KR20250020886A - Replaceable Ultrasonic Stimulator - Google Patents

Abstract

A replaceable ultrasonic stimulator according to the present invention may be configured to include a pad assembly including: an adsorption pad having an adsorption surface to be adsorbed on a human body and an upper surface corresponding thereto and formed of a soft silicone material; and an insert holder embedded in the adsorption pad and having a through hole formed from the upper surface to the adsorption surface; and a transducer assembly including: an ultrasonic transducer; a housing in which the ultrasonic transducer is accommodated; a transducer holder fixing the housing; and a top cover having a socket electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer and covering an upper portion of the transducer holder.

Description

Replaceable Ultrasonic Stimulator

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic stimulator, and more particularly, to a replaceable ultrasonic stimulator designed to be easily attached and detached and to various types of suction pads that can be attached to various parts of the human body.

Ultrasonic stimulators used for arthritis treatment and pain relief have the difficulty of having to be continuously rubbed on the treatment area during the treatment time. That is, after applying an ultrasound-specific gel to the subject's skin to transmit ultrasound energy, the therapist must hold the ultrasound stimulator and place it close to the affected area of the subject while performing the treatment, which is inconvenient. In addition, since the ultrasound stimulator should mainly be used on curved areas such as the knees or shoulders, there is a problem that it is difficult to close the stimulator due to the structure of the human body. To solve this problem, a method of fixing the ultrasound stimulator to the subject's body part with a compression bandage, etc. can be used, but it is inconvenient to apply the gel used for ultrasound stimulation, and there is also the problem of inconvenience in use due to the tangle of wires installed to supply signals or power to the stimulator.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a replaceable ultrasonic stimulator that is adaptable to various parts of the human body, easy to use, and at the same time easy to maintain hygiene.

The purposes of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other purposes not mentioned will be clearly understood from the description below.

A replaceable ultrasonic stimulator according to the present invention may be configured to include a pad assembly including: an adsorption pad having an adsorption surface to be adsorbed on a human body and an upper surface corresponding thereto, and formed of a soft silicone material; and an insert holder embedded in the adsorption pad and having a through hole formed from the upper surface to the adsorption surface; and a transducer assembly including: an ultrasonic transducer; a housing in which the ultrasonic transducer is accommodated; a transducer holder fixing the housing; and a top cover having a socket electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer and covering an upper portion of the transducer holder. Here, the transducer assembly is characterized in that it is fastened to the inside of the through hole provided in the insert holder of the pad assembly.

In addition, the transducer assembly may further include a circuit board having one side for providing an electrical signal to the ultrasonic transducer and the other side provided with a contact terminal.

In addition, a flange is formed along the outer edge of the insert holder, and the flange is embedded in the interior of the suction pad.

Furthermore, in a state where the transducer assembly and the pad assembly are fastened, a window area is formed inwardly from the suction surface of the suction pad to a predetermined depth at the lower part of the housing.

Additionally, it is preferable that the above-mentioned suction pad is formed of an adhesive silicone material.

According to the present invention, an ultrasonic stimulator is provided which can be manufactured in various shapes so as to be absorbed into curved areas of the human body, and in particular, a transducer assembly can be conveniently fastened and separated through an insert holder embedded in an absorption pad. In addition, since a window area in which a water gel is received at the lower portion of the transducer assembly is opened by separating the transducer assembly, it is very easy to wash off water gel residue after the procedure, which is advantageous in terms of hygiene management.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic stimulator according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of a pad assembly and a transducer assembly constituting an ultrasonic stimulator according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the back surface of the pad assembly of the ultrasonic stimulator according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a transducer assembly of an ultrasonic stimulator according to the present invention.
Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which a pad assembly and a transducer assembly according to the present invention are connected.

The present invention can have various modifications and various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail through the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

In describing the present invention, if it is judged that a detailed description of a related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, numbers (e.g., first, second, etc.) used in the description of this specification are merely identifiers for distinguishing one component from another.

Hereinafter, specific details for implementing the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

First, FIG. 1 illustrates a replaceable ultrasonic stimulator according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the replaceable ultrasonic stimulator according to the present invention may be configured to include a pad assembly (100) and a transducer assembly (200). Here, a controller (300) that generates a control signal and a power signal for ultrasonic generation is connected to the transducer assembly (200) via a cable (310). Then, the transducer assembly (200) is attached and detachably coupled to the pad assembly (100). The controller (300) is configured with a power supply, an ultrasonic driving circuit, and other input devices, and a signal generated by the controller (300) is transmitted to the transducer assembly (200) via the cable (310).

The pad assembly (100) and the transducer assembly (200) are configured to be coupled or detached from each other. Here, the pad assembly (100) may have various shapes so that it can be closely attached to a curved part of the human body, and may be configured to include an adsorption pad (110) formed of a soft silicone material, and an insert holder (120) embedded and fixed in the adsorption pad (110). In order to fasten and detach the transducer assembly (200) to and from the adsorption pad (110) made of silicone so that it can be attached to a curved part of the human body, a frame to which the transducer assembly (200) can be coupled and fixed is required. To this end, the insert holder (120) is embedded and formed in the adsorption pad (110) made of silicone.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a through hole (122) is formed in the insert holder (120) from the upper surface (111) of the suction pad (110) to the suction surface (112) that is suctioned to the human body. This through hole (122) is a region in which the transducer assembly (200) is inserted and fastened, and functions as a window through which ultrasonic waves generated from the transducer can be transmitted to the human body by exposing the suction surface (112). In addition, a flange (124) may be formed along the outer edge of the insert holder (120) so that the insert holder (120) can be firmly fixed to the soft silicone body. It is preferable that the flange (124) is formed by being embedded in the interior of the suction pad (110), thereby allowing the insert holder (120) to be more firmly fixed.

The transducer assembly (200) is formed so as to be fastened or separated from a through hole (122) formed in the insert holder (120). FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a transducer assembly (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the transducer assembly (200) may include an ultrasonic transducer (210) that generates ultrasonic waves, a housing (220) that accommodates the ultrasonic transducer (210), a transducer holder (230) that fixes the housing (220), and a top cover (240) that is provided with a socket (244) that is electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer (210) and covers the upper portion of the transducer holder (230).

A transducer, in a broad sense, refers to a device that converts energy from one form to another, and in the present invention, an ultrasonic transducer that converts electrical energy into mechanical vibration is used, and the piezoelectric effect or magnetostrictive effect is applied. Here, the ultrasonic transducer (210) performs the role of outputting ultrasonic waves to the skin through vibration. For example, the ultrasonic transducer (210) may be a ceramic element that vibrates by a current provided by a controller (300). In addition, the ultrasonic transducer (210) may provide an appropriate type of ultrasonic wave, such as a point-focused type, a line-focused type, and a planar type, to the skin depending on the treatment situation.

A screw (222) is formed on the outer wall of the housing (220) and is fastened to the transducer holder (230). In addition, a socket (244) electrically connected to an external cable (310) is provided on the top cover (240). In addition, a contact terminal (252) connected to the socket (244) is provided between the top cover (240) and the transducer (210), and a circuit board (250) that provides an electrical signal to the transducer (210) may be arranged. Here, the circuit board (250) is an optional configuration and may be configured such that an external cable (310) is electrically connected to the transducer (210) through the socket (244). After sequentially assembling the above-described components, the transducer holder (230) and the top cover (240) can be firmly fastened through the piece holes (244, 246), thereby completing the transducer assembly (200).

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial cross-section of a transducer assembly (200) fastened to an insert holder (120). Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, after the transducer assembly (200) is inserted into a through hole (122) formed in the insert holder (120), the handle (242) provided in the top cover (240) is rotated to secure the transducer assembly (200) to the insert holder (120). At this time, the transducer assembly (200) is secured to the insert holder (120) by fitting a fastening projection (232) formed on the transducer holder (230) into a fastening groove (126) formed on the inner wall of the through hole (122). In addition, when replacing, the handle (242) can be rotated in the opposite direction to remove the fastening projection (232) and fastening groove (126), and then the transducer assembly (200) can be separated from the through hole (122).

Meanwhile, when the transducer assembly (200) is inserted into the through hole (120), a window area (W) is formed that is sunken inward by a predetermined depth from the suction surface (112) of the suction pad. That is, when the transducer assembly (200) and the pad assembly (100) are fastened, a window area (W) that is sunken inward by a predetermined depth from the suction surface (112) of the suction pad (110) is formed at the lower part of the housing (220). A water gel used as a medium for transmitting ultrasonic waves generated by the transducer (210) to the treatment site of the subject can be accommodated in this window area (W).

In general, in order to obtain the effect of ultrasound treatment, the treatment area must be stimulated for several minutes to several tens of minutes, but since the treatment time is considerable, it is difficult for the practitioner to hold the ultrasound stimulator and perform the treatment directly. In particular, if the user performs the treatment alone to stimulate the shoulder area, it is difficult to stimulate for more than several minutes because it may strain the arm. In addition, since the ultrasound element that comes into contact with the skin is configured in a flat shape, it cannot come into contact with curved body parts such as the knees, feet, shoulders, and elbows, and thus the ultrasound cannot be efficiently transmitted to the desired depth.

To solve these problems, although there are conventional ultrasonic stimulators for fixing ultrasonic elements to the human body, an appropriate means for attaching them to curved areas of the human body, especially concave areas, has not yet been developed. In addition, for efficient ultrasonic transmission, an ultrasonic gel is used as a sound wave medium between the ultrasonic element and the human body, but considering the characteristics of the gel that allows microorganisms to easily grow, if not properly washed after use, microorganisms such as mold may be generated.

According to the present invention, unlike conventional ultrasonic stimulators, a suction pad (110) can be formed using adhesive silicone materials of various shapes that can be easily attached to curved parts of the human body. Since the silicone material is soft, it is difficult to fix a transducer assembly (200), but the present invention provides a pad assembly (100) in which an insert holder (120) is embedded in a silicone suction pad (110). Therefore, the suction pad (110) can be manufactured in various shapes so that it can be absorbed into curved parts of the human body, and in particular, if a plurality of insert holders (120) are embedded in the suction pad (110), a plurality of transducer assemblies (200) can be combined, so that ultrasonic stimulation can be applied to multiple parts at the same time, thereby shortening the treatment time.

In addition, when the insert holder (120) and the transducer assembly (200) are connected, a window area (W) is formed at the bottom of the transducer assembly (200) in which a water gel (G) is received. Since this structure has an open structure in which the window area (W) is opened when the transducer assembly (200) is separated, it is very easy to clean the water gel residue after the procedure is completed, which is advantageous in terms of hygiene management.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, those skilled in the art will be able to implement the present invention in modified forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention described herein should be considered from an illustrative rather than a restrictive perspective, and the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description, and all differences within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the present invention.

Claims (5)

A pad assembly including a suction pad formed of a soft silicone material and having a suction surface that is absorbed into a human body and a corresponding upper surface; and an insert holder embedded in the suction pad and having a through hole formed from the upper surface to the suction surface;
A transducer assembly comprising: an ultrasonic transducer; a housing in which the ultrasonic transducer is accommodated; a transducer holder for fixing the housing; and a top cover having a socket electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer and covering an upper portion of the transducer holder;
Characterized in that the transducer assembly is fastened to the inside of the through hole provided in the insert holder of the pad assembly.
Ultrasonic stimulator.
In paragraph 1,
An ultrasonic stimulator, characterized in that, when the transducer assembly and the pad assembly are connected, a window area is formed in the lower part of the housing, which is recessed inward by a predetermined depth from the suction surface of the suction pad.
In paragraph 1,
An ultrasonic stimulator, characterized in that the transducer assembly further includes a circuit board providing an electrical signal to the ultrasonic transducer on one side and having a contact terminal on the other side.
In paragraph 1,
An ultrasonic stimulator, characterized in that a flange is formed along the outer edge of the insert holder, and the flange is embedded in the interior of the suction pad.
In paragraph 1,
An ultrasonic stimulator, characterized in that the above-mentioned suction pad is formed of an adhesive silicone material.