KR101075536B1 - High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Generator with Marking Recognition - Google Patents

Abstract

A high intensity focused ultrasound generating device having a marking recognition function is disclosed.
The high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device having a marking recognition function according to the present invention includes a body part which is detachably mounted on a handpiece, forms an outer housing, and is embedded in the body part and has high intensity focused ultrasound at the same focal point of the treatment site. a focused ultrasound transducer configured to irradiate high intensity focused ultrasound, a marking sensor that recognizes a marking area preprocessed to a treatment site, and an electrical signal generated from the marking sensor, and is recognized by the marking sensor. It includes a marking detection unit for determining whether the position is the surgical site or not the surgical site, and prevents the procedure from being performed at other sites other than the target surgical site.

Description

HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND GENERATING DEVICE WITH A FUNCTION OF RECOGNIZING MARKER}

The present invention relates to a high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device, and more particularly, to have a marking recognition function that enables the marking to intelligently recognize the treatment area so that the operator can accurately perform the treatment on the target treatment area. A high intensity focused ultrasound generating device.

Ultrasound refers to a wave having a frequency of 20 KHz or more, and is widely used for diagnosing and treating lesions in the medical field, as well as for skin beauty.

 In particular, a form in which ultrasonic waves are focused at high intensity is called high intensity focused ultrasound, and a device for generating the high intensity focused ultrasound is called a high intensity focused ultrasound generator.

A general high intensity focused ultrasound generator includes a transducer that emits ultrasound, and focuses the emitted ultrasound at a specific point (called "focus") to generate heat, causing a rapid temperature rise in the treatment site. Let's do it. Through such a heat function, a desired medical procedure is performed without leaving side effects on various affected areas.

In addition, the high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device has been proved to be effective in improving skin wrinkles and the like, and has been spotlighted as an alternative to facial elevation, which is an invasive procedure.

The skin structure of the human body consists of the epidermis, the dermis, the subcutaneous fat layer, the muscle layer, and the skeleton in order from the outside, and most of the constituents of the dermis are collagen, which is responsible for maintaining skin elasticity.

High-intensity focused ultrasound does not work on the epidermal layer, it acts on the muscle layer (Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System (SMAS)), which is part of the muscle layer, induces coagulation action, and transmits heat to the deep part of the dermis by ultrasound. As a result, collagen is regenerated to secure wrinkles and improve skin elasticity.

However, in the case of such a high-intensity focused ultrasound procedure, the operation is performed while the lower surface of the device is in contact with the skin, and the procedure is performed, but it is difficult to perform the procedure correctly along the slippery skin surface to which the gel is applied in advance. . Therefore, there is a need for a device that enables precise procedures only for the target surgical site.

An object of the present invention is to have a marking recognition function that allows the operator to perform an accurate procedure by tracking the treatment area in a manner that recognizes the marking area after processing the marking in advance on the target treatment area. The present invention provides a high intensity focused ultrasound generation device.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned problem, another task that is not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to one aspect of the present invention for solving the above technical problem, the body portion which is detached to the handpiece by the cartridge, forming an outer housing; A focused ultrasound converting unit embedded in the body and configured to irradiate high intensity focused ultrasound at the same focal point of the treatment site; A marking sensor for recognizing a marking area preprocessed at the treatment site; And receiving the electrical signal generated by the marking sensor and determining whether the position recognized by the marking sensor is a treatment site or a non-treatment site, so that the treatment is performed at a site other than the treatment site targeted by the operator. It provides a high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device having a marking recognition function including a marking detection unit for preventing.

Here, the marking sensor, at least one pair is mounted on the lower surface of the body portion to detect the marking area of the re-processed pre-treatment at the treatment site, the marking detection unit, the marking sensor is in line with the marking area pre-processed When positioned, the position recognized by the marking sensor is determined as the treatment site.

Such a marking sensor may be spaced apart from the lower surface of the body part in correspondence to the separation distance between the marking positions of the recuperative rows that have been pre-processed at the treatment site.

In addition, the marking sensor has a form that is inserted through the plurality of fixing grooves provided on the lower surface of the body portion, it is preferable that the new sensor can be replaced at the end of failure or endurance life.

On the other hand, the high-intensity focused ultrasound generation apparatus having a marking recognition function according to the present invention may include an image acquisition unit for obtaining image information about the ultrasound irradiated to the treatment site by the focused ultrasound converter.

Here, the image acquisition unit may protrude on the facing portion of the handpiece coupled to the body portion, and may be connected in a manner of being detached from each other as it is inserted through the inner hollow of the body portion.

The image acquisition unit may have a detachable structure disposed on the focused ultrasound transducer after coupling with the body unit.

In addition, the focused ultrasound converter is preferably guided in the front and rear direction along the linear guide provided on the inner upper portion of the body portion is conveyed.

At this time, between the focused ultrasound transducer and the linear guide, a support for structurally connecting each other may be further provided.

An apparatus for generating high intensity focused ultrasound having a marking recognition function according to the present invention includes: an operation unit configured to manipulate output and on / off of focused ultrasound emitted from the focused ultrasound converting unit; And a monitoring unit which visually implements and delivers the image information acquired through the image acquisition unit to the user.

According to the present invention, there is an advantageous technical effect that the marking is performed in advance on the target surgical site, and the procedure can be performed by accurately tracking the target surgical site as the apparatus recognizes the marking area.

In addition, according to the present invention, a pair of marking sensors installed on the lower surface of the body portion and the marking area treated on the treatment site can be irradiated with high intensity focused ultrasound only when the marking areas are located in a straight line with each other. To prevent accidental accidents.

In addition, according to the present invention, by configuring the marking sensor installed on the lower surface of the body portion detachable type, it is possible to easily replace with a new product when the failure of the sensor or the end of the end-of-life has the effect that the cost can be realized.

1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device having a marking recognition function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a use diagram showing a state of performing a procedure using a high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device having a marking recognition function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state of intelligently recognizing a marking area preprocessed at a treatment site when performing a procedure using a high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device having a marking recognition function according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a pair of marking sensors effectively recognize a position of a plurality of marking regions in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.
5 and 6 are views for explaining a structure in which the body portion of the high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device having a marking recognition function according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to the handpiece in a detachable manner.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

The embodiments to be described herein are merely provided to make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and to fully inform the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

In addition, in the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that related related technologies and the like may obscure the gist of the present invention, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

First, before looking at the high-intensity focused ultrasound generation device having a marking recognition function according to the present invention in detail, a brief description will be made of the features of the ultrasound procedure that can be used in the medical field or cosmetic field.

First, ultrasonic waves have transmission and reflection properties. According to this property, the ultrasound irradiated to a specific part of the human body is used as a means of visualizing the time and intensity reflected while passing through the corresponding organ to obtain the cross-sectional image.

Second, the ultrasonic wave has a mechanical function of exerting an ultrasonic vibration on a surgical knife and the like, thereby exerting an effect such as cutting.

Third, the sound pressure of the ultrasonic wave generates fine bubbles in the fluid as it passes through the fluid. In this case, the generated bubbles are implemented in the form of shockwaves having a high pressure as they expand and rupture. This action involves a strong shear force.

Fourth, ultrasonic waves are converted into thermal energy while being absorbed by the tissue. Ultrasound with sufficient energy can cause a sharp rise in temperature in the tissue, which is called the thermal effect of ultrasound.

The high intensity focused ultrasound generation device in the present invention corresponds to a medical device using the thermal effect of such an ultrasound. Among them, high intensity focused ultrasound is a form in which an ultrasonic wave generated by an ultrasonic transducer is focused at a constant focusing point (ie, focus) to enhance intensity. The high-intensity focused ultrasound irradiated into the tissue treats various cancers by the thermal method using the thermal effect generated at the focus, and does not leave a wound or side effects on the human body. In particular, there is an advantage that does not involve pain.

In addition, high-intensity focused ultrasound is a technique that is recently attracting attention as it specializes in dermatology, especially skin wrinkle improvement, among medical procedures. Ultrasonic energy having a relatively low intensity can be formed at a fine junction to exert an effect of improving skin wrinkles.

The skin structure of the human body consists of the epidermis, the dermis, the subcutaneous fat, the muscle layer, and the skeleton in order from the outside. Among these, most of the constituents of the dermis are collagen. This ingredient is responsible for maintaining skin elasticity.

High-intensity focused ultrasound as in the present invention does not work in the epidermal layer, but acts on the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system (SMAS) layer, which is part of the muscle layer, inducing thermal coagulation, as well as propagating heat to the deep part of the dermal layer. Generate. This action is promoted by the regeneration of collagen has the effect of improving skin wrinkles, as well as improve the skin elasticity.

However, as described above, when the apparatus is moved according to the intention of the operator along the skin surface as the treatment site by moving the device generating the high-intensity focused ultrasound, the gel is generally applied to the skin surface first. At this time, it is somewhat difficult for the device to perform the procedure only on the treatment site along the slippery skin surface.

Therefore, there is a need for a function capable of enabling a precise procedure only for a target surgical site, and the present invention enables a precise procedure by providing a function of intelligently recognizing a treated marking area at a surgical site.

Hereinafter, a high intensity focused ultrasound generating apparatus having a marking recognition function according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device having a marking recognition function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, according to the present embodiment, the body portion 110 coupled with the handpiece, the focused ultrasound transducer 130 for generating high-intensity focused ultrasound, and the marking area pre-processed at the treatment site. It includes a marking sensor 120 to recognize and a marking detection unit 172 to determine whether the treatment site according to the detected signal.

Body portion 110 is a structure that is detachably connected to the handpiece of the medical procedure by the cartridge, refers to the outer housing member containing the focused ultrasound transducer 130. Therefore, it does not need to be limited to the specific shape shown, and may be changed into other shapes other than this.

The focused ultrasound converter 130 is responsible for irradiating a plurality of high intensity focused ultrasounds to the treatment site. At this time, the ultrasonic waves irradiated from the focused ultrasonic transducer 130 are focused at the same focal point (F).

The focused ultrasound transducer 130 is a configuration collectively referred to as an ultrasonic transducer, and its cross-sectional structure has a concave shape as shown. According to this shape, the generated ultrasonic waves form a focal point F on the center of the radius of curvature of the concave portion.

As a preferred embodiment, the focused ultrasound conversion unit 130 according to the present invention may be formed in the inner lower portion of the body portion 110 which is a sealed outer housing to be irradiated with high intensity focused ultrasound downward. In this case, water may be filled in the internal space of the body 110. Here, the water acts as a medium for transmitting the ultrasonic waves generated by the focused ultrasonic transducer 130 into the treatment site (ie, skin tissue). And it also plays the role of the cooling water to cool the heat generated by the focused ultrasonic transducer 130 to an appropriate level.

As can be seen through FIG. 1, in this embodiment, a pair of focused ultrasound transducers 130 are disposed downward, and focused ultrasounds irradiated from each of them form a focal point F at the same position. In addition, a transmissive member 111 is provided on the lower end of the body portion 110 at which the irradiated ultrasonic wave is emitted, thereby allowing the body portion 110 to be sealed from the outside.

The procedure by the focused ultrasound transducer 130, the body portion 110 in close contact with the skin in a state coupled to the handpiece, and then performs the operation by moving the body portion 110 as intended by the operator. Typically, the gel is applied to the site where the procedure is required. This is to allow the lower surface of the body portion 110 having the focused ultrasound transducer 130 to be smoothly moved to the surface of the treatment site.

At this time, the lower surface of the body portion 110 on the slippery skin surface is somewhat difficult to perform the treatment only for the treatment site, but the marking is performed in advance on the treatment site for more precise treatment. In addition, the marking sensor 120 and the marking detection unit 172 may be included as a configuration for recognizing the marking.

The marking sensor 120 is a sensing means for recognizing the marking area that the operator has previously processed to the treatment site. In addition, the marking detection unit 172 is a means for determining whether the recognized position is a treatment site or a treatment site by receiving the electrical signal generated by the marking sensor. Thereby, the problem that a high intensity focused ultrasound procedure is performed in other site | parts other than the procedure site | part targeted by the operator can be prevented.

As shown, at least one pair of the marking sensors 120 is mounted on the lower surface of the body portion 110 to detect the marking area of the recuperatively pretreated at the treatment site. The marking sensor 120 may use any form as long as it is various sensing means for distinguishing color or contrast. Although not separately illustrated, the signal generated from the marking sensor 120 is transferred toward the marking detection unit 172 using various communication interfaces.

When the marking sensor 120 is positioned in a line with the marking area on the treatment site, the marking detection unit 172 determines the marking position as the treatment site.

The marking sensor 120 may be spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals on the lower surface of the body part 110 in correspondence to the separation distance between the marking positions of the double rows pre-processed at the treatment site. Furthermore, in order to insert and fix the marking sensor 120 through the lower surface, the same number of fixing grooves (not shown) as the number of the marking sensors 120 may be provided on the lower surface of the body part 110. . That is, the marking sensor 120 has a removable structure through the fixing groove of the body portion 110, so that only the corresponding parts may be replaced with new parts when the failure or endurance life of each of the marking sensors 120 in the unit is exhausted. Can be. This structure has the advantage of reducing the maintenance cost for the device.

On the other hand, the procedure by the focused ultrasound transducer 130 may be performed at the same time as the operation of acquiring the image information on the treatment site using the irradiated ultrasound, as shown in FIG. The image obtaining unit 150 is provided.

The image acquiring unit 150 is a sensing unit that is in charge of a function of acquiring image information about a surgical site by using the ultrasonic waves irradiated from the focused ultrasound transducer 130.

The image acquisition unit 150 may be disposed in the longitudinal direction from the inner center of the body portion 110 as shown in the longitudinal direction. However, as shown, it is not necessary to be limited to a specific cross-sectional shape (that is, a rectangular parallelepiped cross-sectional shape), and may be made of various other shapes and arrangements. That is, after the high-intensity focused ultrasound is irradiated to the treatment site, if the shape and arrangement structure that can obtain the corresponding image information can be variously implemented.

The image acquiring unit 150 is disposed vertically spaced apart from the focal point F of the focused ultrasound transducer 130 and has a structure capable of effectively converging image information on the irradiated high-intensity focused ultrasound without surrounding interference. .

Here, the focused ultrasound transducer 130 disposed below the image acquisition unit 150 may be disposed in the front-rear direction of the body part 110 through a linear guide (not shown) provided at an upper portion of the body part 110. Has an actuating structure that is guided and conveyed. Although not shown separately for this purpose, it may include various power generation and transmission configurations. Specific examples thereof may include a linear motion power unit (eg, a linear stepping motor), a connecting joint, and a plurality of gear combinations, which will be omitted since they are well known power generation and transmission configurations. .

Meanwhile, a support 132 may be further provided between the focused ultrasound transducer 130 and the linear guide to structurally connect and support each other. Support 132 is made of a structure that slides back and forth along the outer surface of the image acquisition unit 150 that is removable through the inner center of the body portion 110. In addition, a lower side of the support 132 may be provided with a fixing groove (not shown) in which a pair of focused ultrasound transducers 130 can be inserted and detached. Through such fixing grooves, a pair of focused ultrasound transducers 130 are firmly inserted and perform an effective procedure. At the same time, the image acquisition unit 150 accurately measures various image information of the procedure without surrounding interference by using high-intensity focused ultrasound which is irradiated to the site where the procedure is performed.

Meanwhile, according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, it may further include an operation unit 170 and a monitoring unit 160 as shown in FIG.

The operation unit 170 is electrically connected to the plurality of focused ultrasound converters 130 provided in the present embodiment, so that the output of the ultrasound irradiated from the focused ultrasound converters may be controlled as well as on / off signals. It can be composed of an operation button and a switch.

In addition, the monitoring unit 160 plays a role of visually delivering the image information acquired through the image obtaining unit 150 to the user. As a specific example that can be used as the monitoring unit 160, not only a display device capable of real-time output through the screen, but also a printer and a variety of sound output device that can be printed on the paper output.

2 is a use diagram showing a state in which the procedure is performed using a high-intensity focused ultrasound generating apparatus having a separate image sensing means according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Although not shown separately, the gel may be applied to the skin surface corresponding to the treatment site L in advance, and the high-intensity focused ultrasound is irradiated to the lower surface of the skin while moving in a state where the body part 110 is in close contact with the upper portion of the skin. . In this way, an ultrasound procedure may be performed. And the lower surface of the body portion 110 in contact with the surgical site (L) can be seen that a plurality of marking sensors 120 is provided.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state of intelligently recognizing a marking area preprocessed at a treatment site when performing a procedure using a high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device having a marking recognition function according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 3, when the high-intensity focused ultrasound procedure is performed according to an embodiment of the present invention, the operation of intelligently recognizing the area marked in advance in the treatment site (L) will be described.

As shown, in the state in which the lower surface of the body portion 110 is in close contact with the surface of the skin, which is the treatment site (L), the high-intensity ultrasound is irradiated onto the focal point F from the focused ultrasound transducer 130. In particular, it can be seen that the high-intensity focused ultrasound is irradiated from the surface of the treatment site (L) to a predetermined depth (d) in a pair of focused ultrasound transducer 130, the depth of focus (F) at this time Is preferably 3.0 to 4.5 mm. As a result, the high-intensity focused ultrasound focused and penetrated into the lower part of the skin, which is the treatment site L, induces thermal coagulation inside the skin tissue and exerts a wrinkle improvement function.

In addition, a plurality of marking sensors 120 are provided at both sides of the region where the pair of focused ultrasound transducers 130 are irradiated with ultrasound, that is, at both sides of the lower surface of the body 110. The marking sensor 120 is provided to recognize the marking area treated by the operator at the treatment site prior to the treatment. In this case, the positional relationship between the marking area and the marking sensor 120 may be confirmed in more detail with reference to FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, with respect to the surface of the treatment site represented by a dotted line, a double row, that is, a pair of marking areas M is represented below, and an outer vertical upper direction of each marking area M is shown. It can be seen that the inside of the pair of marking sensors 120 are arranged in a straight line. Only in this case, the marking detection unit 172 of FIG. 1 determines that the recognized position of the marking sensor 120 corresponds to the treatment site. However, although the positional interval between the marking sensor 120 and the marking region M shown in FIG. 4 may be slightly different, it is possible to improve the measurement speed and performance by using the case where the mutually arranged in a straight line is used as a condition for determining the treatment site. It helps to

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the end of the procedure to be performed at other sites other than the intended site for the operator, thereby enabling a more precise procedure. In addition, during the procedure of performing the procedure using the high-intensity focused ultrasound generation device according to the present invention, the image information about the treatment site L may be obtained through the image acquisition unit 150 described above. This also helps to perform more precise procedures.

On the other hand, in the case of a high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device having a marking recognition function according to an embodiment of the present invention, the body portion is used in connection with the structure detachable to the handpiece. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 in parallel.

5 and 6 are views for explaining a structure in which the body portion of the high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device having a marking recognition function according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to the handpiece in a detachable manner.

First, referring to FIG. 5, a detachment hole is provided in the center of the body part 110 including the focused ultrasound transducer, and an image acquisition unit 150 is provided on the opposite surface of the handpiece H side.

The shape of the body part 110 connected to the handpiece H can be confirmed through FIG. 6, wherein the image acquiring part 150 is inserted into the detachable ball of the body part 110, and a detachable connection is made between each other.

In this case, the image acquisition unit 150 inserted into the body unit 110 is disposed in the longitudinal direction at the center of the upper side of the focused ultrasound transducer.

As described above, according to the present invention, the marking is performed in advance on the target surgical site, and as the apparatus recognizes the marking area, the operator can accurately track the target surgical site and perform the procedure. have.

As described above, the high intensity focused ultrasound can be irradiated only when the pair of marking sensors installed on the lower surface of the body portion and the marking areas treated at the treatment site are located in a straight line with each other, thereby causing various treatment accidents. It can be prevented.

In addition, as described above, the marking sensor installed on the lower surface of the body has a merit of applying a replaceable structure in a detachable manner, so that it can be easily replaced with a new product at the end of failure or endurance life. Thereby, cost reduction can be aimed at.

In the above, a preferred embodiment of the high-intensity focused ultrasound generation device having the marking recognition function according to the present invention has been described.

The foregoing embodiments are to be understood in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the following claims rather than the foregoing description, and the meaning and scope of the claims and All changes or modifications derived from the equivalent concept should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

H: Handpiece
M: marking area
110: body part
120: marking sensor
130: focused ultrasound converter
150: image acquisition unit
160; Monitoring
170: control panel
172: marking detection unit

Claims (10)

A body part detachably attached to the handpiece by a cartridge and forming an outer housing;
A focused ultrasound converting unit embedded in the body and configured to irradiate high intensity focused ultrasound at the same focal point of the treatment site;
A marking sensor for recognizing a marking area preprocessed at the treatment site; And
Receives an electrical signal generated by the marking sensor and determines whether the position recognized by the marking sensor is a treatment site or a non-treatment site, thereby preventing the procedure from being performed at a site other than the target treatment site. High-intensity focused ultrasound generating device having a marking recognition function, including;
The method of claim 1,
The marking sensor,
At least one pair is mounted on the lower surface of the body portion to detect the marking area of the retreatment pretreated at the site of the procedure,
The marking detection unit,
When the marking sensor is located in line with the previously processed marking area, the high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device having a marking recognition function, characterized in that it determines the position recognized by the marking sensor as a treatment site.
The method of claim 2,
The marking sensor is a high-intensity focused ultrasound generation apparatus having a marking recognition function, characterized in that spaced apart from the lower surface of the body portion corresponding to the separation distance between the pre-processed marking positions of the repetition.
The method of claim 2,
The marking sensor has a form that is inserted through a plurality of fixing grooves provided on the lower surface of the body portion, the high-intensity focused ultrasound with a marking recognition function, characterized in that it can be replaced with new at the end of failure or endurance life. Generating device.
The method of claim 1,
And an image acquiring unit for acquiring image information of the ultrasound irradiated to the treatment site by the focused ultrasound converting unit.
The method of claim 5, wherein
The image acquisition unit is protrudingly formed on the facing portion of the handpiece coupled to the body portion, the high strength with a marking recognition function, characterized in that connected to each other in such a way as to be penetrated into the hollow inside the body portion Focused ultrasonic generator.
The method of claim 5, wherein
The image acquisition unit has a high-intensity focused ultrasound generation apparatus having a marking recognition function, characterized in that having a detachable structure disposed on the upper side of the focused ultrasound transducer after coupling with the body portion.
The method of claim 1,
The focused ultrasound transducer is a high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device having a marking recognition function, characterized in that the guide is transported in the front and rear directions along the linear guide provided on the inner upper portion of the body.
The method of claim 8,
Between the focused ultrasound transducer and the linear guide, a high-strength focused ultrasound generating device having a marking recognition function, characterized in that the support for further structurally connecting each other.
The method of claim 1,
An operation unit for manipulating the output and on / off of the focused ultrasound emitted from the focused ultrasound converter; And
And a monitoring unit which visually implements and transmits the image information acquired through the image acquisition unit to a user.

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