Lifting yarn, method for manufacturing the lifting yarn, and lifting yarn insertion machine.

Abstract

This invention relates to a lifting thread, a method for manufacturing the lifting thread, and a lifting thread insertion machine. By twisting a medical thread and then winding it around the outer surface of a needle to produce a lifting thread in the form of a coil spring, when the lifting thread is pulled or compressed during the skin lifting procedure, a first elastic force due to the torsional stress of the medical thread and an even larger stress, i.e., a second elastic force, which is the sum of the torsional stress of the medical thread and the tensile or compressive stress of the lifting thread, are acted upon it. This configuration makes it possible to maximize the lifting effect by maintaining the elasticity of the skin without any sagging of the treated skin even after a long period of time has passed since the skin lifting procedure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting thread, a method for manufacturing the lifting thread, and a lifting thread inserting machine. More specifically, by twisting a medical thread so that torsional stress is generated and winding it around the outer peripheral surface (circumference) of a needle to form a coiling coil spring-shaped lifting thread, the first elastic force due to the torsional stress of the medical thread and a larger stress generated by combining the tensile stress or compressive stress of the lifting thread with this, that is, the second elastic force, act so that the sagging phenomenon of the skin does not occur even after a long time has passed after a skin lifting procedure and the elasticity of the skin is maintained as it is, thereby maximizing the lifting effect. The present invention relates to a lifting thread, a method for manufacturing the lifting thread, and a lifting thread inserting machine.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, as living standards have improved, modern people are not only concerned with maintaining a healthy body but also with maintaining healthy skin. Therefore, interest in enhancing skin beauty and preventing skin aging is increasing.

[0003] Skin aging appears as phenomena such as skin dryness, dulling of skin regeneration, and accumulation of aged keratin. At the same time, the amount of collagen synthesis that supports the skin epidermis decreases and elastin denatures, resulting in skin wrinkles.

[0004] Skin wrinkles are determined by collagen collagen fibers present in the dermis layer. After collagen molecules are produced by fibroblasts and secreted into the dermis layer, they are formed into collagen fibers by self-assembly. Such collagen fibers are involved in the mechanical firmness of the skin, tissue binding force, cell adhesion, cell differentiation, etc. in the skin dermis layer.

[0005] Collagen is the cause of wrinkle formation due to a decrease in production or continuous accumulation of deformation caused by internal and external factors.

[0006] Collagen, which is related to skin wrinkles, gradually decreases due to photoaging and intrinsic aging, leading to a thinning of the skin and becoming the main cause of wrinkle formation.

[0007] While there are various methods for removing wrinkles on the face, jaw, and neck, such as facelift surgery, filler insertion, Botox injections, and laser skin regeneration, recently, a procedure involving embedding lifting threads (threads attached to needles) has been gaining attention as a lifting and wrinkle-improving method because it is much simpler than surgery and causes almost no disruption to daily life.

[0008] The lifting threads used in skin lifting procedures are absorbable or non-absorbable threads with a diameter of approximately 0.2 to 0.8 mm, made from materials such as silicone, polypropylene, and polydioxanone. These threads lift both the aged skin on the surface and the aged soft tissue (SMAS) within the skin, removing wrinkles and restoring firmness.

[0009] Non-surgical wrinkle removal methods, which use needles under simple local anesthesia, minimize the scarring that is the biggest drawback of surgical methods using a scalpel. Not only is there less irritation and damage to the treated area, but there is also less bleeding and swelling, and the skin becomes more elastic and youthful after the procedure, so they are widely used.

[0010] Conventional lifting threads have scale-like barbs on their surface that pull and fix sagging skin tissue to improve wrinkles and lift the skin. However, they have disadvantages such as severe pain after surgery, difficulty opening the mouth, and the presence of dimples or unevenness on the skin surface.

[0011] To address this, the prior art publication EP1726317 (registration number 04775207.6 Surgical thread and Cosmetic Surgery method) discloses a technique for skin lifting procedures.

[0012] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating conventional lifting threads and lifting methods disclosed in prior literature.

[0013] Referring to Figure 1, the conventional lifting thread 9 is manufactured by heat-treating a spirally wound thread (in the form of a coil spring) to give it elasticity. During the lifting procedure, the lifting thread is embedded in the skin layer (skin tissue) 11 using a needle, and then stretched or compressed to a predetermined length. The elastic force (elastic restorative force) of the lifting thread 9 provides a lifting effect on the skin layer and wrinkle improvement effect.

[0014] However, while lifting threads typically undergo a heat treatment process to increase their elasticity, conventionally, to maintain sufficient elasticity, the heat treatment process of lifting threads is performed at high temperatures (75% above the melting point, for example, over 85°C in the case of polydioxanone polymers). However, while maintaining a high heat treatment temperature for lifting threads improves their elasticity, it also leads to the problem that the lifting threads embedded in the skin layer after skin lifting procedures have very little time to undergo hydrolysis, making them easily hydrolyzed.

[0015] Furthermore, conventional skin lifting methods have the drawbacks of being difficult to implement. For example, inserting surgical threads into the skin layer in an extended state during the skin lifting procedure is complicated, and to enhance the lifting effect, it is necessary to use threads with a relatively thick outer diameter to increase the elasticity of the threads. Additionally, tensile stress applied through simple coiling and heat treatment easily disappears with time and the degree of elongation, making it difficult to appropriately adjust the elasticity of the lifting threads. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0016] The present invention was made to solve the aforementioned problems, and the first object of the present invention is to provide a lifting thread, a method for manufacturing the lifting thread, and a lifting thread insertion machine, which are configured so that when the lifting thread is pulled or compressed during the skin lifting procedure, the torsional stress of the medical thread and the tensile or compressive stress of the lifting thread combine to form an even larger second elastic force, so that a considerable portion of the elastic force of the thread remains even after a long time has passed since the skin lifting procedure, the lifting effect can be maximized by maintaining the elasticity of the skin without any sagging of the treated skin.

[0017] A second object of the present invention is to provide a lifting thread, a method for manufacturing the lifting thread, and a lifting thread insertion machine, which enable skin lifting procedures to be performed very easily and quickly, by providing a pull-out portion extended at the rear end of the lifting thread, so that when the lifting thread is embedded in the skin layer, the pull-out portion is exposed to the outside of the skin layer for a predetermined length, and by pulling the pull-out portion, the lifting thread can be easily pulled and stretched.

[0018] Furthermore, a third object of the present invention is to provide a lifting thread, a method for manufacturing the lifting thread, and a lifting thread insertion machine thereof, wherein the rear end of the lifting thread is equipped with a non-slip coupling portion, so that when the tip of the lifting thread is fixed inside the skin layer while the lifting thread is embedded in the treatment position inside the skin layer and the needle is pulled, the rear end of the lifting thread is pulled together with the needle by the non-slip coupling portion, thereby stably pulling the lifting thread.

[0019] A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a lifting thread, a method for manufacturing the lifting thread, and a lifting thread insertion machine, wherein a pair of anchors are provided at both ends of the lifting thread, but the anchor at the tip of the lifting thread has its center closed so that the needle does not penetrate through it, so that when the needle is pushed into the skin layer the needle pushes the tip of the lifting thread into the skin layer, the anchor at the rear end of the lifting thread is locked in place at the beginning of the skin layer so that when the needle is pushed into the skin layer the lifting thread is stretched and an elastic restoring force is generated, when the needle is removed the anchor at the tip of the lifting thread is fixed in place at the insertion position inside the skin layer, and the anchor at the rear end of the lifting thread is locked in place at the beginning of the skin layer so that the tensile state of the lifting thread can be maintained. [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, an example of the present invention is a lifting yarn having a coil spring structure in which a twisted yarn, formed by twisting one or more medical threads around the longitudinal central axis L of the medical threads, is wound up, and the elastic modulus of the lifting yarn can be adjusted by adjusting the twist angle θ, which is the angle at which the twisted yarn is twisted.

[0021] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the lifting thread 10 may be formed by coiling a single or more medical threads into a tensile coil spring using a twisted thread that has a twist angle θ around a longitudinal central axis L. In this case, the lifting thread 10 is the angle between the longitudinal central axis (L, a hypothetical line) of the medical thread and the twist line C, and the elastic modulus of the lifting thread 10 can be adjusted by adjusting the twist angle θ. In this case, the twist line C may mean a line that is deformed by twisting parallel lines shown along the longitudinal direction on the surface of the original, untwisted medical thread. After shaping with the lifting thread 10, the elastic modulus of the lifting thread 10 may increase as the twist angle θ between the longitudinal central axis L of the twisted thread and the twist line C increases.

[0022] A lifting thread 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention may be obtained by coiling a single or more medical threads into the form of a compression coil spring using a twisted thread that has a twist angle θ around a longitudinal central axis L. In this case, the lifting thread 20 is the angle between the longitudinal central axis (L, a virtual line) of the twisted thread and the twist line C, and the elastic modulus of the lifting thread 20 can be adjusted by adjusting the twist angle θ. The twist line C may mean a line that is deformed by twisting parallel lines shown along the longitudinal direction on the surface of the original, untwisted medical thread. After shaping with the lifting thread 20, the elastic modulus of the lifting thread 20 may increase as the twist angle θ between the longitudinal central axis L of the twisted thread and the twist line C increases.

[0023] A lifting thread 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention may include a composite structure in which a first coil spring structure, in which a first twisted thread is wound (coiled) with a portion of one or more medical threads twisted together, and a second coil spring structure, in which a second twisted thread is wound (coiled) with the other portion of the medical threads twisted in the opposite direction, are connected to each other so as to operate independently. In the composite structure lifting thread 30, the first coil spring structure may be a tension coil spring structure, and the second coil spring structure may be a compression coil spring structure. Furthermore, the first twisted thread and the second twisted thread may be the same twisted thread, or they may be threads in which different twisted threads are attached and connected to each other. The first twist angle of the tension coil spring portion and the second twist angle of the compression coil spring portion may be the same or different from each other and can be adjusted independently to adjust the elastic modulus of the composite structure lifting thread 30. That is to say. The lifting thread 30 is manufactured as a coil spring structure with twisted lines C, which are lines formed by twisting and deforming parallel lines shown along the longitudinal direction on the surface of the original medical thread. After this twisting angle θ with the longitudinal central axis L of the medical thread is adjusted, the elastic modulus of the lifting thread 30 can be adjusted. Specifically, the larger the twisting angle θ, the larger the elastic modulus of the lifting thread 30 can become. More specifically, the twisting angle θ may be a first twisting angle and / or a second twisting angle, which may be adjusted independently. In this case, the directions indicated by the first twisting angle of the tension coil spring portion and the second twisting angle of the compression coil spring portion may be shown to be opposite to each other.

[0024] A method for manufacturing a lifting thread according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a lifting thread 10 having tensile coil spring characteristics by winding a medical thread onto the outer surface of a needle.

[0025] The manufacturing method of the lifting thread 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention manufactures the lifting thread 10 having tensile coil spring characteristics by winding the medical thread 1 around the outer peripheral surface of the needle, and a torsion thread forming step (S110) of twisting the medical thread in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread 1; and a lifting thread coiling step (S120) of winding the torsion thread from the tip end portion to the rear end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the needle in the same direction as the torsion direction of the torsion thread (coiling) to form a lifting thread having tensile coil spring characteristics; although it includes During skin lifting treatment, it can be configured such that the first elastic force due to the torsional stress generated by previously twisting the medical thread and the second elastic force combined with the tensile stress generated by pulling the lifting thread 10 during the lifting treatment act.

[0026] The manufacturing method of the lifting thread 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a method of manufacturing a lifting thread having compression coil spring characteristics by winding the medical thread around the outer peripheral surface of the needle.

[0027] The manufacturing method of the lifting thread 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a torsion shaping step (S210) of twisting the medical thread in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread; and a lifting thread 20 coiling step (S220) of winding the torsion thread from the tip end portion to the rear end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the needle in the direction opposite to the torsion direction of the torsion thread (coiling) to form a lifting thread having compression coil spring characteristics; although it includes During skin lifting treatment, it is configured such that the first elastic force due to the torsional stress generated by previously twisting the medical thread and the second elastic force combined with the compression stress generated by compressing the lifting thread 20 during the lifting treatment act.

[0028] The manufacturing method of the lifting thread 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is a method of manufacturing a lifting thread having a composite structure with tensile coil spring characteristics and compression coil spring characteristics.

[0029] A method for manufacturing a lifting thread 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention may include a primary twisted thread forming step (S310) in which the medical thread is twisted in one direction so as torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread; a primary coiling step (S320) in which the primary twisted thread is wound into the form of a coil spring from the tip end to the rear end of the outer surface of the needle 1; a secondary twisted thread forming step (S330) in which the remaining portion of the medical thread is twisted in the opposite direction to the primary twisting direction so as torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread in the opposite direction; and a secondary coiling step (S340) in which the secondary twisted thread is wound onto the outer surface of the needle 1 in the same direction as the primary coiling direction towards the rear end.

[0030] A technical feature of the lifting thread 30 is that it has a composite structure that includes both tensile coil spring characteristics and compression coil spring characteristics. For example, when the tip of the lifting thread 30 is shaped into a compression coil spring in the primary coiling stage, the rear end of the lifting thread 30 can be shaped into a tensile coil spring in the secondary coiling stage. Also, when the tip of the lifting thread 30 is shaped into a tensile coil spring in the primary coiling stage, the rear end of the lifting thread 30 can be shaped into a compression coil spring in the secondary coiling stage.

[0031] Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a lifting thread according to the first, second, or third embodiment of the present invention may further include a heat treatment step for improving the elasticity of the medical thread.

[0032] On the other hand, the lifting thread 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a lifting thread formed by twisting the medical thread in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread, and winding the medical thread from the tip of the outer surface of the needle 1 toward the rear end in the same direction as the twist of the medical thread, so as to have tensile coil spring characteristics. During a skin lifting procedure, a second elastic force acts, which is the sum of a first elastic force due to the torsional stress generated by twisting the medical thread in advance and a tensile stress generated when the lifting thread 10 is pulled during the procedure.

[0033] On the other hand, the lifting thread 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a lifting thread formed by twisting the medical thread in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread, and winding the medical thread from the tip of the outer surface of the needle 1 toward the rear end in the opposite direction to the twist of the medical thread, so as to have the characteristics of a compression coil spring. During a skin lifting procedure, a second elastic force acts, which is the sum of a first elastic force due to the torsional stress generated by twisting the medical thread in advance and a compressive stress generated when the lifting thread 20 is compressed during the skin lifting procedure.

[0034] On the other hand, the lifting thread 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a lifting thread which is formed by first twisting the medical thread in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread, first coiling by winding one end of the medical thread into the form of a coil spring while moving from the tip to the rear end of the outer surface of the needle 1, second twisting the remaining portion of the medical thread in the opposite direction to the first twist so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread in the opposite direction, and second winding the remaining portion of the medical thread onto the outer surface of the needle 1 in the same direction as the first coiling while moving towards the rear end, and the lifting thread is characterized by having a composite structure having tensile coil spring characteristics and compression coil spring characteristics.

[0035] On the other hand, the lifting thread insertion machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a needle and a lifting thread, which is formed by twisting the medical thread in one direction so that torsional stress is generated in the internal structure of the medical thread, and then winding the medical thread from the tip of the outer surface of the needle towards the rear end in the same direction as the twist of the medical thread using a tension coil spring structure. During a skin lifting procedure, a second elastic force acts, which is the sum of a first elastic force due to the torsional stress generated by twisting the medical thread in advance and a tensile stress generated when the lifting thread 10 is pulled during the lifting procedure.

[0036] Furthermore, the lifting thread is characterized in that the elastic modulus of the lifting thread 10 increases as the twist angle θ becomes larger. In this case, the twist angle θ of the lifting thread is the angle between the twist line C, which is formed when parallel lines shown along the longitudinal direction on the surface of the untwisted medical thread are twisted and deformed around the longitudinal central axis (L, a hypothetical line) of the medical thread, and the central axis L.

[0037] Furthermore, the elastic modulus of the lifting thread can also be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the thickness of the medical thread, the inner diameter of the lifting thread, the pitch, etc.

[0038] Furthermore, although the lifting thread includes anchors provided at the leading and trailing ends, the anchors are equipped with hook jaws so that when the anchors are pulled in directions opposite to each other, they are locked into the skin layer and continuously maintain the tensile state of the lifting thread.

[0039] Furthermore, the lifting thread insertion machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention has the technical features of further including a sliding holder that is pipe-shaped and coupled to the outer surface of a needle so as to be able to slide back and forth, and which supports the rear end of the lifting thread so as to be kept embedded inside the skin layer without being pulled out of the skin layer together with the needle when the needle is removed from the skin layer during a skin lifting procedure; and a withdrawal portion that is exposed to the outside of the skin layer for a predetermined length when the lifting thread is embedded inside the skin layer, and which is connected to the rear end of the lifting thread so as to be able to pull and stretch the lifting thread.

[0040] Furthermore, the lifting thread insertion machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a technical feature that further includes a non-slip combination portion, which is formed at the rear end of the lifting thread and is coupled relatively tightly to the outer surface of the needle compared to other parts, and plays a role in supporting the lifting thread so that it is not pushed backward when the needle is inserted into the skin layer during a lifting procedure, and when the needle is pulled backward after the tip of the lifting thread has been positioned and fixed inside the skin layer, the rear end of the lifting thread is pulled out together with the needle and is pulled so that it has elastic restorative force. At this time, a sliding holder may be further provided behind the non-slip combination portion, which is tubular in shape and coupled to the outer surface of the needle so as to be able to slide back and forth, and when the lifting thread is separated from the needle during a lifting procedure, it is possible to separate the needle from the skin layer (skin tissue) while supporting the rear end of the lifting thread.

[0041] Furthermore, the lifting thread insertion machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes anchors provided at the leading and trailing ends of the lifting thread, respectively. However, the anchors are further configured to include hook jaws so that when the anchors are pulled in directions opposite to each other, they are locked into the skin layer and continuously maintain the tensile state of the lifting thread.

[0042] A lifting thread insertion machine 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a needle and a lifting thread formed by twisting the medical thread in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread, and then winding the medical thread from the tip of the outer surface of the needle toward the rear end in the opposite direction to the twist of the medical thread using a compression coil spring structure. The machine is configured such that during a skin lifting procedure, a second elastic force acts, which is the sum of a first elastic force due to the torsional stress generated by pre-twisting the medical thread and a compressive stress generated when the lifting thread 20 is compressed during the procedure.

[0043] The lifting thread is characterized in that the elastic modulus of the lifting thread 20 increases as the twist angle θ becomes larger. In this case, the twist angle θ of the lifting thread is the angle between the twist line C, which is formed when parallel lines shown along the longitudinal direction on the surface of the untwisted medical thread are twisted and deformed around the longitudinal central axis (L, a hypothetical line) of the medical thread, and the central axis L.

[0044] Furthermore, the elastic modulus of the lifting thread 20 can also be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the thickness of the medical thread, the inner diameter of the lifting thread, the pitch, etc.

[0045] A lifting thread insertion machine 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention has a technical feature that it further includes a sliding holder which is tubular in shape and is coupled to the outer surface (around) of the needle so as to be able to slide back and forth, and when the needle is pushed into the skin layer, the lifting thread is not pushed behind the needle but is embedded in the skin layer together with the needle and compressed inside the skin layer.

[0046] A third embodiment of the present invention includes a needle and a lifting thread, which is formed by first twisting the medical thread in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread, first winding the medical thread in the same direction as the twist direction onto the outer surface of the needle in the form of a tension coil spring, second twisting the medical thread in the opposite direction so that torsional stress is generated in the internal structure of the medical thread in the opposite direction to the primary torsional stress, and then winding the medical thread in the same direction as the primary torsional direction onto the outer surface of the needle in the form of a compression coil spring. However, the lifting thread has the technical feature of being configured to have both tension coil spring characteristics and compression coil spring characteristics.

[0047] Furthermore, during skin lifting procedures, the tension coil spring portion of the lifting thread is configured to act as a base or column within the skin layer due to its dense pitch, while the compression coil spring portion is configured to elastically push up the skin layer due to its non-dense pitch.

[0048] Furthermore, the elastic force due to the torsional stress of the lifting thread is adjusted by increasing or decreasing the twist angle of the medical thread.

[0049] On the other hand, the lifting thread insertion machine according to the first, second, or third embodiment can also construct a multi-stage lifting thread by connecting a large number of lifting threads in series with each other. The multi-stage lifting thread M may consist of a plurality of identical or different independent lifting threads connected in series. Specifically, the multi-stage lifting thread M may consist of n identical or different independent lifting threads connected in series through (n-1) connecting parts (not shown) (where n is any positive integer). In the multi-stage lifting thread M, the lifting thread F located at the front with respect to the direction of entry of the lifting thread may have a higher elastic modulus than the lifting thread B located at the rear. For example, the elastic modulus of the leading portion of the lifting thread F, for example, the first lifting thread F, may be 1 / 10 or more greater than the elastic modulus of the trailing end of the lifting thread B, for example, the nth lifting thread B. Therefore, by connecting multiple lifting threads in series during a lifting procedure to form a multi-stage lifting thread M, the lifting thread F in front of the lifting thread M can withstand the frictional force with the skin tissue more effectively than when using a single-form lifting thread (the lifting thread according to the first and / or second embodiment described above). In this case, the connecting portion that connects adjacent lifting threads may be connected through anchors at the ends of the lifting threads, or it may be possible to join them by various methods such as fusion or bonding. [Effects of the Invention]

[0050] As explained above, the present invention has the following effects.

[0051] Firstly, by twisting a medical thread and then coiling it around the outer surface of a needle to manufacture a lifting thread in the form of a coil spring, when the lifting thread is pulled or compressed during the skin lifting procedure, a second elastic force acts, which is the sum of the first elastic force due to the torsional stress generated by twisting the medical thread and the tensile or compressive stress generated when the lifting thread is pulled or compressed during the skin lifting procedure. As a result, a considerable amount of elastic force remains even after a long time has passed since the skin lifting procedure, so the treated skin does not sag at all and the elasticity of the skin is maintained, thereby maximizing the lifting effect.

[0052] Secondly, while lifting threads typically undergo a heat treatment process to increase their elasticity, if the heat treatment temperature is excessively high (75% above the melting point, for example, over 85°C in the case of polydioxanone polymers), although the elasticity of the lifting thread improves, the lifting thread embedded in the skin layer during skin lifting procedures has an excessively short time for hydrolysis, leading to the disadvantage of easily hydrolyzing and shortening the duration of the treatment effect. However, the lifting thread of the present invention first twists a medical thread in one direction, and then the twisting method of the medical thread is... Because the threads are manufactured in a highly elastic state by being wound (coiled) in the same direction or opposite direction to have tensile or compressive coil spring characteristics, it is no longer necessary to heat-treat the lifting threads at excessively high temperatures (75% above the melting point, for example, over 85°C in the case of polydioxanone polymers) during the heat treatment process. As a result, the time it takes for the lifting threads embedded in the skin layer to hydrolyze during the aforementioned skin lifting procedure is shortened, making them more susceptible to hydrolysis, and thus eliminating the disadvantage of shortening the duration of the treatment effect.

[0053] Thirdly, when a lifting thread with a composite coil spring structure is used in the nasal cavity (nose), the compression spring portion of the lifting thread pushes up the tip of the nose to maintain a high nose, while the tension spring portion adheres tightly to each other like a pillar (base), firmly supporting the entire lifting thread, thus enabling a stable procedure.

[0054] Fourthly, because the lifting threads will not be permanently deformed by firing due to negligence during the skin lifting procedure, thus preventing them from losing their elasticity, the procedure can be performed safely.

[0055] Fifth, when the lifting thread is embedded in the skin layer, the lifting thread is supported by the non-slip connector and is not pushed backward, allowing it to be smoothly inserted into the skin layer. When the needle is removed from the skin layer with the lifting thread embedded inside, the lifting thread stretches and elastic restorative force is generated. However, the non-slip connector prevents the lifting thread from moving arbitrarily with the needle, effectively preventing any change in the tensile length of the lifting thread. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0056] [Figure 1] This is a conceptual diagram illustrating conventional lifting threads and lifting methods disclosed in prior literature. [Figure 2] This is a coupled perspective view illustrating a lifting thread insertion machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the lifting thread (tensile coil spring structure). [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the anchors provided at the leading and trailing ends of the lifting thread in a lifting thread insertion machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates a state in a lifting thread insertion machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which, when anchors are pulled in directions facing each other during a skin lifting procedure, the anchors are locked into the skin layer by the anchor locking steps, thereby continuously maintaining the tensile state of the lifting threads. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a diagram illustrating a modified anchor, where the anchor is a helical connection type. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a diagram illustrating a modified anchor, where the anchor is bonded using an ultrasonic fusion method. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows a diagram illustrating a modified anchor, where the anchor is of the interlocking type. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates a temporary knot formed on the anchor locking step provided at the rear end of the lifting thread in a lifting thread insertion machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a side view illustrating the sliding holder and the extraction section of a lifting thread insertion machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a side view illustrating a non-slip coupling portion of a lifting thread insertion machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is a side view illustrating a non-slip coupling portion of a lifting thread insertion machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] A coupled perspective view illustrating a lifting thread insertion machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the lifting thread (compression coil spring structure). [Figure 15] This is a coupled perspective view illustrating a lifting thread insertion machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] Figure 15 is a perspective view showing the lifting thread (composite coil spring structure). [Figure 17] This is a flowchart illustrating the manufacturing method of a lifting yarn (tensile coil spring structure) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] This is a flowchart illustrating the manufacturing method of a lifting yarn (compression coil spring structure) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] This is a flowchart illustrating the manufacturing method of a lifting thread (composite coil spring structure) according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] This diagram illustrates the function of a lifting thread (composite coil spring structure) according to the third embodiment of the present invention when it is implanted in the nasal cavity (nose). [Figure 21] This is a diagram illustrating a lifting thread (tensile coil spring structure) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22a] This is a diagram illustrating a lifting thread (compression coil spring structure) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22b] This is a photograph showing a multi-stage lifting yarn according to the first and / or second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] This is a diagram illustrating a lifting thread (composite coil spring structure) according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] This is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of the tension coil spring structure according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 25] This is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of the tension coil spring structure according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 26] This is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of the tension coil spring structure according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 27] This is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of the tension coil spring structure according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 28] This is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of the tension coil spring structure according to Example 5 of the present invention. [Figure 29] This is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of the tension coil spring structure according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. [Figure 30] This is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of the tension coil spring structure according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. [Figure 31] This is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of the tension coil spring structure according to Example 8 of the present invention. [Figure 32] This is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of a tension coil spring structure according to Comparative Example 1 of the present invention. [Figure 33]This graph shows the tensile stress due to the tensile deformation rate of the lifting yarn according to Examples 1, 3, and 5 of the present invention. [Figure 34] This graph shows the Young's modulus of the lifting yarn according to the reverse twist angle in Examples 1-8 and Comparative Example 1 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0057] The following describes in detail, with reference to the attached drawings, a preferred embodiment of the present invention: a lifting yarn, a method for manufacturing the lifting yarn, and a lifting yarn insertion machine.

[0058] The present invention can be modified in various ways and has many embodiments. Therefore, a detailed explanation will be provided by illustrating specific embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0059] Prior to describing the present invention, the following specific structural or functional descriptions are provided merely as examples for illustrating embodiments of the concept of the present invention, and embodiments of the concept of the present invention may be implemented in a variety of forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0060] Furthermore, in the description of this embodiment, the designations "First," "Second," and "Third" are merely arbitrary for the sake of explanatory convenience, and of course, their order may be reversed.

[0061] In describing the present invention, the first embodiment relates to a lifting yarn with a tension coil spring structure, the second embodiment relates to a lifting yarn with a compression coil spring structure, and the third embodiment relates to a lifting yarn with a combined tension and compression coil spring structure.

[0062] A simplified explanation of the principle behind the tension coil spring structure of the present invention is that, normally, when a tension spring is pulled, the internal structure of the spring wires undergoes torsional stress and elastic deformation in one direction. When the pulling force is removed, the twist of the wires is released, and the length of the stretched spring decreases to its original state. That is, when a tension spring wound clockwise is pulled, the internal structure of the wires undergoes torsional deformation in the clockwise direction, and when the stretched spring is released, the twist of the wires is released in the counterclockwise direction, and the length of the spring decreases again. By the same principle, when a tension spring wound counterclockwise is pulled, the internal structure of the wires undergoes torsional deformation in the counterclockwise direction, and when the stretched spring is released, the twist of the wires is released in the clockwise direction, and the length of the spring decreases again.

[0063] By the way, in the first embodiment of the present invention, before winding the medical thread corresponding to the strands of such a tension spring into the shape of a spring, the medical thread is twisted in the same direction as the winding direction of the spring to increase the length of the tension spring in advance, so that a twist occurs in the same direction as when the internal structure of the medical thread is twisted in the same direction. Then, the medical thread is wound around a needle from the tip to the rear end and shaped into the shape of a tension spring.

[0064] In describing this embodiment, the twist direction of the medical thread and the coiling direction of the spring may be determined differently depending on the direction described in the process of winding and shaping the medical thread around the needle, for example, when winding the medical thread with the needle fixed, when winding the needle with the medical thread fixed, when winding the medical thread with the tip of the needle fixed, when winding the medical thread with the rear end of the needle fixed, when fixing the first end of the medical thread and rotating the second end, when fixing the second end of the medical thread and rotating the first end, when both ends of the medical thread rotate in different directions from each other, etc.

[0065] Therefore, when the lifting thread according to this first embodiment is pulled, the elastic force due to the tension of the spring length and the torsional elastic force due to the pre-twisted medical thread combine to generate an even stronger elastic recovery force, i.e., the first elastic force described later, compared to a general spring-type lifting thread in which the medical thread is not pre-twisted. At this time, the elastic recovery force of the lifting thread according to the first embodiment can also be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the twist angle and twisting rotations of the medical thread.

[0066] In this case, the twist angle θ of the lifting thread can be defined as the angle between the twist line C, which is formed by twisting and deforming parallel lines shown along the longitudinal direction on the surface of the untwisted medical thread around the longitudinal central axis (L, a hypothetical line) of the medical thread, and the central axis L. The twist angle θ may be experimentally determined by the process of twisting the medical thread, for example, by process variables such as the twist rotation angle and the number of twist rotations. If the twist angle θ is 0 degrees, it means that the medical thread is not twisted. In one specific example, the twist angle θ according to the first embodiment may be shown as greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

[0067] The elastic modulus of the lifting yarn can be adjusted by adjusting the twisting angle θ. Specifically, the elastic modulus of the lifting yarn may increase as the twisting angle θ increases.

[0068] However, such a twist angle θ does not change depending on the direction of twisting of the medical thread, but may also change in part due to the amount and / or number of twists, the twist angle, or the process of the twisted medical thread being wound onto the spring. For example, when the medical thread is twisted counterclockwise, the direction of the twist line C that appears on the surface of the medical thread indicates a direction from the lower left to the upper right (Z-twist), and when the medical thread is twisted clockwise, the direction of the twist line C may be from the upper left to the lower right (S-twist).

[0069] Furthermore, the number of twist rotations refers to the number of times that one end of a unit length of medical thread is fixed while the other end is rotated by the twist rotation angle, and can indicate the degree of twist of the medical thread, i.e., the degree of twisting and the amount of twist rotation. In this case, the number of twist rotations may include cases where the angle of rotation with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the medical thread before twisting, i.e., the twist rotation angle, is greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 360 degrees. For example, as the number of twist rotations of the medical thread according to the first embodiment increases, the medical thread is twisted more and the twist angle θ becomes larger.

[0070] Therefore, as the number of torsional rotations of the medical thread according to the first embodiment increases, the torsional angle θ becomes larger, which has the effect of increasing the torsional stress of the medical thread, i.e., the primary torsional stress or first elastic force described later.

[0071] Furthermore, by adjusting variables such as the twisting angle θ, twisting rotation speed, twisting rotation angle, the thickness of the medical thread, and the outer diameter of the winding (coiling) needle, it is possible to increase or decrease the first elastic force due to the stress generated by twisting the medical thread and / or the second elastic force which is the first elastic force combined with the tensile stress of the spring.

[0072] When a typical polymer spring undergoes a heat treatment process, its elasticity improves, giving it the property of maintaining the state in which the medical thread is wound. At this time, while higher heat treatment temperatures improve elasticity, they also have the disadvantage of shortening the time until hydrolysis occurs after implantation in the human body, thus making it easier for the spring to hydrolyze and shortening the duration of the treatment effect.

[0073] However, since the lifting thread according to the first embodiment is manufactured with the medical thread pre-twisted to increase its elasticity, there is no need to raise the heat treatment temperature. Even if heat treatment is performed at a low temperature of 45% or less of the melting point (a low temperature of 50°C or less in the case of polydioxanone), it can have sufficient elasticity. This has the advantage of extending the time until hydrolysis occurs after implantation in the human body, thus prolonging the treatment effect. At this time, when the lifting thread according to the first embodiment undergoes the heat treatment process, the medical thread remains in its wound or twisted state. At this time, the internal structure of the medical thread is already twisted and will be subjected to further twisting when stretched to the length of the spring, so the principle that the resistance force to twisting (elastic force) will become even greater is utilized.

[0074] Furthermore, a simplified view of the principle behind the compression coil spring structure of the present invention is that, normally, when a compression spring is compressed, the internal structure of the spring wires undergoes torsional stress and elastic deformation in one direction. When the compressive force is removed, the twist of the wires is released, and the compressed length returns to its original state. That is, when a compression spring wound in a clockwise direction is compressed, the internal structure of the wires undergoes torsional deformation in a counterclockwise direction. When the compressed spring is released, the twist of the wires is released in a clockwise direction, and the reduced length of the spring returns. On the other hand, when a compression spring wound in a counterclockwise direction is compressed, the internal structure of the wires undergoes torsional deformation in a clockwise direction. When the compressed spring is released, the twist of the wires is released in a counterclockwise direction, and the reduced length of the spring returns.

[0075] In the second embodiment of the present invention, the lifting thread 20, which corresponds to the strands of such a compression spring, is wound in a state in which a pre-twist is formed by twisting the medical thread in one direction before winding it into the shape of a spring, so that a twist occurs in the internal structure of the medical thread in the opposite direction to when the length of the compression spring is compressed, thereby enhancing the characteristics of the compression spring. In this case, the twist direction of the medical thread in the second embodiment may be the opposite direction to that of the first embodiment described above. That is, it is pre-twisted in the same direction as the twist of the internal structure of the medical thread that occurs when the length of the compression spring is compressed, and wound around the needle, and since the twist of the internal structure of the compression spring is performed in the opposite direction to that of the tension spring, the twist direction of the medical thread in the second embodiment may be the opposite direction to that of the first embodiment described above. As a result, the twist angle θ of the lifting thread 20 in the second embodiment may be shown at the opposite position to that of the first embodiment described above.

[0076] On the other hand, in a second embodiment of the present invention, before winding the medical thread corresponding to the strands of such a compression spring into the shape of a spring, the medical thread may be twisted in the opposite direction to the winding direction of the spring to create resistance to the shear deformation (torsion) that occurs when compressing the coil spring, and then wound and shaped into the shape of a compression spring around a needle, from the tip to the rear end. At this time, increasing the resistance to axial compression deformation of the spring has the effect of increasing the elastic force of the compression spring, specifically the elastic modulus.

[0077] In describing this embodiment, the twist direction of the medical thread and the coiling direction of the spring may be determined differently depending on the direction described in the process of winding and shaping the medical thread around the needle, for example, when winding the medical thread with the needle fixed, when winding the needle with the medical thread fixed, when winding the medical thread with the tip of the needle fixed, when winding the medical thread with the rear end of the needle fixed, when fixing the first end of the medical thread and rotating the second end, when fixing the second end of the medical thread and rotating the first end, when both ends of the medical thread rotate in different directions from each other, etc.

[0078] Therefore, when the lifting thread according to this second embodiment is compressed, the elastic force due to the compression of the spring length and the torsional elastic force due to the pre-twisted medical thread combine to generate an even stronger elastic recovery force, i.e., a second elastic force described later. Even in this case, the elastic recovery force of the lifting thread according to the second embodiment can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the twist angle θ and the number of twists of the medical thread.

[0079] In this case, the torsional angle θ according to this second embodiment may be expressed as greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

[0080] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, as the number of twisting rotations of the medical thread increases, the medical thread is twisted more, the twisting angle θ becomes larger, and this has the effect of increasing the torsional stress of the medical thread, i.e., the primary torsional stress described later.

[0081] Furthermore, by adjusting variables such as the torsional angle θ, the number of torsional rotations, and the torsional rotation angle, it is possible to increase or decrease the first elastic force due to the torsional stress generated by twisting the medical thread.

[0082] Therefore, since the lifting thread 20 according to the second embodiment is manufactured by pre-twisting the medical thread to increase its elasticity, there is no need to raise the heat treatment temperature. It can have sufficient elasticity even when heat-treated at a low temperature of 45% or less of the melting point (a low temperature of 50°C or less in the case of polydioxanone), and has the advantage of a longer duration of treatment effect as it takes longer for the material to be hydrolyzed after being implanted in the human body.

[0083] Furthermore, a simplified view of the lifting thread 30 having a tension and compression coil spring composite structure according to the third embodiment of the present invention and the principle therefor, shows that the tension and compression coil spring composite structure has a tension coil spring structure in part and a compression coil spring structure in at least one other part. That is, the lifting thread 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention can be described as having two or more coil springs, each operating independently according to the principles of the tension coil spring of the first embodiment and the compression coil spring of the second embodiment, connected through the same medical thread.

[0084] A lifting thread 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention includes a composite structure in which a first twisted thread, in which a portion of one or more medical threads is twisted, is wound (coiled), and a second coil spring structure, in which a second twisted thread, in which the other portion of the medical threads is twisted in the opposite direction, is wound (coiled), are connected to each other so as to operate independently. In the composite structure lifting thread 30, the first twist angle, which is the angle at which the first twisted thread is twisted, and the second twist angle, which is the angle at which the second twisted thread is twisted, are each adjusted independently to adjust the elastic modulus of the composite structure lifting thread 30.

[0085] Specifically, the lifting thread 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is formed by first twisting one side of a medical thread in one direction (first twisted thread), then first winding it onto the outer surface of the needle 1 in the same direction as the twist of the medical thread in the form of a tension coil spring (first coil spring structure), and then second twisting the remaining portion of the medical thread in the opposite direction so that a torsional stress opposite to the primary torsional stress is generated (second twisted thread), and then second winding it onto the outer surface of the needle 1 in the same direction as the primary torsional stress in the form of a compression coil spring (second coil spring structure). Therefore, the structure of the lifting thread 30 according to the third embodiment has a tension coil spring structure in one part and a compression coil spring structure in the remaining part. For example, the first coil spring structure may be a tension coil spring structure, and the second coil spring structure may be a compression coil spring structure. Furthermore, the first twisted thread and the second twisted thread may be the same twisted thread, or they may be threads that are connected by attaching different twisted threads to each other.

[0086] In describing this embodiment, the twist direction of the medical thread and the coiling direction of the spring may be determined differently depending on whether the explanation is of the various process changes and directions described above during the process of winding and shaping the medical thread around the needle, or the explanation is of the direction as seen in the final product.

[0087] Furthermore, the ability to adjust the increase or decrease of the first elastic force due to the torsional stress generated by twisting the medical thread by using variables such as the torsional angle θ, the number of torsional rotations, and the torsional rotation angle has a beneficial effect.

[0088] In the third embodiment of the present invention, the lifting thread 30 has a portion that acts as a tension spring to pull the skin tissue and the remaining portion that acts as a compression spring to press against the skin tissue. Therefore, by utilizing the principle of pressing with one part and pulling with the other, the tensile or compressive elastic force of the skin tissue can be adjusted according to the condition of the skin tissue.

[0089] In this case, the lifting thread 30 according to the third embodiment can have independent twist angles θ, as it undergoes primary and secondary twisting stages with respect to the medical thread in this manufacturing method. For example, the lifting thread 30 according to the third embodiment can include a first twist angle θ1 derived from the primary twisting stage and appearing in the first twisted thread, and a second twist angle θ2 derived from the secondary twisting stage and appearing in the second twisted thread. The first twist angle θ1 and the second twist angle θ2 are derived from independent twisting stages and may have the same value or different values. Therefore, the lifting thread 30 according to the third embodiment can have at least one or more twist angles θ, which may be the first twist angle θ1 or the second twist angle θ2. By being able to independently adjust this twist angle θ, it is possible to have multiple elastic moduli simultaneously within the same lifting thread 30, and the tensile or compressive elastic force of the skin tissue can be adjusted in a customized manner according to the condition of the skin tissue.

[0090] On the other hand, the lifting threads 10, 20 according to the first, second, or third embodiment may be configured as a multi-stage lifting thread by connecting a large number of lifting threads in series with each other. The multi-stage lifting thread M may consist of a plurality of identical or different independent lifting threads connected in series. Specifically, the multi-stage lifting thread M may consist of n identical or different independent lifting threads connected in series through (n-1) connecting parts (not shown) (where n is any positive integer). In the multi-stage lifting thread M, the lifting thread F located at the front with respect to the direction of entry of the lifting thread during a lifting procedure may have a higher elastic modulus than the lifting thread B located at the rear. For example, the elastic modulus of the leading portion of the lifting thread F, for example, the first lifting thread F, may be 1 / 10 or more greater than the elastic modulus of the rear end of the lifting thread B, for example, the nth lifting thread B. Therefore, by connecting multiple lifting threads in series during a lifting procedure to form a multi-stage lifting thread M, the lifting thread F in front of the lifting thread M can withstand the frictional force with the skin tissue more effectively than when using a single-form lifting thread (the lifting thread according to the first and / or second embodiment described above). In this case, the connecting portion that connects adjacent lifting threads may be connected through anchors at the ends of the lifting threads, or it may be possible to join them by various methods such as fusion or bonding.

[0091] First, Figure 2 is a coupled perspective view illustrating a lifting thread insertion machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the lifting thread (tension coil spring structure) of Figure 2.

[0092] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the lifting thread insertion machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a needle 1 and a lifting thread 10, which is formed by twisting the medical thread (raw thread) in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread, and then winding (coiling) the medical thread from the tip of the outer surface of the needle 1 toward the rear end in the same direction as the twist of the medical thread using a tension coil spring structure.

[0093] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the lifting thread insertion machine 100 is configured such that, during a skin lifting procedure, a first elastic force due to the torsional stress of the medical thread and a second elastic force which is the sum of the first elastic force due to the torsional stress of the medical thread and the tensile stress generated when the lifting thread 10 is stretched are applied. Here, the first elastic force of the lifting thread 10 is configured to be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the twist angle of the medical thread.

[0094] In the lifting thread insertion machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, if the needle 1 is a bar-shaped rod filled with a solid core, or if a predetermined length of bar is filled inside a pipe-shaped needle body, the strength of the needle 1 itself is reinforced, preventing the needle 1 from breaking during the lifting procedure, thus providing the advantage of safe procedure execution.

[0095] The needle 1 has a handle 1a at its rear end that can be grasped by the practitioner. The needle 1 is usually made of an iron core, while the handle 1a is made of synthetic resin, but is not necessarily limited to this. The form and structure of the needle 1 are not limited to this embodiment and can be changed to various forms depending on the treatment conditions, etc.

[0096] After a skin lifting procedure, only the coil spring-shaped lifting threads 10 remain elastically within the skin layer while maintaining a predetermined pitch P. The reason why only the lifting threads 10 remain elastically within the skin layer while maintaining a predetermined pitch P is due to the collagen fiber structure of the skin tissue. In other words, the collagen fibers of the skin layer become integrated with the lifting threads 10, surrounding them radially inward along the outer surface of the lifting threads 10 and moving together with the threads 10. The elastic restorative force of the lifting threads 10 causes the skin to contract and be elastically lifted.

[0097] On the other hand, Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a lifting thread insertion machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, showing anchors provided at the tip and rear end of the lifting thread, and Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which, when the anchors are pulled in opposing directions during a skin lifting procedure, the anchors are locked into the skin layer by the anchor locking steps, thereby continuously maintaining the tensile state of the lifting thread.

[0098] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the lifting thread insertion machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include anchors 50 and 60 as accessories provided at the tip and rear end of the lifting thread 10, respectively. For example, the tip of the lifting thread 10, which is injected into the skin first during a lifting procedure, may include an anchor 50, and the rear end, which is injected later, may include an anchor 60.

[0099] The form of the anchor is not limited to this embodiment and can be varied in many ways, and an anchor can be selected and used from among such anchors according to the treatment conditions.

[0100] When the anchors 50 and 60 are pulled in directions opposite to each other, the anchors 50 and 60 are equipped with locking steps 51b and 61b so that they are locked into the skin layer and continuously maintain the tensile state of the lifting thread 10.

[0101] When the anchors 50 and 60 are pulled in opposing directions within the skin layer, the locking stages 51b and 61b are locked within the skin layer to continuously maintain the tensile state of the lifting thread 10.

[0102] The anchor can be formed in a variety of shapes, including conical (not shown), conical with a neck (not shown), conical with a straight-line wing (see Figure 4), conical with a straight-line arrowhead wing (not shown), conical with a cross-shaped wing (not shown), and conical or conical with a neck with a straight-line arrowhead wing (see Figure 9).

[0103] Figures 6 to 8 are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the anchor.

[0104] Anchor 50 uses a helical coupling method (shown in Figure 6), anchor 500 uses an ultrasonic fusion method (shown in Figure 7), and anchor 5000 uses a crimping method (shown in Figure 8).

[0105] The anchors 50, 500, and 5000 shown in Figures 6 to 8 consist of fastening members 52, 502, and 5002 that connect to the inner circumference of the tip of the lifting thread 10, and anchor bodies 51, 501, and 5001 that are placed over the outer circumference of the tip of the lifting thread 10. The lifting thread 10 can be fixed between the fastening members 52, 502, and 5002 and the anchor bodies 51, 501, and 5001 by a helical coupling method, an ultrasonic fusion method, or a crimping method, respectively.

[0106] The anchors 50, 500, 5000, and 60 shown in Figures 6 to 9 are connected to the tip (or rear end) of the lifting thread 10 and are equipped with locking steps 51b, 501b, 5001b, and 61b that protrude radially outward from the outer diameter of the lifting thread 10. For example, the angle of the locking steps 51b and 61b can be set to 35°, but is not necessarily limited to this.

[0107] When the lifting thread 10 is embedded inside the skin layer, the anchors 50, 500, 5000, and 60 have locking stages 51b, 501b, 5001b, and 61b that lock inside the skin layer, fixing the lifting thread 10 in a tensed state.

[0108] In addition, the anchor body 51 in Figure 6 has a spiral groove 51a formed in the center and is fixed to the outer casing of the lifting thread 10 by a screw connection method, and locking steps 51b are formed around the anchor body 51 that engage with the skin layer, so as to fix the lifting thread 10 embedded inside the skin layer in a stretched state.

[0109] In Figure 7, the anchor body 501 has a spiral groove 501a formed in the center and is fixed to the outer surface of the lifting thread 10 by ultrasonic fusion. Around the anchor body 501, locking steps 501b are formed to engage with the skin layer and serve to fix the lifting thread 10, which is embedded inside the skin layer, in a tensed state.

[0110] Furthermore, the anchor body 5001 in Figure 8 has a spiral groove 5001a formed in the center, and the fastening member 5002 is fixed in the spiral groove 5001a by a crimping method, and locking steps 5001b are formed around the anchor body 5001 that engage with the skin layer, and serve to fix the lifting thread 10 embedded inside the skin layer in a tensile state.

[0111] In addition, the anchors 50, 500, and 5000 may be formed integrally with the lifting thread 10. In this case, one anchor 50, 500, and 5000 may be provided at the leading edge and the rear half of the spring section, or multiple anchors may be formed at regular intervals to firmly bond to the skin tissue.

[0112] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating a temporary knot 62 formed on the locking step 61b of the anchor 60 provided at the rear end of the lifting thread 10 in the lifting thread insertion machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0113] Referring to Figure 9, the anchor 60 has locking steps 61b formed around it that engage with the skin layer, and plays a role in fixing the lifting thread 10 embedded in the skin layer in a tensed state. In particular, unlike the anchor 50 included in the tip of the lifting thread 10 which is injected into the skin first during the lifting procedure, the anchor 60 included in the trailing end which is injected later may have the wing direction of the locking steps 61b formed in the opposite direction to the direction in which the lifting thread 10 enters the skin, and physical interference may occur during the process in which the locking steps 61b are embedded in the skin layer. Therefore, in order to eliminate the physical interference that occurs during the process of inserting the lifting thread insertion device 100 into the skin layer during the lifting procedure and to smoothly insert the lifting thread 10 into the skin layer, an additional temporary knot 62 may be included to fill the gap (or groove) between the locking steps 61b and the lifting thread 10. The temporary knot 62 may be formed by wrapping a temporary knot thread 63 around the portion where the gap is formed to fill the gap (or groove) between the protruding portion of the locking step 61b, for example, the shape of a wing or arrowhead, and the lifting thread 10, thereby minimizing the step difference between the locking step 61b and the lifting thread 10. Furthermore, the temporary knot 62 may be designed to be removed without remaining inside the skin layer after the lifting thread 10 has been fully inserted into the skin layer, and may be made in a way that allows it to be easily untied by pulling one end of the temporary knot 62. Various methods can be applied to such knots; for example, a knot can be made in which pulling the longer end of the temporary knot 62 causes the shorter end to slip out of the temporary knot 62 and untied, but it is not necessarily limited to this. In this case, the temporary knot thread 63 can be the medical thread described above, or any other type of medical thread that is usable for medical purposes may be used.

[0114] On the other hand, Figure 10 is a side view illustrating the sliding holder and the extraction section of the lifting thread insertion machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0115] As shown in Figure 10, the lifting thread insertion machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a sliding holder 70 that is tubular in shape and is coupled to the outer surface of the needle 1 so as to be able to slide back and forth, and supports the rear end of the lifting thread 10 so as to be able to remain embedded inside the skin layer without coming out of the skin layer together with the needle 1 when the needle 1 is removed from the skin layer during a skin lifting procedure; and a pull-out portion 80 that is connected to the rear end of the lifting thread 10 so as to be exposed to the outside of the skin layer for a predetermined length when the lifting thread 10 is embedded inside the skin layer, and so as to be able to pull and stretch the lifting thread 10.

[0116] The pull-out portion 80 is a thread that is cut and removed after the lifting thread 10 is pulled to the outside of the skin layer during the skin lifting procedure. It can normally be extended at the rear end of the lifting thread 10, but it is a separately constructed thread that extends far to the rear so that it is exposed to the outside of the skin layer even after the lifting thread 10 has been embedded inside the skin layer, allowing the practitioner to easily pull it out.

[0117] The lifting thread 10 and the pull-out section 80 are not necessarily constructed separately; in some cases, they may be formed integrally with the lifting thread 10 so as to extend far to the rear along the longitudinal direction of the needle at the rear end of the lifting thread 10.

[0118] Furthermore, although not specifically shown in the drawings, the drawer portion 80 must be fixed after the lifting thread 10 has been pulled. For this purpose, it is preferable to have engraved or raised protrusions formed on the surface of the drawer portion 80 to facilitate the fixing of the drawer portion 80.

[0119] Since the lifting thread 10 can be manufactured to maintain its coil spring shape and elasticity through a heat treatment process, during the skin lifting procedure, the lifting thread 10 is pulled by the pull-out portion 80 and remains elastically embedded within the skin layer while maintaining a predetermined pitch P. At this time, the lifting thread 10 is placed inside the skin layer with accumulated elasticity, and the force (elastic restorative force) that tries to elastically restore the pitch P of the elastically changed lifting thread 10 to its original state allows for lifting of more tissue with weaker elasticity according to the elasticity of the skin layer, resulting in a more natural lifting effect. Furthermore, because there are no thorns or protrusions on the surface of the lifting thread 10, it has the effect of significantly reducing the patient's pain.

[0120] On the other hand, Figures 11 and 12 are side views illustrating the non-slip coupling portion of the lifting thread insertion machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the lifting thread insertion machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include non-slip couplings 90, 91 formed at the rear end of the lifting thread 10 and coupled relatively tightly to the outer surface of the needle 1 compared to other parts, which support the lifting thread 10 so that it is not pushed backward when the needle 1 is inserted into the skin layer during a lifting procedure, and when the needle 1 is pulled backward after the tip of the lifting thread 10 has been positioned and fixed inside the skin layer, the rear end of the lifting thread 10 is pulled out together with the needle 1 and is stretched to have elastic restorative force.

[0122] At this time, the configuration may further include a sliding holder 70, which is tubular in shape and is coupled to the outer surface of the needle 1 so as to be able to slide back and forth, and which supports the rear end of the lifting thread 10 when separating the lifting thread 10 from the needle 1 during a lifting procedure, while separating the needle 1 from the skin layer.

[0123] The non-slip bonding portions 90 and 91 tightly bond to the outer surface of the needle 1, and when embedding the needle 1 inside the skin layer or removing it from the skin layer, they play a role in maintaining the state in which the needle 1 is bonded to the outer surface of the needle 1 without slipping.

[0124] As an example of the non-slip joint, the configuration may include a tightly wound portion 90 in which the rear end of the lifting thread 10 is wound relatively tightly (firmly) around the outer surface of the needle 1 compared to other parts.

[0125] Although not shown in the drawings, in forming the tightly wound portion 90, a rod-shaped mold (not shown) with a stepped portion of a smaller diameter at one end is prepared, and the medical thread is wound spirally around the mold to form the lifting thread 10. The portion wound around the stepped portion has a spiral diameter that is relatively smaller than the other portions, thus forming the tightly wound portion 90. When such a lifting thread 10 is inserted around the needle 1, the tightly wound portion is tightly connected to the area around the needle so that it does not slip.

[0126] The provision of a sliding holder 70 behind the lifting thread 10 is preferable because it is very convenient to use when separating the lifting thread 10 from the needle 1, and it also complements the non-slip bonding portion 90 when embedding the lifting thread 10 inside the skin layer.

[0127] Furthermore, as another example of the non-slip joint, it may be configured to include a knot 91a through the intervention of a binding thread 91b that passes between the lifting thread 10 and the needle 1, thereby further tightly bonding the lifting thread 10 to the outer surface of the needle 1.

[0128] When a separate binding thread 91b is prepared and passed between the lifting thread 10 and the needle 1 and tied, the knot portion 91a is further tightly bonded to the outer surface of the needle 1 through the intervention of the binding thread 91b, thereby preventing slippage.

[0129] On the other hand, Figure 13 is a coupled perspective view illustrating a lifting thread insertion machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the lifting thread (compression coil spring structure) of Figure 13.

[0130] Referring to Figures 13 and 14, the lifting thread insertion machine 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a needle 1 and a lifting thread 20, which is formed by winding the medical thread (raw thread) in a compression coil spring structure from the tip of the outer surface of the needle 1 toward the rear end in the opposite direction to the twist of the medical thread, while the medical thread is twisted in one direction such that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread.

[0131] In the second embodiment of the present invention, the lifting thread insertion machine 200 is configured such that when the lifting thread 20 is compressed during a skin lifting procedure, the lifting thread 20 is subjected to a second elastic force which is the sum of a first elastic force due to the torsional stress of the lifting thread 20 and the compressive stress generated when the lifting thread 20 is compressed.

[0132] Here, the first elastic force of the lifting thread 20 is configured to be adjusted by changing the twist angle of the medical thread, the thickness of the medical thread, and so on.

[0133] A lifting thread insertion machine 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention further comprises a sliding holder 70, which is tubular in shape and is coupled to the outer surface (around) of the needle 1 so as to be able to slide back and forth, and when the needle 1 is pushed into the skin layer, the lifting thread 20 is not pushed behind the needle 1 but is embedded in the skin layer together with the needle 1 and compressed inside the skin layer.

[0134] The sliding holder 70 may be configured to include a gripping portion 71 for the practitioner to grasp by hand; and a sliding tube 72 extending from the gripping portion 71 toward the needle tip to support the rear end of the lifting thread 10 during the lifting procedure.

[0135] The sliding tube 72 is formed to extend beyond the tensile length of the lifting thread 10 toward the needle tip, and is configured to support the rear end of the lifting thread 10 and push the lifting thread 10 into the skin layer so that the tip of the lifting thread 10 can be inserted to the desired position in the skin layer during a skin lifting procedure.

[0136] Furthermore, the lifting thread insertion machine 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may additionally include accessories included in the lifting thread insertion machine 100 according to the first embodiment described above, such as anchors and locking steps.

[0137] On the other hand, Figure 15 is a coupled perspective view illustrating a lifting thread insertion machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 16 is a perspective view showing the lifting thread (tension and compression coil spring structure) of Figure 15.

[0138] Referring to Figures 15 and 16, the lifting thread insertion machine 300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention comprises a needle 1 and a lifting thread 30 formed by first twisting the medical thread (raw thread) in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread, first winding it on the outer surface of the needle 1 in the same direction as the twist direction in the form of a tension coil spring, second twisting the medical thread in the opposite direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread in the opposite direction to the primary torsional stress, and then second winding it on the outer surface of the needle 1 in the same direction as the primary torsional stress in the form of a compression coil spring (coiling). However, the lifting thread 30 is configured to have a combination of tension coil spring characteristics (structure) and compression coil spring characteristics (structure).

[0139] Here, the elastic force due to the torsional stress of the lifting thread 30 is configured to be adjusted by changing the twist angle of the medical thread, the thickness of the medical thread, the inner diameter of the lifting thread, the pitch, or a combination thereof.

[0140] During skin lifting procedures, the tension coil spring portion of the lifting thread 30 acts as a column (base) within the skin layer because its pitch P1 is dense, while the compression coil spring portion acts as an elastic push-up of the skin layer because its pitch P2 is not dense.

[0141] Furthermore, the lifting thread insertion machine 300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention may additionally include accessories included in the lifting thread insertion machine 100 according to the first embodiment and / or the lifting thread insertion machine 200 according to the second embodiment, such as anchors and locking steps.

[0142] On the other hand, Figure 17 is a flowchart illustrating the manufacturing method of the lifting yarn 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0143] Referring further to Figure 17, the method for manufacturing the lifting yarn 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is to manufacture a lifting yarn 10 having tensile coil spring characteristics by twisting a medical yarn (raw yarn) in one direction and then winding (coiling) it in the same direction as the twist of the medical yarn.

[0144] The method for manufacturing the lifting thread 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a twisted thread forming step (S110) in which the medical thread is twisted in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread; and a lifting thread coiling step (S120) in which the twisted thread is wound (coiled) from the tip of the outer surface of the needle toward the rear end in the same direction as the twist of the twisted thread to form a lifting thread 10 having tensile coil spring characteristics. However, when the lifting thread 30 is pulled during a skin lifting procedure, the lifting thread 30 is subjected to a first elastic force due to the torsional stress of the lifting thread 30 and a second elastic force which is the sum of the torsional stress of the lifting thread 30 and the tensile stress of the lifting thread 30.

[0145] Figure 18 is a flowchart illustrating the manufacturing method of the lifting yarn 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0146] Referring further to Figure 18, the method for manufacturing the lifting yarn 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is to twist a medical thread in one direction and then wind it in the opposite direction to the twisting direction (coiling) to produce a lifting yarn 20 having compressed coil spring characteristics.

[0147] A method for manufacturing a lifting thread 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a twisted thread forming step (S210) in which the medical thread is twisted in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread; and a lifting thread coiling step (S220) in which the twisted thread is wound (coiled) from the tip of the outer surface of the needle toward the rear end in the opposite direction to the twist of the twisted thread to form a lifting thread 20 having the characteristics of a compressed coil spring. However, during a skin lifting procedure, a first elastic force due to the torsional stress generated by twisting the medical thread and a second elastic force which is the combination of this and the compressive stress of the lifting thread 20 act upon the skin.

[0148] Furthermore, Figure 19 is a flowchart illustrating the manufacturing method of the lifting thread 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 20 is a diagram illustrating the function of the lifting thread 30 when the lifting thread 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is implanted (proceded with) in the nasal cavity (nose).

[0149] First, referring further to Figure 19, the method for manufacturing the lifting thread 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a lifting thread 30 with a composite structure in which a portion of the medical thread is first wound onto the outer surface of the needle 1 in the form of a tension coil spring, and the remaining portion of the medical thread is secondarily wound onto the outer surface of the needle 1 in the form of a compression coil spring.

[0150] A method for manufacturing a lifting thread 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a composite structure lifting thread having tensile coil spring characteristics and compression coil spring characteristics, and includes: a primary twisted thread forming step (S310) in which the medical thread is twisted in one direction so as torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread; a primary coiling step (S320) in which the primary twisted thread is wound into the form of a coil spring from the tip end to the rear end of the outer surface of the needle 1; a secondary twisted thread forming step (S330) in which the remaining portion of the medical thread is twisted in the opposite direction to the primary twisting direction so as torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread in the opposite direction; and a secondary coiling step (S340) in which the secondary twisted thread is wound on the outer surface of the needle 1 in the same direction as the primary coiling direction towards the rear end.

[0151] In the third embodiment of the present invention, the lifting thread 30 has one end acting as a tension spring to pull the skin tissue and the other end acting as a compression spring to press on the internal tissue of the skin layer. This enables a combined treatment in which some parts are pressed and others are pulled depending on the internal condition of the skin layer.

[0152] In addition, in the third embodiment of the present invention, one side of the lifting thread 30 can firmly support the lifting thread 30 like a pillar (base) of a building, with adjacent threads closely adhering to each other, while the other side can elastically push up the inside of the skin layer like a compression spring.

[0153] For example, as shown in Figure 20, when inserting the lifting thread 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention into the nasal cavity (nose) of a human body, the compression spring portion (upper portion in the drawing) of the lifting thread 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention elastically pushes up the tip of the nose to maintain a high nose, while the tension spring portion (lower portion in the drawing) adheres tightly to each other like a column (base) to firmly support the entire lifting thread 30, thus enabling a stable procedure.

[0154] Furthermore, the method for manufacturing lifting yarn according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention further includes a heat treatment step (thermoforming step) for improving the elasticity of the medical yarn. The heat treatment step is intended to maintain the form of a tension coil spring or compression coil spring even when the medical yarn (raw yarn) wound on a needle is heat-treated and the lifting yarn is removed from the needle and separated, and to further improve the elasticity of the lifting yarn.

[0155] As mentioned above, in this invention, the medical thread (raw thread) is pre-twisted to increase its elasticity. Therefore, it is not necessary to raise the heat treatment temperature to a high temperature (75% above the melting point, for example, 85°C above the polydioxanone polymer) during the heat treatment process. Sufficient elasticity can be obtained even when heat-treated at a low temperature (45% or less above the melting point - 50°C or less in the case of polydioxanone). This not only reduces the manufacturing cost of the lifting thread and improves yield, but also has the advantage of maximizing the treatment effect because the time until the lifting thread is hydrolyzed after implantation surgery in the human body is sufficiently long.

[0156] On the other hand, Figure 21 is a diagram illustrating the lifting yarn 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0157] Referring further to Figure 21, the lifting thread 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shaped to have tensile coil spring characteristics by twisting the medical thread (raw thread) in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread, and then winding (coiling) the medical thread from the tip of the outer surface of the needle 1 toward the rear end in the same direction as the twist of the medical thread (raw thread). Thus, during skin lifting procedures, the lifting thread 10 is configured to have a first elastic force due to the torsional stress when it is pulled, and a second elastic force which is the sum of this and the spring tensile stress.

[0158] In other words, conventional lifting threads do not have a twisted structure and therefore do not generate torsional stress. When the lifting thread is pulled during a skin lifting procedure, only tensile stress is generated. However, the lifting thread 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured to have tensile coil spring characteristics by first twisting the medical thread in one direction and then winding (coiling) it in the same direction as the twist of the medical thread. This results in a first elastic force due to the torsional stress when the lifting thread is pulled during a skin lifting procedure, and a second elastic force which is the sum of this and the spring tensile stress. This has the effect of generating an even stronger elastic recovery force compared to a general spring-shaped lifting thread in which the medical thread (raw thread) is not twisted beforehand.

[0159] Normally, lifting threads undergo a heat treatment process to increase their elasticity. However, conventionally, if the heat treatment temperature of the lifting thread is excessively high (75% above the melting point, for example, over 85°C in the case of polydioxanone polymers), while the elasticity of the lifting thread improves, the time for hydrolysis of the lifting thread embedded in the skin layer during skin lifting procedures is excessively short, leading to the disadvantage of easy hydrolysis and a shortened duration of the treatment effect.

[0160] However, the lifting thread 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is manufactured in a state of high elasticity by first twisting a medical thread in one direction and then winding (coiling) it in the same direction as the twist of the medical thread to have tensile coil spring characteristics. Therefore, it is not necessary to heat-treat the lifting thread 10 at a temperature higher than necessary (75% above the melting point, for example, 85°C in the case of polydioxanone polymer) during the heat treatment process of the lifting thread 10. As a result, the time it takes for the lifting thread 10 embedded in the skin layer to be hydrolyzed during the skin lifting procedure described above is shortened, and it is easily hydrolyzed, which basically eliminates the disadvantage of shortening the duration of the treatment effect.

[0161] Figure 22a is a diagram illustrating the lifting yarn 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0162] Referring further to Figure 22a, the lifting thread 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is shaped to have compression coil spring characteristics by twisting the medical thread in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread, and then winding (coiling) the medical thread from the tip of the outer surface of the needle 1 toward the rear end in the opposite direction to the twist of the medical thread (raw thread). Thus, during skin lifting procedures, the lifting thread 20 is configured to be subjected to a first elastic force due to the torsional stress when it is compressed, and a second elastic force which is the combination of this and the compressive stress.

[0163] In other words, conventional lifting threads lack a twisted structure, so when the lifting thread is compressed (pressed on both sides) during a skin lifting procedure, only compressive stress is generated. However, the lifting thread 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is configured to have the characteristics of a compressive coil spring by first twisting the medical thread in one direction and then winding it in the opposite direction to the twist (coiling). This results in a second elastic force acting on the lifting thread, which is a combination of the first elastic force due to the torsional stress when the lifting thread is compressed during a skin lifting procedure and the spring compressive stress. This has the effect of generating an even stronger elastic recovery force compared to a general spring-shaped lifting thread in which the medical thread (raw thread) is not twisted beforehand.

[0164] Normally, lifting threads undergo a heat treatment process to increase their elasticity. However, conventionally, if the heat treatment temperature of the lifting thread is excessively high (75% above the melting point, for example, over 85°C in the case of polydioxanone polymers), while the elasticity of the lifting thread improves, the time for hydrolysis of the lifting thread embedded in the skin layer during skin lifting procedures is excessively short, leading to the disadvantage of easy hydrolysis and a shortened duration of the treatment effect.

[0165] However, the lifting thread 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is manufactured in a state of high elasticity by twisting a medical thread in one direction and then winding it in the opposite direction to the twist direction (coiling) to have the characteristics of a compressed coil spring. Therefore, in the heat treatment process of the lifting thread 20, it is not necessary to treat the lifting thread at an unnecessarily high temperature (75% above the melting point, for example, 85°C in the case of polydioxanone polymer). As a result, the time required for the lifting thread 20 embedded in the skin layer during the skin lifting procedure described above to be hydrolyzed is shortened, and the disadvantage of the procedure effect being shortened as a result of hydrolysis is basically eliminated.

[0166] Figure 22b is a photograph showing a multi-stage lifting yarn according to the first and / or second embodiment of the present invention.

[0167] Referring to Figure 22b, the lifting threads according to the first and / or second embodiments described above can be configured as a multi-stage lifting thread M by connecting a large number of lifting threads in series with each other. The multi-stage lifting thread M may consist of a plurality of identical or different independent lifting threads connected in series. Specifically, the multi-stage lifting thread M may consist of n identical or different independent lifting threads connected in series through (n-1) connecting parts (not shown) (where n is any positive integer). In the multi-stage lifting thread M, the lifting thread F located at the front with respect to the direction of entry of the lifting thread during a lifting procedure may have a higher elastic modulus than the lifting thread B located at the rear. For example, the elastic modulus of the leading portion of the lifting thread F, for example, the first lifting thread F, may be 1 / 10 or more greater than the elastic modulus of the trailing end of the lifting thread B, for example, the nth lifting thread B. Therefore, by connecting multiple lifting threads in series during a lifting procedure to form a multi-stage lifting thread M, the lifting thread F in front of the lifting thread M can withstand the frictional force with the skin tissue more effectively than when using a single-form lifting thread (the lifting thread according to the first and / or second embodiment described above). In this case, the connecting portion that connects adjacent lifting threads may be connected through anchors at the ends of the lifting threads, or it may be possible to join them by various methods such as fusion or bonding.

[0168] Figure 23 is a diagram illustrating a lifting yarn 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0169] Referring further to Figure 23, the lifting thread 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is formed by first twisting the medical thread in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread, and then winding one end of the medical thread in the same direction as the first twist while moving from the front end to the rear end of the outer surface of the needle 1 to form a tensile coil spring. Subsequently, the remaining portion of the medical thread is secondarily twisted in the opposite direction to the first twist so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread, and then winding the remaining portion of the medical thread in the same direction as the first twist while moving towards the rear end of the outer surface of the needle 1 to form a compression coil spring, thereby creating a composite structure having both tensile coil spring and compression coil spring characteristics.

[0170] In the third embodiment of the present invention, the lifting thread 30 is configured such that, during a lifting procedure, the tension coil spring portion of the lifting thread 30 acts as a column within the skin layer because its pitch P1 is dense, and the compression coil spring portion acts as a push-up portion of the skin layer because its pitch P2 is not dense.

[0171] The elastic force due to torsional stress in the lifting thread 30 is configured to be adjusted by changing the twist angle of the medical thread, the thickness of the medical thread, the inner diameter of the lifting thread, the pitch, or a combination thereof.

[0172] Medical threads typically use materials such as silicone, polypropylene, and polydioxanone poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) with a diameter of approximately 0.15 to 0.8 mm. The medical threads according to the present invention are not limited to threads; all other components using medical materials are also possible.

[0173] As explained above, the present invention has the following effects.

[0174] Firstly, by twisting medical thread and then coiling it around the outer surface of a needle to manufacture a lifting thread in the form of a coil spring, when the lifting thread is pulled or compressed during the skin lifting procedure, a second elastic force acts, which is the sum of the first elastic force due to the torsional stress of the lifting thread and the tensile or compressive stress of the lifting thread. As a result, a considerable amount of elastic force remains even after a long time has passed since the skin lifting procedure, so the treated skin does not sag at all and the elasticity of the skin is maintained, thereby maximizing the lifting effect.

[0175] Secondly, while lifting threads typically undergo a heat treatment process to increase their elasticity, if the heat treatment temperature is excessively high (75% above the melting point, for example, over 85°C in the case of polydioxanone polymers), although the elasticity of the lifting thread improves, the lifting thread embedded in the skin layer during skin lifting procedures has an excessively short time for hydrolysis, leading to the disadvantage of easily hydrolyzing and shortening the duration of the treatment effect. However, the lifting thread of the present invention is first twisted in one direction, and then the twist of the medical thread... Because the threads are manufactured in a highly elastic state by being wound (coiled) in the same direction as or opposite to the twisting direction to have tensile or compressive coil spring characteristics, it is no longer necessary to heat-treat the lifting threads at excessively high temperatures (75% above the melting point, for example, over 85°C in the case of polydioxanone polymers) during the heat treatment process. As a result, the time it takes for the lifting threads embedded in the skin layer to hydrolyze during skin lifting procedures is shortened, and the disadvantage of the treatment effect being shortened by hydrolysis is essentially eliminated.

[0176] Thirdly, when a lifting thread with a composite coil spring structure is used in the nasal cavity (nose), the compression spring portion of the lifting thread pushes up the tip of the nose to maintain a high nose, while the tension spring portion adheres tightly to each other like a pillar (base), firmly supporting the entire lifting thread, thus enabling a stable procedure.

[0177] Fourth, because the procedure can be performed in a stable state due to the role of the column, it has the effect of allowing for safe procedure without the lifting thread breaking and undergoing thermal deformation (permanent deformation) due to carelessness during the procedure, thus preventing loss of elastic recovery force.

[0178] Fifth, when the lifting thread is embedded in the skin layer, it is supported by the non-slip joint and is not pushed back, allowing for smooth insertion into the skin layer. Furthermore, once the lifting thread is embedded in the skin layer, when the needle is removed from the skin layer after fixing the tip of the lifting thread, the lifting thread stretches and generates elastic restorative force, making the procedure very convenient.

[0179] On the other hand, preferred embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein and in the drawings, and although specific terms are used, these are merely general terms used to facilitate the explanation of the technical content of the invention and to aid in the understanding of the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It will be obvious to those ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains that other modifications based on the technical idea of ​​the present invention are also possible in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0180] For example, accessories such as anchors, locking steps, pull-out sections, and non-slip coupling sections are not limited to the lifting thread insertion machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, but can be applied identically to other embodiments. Furthermore, the technology of the present invention is not limited to skin lifting procedures, but can be applied identically to cosmetic surgery and other procedures.

[0181] Example 1: Lifting yarn with a tension coil spring structure having a torsional rotation speed of approximately 480. A twisted thread with approximately 480 twists (TPM; twists per meter) was produced by twisting a 1m medical thread about 480 times. This twisted thread was then coiled to produce a lifting thread with a tension coil spring structure. Specifically, the twisted thread was positioned around a tubular needle that rotates counterclockwise, and the thread was wound from the tip to the rear end of the needle. The inner diameter of the coil spring was the same as the outer diameter of the needle. The lifting thread with a tension coil spring structure produced in this way had a Z-twist form, specifically, the winding direction of the strands was left-handed; that is, when viewing the winding direction of the strands with the observer as the reference point, and assuming the spring is lying parallel to the plane of the paper, the direction was from the upper left to the lower right.

[0182] Figure 24 is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of the tension coil spring structure according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0183] Referring to Figure 24, it can be confirmed that the lifting yarn of a tension coil spring structure, manufactured by twisting it to a number of torsional rotations of approximately 480, has a torsional angle θ of approximately 31.500°.

[0184] Example 2: Lifting yarn with a tension coil spring structure having a torsional rotation speed of approximately 420. A lifting thread having a tension coil spring structure was manufactured using the same method as in Example 1, except that a 1m medical thread was twisted approximately 420 times to produce a twisted thread with approximately 420 twisting rotations.

[0185] Figure 25 is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of the tension coil spring structure according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0186] Referring to Figure 25, it can be confirmed that the lifting yarn of a tension coil spring structure, manufactured by twisting it to a number of torsional rotations of approximately 420, has a torsional angle θ of approximately 23.863°.

[0187] Example 3: Lifting yarn with a tension coil spring structure having a torsional rotation speed of approximately 360. A lifting thread having a tension coil spring structure was manufactured using the same method as in Example 1, except that a 1m medical thread was twisted approximately 360 times to produce a twisted thread with approximately 360 twisting rotations.

[0188] Figure 26 is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of the tension coil spring structure according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0189] Referring to Figure 26, it can be confirmed that the lifting thread of a tension coil spring structure, manufactured by twisting it to a number of torsional rotations of approximately 360, has a torsional angle θ of approximately 20.606°.

[0190] Example 4: Lifting yarn with a tension coil spring structure having a torsional rotation speed of approximately 300. A lifting thread having a tension coil spring structure was manufactured using the same method as in Example 1, except that a 1m medical thread was twisted approximately 300 times to produce a twisted thread with approximately 300 twisting rotations.

[0191] Figure 27 is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of the tension coil spring structure according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0192] Referring to Figure 27, it can be confirmed that the lifting thread of a tension coil spring structure, manufactured by twisting it to a number of torsional rotations of approximately 300, has a torsional angle θ of approximately 16.48°.

[0193] Example 5: Lifting yarn with a tension coil spring structure having a torsional rotation speed of approximately 240. A lifting thread having a tension coil spring structure was manufactured using the same method as in Example 1, except that a 1m medical thread was twisted approximately 240 times to produce a twisted thread with approximately 240 twisting rotations.

[0194] Figure 28 is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of the tension coil spring structure according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

[0195] Referring to Figure 28, it can be confirmed that the lifting yarn of a tension coil spring structure, manufactured by twisting it to a number of torsional rotations of approximately 240, has a torsional angle θ of approximately 14.149°.

[0196] Example 6: Lifting yarn with a tension coil spring structure having a torsional rotation speed of approximately 180. A lifting thread having a tension coil spring structure was manufactured using the same method as in Example 1, except that a 1m medical thread was twisted approximately 180 times to produce a twisted thread with approximately 180 twisting rotations.

[0197] Figure 29 is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of the tension coil spring structure according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

[0198] Referring to Figure 29, it can be confirmed that the lifting yarn of a tension coil spring structure, manufactured by coiling a twisted yarn that has been twisted approximately 180 times, has a twist angle θ of approximately 11.793°.

[0199] Example 7: Lifting yarn with a tension coil spring structure having a torsional rotation speed of approximately 120. A lifting thread having a tension coil spring structure was manufactured using the same method as in Example 1, except that a 1m medical thread was twisted approximately 120 times to produce a twisted thread with approximately 120 twisting rotations.

[0200] Figure 30 is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of the tension coil spring structure according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

[0201] Referring to Figure 30, it can be confirmed that the lifting yarn of a tension coil spring structure, manufactured by coiling a twisted yarn that has been twisted approximately 120 times, has a twist angle θ of approximately 5.817°.

[0202] Example 8: Lifting yarn with a tension coil spring structure having a torsional rotation speed of approximately 60. A lifting thread having a tension coil spring structure was manufactured using the same method as in Example 1, except that a 1m medical thread was twisted approximately 60 times to produce a twisted thread with approximately 60 twisting rotations.

[0203] Figure 31 is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of the tension coil spring structure according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

[0204] Referring to Figure 31, it can be confirmed that the lifting yarn of a tension coil spring structure, manufactured by coiling a twisted yarn that has been twisted approximately 60 times, has a twist angle θ of approximately 4.68°.

[0205] Comparative Example 1: Lifting thread with a tension coil spring structure using untwisted medical thread A 1m medical thread was used in its untwisted state and wound up (coiled) to manufacture a lifting thread with a tension coil spring structure.

[0206] Figure 32 is a surface photograph of the lifting yarn of the tensile coil spring structure according to Comparative Example 1 of the present invention.

[0207] Referring to Figure 32, it can be confirmed that a lifting thread with a tension coil spring structure, manufactured by coiling untwisted medical thread without using twisted thread, has a twist angle θ of approximately 0.745°.

[0208] Figure 33 is a graph showing the tensile stress due to the tensile deformation rate of the lifting yarn according to Examples 1, 3, and 5 of the present invention.

[0209] Referring to Figure 33, it can be confirmed that the lifting yarns according to Examples 1, 3, and 5 of the present invention have a larger elastic modulus in order of increasing torsional rotation speed.

[0210] Figure 34 is a graph showing the Young's modulus of the lifting yarn according to the reverse twist angle in Examples 1 to 8 and Comparative Example 1 of the present invention.

[0211] Referring to Figure 34, Examples 1-8 and Comparative Example 1 of the present invention relate to lifting yarns for tensile spring structures. Using these, the Young's modulus (elastic modulus) was measured at reverse torsion angles, and it was confirmed that the Young's modulus (elastic modulus) tends to increase linearly as the torsion angle increases. The Young's moduli of Examples 1-8 and Comparative Example 1 of the present invention were measured at 31.5 MPa, 23.6 MPa, 20.7 MPa, 16.5 MPa, 14.1 MPa, 11.6 MPa, 5.8 MPa, 5.0 MPa, and 0.8 MPa, respectively, and the torsion angles at these times were 0.59, 0.52, 0.36, 0.33, 0.29, 0.27, 0.22, 0.20, and 0.72, respectively.

[0212] The specific explanation for deriving this is as follows:

[0213] When a load F is applied to a spring, torsional deformation occurs in the medical threads corresponding to the spring's strands. The torque (T) acting at this time can be expressed by equation 1 below. The shear stress within the spring's strands can be derived through equations 1 to 3 below. [Formula 1] TIFF2026515160000002.tif1222[Formula 2] TIFF2026515160000003.tif1215[Formula 3] TIFF2026515160000004.tif1218

[0214] In equations 1 to 3 above, T is the torque acting on the spring wire when torsional deformation occurs, F is the force applied in the axial direction, D is the coil diameter of the coil spring, I is the second area moment of bending, γ is the shear deformation rate, r is the diameter of the wire, and s is the change in axial expansion of the coil over one rotation.

[0215] The elastic modulus (k) of a spring in which the spring wires are pre-torn to increase the axial tensile deformation resistance of the coil spring can be expressed by the following equation 4. [Formula 4] TIFF2026515160000005.tif1324

[0216] In equation 4 above, G represents the shear modulus, which is a function of the torsional angle θ of the spring wire, d is the diameter of the wire, D is the coil diameter of the coil spring, and N is the rotational speed of the coil spring.

[0217] In summary, the present invention creates resistance to shear deformation by forming a preset torsion in the wires in the opposite direction to the shear deformation (torsion) that occurs when the coil spring is stretched. This resistance is then used to increase the axial tensile deformation resistance of the spring, thereby increasing the elastic modulus of the spring. Therefore, the more preset torsion is formed (the larger the torsion angle), the greater the resistance to shear deformation (G) is created, and the greater the axial tensile deformation resistance of the spring, the greater the elastic modulus (k) of the spring. In summary, the shear modulus (G) and the elastic modulus (k) of the spring may be defined as having a linear relationship.

[0218] On the other hand, the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein and in the drawings are merely examples provided to aid understanding and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It will be obvious to those ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains that other modifications based on the technical idea of ​​the invention are possible, in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0219] 1: Needle 1a: Handle part 10: Lifting yarn according to the first embodiment of the present invention 20: Lifting yarn according to the second embodiment of the present invention 30: Lifting yarn according to the third embodiment of the present invention 50, 500, 5000, 60: Anchor 51, 501, 5001: Fastening members 52, 502, 5002: Anchor body 70: Sliding holder 71: Grip part 72: Sliding pipe 80: Drawer section 90: Non-slip joint 91a: Knot 91b: Binding thread 100: Lifting thread insertion machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention 200: Lifting thread insertion machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention 300: Lifting thread insertion machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention 51a, 501a, 5001a: Spiral groove 51b, 501b, 5001b, 61b: Locking step 62: Temporary knot 63: Thread for temporary knots P: pitch L: The longitudinal central axis of the twisted yarn (a virtual line) C: A twisted line formed by twisting and deforming parallel lines shown along the longitudinal direction of the medical thread. M: Multi-stage lifting yarn F: First lifting thread at the tip B: The nth lifting thread at the rear end.

Claims

1. A lifting thread having a coil spring structure in which a twisted thread is wound (coiled) from a single or more medical threads twisted around the longitudinal central axis (L) of the medical threads, The lifting thread is characterized by adjusting the elastic modulus of the lifting thread by adjusting the twist angle (θ), which is the angle at which the torsion thread is twisted.

2. A composite lifting thread (30) includes a composite structure in which a first coil spring structure is wound (coiled) with a first twisted thread in which a portion of one or more medical threads is twisted, and a second coil spring structure is wound (coiled) with a second twisted thread in which the other portion of the medical threads is twisted in the opposite direction, and these are connected so as to operate independently, A lifting yarn characterized in that, in the composite structure lifting yarn (30), the first twist angle, which is the angle at which the first twisted yarn is twisted, and the second twist angle, which is the angle at which the second twisted yarn is twisted, are each adjusted independently to adjust the elastic modulus of the composite structure lifting yarn (30).

3. The lifting yarn according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the elastic modulus of the lifting yarn increases as the twist angle (θ) increases.

4. The lifting thread according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the elastic modulus of the lifting thread is adjusted by changing the thickness of the medical thread, the inner diameter of the lifting thread, the pitch, or a combination thereof.

5. The lifting yarn includes a multi-stage lifting yarn (M) in which multiple independent lifting yarns, which are either identical or different to each other, are connected in series. The lifting thread according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the multi-stage lifting thread (M) has a higher elastic modulus at a certain lifting thread (F) located at the front end with respect to the direction of entry of the lifting thread during a lifting procedure than at another lifting thread (B) located at the rear end.

6. A method for manufacturing a lifting thread with a coil spring structure, which is formed by twisting medical threads and then winding (coiling) the twisted thread, A twisted thread forming step in which the medical thread is twisted around its longitudinal central axis (L) so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread; and A lifting thread coiling step is included in which the torsion thread is wound into the form of a coil spring (coiling) to form a lifting thread; A method for manufacturing a lifting thread, characterized in that, during a skin lifting procedure, a second elastic force acts, which is the sum of a first elastic force due to the torsional stress generated during the torsion thread forming stage and an elastic force generated by tension or compression during the skin lifting procedure.

7. A method for manufacturing a lifting thread (10) having tensile coil spring characteristics by winding a medical thread (1) onto the outer surface of a needle (10), A twisted thread forming step (S110) in which the medical thread is twisted in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread; and The lifting thread coiling step (S120) includes winding the twisted thread from the tip of the outer surface of the needle toward the rear end in the same direction as the twisting direction of the twisted thread to form a lifting thread (10) having tensile coil spring characteristics; A method for manufacturing a lifting thread, characterized in that, during a skin lifting procedure, the lifting thread (10) is subjected to a second elastic force which is the sum of a first elastic force due to the torsional stress of the medical thread and a tensile stress due to the stretching of the lifting thread (10).

8. A method for manufacturing a lifting thread (20) having compression coil spring characteristics by winding medical thread onto the outer surface of a needle (1), A twisted thread forming step (S210) in which the medical thread is twisted in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread; and The process includes a lifting thread coiling step (S220) in which the twisted thread is wound (coiled) from the tip of the outer surface of the needle toward the rear end in the opposite direction to the twisting direction of the twisted thread to form a lifting thread (20) having compression coil spring characteristics; A method for manufacturing a lifting thread, characterized in that, during a skin lifting procedure, the lifting thread (20) is configured to be subjected to a second elastic force which is a combination of a first elastic force due to the torsional stress of the medical thread and a compressive stress due to the compression of the lifting thread (20).

9. A method for manufacturing a lifting yarn (30) having a composite structure with tensile coil spring characteristics and compression coil spring characteristics, A primary twisted thread forming step (S310) in which the medical thread is twisted in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread; The primary coiling step (S320) involves winding the primary twisted thread into the form of a coil spring, starting from the tip of the outer surface of the needle (1) and moving towards the rear end; A secondary twisted thread forming step (S3(30)) in which the remaining portion of the medical thread is twisted in the opposite direction to the primary twisting direction so that torsional stress is generated in the opposite direction inside the medical thread; and A method for manufacturing a composite structure lifting yarn, comprising a secondary coiling step (S340) in which the secondary twisted yarn is wound onto the outer surface of the needle (1) in the same direction as the primary coiling direction while moving toward the rear end;

10. A method for producing a lifting yarn according to any one of claims 6 to 9, further comprising a heat treatment step for improving the elasticity of the lifting yarn.

11. Needles used for medical purposes (1); and The medical thread is twisted in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread, and the medical thread is wound from the tip of the outer surface of the needle (1) toward the rear end in the same direction as the twist of the medical thread to form a lifting thread that has tensile coil spring characteristics. A lifting thread insertion machine characterized in that, during a skin lifting procedure, a second elastic force is applied by combining a first elastic force caused by torsional stress generated by pre-twisting the medical thread and a second elastic force generated by stretching the tension coil spring.

12. Needles used for medical purposes (1); and The medical thread is twisted in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread, and the medical thread is wound from the tip of the outer surface of the needle (1) toward the rear end in the opposite direction to the twist of the medical thread to form a lifting thread that has the characteristics of a compressed coil spring. A lifting thread insertion machine characterized in that, during a skin lifting procedure, a second elastic force acts, which is the combination of a first elastic force due to the torsional stress generated by pre-twisting the medical thread and a compressive stress generated by compressing a compression coil spring.

13. Needles used for medical purposes (1); and The lifting thread includes a portion of the medical thread that is primary twisted in one direction so that torsional stress is generated inside the medical thread, and wound onto the outer surface of the needle (1) from the tip to the rear end in the form of a primary coil spring, and the remaining portion of the medical thread that is secondary twisted in the opposite direction to the primary twist, and wound onto the outer surface of the needle (1) in the same direction as the primary coil spring towards the rear end (coiling), A lifting thread insertion machine characterized in that the lifting thread has a composite structure including tensile coil spring characteristics and compression coil spring characteristics.

14. The lifting yarn includes a multi-stage lifting yarn (M) in which multiple independent lifting yarns, which are either identical or different to each other, are connected in series. The lifting thread insertion machine according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the multi-stage lifting thread (M) has a higher elastic modulus for a lifting thread (F) located at the front end with respect to the direction of entry of the lifting thread during a lifting procedure than for another lifting thread (B) located at the rear end.

15. The lifting thread includes anchors (50, 60) provided at the leading and trailing ends, respectively, A lifting thread insertion machine according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that when the anchors (50, 60) are pulled in directions opposite to each other, the locking stages (51b, 61b) of the anchors (50, 60) are provided in directions opposite to each other so as to be locked in the skin layer and continuously maintain the tensile state of the lifting thread.

16. The lifting thread insertion machine according to claim 15, further comprising a locking step (61b) in the anchor (60) provided at the rear end of the lifting thread, which includes a temporary knot (62) to prevent physical interference during the process in which the lifting thread is embedded inside the skin layer.

17. A sliding holder (70) which is tubular in shape and is coupled to the outer surface of the needle (1) so as to be able to slide back and forth, and which supports the rear end of the lifting thread so that when the needle (1) is removed from the skin layer during a skin lifting procedure the lifting thread is not pulled out of the skin layer together with the needle (1) but remains embedded inside the skin layer; and A lifting thread insertion machine according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising: a pull-out portion (80) connected to the rear end of the lifting thread so as to be exposed to the outside of the skin layer for a predetermined length when the lifting thread is embedded inside the skin layer, and so as to be able to pull and stretch the lifting thread.

18. A non-slip coupling portion (90) formed at the rear end of the lifting thread, which is tightly coupled to the outer surface of the needle (1) compared to other parts, and which supports the lifting thread so that it is not pushed backward when the needle (1) is inserted into the skin layer during a lifting procedure, and when the needle (1) is pulled backward after the tip of the lifting thread has been fixed in position inside the skin layer, the rear end of the lifting thread is pulled out together with the needle (1) and is stretched to have elastic restorative force; and A lifting thread insertion machine according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising: a sliding holder (70) having a tubular shape and being coupled to the outer surface of the needle (1) so as to be able to slide back and forth, and which can separate the needle (1) from the skin layer while supporting the rear end of the lifting thread when separating the lifting thread from the needle (1) during a lifting procedure;

19. A lifting thread insertion machine according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the elastic force due to the torsional stress of the lifting thread is adjusted by changing the twist angle of the medical thread, the thickness of the medical thread, the inner diameter of the lifting thread, the pitch, or a combination thereof.

20. A lifting thread insertion machine according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that, during a lifting procedure, the tension coil spring portion of the lifting thread acts as a column within the skin layer because its pitch P1 is dense, and the compression coil spring portion acts as a push-up portion of the skin layer because its pitch (P2) is not dense.

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