Insulated electrode for delivering tumor treating electromagnetic fields

Electrodes for use with a tumor treating system for the delivery of tumor treating electric fields to a patient, the tumor treating system including a control device with a frequency range, a firing configuration and a firing sequence for the electrodes, a field generator generating electrical signals within the frequency range, each of the electrodes being placed in optimized locations on the patient, each of the electrodes comprising:

• a ceramic layer;
• a metalized layer coupled to the ceramic layer on one side of the ceramic layer, the metalized layer having an outer surface facing away from the ceramic layer;
• and
• a circuit element being coupled to one of the metalized layer, the coupling of the metalized layer to the circuit element being across substantially all of the outer surface of the metalized layer, the circuit element conducting the electrical signals from the field generator to the metalized layer as directed by the control device.

A method of using electrodes to deliver tumor treating electric fields to a patient, comprising the steps of:

• placing a plurality of the electrodes in optimized locations on the patient, each of the electrodes being independently programmable, the optimized locations are selected relative to a target area wherein at least one tumor is located, each electrode including:
• a ceramic layer;
• a metalized layer coupled to the ceramic layer on one side of the ceramic layer, the metalized layer having an outer surface facing away from the ceramic layer;
• and
• a circuit element being coupled to the metalized layer, the coupling of the metalized layer to the circuit element being across substantially all of the outer surface of the metalized layer, the circuit element conducting the electrical signals from the field generator to the metalized layer as directed by the control device;
• and
• programming a control device with a frequency range, a firing configuration and a firing sequence for the plurality of electrodes;
• and
• generating electrical signals in the frequency range, the electrical signals being directed to at least two of the electrodes in a sequence determined by the firing sequence.