Pad with improved air flow and methods of production and use thereof
A pad having a topcoat layer, an electrode element and a conductive gel element are described. The electrode element is connected to the topcoat layer, and configured to receive an electrical signal from a generator producing an electric signal as a TTField. The electrode element includes an electrode layer and a non-conductive flexible polymer layer. The non-conductive flexible polymer layer is positioned between the electrode layer and the conductive gel element to electrically isolate the electrode layer from the conductive gel element.
1. A system, comprising:
a generator configured to generate an electrical signal as a TTField having an alternating current waveform;
a first conductive lead electrically coupled to the generator, the first conductive lead configured to carry the electrical signal;
a first pad, comprising:
a first topcoat layer;
a first electrode element electrically coupled to the first topcoat layer, and configured to receive the electrical signal from the generator, the first electrode element including a first electrode layer electrically coupled to a first non-conductive layer;
a first conductive gel element connected to the first electrode element so as to receive an electrical current from the first electrode element, the first conductive gel element including a first conductive gel layer and a first shaping member, the first shaping member positioned within the first conductive gel layer and having a first side and a second side, wherein the first conductive gel layer includes a plurality of protrusions and one or more air channel on the second side of the first shaping member, the first conductive gel element being configured to be in contact with a patient's skin; and wherein the first non-conductive layer is intermediate to the first electrode layer and the first conductive gel element;
a second conductive lead electrically coupled to the generator, the second conductive lead configured to carry the electrical signal; and
a second pad having a second electrode element connected to a second conductive gel element, and the second conductive gel element being configured to be in contact with a patient's skin, the second conductive gel element having one or more second air channel.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first non-conductive layer is a flexible polymer layer.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the flexible polymer layer is formed of a dielectric material.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the flexible polymer layer is configured as an insulator.
5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the dielectric material comprises a dielectric constant on an order of 40.
6. The system of claim 3 , wherein the first non-conductive layer includes ceramic nanoparticles.
7. The system of claim 3 , wherein the dielectric material provides a dielectric constant of at least 20 at at least one frequency between 100 kHz and 500 kHz.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first non-conductive layer has a thickness of less than 20 microns.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first non-conductive layer has a thickness of less than 10 microns.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first non-conductive layer has a thickness of less than 5 microns.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein thickness of the first non-conductive layer multiplied by a dielectric strength of the first non-conductive layer is at least 200 V.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein thickness of the first non-conductive layer multiplied by a dielectric strength of the first non-conductive layer is at least 400 V.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first non-conductive layer includes a first surface and a second surface, the first surface coupled to the first electrode layer and the second surface in direct contact with the first conductive gel element.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein entirety of the first surface is in direct contact with the first electrode layer.
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein entirety of the second surface is in direct contact with the first conductive gel element.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second electrode element includes a second electrode layer electrically coupled to a second non-conductive layer, wherein the second non-conductive layer is intermediate to the second electrode layer and the first conductive gel element.
17. A pad, comprising:
a topcoat layer;
an electrode element electrically coupled to the topcoat layer, and configured to receive an electrical signal from a generator producing an electric signal as a TTField, the electrode element including an electrode layer electrically coupled to a non-conductive layer; and
a conductive gel element connected to the electrode element so as to receive an electrical current from the electrode element, the conductive gel element including a conductive gel layer and a shaping member, the shaping member positioned within the conductive gel layer and having a first side and a second side, wherein the conductive gel layer includes a plurality of protrusions and one or more air channel on the second side of the shaping member, the conductive gel layer being configured to be in contact with a patient's skin; and
wherein the non-conductive layer is intermediate to the electrode layer and the conductive gel element.
18. The pad of claim 17 , wherein the non-conductive layer is a flexible polymer layer with at least a portion of the flexible polymer layer in direct contact with the conductive gel element.
19. A pad, comprising:
a topcoat layer;
an electrode element electrically coupled to the topcoat layer, and configured to receive an electrical signal from a generator producing an electric signal as a TTField;
a non-conductive flexible polymer layer connected to the electrode element, the non-conductive flexible polymer layer being constructed of a dielectric material; and
a conductive gel element connected to the non-conductive flexible polymer layer to electrically isolate the electrode element from the conductive gel element, the conductive gel element configured to be in contact with a patient's skin and the non-conductive flexible polymer layer, the conductive gel element including a conductive gel layer and a shaping member, the shaping member positioned within the conductive gel layer and having a first side and a second side, wherein the conductive gel layer includes a plurality of protrusions and one or more air channel on the second side of the shaping member.
20. A system, comprising:
a generator configured to generate an electrical signal as a TTField having an alternating current waveform;
a first conductive lead electrically coupled to the generator, the first conductive lead configured to carry the electrical signal;
a first pad, comprising:
a first topcoat layer;
a first electrode element electrically coupled to the first topcoat layer, and configured to receive the electrical signal from the generator via the first conductive lead;
a non-conductive flexible polymer layer connected to the first electrode element, the non-conductive flexible polymer layer being constructed of a dielectric material; and
a first conductive gel element connected to the non-conductive flexible polymer layer to electrically isolate the first electrode element from the first conductive gel element, the first conductive gel element configured to be in contact with a patient's skin and the non-conductive flexible polymer layer, the first conductive gel element including a conductive gel layer and a shaping member, the shaping member positioned within the conductive gel layer and having a first side and a second side, wherein the conductive gel layer includes a plurality of protrusions and one or more air channel on the second side of the shaping member; and
wherein the non-conductive flexible polymer layer is intermediate to the first electrode element and the first conductive gel element;
a second conductive lead electrically coupled to the generator, the second conductive lead configured to carry the electrical signal; and
a second pad having a second electrode element electrically coupled to a second conductive gel element, and the second conductive gel element being configured to be in contact with a patient's skin the second conductive gel element having one or more second air channel.