Electrode assembly having perforated anisotropic layer, and systems and methods of applying tumor-treating fields using same

A method comprising:

• forming a plurality of openings that extend through a layer of anisotropic material of an apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
• a first layer of conductive adhesive;
• a circuit board that is coupled to the first layer of conductive adhesive;
• a skin contact layer comprising a biocompatible conductive adhesive;
• and
• the layer of anisotropic material, wherein the anisotropic material is disposed between the first layer of conductive adhesive and the skin contact layer, wherein the circuit board has an outer perimeter, wherein the first layer of conductive adhesive is disposed between the circuit board and the layer of anisotropic material, and wherein forming the plurality of openings in the layer of anisotropic material comprises forming the plurality of openings only outside of the perimeter of the circuit board.

An apparatus comprising:

• a circuit board;
• at least one electrode element having a skin-facing surface, wherein the at least one electrode element is coupled to or a component of the circuit board;
• a layer of anisotropic material having a skin-facing surface and an opposing outwardly facing surface;
• a first layer of conductive adhesive positioned between the skin-facing surface of the at least one electrode element and the outwardly facing surface of the layer of anisotropic material;
• and
• a skin contact layer comprising a biocompatible conductive adhesive, wherein the skin contact layer is disposed on a skin-facing side of the layer of anisotropic material,
• wherein the first layer of conductive adhesive is configured to facilitate electrical contact between the skin-facing surface of the at least one electrode element and the outwardly facing surface of the layer of anisotropic material,
• wherein a plurality of openings extend through the layer of anisotropic material from the skin-facing surface to the outwardly facing surface, a second plurality of openings extend through the first layer of conductive adhesive, and a third plurality of openings extend through the skin contact layer, and wherein the openings of the second plurality of openings and the openings of the third plurality of openings are coaxially aligned with respective openings of the plurality of openings of the layer of anisotropic material, and
• wherein all of the plurality of openings extend through all layers of the apparatus except the circuit board.