUM>, <NUM>) may contain medication regions comprising a medication substrate and a topical medication integrated therein or thereon used to administer a topical medication to an area of the subject's skin, or the anisotropic material layer cut out areas (<NUM>, <NUM>) may contain non-adhesive regions comprising a medication substrate capable of receiving, absorbing, and/or holding a topical medication applied thereto. For example, the overlay bandage may include regions on the skin-facing side that are covered with a gauze or other medication substrate (with or without medication), which regions align with the pattern of the anisotropic material layer cut-outs (<NUM>, <NUM>) when the transducer array is constructed; or the overlay bandage may already be constructed with the electrode array and the anisotropic material layer, and gauze patches or other medication substrates (with or without medication) could be attached to the adhesive areas showing through the anisotropic material layer cut-out areas (<NUM>, <NUM>). Where medication substrates without a medication are used in the anisotropic material layer cut-out areas (<NUM>, <NUM>), the medication could be added by the patient or helper/caregiver between periods of treatment, for example, just prior to the shifting of the transducer array.

In an alternative embodiment, the cut-out regions described herein may include only the front-facing conductive adhesive material (e.g., conductive adhesive material 316E disposed on the front facing side of the anisotropic material layer 310E in <FIG>), and does not include the anisotropic material layer.

In <FIG>, one or more anisotropic material layer cut-outs <NUM> may have a closed shape so that the one or more cut-outs <NUM> are surrounded by the anisotropic material layer <NUM>. The anisotropic material layer <NUM> may extend toward and cover all outer edges of the one or more electrodes <NUM>(<NUM>), as shown. In <FIG>, one or more anisotropic material layer cut-outs <NUM> may have an open shape so that the one or more anisotropic material layer cut-outs <NUM> define one or more concave portions along an outer edge of the anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>). The anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>) may entirely cover the outer edges of one or more electrodes <NUM>(<NUM>) (from above), as shown in <FIG>. In the embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG>, the substrate layer (<NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>)) may be substantially rounded in shape, as shown (e.g., circular, oval, etc.) or contoured to match the shape of the anisotropic material layer (<NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>)) (e.g., contoured to match a shape of the outer edge of the anisotropic material layer (<NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>)) at one or more concave portions along the outer edge of the anisotropic material layer (<NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>))). In some embodiments, the substrate layer (<NUM>, <NUM>(<NUM>)) may be contoured with slits extending into gaps (e.g., void spaces) between electrodes (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)). The latter embodiments may allow for increased flexibility for adhering to non-flat (e.g., curved) surfaces, such as the subject's head.

Turning now to <FIG>, the anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>) may be directly or indirectly electrically coupled to and substantially covering (from above) the array of electrodes <NUM>(<NUM>), and the anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>) may include at least one cut or slit formed therein. In <FIG>, for example, the anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>) has five cuts or slits 676B(<NUM>)-676F(<NUM>) (i.e., <NUM>(<NUM>)) formed therein. The cut(s) or slit(s) <NUM>(<NUM>) may be formed through a full thickness of the anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>). The cut(s) or slit(s) <NUM>(<NUM>) may extend from an outer edge of the anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>) toward a center portion of the anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>). The cut(s) or slit(s) <NUM>(<NUM>) may extend into gaps (e.g., void spaces) 604A(<NUM>)-604F(<NUM>) (i.e., <NUM>(<NUM>)) between electrodes 602A(<NUM>)-602F(<NUM>) (i.e., <NUM>(<NUM>)). The cut(s) or slit(s) <NUM>(<NUM>) allow the anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>) to separate enough to provide some flexibility for stretching, twisting, or other movement of the subject's body when the transducer apparatus <NUM>(<NUM>) is attached to the subject's body. The perimeter of the anisotropic material layer may be contoured to follow the perimeter of the electrodes, as shown for the anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>) in <FIG>. The substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>) may be similarly contoured, optionally with cuts or slits extending into the gaps (e.g., void spaces) <NUM>(<NUM>) between electrodes <NUM>(<NUM>), and such cuts or slits in the substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>) may be at least partially coincident with cuts or slits in the anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>). In other embodiments, such as shown in <FIG>, the substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>) is flexible and does not include cuts or slits.

<FIG> depict other transducer apparatuses <NUM>(<NUM>) and <NUM>(<NUM>), respectively. The transducer apparatuses <NUM>(<NUM>) and <NUM>(<NUM>) each include a substrate layer (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) and an array of electrodes (602A(<NUM>)-602D(<NUM>), 602A(<NUM>)-602D(<NUM>)) (i.e., <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) disposed on the substrate layer (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)). The array is configured to be positioned over the subject's body with a front face of the array facing the subject's body. The transducer apparatuses <NUM>(<NUM>) and <NUM>(<NUM>) also include an anisotropic material layer (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) directly or indirectly electrically coupled to the array of electrodes (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) and located on a side of the array opposite the substrate layer (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)). The anisotropic material layer (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) may have at least one cut or slit (676A(<NUM>)-676D(<NUM>), 676A(<NUM>)-676D(<NUM>)) (i.e., <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) formed through a full thickness of the anisotropic material layer (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)). As shown, each cut or slit (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) may extend from an outer edge of the anisotropic material layer (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) toward a center portion of the anisotropic material layer (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the face of the array. The cut(s) or slit(s) (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) allow the anisotropic material layer (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) to separate enough to provide some flexibility for stretching, twisting, or other movement of the subject's body when the transducer apparatus (<NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) is attached to the subject's body. In the transducer apparatus <NUM>(<NUM>) of <FIG>, the substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>) does not include any cuts or slits. In the transducer apparatus <NUM>(<NUM>) of <FIG>, the substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>) has at least one cut or slit (678A-678D) (i.e., <NUM>) formed through a full thickness of the substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>), the cut or slit <NUM> extending from an outer edge of the substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>) toward a center portion of the substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>) when viewed in the direction perpendicular to the face of the array. As illustrated, the cuts or slits <NUM> formed in the substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>) may be at least partially coincident with the cuts or slits <NUM>(<NUM>) formed in the anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>). The transducer apparatuses <NUM>(<NUM>) and <NUM>(<NUM>) of <FIG> have increased flexibility compared to transducers that do not feature such cuts or slits formed in the anisotropic material layer or substrate layer. The cuts or slits (in the anisotropic material layer, or the substrate layer, or both - in the latter case, coincident or otherwise) may be applied to transducers having any desired shape, number, and arrangement of electrodes, not just those configured to provide relief areas in response to rotational shifting (e.g., <FIG>, and 7A-7I) or translational shifting (e.g., <FIG>).

<FIG> and <FIG> depict other example transducer apparatuses <NUM>(<NUM>) and <NUM>(<NUM>), respectively. The transducer apparatuses <NUM>(<NUM>) and <NUM>(<NUM>) each include an array of electrodes 602A(<NUM>)-602D(<NUM>), 602A(<NUM>)-602C(<NUM>) (i.e. <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) disposed on a substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), optionally paired with an anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), where it may either not be present or may be coincident with the areal trace of the electrodes. The anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) may extend beyond the periphery of the areal footprint of the electrodes and may or may not be contoured to mirror the shape of the outer periphery of the areal trace of the electrons. In some embodiments, a front face of the array of electrodes <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) faces a subject's body, and the anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) covers the front face of the array of electrodes <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) and extends (radially) outwardly from each electrode <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) to at least partially cover each void space 604A(<NUM>)-604D(<NUM>), 604A(<NUM>)-604C(<NUM>) (i.e., <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) in the array. In some embodiments, the anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) may be composed of graphite (such as, for example, pyrolytic graphite). In some embodiments, the substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) may cover the array of electrodes <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) and the anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) and may extend (radially) outwardly from the combined areal footprint of each electrode <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) and associated anisotropic material layer to at least partially cover each void space <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) in the array (covering more than the areal footprint of the anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)). In some embodiments, the substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) completely covers each void space <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>).

In some embodiments (such as in <FIG>), the apparatus <NUM>(<NUM>) includes at least four electrodes <NUM>(<NUM>), and in some embodiments (such as in <FIG>), the apparatus <NUM>(<NUM>) includes at least three electrodes <NUM>(<NUM>). In some embodiments, the array of electrodes <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) has point symmetry. Transducer apparatus <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) may include an array of electrode elements <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) arranged around a centroid <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>). For example (such as in <FIG>), the array of electrodes may include four electrodes having point symmetry (C4 symmetry) about the centroid <NUM>(<NUM>). For example (such as in <FIG>), the array of electrodes may include three electrodes having point symmetry (C3 symmetry) about the centroid <NUM>(<NUM>). Each electrode may be substantially similar in size and shape. In some embodiments, the substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) may cover all of the electrodes <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) and all of the void spaces <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) between the electrodes <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>). In some embodiments, the substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) paired to the apparatus <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) includes one or more cutouts coincident with at least a portion of the void spaces <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) between at least one of the pairs of electrodes <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>). The cutouts may have an open shape so that the one or more cutouts define one or more concave portions along an outer edge of the substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the face of the array. For the embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG>, a <NUM>° rotation or a <NUM>° rotation, respectively, of the existing electrode positions about the centroid <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) positions each void space over the former existing electrode position, thereby providing relief to the areas of skin that may have experienced skin irritation from the electrodes. Furthermore, the substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>) provides flexibility to the transducer array apparatus and allows the array to accommodate movements of the skin due to movements of the torso of the subject. In some embodiments, and as shown in <FIG>, cuts or slits 676A(<NUM>)-676C(<NUM>) (i.e. <NUM>(<NUM>)) in the anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>) and/or the substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>) as described elsewhere herein may provide additional flexibility of the substrate layer <NUM>(<NUM>) and/or the anisotropic material layer <NUM>(<NUM>) to accommodate movements of the skin due to movements of the torso of the subject. Although shown for <NUM> electrodes and arrays with C4 rotational symmetry in <FIG> and for <NUM> electrodes and arrays with C3 rotational symmetry in <FIG>, similar constructs with other rotational symmetry are readily envisioned (e.g., with <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more electrodes), as well as other electrode arrays spaced and arranged to allow for a translational shift of the electrode array.

Other arrangements of the array of electrodes may enable rotational shifting to minimize, reduce, prevent, soothe, heal, and/or treat skin irritation during TTFields treatment. Various examples of such electrode arrays are shown in <FIG>. The present disclosure is not limited to the arrangements of electrode elements and relief regions (e.g., void regions or medication regions) depicted in these examples, as many others may be possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

<FIG> provide further examples of arrays of electrodes that may be suitable for use in the transducer apparatuses described herein. Although, for purposes of clarity, <FIG> do not show the anisotropic material layer and other features of the invention described herein, it is understood that the arrays of electrodes shown here may be combined with the anisotropic material layer and associated features as described herein.

Each of <FIG> illustrates an array (700A, 700B, 700C, 700D, 700E, 700F, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of electrodes comprising multiple electrode elements (702A, 702B, 702C, 702D, 702E, 702F, <NUM>, <NUM>, 702I) and one or more blank spaces where no electrode elements are present. Each blank space may be or may include one or more relief regions (704A, 704B, 704C, 704D, 704E, 704F, <NUM>, <NUM>, 704I).

The term "relief regions" <NUM> (and <NUM> of <FIG>) as used herein refers to either <NUM>) void regions of the transducer apparatus that are fully uncovered or fully uncovered other than the transducer substrate and/or an anisotropic material layer (with or without conductive adhesive layer(s) and/or a conductive layer), <NUM>) non-adhesive regions comprising a medication substrate capable of receiving, absorbing, or holding a topical medication applied thereto, or <NUM>) medication regions of the transducer apparatus comprising a medication substrate and a topical medication integrated therein or thereon used to administer a topical medication to an area of the subject's skin. These relief regions <NUM> may, optionally, have no exposed adhesive present.

The electrode elements <NUM> are positioned in existing electrode positions (708A, 708B, 708C, 708D, 708E, 708F, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) arranged around a centroid (706A, 706B, 706C, 706D, 706E, 706F, <NUM>, <NUM>, 706I) of the array <NUM>. Each of the electrode elements <NUM> may trace an existing electrode footprint, illustrated via solid outlines in <FIG>. The existing electrode footprints are areal footprints of the existing electrode positions <NUM>. The one or more blank spaces may define potential electrode positions (710A, 710B, 710C, 710D, 710E, 710F, <NUM>, <NUM>, 710I), which are positions that might otherwise be occupied by electrode elements <NUM> upon certain rotations of the array <NUM>. The potential electrode positions <NUM> are arranged around the centroid <NUM> of the array, and each potential electrode position <NUM> traces a potential electrode footprint, illustrated via dashed outlines in <FIG>. The potential electrode footprints are areal footprints of the potential electrode positions <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the relief regions <NUM> of the array <NUM> occupy at least the potential electrode positions <NUM>. As an example, the relief regions <NUM> occupy only the areal footprints defined by the potential electrode positions <NUM>. In another example, the one or more relief regions <NUM> of an array <NUM> may occupy greater portion(s) of the blank space(s) between adjacent electrodes <NUM> than what is defined by the potential electrode positions <NUM>.

In each of <FIG>, at least one relief region <NUM> in the array <NUM> is capable of enclosing an areal footprint equivalent to at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>%, of the areal footprint of at least one electrode <NUM>, and superimposable on at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>%, of the existing electrode position <NUM> by rotation of the array <NUM> around the centroid <NUM>. For example, in <FIG>, one such relief region 704D(<NUM>) is capable of enclosing and superimposable via rotation upon at least <NUM>% of the areal footprint (708D(<NUM>)) of the larger electrode element 702D(<NUM>). In some embodiments, the at least one relief region <NUM> in the array is capable of enclosing an areal footprint equivalent to at least <NUM>% (e.g., <NUM>%) of an areal footprint of at least one existing electrode position <NUM>, and superimposable on at least <NUM>% (e.g., <NUM>%) of the existing electrode position <NUM> by rotation of the array around the centroid <NUM>. For example, in <FIG>, a relief region 704D(<NUM>) is capable of enclosing and superimposable via rotation upon the entire areal footprint (708D(<NUM>)) of the smaller electrode element 702D(<NUM>).

In <FIG>, <FIG>, at least one electrode element <NUM> extends radially outward away from the centroid <NUM>. In <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, a sum total of the areal footprints for every relief region <NUM> in the array is approximately <NUM>% of a sum total of the combined areal footprints for every relief region <NUM> and every existing electrode position <NUM> of the array. That is, the relief regions <NUM> take up approximately the same total area as the electrode elements <NUM> in the transducer apparatus. As shown in each of <FIG>, the sum total of the areal footprints for every relief region <NUM> in the array may be equivalent to at least <NUM>% of a sum total of the combined areal footprints for every relief region <NUM> and every existing electrode position <NUM> of the array, such that the relief regions <NUM> take up at least one fourth the amount of area as the electrode elements <NUM> in total.

In some embodiments, each potential electrode footprint (<NUM>) has an identical shape, area, orientation with respect to the centroid <NUM>, and distance from the centroid <NUM>, as that of one or more existing electrode footprints (<NUM>). In addition, each potential electrode footprint (<NUM>) is in rotational coincidence about the centroid <NUM> with one or more existing electrode footprints (<NUM>) such that a rotational shift of the electrode array <NUM> about the centroid <NUM> may position at least one potential electrode position <NUM> to be coincident upon an existing electrode position <NUM>. This rotation provides a resting state (or application of a topical medication) for an area of skin beneath at least one electrode after the rotation. In some embodiments, the total area occupied by potential electrode positions <NUM> may be no greater than <NUM>% of the sum of the total areas of the potential electrode positions <NUM> and existing electrode positions <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the combined distribution of potential electrode positions <NUM> and existing electrode positions <NUM> in the arrays <NUM> may exhibit Cx symmetry with respect to rotation about the centroid <NUM>, where x is an integer and the potential electrode footprints are considered to be identical to the existing electrode footprints in determining rotational symmetry of the combined electrode positions <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, with respect to the combined distribution of potential electrode positions and existing electrode positions, <FIG> depicts an array 700A having C12 symmetry, as there are twelve rotationally symmetrical positions about the centroid 706A at which the combined electrode positions 708A/710A may be located; the array 700B of <FIG> has C10 symmetry; the array 700C of <FIG> has C9 symmetry; the arrays 700D, <NUM>, and 700I of <FIG>, <FIG> have C2 symmetry; the arrays 700E and 700F of <FIG> and <FIG> have C8 symmetry; and the array <NUM> of <FIG> has C4 symmetry.

In addition, the rotational symmetry of the existing electrode positions <NUM> with respect to rotation about the centroid <NUM> is either Cx', or no rotational symmetry, wherein x' is an integer. For example, <FIG> depicts an array 700A having an x' value of six, as there are six rotationally symmetrical existing electrode positions <NUM>. In the examples of <FIG> and <FIG>, the value of x is equivalent to the value of 2x'. In <FIG>, the value of x is equivalent to 5x'. In <FIG>, the value of x is equivalent to 3x'. In <FIG>, the value of x is equivalent to 4x'.

Productive rotations of the array are given by rotations of <NUM>/x degrees and integer multiples thereof except for rotations of <NUM>/x' degrees and integer multiples thereof (which is an unproductive rotation). An "unproductive rotation" results in an equivalent array pattern with the same areas of skin covered by existing electrode positions <NUM>, while a "productive rotation" results in at least one existing electrode position <NUM> being exchanged for a potential electrode position <NUM>, thus giving the subject's skin an opportunity to recover or receive an application of medication. In some embodiments, at least one rotation about the centroid <NUM> results in all potential electrode positions <NUM> moving to be coincident with positions previously occupied by existing electrode positions <NUM>, thereby providing in a single rotation a resting state (or application of a topical medication) for all areas of skin beneath all of the electrodes in existing electrode positions (for example, arrays 700A, 700E, <NUM>, 700I).

As shown in <FIG>, the existing electrode footprint of at least one electrode element 702D(<NUM>) of the array may have a different shape than, and an identical distance from the centroid <NUM> as, the potential electrode footprint of at least one potential electrode position <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the existing electrode footprint of at least one electrode element (702D(<NUM>), 702E(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>)) of the array has a different shape than the existing electrode footprint of at least one other electrode element 702D(<NUM>), 702E(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), 702I(<NUM>) of the array.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the one or more relief regions <NUM> may define a first potential electrode position (710E(<NUM>), 710F(<NUM>)) located a first distance from the centroid <NUM> and a second potential electrode position (710E(<NUM>), 710F(<NUM>)) located a second distance from the centroid <NUM>, the first and second distances being different from each other. In such instances, the first potential electrode position 710E(<NUM>) may be circumferentially offset from the second potential electrode position 710E(<NUM>) as in <FIG>, or the first potential electrode position 710F(<NUM>) may be in radial alignment with the second potential electrode position 710F(<NUM>) as in <FIG>. In <FIG> (and <FIG>), the array 700E may include a first group of electrode elements 702E arranged in a first circular region 712E around the centroid 706E, and a second group of electrode elements 702E separate from the first group and arranged in a second circular region 714E concentric with the first circular region 712E.

As shown in <FIG>, the existing electrode footprint of at least one electrode element 702F(<NUM>) of the array 700F may have a different size than the existing electrode footprint of at least one other electrode element 702F(<NUM>) of the array 700F. In such instances, the electrode element 702F(<NUM>) may have a similar shape as the different sized electrode element 702F(<NUM>), as shown (<FIG>), or a different shape (<FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, the overall array <NUM> (<NUM>, 700I) of electrodes may have a non-circular shape. For example, the array <NUM> may have an oval, ovaloid, ovoid, or elliptical shape. This may allow the array <NUM> to be used to induce desired TTFields while still providing rotational symmetry for shifting the electrodes with respect to the subject's skin. Both of the arrays <NUM> and 700I may undergo a <NUM>° rotation about the centroid <NUM> (<NUM>, <NUM>) and result in all potential electrode positions <NUM> moving to be coincident with positions previously occupied by existing electrode positions <NUM>, thereby providing in a single rotation a resting state (or application of a topical medication) for all areas of skin beneath all of the electrodes in existing electrode positions.

<FIG> illustrates an array of electrodes. Although <FIG> does not show the anisotropic material layer and other features of the invention described herein, it is understood that the array of electrodes shown in <FIG> may be combined with the anisotropic material layer and associated features as described herein.

<FIG> depicts a transducer apparatus <NUM> that may be used to apply TTFields to a subject's body. The transducer apparatus <NUM> may enable a simple translation of the transducer with respect to the subject's body to reposition at least one relief region <NUM> formed in the electrode array over an area of the subject's skin that was previously covered by an electrode element <NUM> (an existing electrode position). The relief regions 804A and 804B may be either void regions in the transducer apparatus <NUM> that are fully uncovered or fully uncovered other than the transducer substrate and/or an anisotropic material layer (with or without conductive adhesive layer(s) and/or a conductive layer); or non-adhesive regions comprising a medication substrate capable of receiving, absorbing, or holding a topical medication applied thereto; or medication regions of the transducer apparatus comprising a medication substrate and a topical medication integrated therein or thereon used to administer a topical medication to an area of the subject's skin. In some embodiments, the medication substrate may be a portion of the transducer substrate. In some embodiments, the transducer apparatus <NUM> may include an anisotropic material layer that covers some or all of the electrode elements <NUM>, and that covers or does not cover the relief regions <NUM>. For example, cut-out regions in the anisotropic material layer and/or the conductive adhesive layer and/or the conductive layer, as described earlier with respect to <FIG>, may be present so that the anisotropic material layer does not cover the relief regions <NUM> or only partially covers the relief regions <NUM>. Each relief region <NUM> may be capable of enclosing an areal footprint (potential electrode footprint) equivalent to at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>%, of an areal footprint of at least one of the electrode elements <NUM> of the transducer <NUM> of <FIG>. When viewed from the direction perpendicular to the face of the array of electrodes, the electrode elements <NUM> are positioned in existing electrode positions <NUM>. Each of the electrode elements <NUM> may trace an existing electrode footprint. The existing electrode footprints are areal footprints of the existing electrode positions <NUM>. The relief regions 804A and 804B may define potential electrode positions, respectively, which are positions that might otherwise be occupied (i.e., potential electrode footprints) by electrode elements <NUM> upon certain translations of the transducer apparatus <NUM>. As illustrated, multiple existing electrode positions <NUM> may be arranged in a line <NUM>. For example, three lines 830A, 830B, and 830C of existing electrode positions <NUM> are shown in the transducer <NUM> of <FIG>. Both relief regions 804A and 804B may be superimposable on at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>%, or even <NUM>% of the areal footprint of each of the existing electrode positions <NUM> arranged in an individual line (e.g., 830A, 830B, or 830C) by translation of the array with respect to the subject's body.

<FIG> depicts an exemplary method <NUM> of applying TTFields to a subject's body with the present transducers. The method <NUM> begins at step S902 with positioning a first transducer in a first initial position at a first location of the subject's body. The first transducer may include a plurality of electrodes in initial electrode positions and at least one void space located between adjacent electrodes (e.g., as shown in the apparatuses of <FIG>). The first transducer may be affixed to the subject's body via an adhesive layer that, optionally, has one or more cut-outs therein (described above), the cut-outs being located over spaces between adjacent electrodes. The first transducer includes an anisotropic material layer electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes and located between the plurality of electrodes and the subject's body, with the anisotropic material layer optionally having one or more cut-outs therein, the cut-outs being located over spaces between adjacent electrodes.

At step S904, the method <NUM> may include positioning a second transducer in a second initial position at a second location of the subject's body. The second transducer may include a plurality of electrodes in initial electrode positions and at least one void space located between adjacent electrodes (e.g., as shown in the apparatuses of <FIG>). The second transducer may be affixed to the subject's body via an adhesive layer that, optionally, has one or more cut-outs therein, the cut-outs being located over spaces between adjacent electrodes. The second transducer includes an anisotropic material layer electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes and located between the plurality of electrodes and the subject's body, with the anisotropic material layer optionally having one or more cut-outs therein, the cut-outs being located over spaces between adjacent electrodes.

At step S906, the method <NUM> may include inducing an electric field between the first transducer located at the first location of the subject's body and the second transducer located at the second location of the subject's body. At step S907, during inducing the electric field, the method <NUM> includes spreading heat and/or current via an anisotropic material layer from the plurality of electrodes in a plane perpendicular to a direction from the plurality of electrodes to the subject's body. At step S908, the method <NUM> may include determining whether a first period of time has passed. Upon determining that the first period of time has passed, the method <NUM> proceeds to step S910. Otherwise, the method <NUM> returns to step S906. After inducing the electric field for more than the first period of time, the method <NUM> proceeds to step S910, which may include ceasing the electric field.

At step S912, the method <NUM> may include moving the first transducer into a first rotation position on the subject's body at the first location, wherein, in the first rotation position, at least one of the initial electrode positions is now occupied by a space that was present between two electrodes in the first initial position. In some methods, in the first rotation position, a void space of the plurality of void spaces of the first transducer may now be located in areas that were previously covered by at least a portion of an electrode for each of the electrodes in the first initial position.

At step S912, moving the first transducer to the first rotation position includes rotating (S916) the first transducer about its centroid. In particular, moving the first transducer may include rotating the first transducer about its centroid into a first rotation position at the first location of the subject's body, wherein, in the first rotation position, at least one of the initial electrode positions is now occupied by a space that was present between two electrodes in the first initial position. In some methods, in the first rotation position, all areas that were previously covered by an electrode in the first initial position may now be occupied by a space, and vice-versa. At step S912, moving the first transducer to the first rotation position may include translating (S918) the first transducer with respect to a surface of the subject's body.

At step S914, the method <NUM> may include moving the second transducer from a second initial position at a second location on the subject's body into a second rotation position on the subject's body (in analogous fashion to that described above for the first transducer in step S912), wherein, in the second rotation position, at least one of the initial electrode positions is now occupied by a space that was present between two electrodes in the second initial position. In some methods, in the second rotation position, a void space of the plurality of void spaces of the second transducer may now be located in areas that were previously covered by at least a portion of an electrode for each of the electrodes in the second initial position. At step S914, moving the second transducer to the second rotation position includes rotating (S916) the second transducer about its centroid (as described above for movement of the first transducer). At step S914, moving the second transducer to the second rotation position may include translating (S918) the second transducer with respect to a surface of the subject's body (as described above for movement of the first transducer).

In some methods, the step S912 and step S914 may be executed one after another. In some methods, the step S912 and step S914 may be executed simultaneously or partially simultaneously.

At step S920, the method <NUM> may include inducing another electric field between the first transducer and the second transducer. The process returns to step S908 after step S920.

<FIG> depicts another exemplary method <NUM> of applying TTFields to a subject's body with the present transducers. The method <NUM> begins at step S <NUM> with positioning a first transducer in a first initial position at a first location of a subject's body. The first transducer may comprise a plurality of electrodes and a medication region located between two adjacent electrodes, the medication region comprising a medication substrate capable of holding a topical medication therein or thereon, and the medication region having no exposed adhesive present thereon. In certain methods, the first transducer may include a plurality of medication regions located between adjacent electrodes (e.g., as shown in the apparatuses of <FIG>).

At step S1004, the method <NUM> may include positioning a second transducer in a second initial position at a second location of the subject's body. The second transducer may comprise a plurality of electrodes in initial electrode positions and a medication region located between two adjacent electrodes, as described above. In certain methods, the second transducer may include a plurality of medication regions located between adjacent electrodes (e.g., as shown in the apparatuses of <FIG>).

At step S1006, the method <NUM> may include inducing an electric field between the first transducer located in a first initial position at the first location of the subject's body and the second transducer in a second initial position located at the second location of the subject's body. At step S <NUM>, the method <NUM> may include determining whether a first period of time has passed. Upon determining that the first period of time has passed, the method <NUM> proceeds to step S1010. Otherwise, the method <NUM> returns to step S <NUM>. After inducing the electric field for more than the first period of time, the method <NUM> proceeds to step S1010, which may include ceasing the electric field.

At step S1012, the method <NUM> includes moving the first transducer into a first rotation position on the subject's body at the first location, wherein, in the first rotation position, at least one medication region is holding a topical medication thereon or therein and is in contact with an area of the subject's body that was previously covered by at least a portion of an electrode. In some methods, in the first rotation position, a plurality of medication regions of the first transducer may each be located in areas that were previously covered by at least a portion of an electrode for each of the electrodes in the first initial position. The medication region may include the medication substrate and the topical medication which may be integrated in or on the medication substrate prior to steps S1002 and S1012. The method <NUM> may include, as optional step S1014, applying the topical medication to the medication substrate prior to moving the first transducer into the first rotation position at the first location on the subject's body.

At step S1012, moving the first transducer to the first rotation position includes rotating (S <NUM>) the first transducer about its centroid. In particular, moving the first transducer may include rotating the first transducer about its centroid into a first rotation position at the first location of the subject's body, wherein, in the first rotation position, at least one medication region is now located over an area that was previously occupied by at least a portion of an electrode in the first initial position. In some methods, in the first rotation position, all areas that were previously covered by an electrode in the first initial position may now be occupied by a medication region, and vice-versa. At step S1012, moving the first transducer to the first rotation position may include translating (S1018) the first transducer with respect to a surface of the subject's body.

The method <NUM> may also include, at step S <NUM>, moving the second transducer from a second initial position at a second location on the subject's body into a second rotation position on the subject's body (in analogous fashion to that described above for the first transducer in step S1012), wherein, in the second rotation position, at least one medication region is holding a topical medication thereon or therein and is in contact with an area of the subject's body that was previously covered by at least a portion of an electrode in the second initial position. In some methods, in the second rotation position, a plurality of medication regions of the second transducer may each be located in areas that were previously covered by at least a portion of an electrode for each of the electrodes in the second initial position. In some methods, for example, the medication region includes the medication substrate and the topical medication which may be integrated in or on the medication substrate prior to steps S <NUM> and S1020. As another example, the method <NUM> may include, as optional step S1014, applying the topical medication to the medication substrate prior to moving the second transducer into the second rotation position at the second location on the subject's body. At step S1020, moving the second transducer to the second rotation position includes rotating (S <NUM>) the second transducer about its centroid (as described above for movement of the first transducer). At step S1020, moving the second transducer to the second rotation position may include translating (S1018) the second transducer with respect to a surface of the subject's body (as described above for movement of the first transducer).

In some methods, the step S1012 and step S1020 may be executed one after another. In some methods, the step S1012 and step S1020 may be executed simultaneously or partially simultaneously.

At step S1022, the method <NUM> may include inducing another electric field between the first transducer and the second transducer. The process returns to step S1008 after step S1022.

Embodiments illustrated under any heading or in any portion of the disclosure may be combined with embodiments illustrated under the same or any other heading or other portion of the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. For example, and without limitation, embodiments described in dependent claim format for a given embodiment (e.g., the given embodiment described in independent claim format) may be combined with other embodiments (described in independent claim format or dependent claim format).

Claim 1:
A transducer apparatus for delivering tumor treating fields to a subject's body, the transducer apparatus comprising:
an array of electrodes, the array configured to be positioned over the subject's body with a front face of the array facing the subject's body, the array comprising electrode elements (<NUM>; 302A; 302B; 302C; 302D; 402A-F; 502A-F; 502A(<NUM>)-D(<NUM>); 602A-F; 602A(<NUM>)-F(<NUM>); 602A(<NUM>)-F(<NUM>); 602A(<NUM>)-D(<NUM>); 602A(<NUM>)-C(<NUM>); 702A; 702B; 702C; 702D(<NUM>)-D(<NUM>); 702E(<NUM>)-E(<NUM>); 702F(<NUM>)-F(<NUM>); <NUM>(<NUM>)-G(<NUM>); <NUM>(<NUM>)-H(<NUM>); 702I(<NUM>)-I(<NUM>)) positioned in existing electrode positions (708A; 708B; 708C; 708D(<NUM>)-D(<NUM>); 708E(<NUM>)-E(<NUM>); 708F(<NUM>)-F(<NUM>); <NUM>(<NUM>)-G(<NUM>); <NUM>(<NUM>)-H(<NUM>); <NUM>(<NUM>)-<NUM>(<NUM>)) arranged around a centroid (<NUM>; <NUM>(<NUM>); <NUM>(<NUM>); 706A; 706B; 706C; 706D; 706E; 706F; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) of the array;
characterized by:
an anisotropic material layer (310E; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>(<NUM>); <NUM>(<NUM>); <NUM>(<NUM>); <NUM>(<NUM>)) electrically coupled to the array and located on a front side of the front face of the array; and
at least one void space (404A-F; 504A-F; 504A(<NUM>)-D(<NUM>); 604A-F; 604A(<NUM>)-F(<NUM>); 604A(<NUM>)-F(<NUM>); 604A(<NUM>)-D(<NUM>); 604A(<NUM>)-C(<NUM>); 704A; 704B; 704C; 704D(<NUM>)-D(<NUM>); 704E(<NUM>)-E(<NUM>); 704F(<NUM>)-F(<NUM>); <NUM>(<NUM>)-G(<NUM>); <NUM>(<NUM>)-H(<NUM>); 704I(<NUM>)-I(<NUM>)) in the array capable of enclosing an areal footprint equivalent to at least a portion of an areal footprint of at least one existing electrode position (708A; 708B; 708C; 708D(<NUM>)-D(<NUM>); 708E(<NUM>)-E(<NUM>); 708F(<NUM>)-F(<NUM>); <NUM>(<NUM>)-G(<NUM>); <NUM>(<NUM>)-H(<NUM>); 708I(<NUM>)-I(<NUM>)), and superimposable on at least a portion of at least one existing electrode position (708A; 708B; 708C; 708D(<NUM>)-D(<NUM>); 708E(<NUM>)-E(<NUM>); 708F(<NUM>)-F(<NUM>); <NUM>(<NUM>)-G(<NUM>); <NUM>(<NUM>)-H(<NUM>); 708I(<NUM>)-I(<NUM>)) by rotation of the array around the centroid (<NUM>; <NUM>(<NUM>); <NUM>(<NUM>); 706A; 706B; 706C; 706D; 706E; 706F; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>).