KR102752817B1 - Skin adhesion detection type high frequency therapy device - Google Patents

Abstract

The skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device of the present invention comprises a main body which generates an output signal for high-frequency output, an electrode part which comes into contact with the skin and outputs high frequency to the contacted skin through the output signal, and a detection part which detects displacement of a region of the electrode part according to pressure applied to the electrode part, and a handpiece which combines the cartridge and electrically connects the electrode part and the detection part to the main body, and is characterized in that the main body provides an output signal for high-frequency output to the electrode part through the handpiece only when it is determined through the detection result of the detection part that the electrode part is in close contact with the skin.

Description

{SKIN ADHESION DETECTION TYPE HIGH FREQUENCY THERAPY DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a high-frequency treatment device that detects a state of close contact with the skin.

Recently, technologies for treating skin by modifying the tissue condition or improving tissue characteristics by providing energy to the skin using various energy sources have been widely applied.

Among these, in the case of a skin treatment device using RF high frequency, high frequency energy is provided to the skin surface, and whenever the direction of the high frequency current changes, molecules constituting the skin tissue vibrate and rub against each other, thereby increasing the temperature of the skin tissue through deep heat generated by rotational motion, twisting, or collisional motion, thereby reorganizing the collagen layer, thereby improving wrinkles and changing skin elasticity. This RF high frequency skin treatment technology has been disclosed in Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1451960 (Application date: 2013.05. 09., Publication date: 2014.11. 03., hereinafter referred to as “prior art”).

This skin treatment technology using RF high frequency is performed with the high frequency output area in close contact with the skin so that high frequency is evenly supplied to the target tissue, and a gel is sometimes applied to the treatment area to improve adhesion.

However, since the conventional technology does not have a means for determining whether or not there is an abnormality in contact between the high-frequency output electrode and the skin, there is a problem in that high frequency may be output even when the high-frequency output electrode is not in proper contact with the skin, and thus a burn may occur on the skin due to high frequency output when the output electrode is not in proper contact with the skin.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a skin-contact detection type high-frequency treatment device capable of determining whether there is an abnormality in contact between a high-frequency output electrode and the skin, in order to solve the above-described problem.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device comprises: a main body which generates an output signal for high-frequency output; a cartridge which includes an electrode part which comes into contact with the skin and outputs high-frequency to the contacted skin through the output signal, and a detection part which detects displacement of a region of the electrode part according to pressure applied to the electrode part; and a handpiece which is coupled to the cartridge and electrically connects the electrode part and the detection part to the main body; wherein the main body provides an output signal for high-frequency output to the electrode part through the handpiece only when it is determined through a detection result of the detection part that the electrode part is in close contact with the skin.

Here, the electrode part is characterized by being provided with a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) having a copper pattern in the central area.

At this time, the electrode part is characterized in that the edge area of the high-frequency output surface is fixed to the cartridge so that the central area recedes by a predetermined depth due to the pressure applied to the high-frequency output surface while the high-frequency output surface is exposed to the outside of the cartridge.

In addition, the detection unit is characterized in that it is provided with a coil inductor that is fixedly placed inside the handpiece at a predetermined distance from the center of the rear surface of the electrode unit.

And, the main body is characterized by including a signal generating unit that generates an output signal for high-frequency output of the electrode unit; and a control unit that supplies current to the detection unit to generate a magnetic field in a rear region of the electrode unit facing the detection unit, checks a change in inductance of the detection unit due to displacement of the electrode unit in the generated magnetic field region, and controls provision of an output signal to the electrode unit through the signal generating unit according to the check result.

In addition, the control unit determines that the electrode unit is in close contact with the skin only when the degree of inductance reduction of the detection unit due to eddy current generated when the copper pattern retreats into the magnetic field area when the skin comes into contact with the electrode unit is below a reference value, and provides an output signal for high-frequency output to the electrode unit through the handpiece.

Meanwhile, the cartridge is characterized in that it further includes a non-metallic support member that elastically supports the central area of the electrode member in the direction of high-frequency output.

The skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device according to the present invention has a control unit that determines whether skin is in contact through a change in inductance of the detection unit according to displacement of a copper plate pattern of an electrode unit to which pressure is applied, and controls the high-frequency output of the electrode unit only when it is determined that skin is in contact, thereby preventing skin burns caused by high-frequency output when the electrode unit is not properly in contact with the skin.

In addition, the skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device according to the present invention has the effect of allowing the practitioner to check whether the electrode part is in contact with the skin of the subject of the treatment by having the control part output the result of the determination of skin contact in the form of visual information through the display part, and also helping to quickly determine whether the cause of the high-frequency non-output state is an abnormality in the contact between the electrode part and the skin or an abnormality in the operation of the device.

FIG. 1 illustrates a skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating examples of skin contact detection of a skin contact-detecting high-frequency treatment device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a partial diagram illustrating a cartridge of a skin-contact-sensitive high-frequency treatment device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a partial diagram illustrating a cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

The same reference numerals presented in each drawing represent the same members. In addition, specific structural and functional descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are merely illustrative for the purpose of explaining the embodiments according to the present invention, and unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the related art, and are preferably not interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal meaning unless explicitly defined herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device (10) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may include a main body (100) that generates an output signal for high-frequency output, a cartridge (200) that outputs high-frequency through an output signal generated from the main body (100), and a handpiece (300) that is electrically connected to the main body (100) and to which the cartridge (200) is detachably coupled to electrically connect the main body (100) and the cartridge (200).

The main body (100) can generate an output signal for high-frequency output, and may include a signal generating unit (110) that generates an output signal for high-frequency output, a control unit (120) that determines whether skin adhesion is achieved through a sensing value of a cartridge (200) to be described later, and controls the signal generating unit (110) according to the determination result to provide the generated output signal to the cartridge (200) through the handpiece (300), and a display unit (130) that outputs the determination result of the control unit (120) in the form of visualized information.

The handpiece (300) is fixedly connected to the cartridge (200) and is connected to the main body (100) via a cable, and can electrically connect the cartridge (200) and the main body (100). Here, the handpiece (300) can receive an output signal for high-frequency output of the cartridge (200) provided from the main body through the cable from the main body (100) and transmit it to the combined cartridge (200), and similarly, can provide the sensing value of the cartridge (200) to the main body (100). In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the handpiece (300) can receive refrigerant provided from a refrigerant supply means (not shown) from the main body (100) via a transfer pipe provided inside the cable, and can spray the refrigerant into the internal area of the combined cartridge (200) according to the control of the main body (100), thereby dissipating heat generation of the cartridge (200) caused by high-frequency output.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating examples of skin contact detection of a skin contact-detecting high-frequency treatment device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 partially illustrates a cartridge of a skin contact-detecting high-frequency treatment device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the cartridge (200) is detachably coupled to a handpiece (300) to be described later, and provides a pressure detection result due to contact with the skin to the main body (100) through the handpiece (300), and can receive an output signal from the main body (100) to output high frequency, and may include an electrode unit (210) and a detection unit (220).

The electrode unit (210) is provided as a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) having a copper pattern (C) in the central region, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, and the high-frequency output surface is exposed to the outside of the cartridge, and the edge region of the high-frequency output surface is fixed to the cartridge (200) so that the central region recedes by a predetermined depth due to the pressure applied to the high-frequency output surface, and the high-frequency output surface can receive an output signal generated from the signal generating unit (110) through the handpiece (300) while in contact with the surface of the skin (S) of the treatment target (O) to output high frequency.

The detection unit (220) is positioned and fixed inside the handpiece (200) spaced apart from the center of the rear surface of the electrode unit (210) by a predetermined distance, as shown in (a) of FIG. 4, and is provided as a coil inductor having a coil wound inside, as shown in (b) of FIG. 4, and receives current from the control unit (120) through the handpiece (300), and forms a magnetic field in the rear surface area of the electrode unit (210), as shown in FIG. 2, and provides an inductance value to the control unit (120).

Here, when a conductor is positioned in the magnetic field area formed by the detection unit (220), an eddy current is generated in the conductor, causing a decrease in the inductance of the detection unit (220). The control unit (120) uses this eddy current phenomenon to detect the retreat of the electrode unit (210) due to pressure, thereby determining whether it is in contact with the skin (S). Referring to FIG. 3, when the high-frequency output surface of the electrode part (210) comes into contact with the skin (S) of the treatment subject (O), and the pressure applied causes the central region of the electrode part (210) to retreat into the magnetic field region formed by the detection part (220), an eddy current is generated in the copper pattern (C), causing a decrease in the inductance of the detection part (220), and the control part (120) can determine whether the electrode part (210) is in strong contact with the skin (S), that is, whether the high-frequency output surface of the electrode part (210) is in close contact with the skin (S), through the degree of decrease in the inductance of the detection part (220).

Thereafter, the control unit (120) determines that the electrode unit (210) is in close contact with the skin only when the degree of inductance reduction of the detection unit (220) is lower than or equal to a reference value, in other words, when the inductance reduction range of the detection unit (220) is higher than or equal to a set level, and provides an output signal for high-frequency output generated from the signal generation unit (110) to the electrode unit (210). After the control unit (120) provides the high-frequency signal through the signal generation unit (110), if the contact state between the electrode unit (210) and the skin (S) is released, the control unit (120) can measure the inductance of the detection unit (220) at that point in time and set the corresponding inductance value as an initial value. More specifically, the skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device (10) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides high-frequency output to the skin (S) of the treatment subject (O) through the electrode unit (210), and in order to suppress the temperature rise of the electrode unit (210) whose temperature has increased due to the high-frequency output, the control unit (120) additionally delivers the coolant provided from the main body (100) to the coolant supply pipe (P) of the cartridge (200) through the handpiece (300). At this time, the coolant supplied from the coolant supply pipe (P) through the cooling block (B) located at the rear of the electrode unit (210) can be controlled so that the coolant is evenly sprayed to the rear of the electrode unit (210). After the electrode unit (210) is cooled, the control unit (120) measures the inductance of the detection unit (220) after a predetermined time and sets the highest measured inductance of the detection unit (220) to the initial value, thereby reducing the temperature change in the sensing process using the eddy current. It is possible to minimize the occurrence of errors.

At this time, the judgment result of the control unit (120) can be output through the display unit (130), so that the practitioner can check with the naked eye the judgment result of the control unit (120) output in the form of visualized information through the display unit (130), thereby confirming whether the electrode unit (210) is in close contact with the skin (S) of the treatment subject (O), and can quickly determine whether the cause of the high-frequency non-output state is an abnormal contact between the electrode unit (210) and the skin (S) or an abnormal operation of the device.

In addition, the detection unit (220) may be placed within the cartridge (200) in a limited manner by the arrangement of the cooling block (B) that evenly sprays the refrigerant to multiple areas on the rear side of the electrode unit (210) and the refrigerant supply pipe (P) that supplies the refrigerant to the cooling block (B), and as shown in FIG. 4, the detection unit (220) of the cartridge (200) according to a preferred embodiment may be placed in the center facing the refrigerant spraying direction of the cooling block (B) that sprays the refrigerant in the direction of the edge.

FIG. 5 is a partial diagram illustrating a cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 5, the detection unit (220′) of the cartridge (200′) according to another embodiment may be positioned at the rear of the cooling block (B′). At this time, since the detection unit (220′) is provided in a form in which a coil is wound in an area except for the central area, the detection unit (220′) may have a circularly deleted area in the center corresponding to the diameter of the refrigerant supply pipe (P′) so that the refrigerant supply pipe (P′) passes through the center where the coil is not wound and is connected to the cooling block (B′).

Meanwhile, since the electrode part (210) is made of FPCB, it cannot be expected that it will always return to the same position even if the pressure applied to the high-frequency output surface is released. Therefore, the cartridge (200) of the skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device (10) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may further include a non-metallic, non-magnetic support member (230) that is arranged in the region between the electrode part (210) and the detection part (220) and elastically supports the rear central region of the electrode part (210) in the high-frequency output direction, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The support member (230) contracts along with the retreat of the central region of the electrode part (210) by the pressure applied to the high-frequency output surface of the electrode part (210), and when the pressure of the electrode part (210) is released, the central region of the electrode part (210) returns to the high-frequency output surface direction by the elastic restoring force, thereby maintaining the distance between the detection part (220) and the electrode part (210) constant when the pressure of the electrode part (210) is released. Since it is made of non-metallic, non-magnetic material, the distance between the detection part (220) and the electrode part (210) can be maintained constant through the detection part (220). It has little effect on displacement sensing according to the pressure of the electrode part (210).

That is, the skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device according to the present invention has a control unit that determines whether skin is in contact through a change in inductance of the detection unit according to displacement of a copper plate pattern of an electrode unit to which pressure is applied, and controls the high-frequency output of the electrode unit only when it is determined that skin is in contact, thereby preventing skin burns caused by high frequency output when the electrode unit is not in proper contact with the skin.

In addition, the skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device according to the present invention has the effect of allowing the practitioner to check whether the electrode part is in contact with the skin of the subject of the treatment by having the control part output the result of the determination of skin contact in the form of visual information through the display part, and also helping to quickly determine whether the cause of the high-frequency non-output state is an abnormality in the contact between the electrode part and the skin or an abnormality in the operation of the device.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for the purpose of illustration, and those skilled in the art with common knowledge of the present invention will be able to make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes, and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the following patent claims.

10: High Frequency Therapy Device
100: Body
110: Signal generation unit
120: Control Unit
130: Display section
200: Cartridge
210: Electrode section
220: Detection Unit
230: Support
200′: Cartridge according to another embodiment
210′: Electrode section
220′: Detection Unit
300: Handpiece
B, B′: Cooling block
P, P′: Refrigerant supply pipe
C, C′: Copper pattern
O: Treatment target
S: Skin

Claims (7)

A body that generates an output signal for high-frequency output;
A cartridge comprising an electrode part that comes into contact with the skin and outputs high frequency to the contacted skin through an output signal, and a detection part that detects displacement of a region of the electrode part according to pressure applied to the electrode part;
The above cartridge is combined and includes a handpiece that electrically connects the electrode part and the detection part to the main body;
The above main body provides an output signal for high-frequency output to the electrode part through the handpiece only when the electrode part is judged to be in close contact with the skin through the detection result of the above detection part.
The above electrode part is made of a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) with a copper pattern in the central area.
The above electrode part is fixed to the cartridge so that the high-frequency output surface is exposed to the outside of the cartridge and the central area recedes to a predetermined depth due to the pressure applied to the high-frequency output surface, and the edge area of the high-frequency output surface is fixed to the cartridge.
A skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device characterized in that the detection unit is provided with a coil inductor that is fixedly placed inside the handpiece at a predetermined distance from the center of the rear surface of the electrode unit.
delete delete delete In the first paragraph,
The above body,
A signal generating unit that generates an output signal for high-frequency output of the above electrode unit; and
A skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device characterized by comprising: a control unit that supplies current to the detection unit to generate a magnetic field in a rear region of the electrode unit facing the detection unit, checks a change in inductance of the detection unit due to displacement of the electrode unit in the generated magnetic field region, and controls the provision of an output signal to the electrode unit through a signal generation unit according to the check result.
In paragraph 5,
A skin contact detection high-frequency treatment device characterized in that the control unit determines that the electrode part is in contact with the skin only when the degree of inductance reduction of the detection part due to the eddy current generated when the copper pattern retreats into the magnetic field area when the skin comes into contact with the electrode part is below a reference value, and provides an output signal for high-frequency output to the electrode part through the handpiece.
In the first paragraph,
A skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device, characterized in that the cartridge further includes a non-metallic support member that elastically supports the central area of the electrode member in the direction of high-frequency output.