RF application apparatus comprising composite electrode

Abstract

The present invention relates to an RF application apparatus comprising a composite electrode that induces surface thermal stimulation and deep thermal stimulation. The RF application apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first treatment electrode that applies RF energy through skin tissue of a first layer which is a skin surface; a second treatment electrode that includes a plurality of needle electrodes and applies RF energy through skin tissue of a second layer located deeper than the first layer; and at least one return electrode configured to allow returning of RF energy applied from the first treatment electrode or the second treatment electrode, wherein the second treatment electrode is configured to be drawn out and drawn in through the first treatment electrode, and the first treatment electrode and the second treatment electrode are configured to operate simultaneously or selectively.

Description

RF application device including composite electrodes

[0001] The present invention relates to an RF application device, and more particularly, to an RF application device including a composite electrode that induces surface thermal stimulation and deep thermal stimulation.

[0002] A variety of skin care devices are being developed to promote collagen growth within the skin or remove scars and discoloration. These devices use various energy sources to intentionally damage the dermis layer beneath the epidermis, stimulating collagen growth and remodeling.

[0003] Devices that use radio frequency (RF) energy sources work by using high-frequency energy to move cells in the skin and generate heat.

[0004] It is broadly divided into invasive and non-invasive methods. In the case of the representative non-invasive method, there is a device that uses a monopolar RF electrode, and in the case of the invasive method, there is a known device that uses a fine needle RF electrode.

[0005] There are various types of conventional RF devices for skin beauty, and each device has different application depth and effects depending on its treatment principle and function.

[0006] Therefore, the purpose of the RF application device of the present invention is to present a device that can exhibit a more improved effect by applying complex high-frequency stimulation to various depths within the skin.

[0007] Specifically, the RF application device of the present invention aims to provide an RF application device capable of simultaneously or selectively inducing surface thermal stimulation and deep thermal stimulation. In addition, the RF application device of the present invention aims to provide an RF application device that combines invasive and non-invasive methods.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, an RF application device including a composite electrode that induces surface thermal stimulation and deep thermal stimulation comprises a first treatment electrode that applies RF energy through skin tissue of a first layer that is a skin surface; a second treatment electrode that applies RF energy through skin tissue of a second layer located deeper than the first layer and is composed of a plurality of needle electrodes; and at least one return electrode configured to return RF energy applied from the first treatment electrode or the second treatment electrode; wherein the second treatment electrode is configured to be drawn in and drawn out through the first treatment electrode, and the first treatment electrode and the second treatment electrode are configured to operate simultaneously or selectively.

[0009] In addition, the RF application device according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured such that the first treatment electrode includes a plate-shaped conductive plate, a dielectric layer coated on the conductive plate, and a plurality of through holes penetrating the conductive plate and the dielectric layer, and is driven to capacitively transmit RF energy from the conductive plate through the dielectric layer to the skin tissue of the first layer, and the second treatment electrode passes through the through holes.

[0010] In addition, the RF application device according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured such that the first treatment electrode includes a plate-shaped conductive plate and a plurality of through holes penetrating the conductive plate, and is driven to electrically resistively transmit RF energy from the conductive plate to the skin tissue of the first layer, and the second treatment electrode passes through the through holes.

[0011] In addition, the RF application device according to one embodiment of the present invention may be such that the first treatment electrode is driven to have a first polarity, and the return electrode is driven to have a second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity.

[0012] In addition, an RF application device according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first treatment electrode includes at least two conductive plates in the form of plates, some of the conductive plates in the form of plates can be driven to have a first polarity, and the remaining plates can be driven to have a second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity.

[0013] In addition, the RF application device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second treatment electrode includes a plurality of conductive needle electrodes, each of the needle electrodes is arranged in an array form with a predetermined interval between adjacent needle electrodes, and some of the plurality of conductive needle electrodes can be driven to have a first polarity, and the remaining needle electrodes can be driven to have a second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity.

[0014] In addition, the RF application device according to one embodiment of the present invention can be driven so that adjacent needle electrodes have different polarities.

[0015] In addition, the RF application device according to one embodiment of the present invention can be driven so that the needle electrodes having the first polarity form a first region and the needle electrodes having the second polarity form a second region.

[0016] In addition, the RF application device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second treatment electrode includes a plurality of conductive needle electrodes, each of the needle electrodes is arranged in an array form with a predetermined interval between adjacent needle electrodes, the plurality of conductive needle electrodes can be driven to have a first polarity, and the return electrode can be driven to have a second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity.

[0017] In addition, an RF application device according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes a control unit that controls driving of the first treatment electrode and the second treatment electrode and output RF energy; and the control unit can perform a first stimulation step of applying frequency-modulated energy through the first treatment electrode; a second stimulation step of applying high-frequency energy through the first treatment electrode; and a third stimulation step of applying high-frequency energy after introducing the second treatment electrode into the skin tissue of the second layer.

[0018] In addition, in the RF application device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second stimulation step and the third stimulation step can be performed simultaneously or sequentially.

[0019] In addition, in an RF application device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the RF energy applied to the first stimulation step may be included in a range modulated to low-frequency energy of 200 Hz or less with a frequency of 5 KHz to 100 KHz as a carrier frequency, and the frequency of the RF energy applied to the second stimulation step and the third stimulation step may be included in a range of 1 MHz to 10 MHz.

[0020] The RF application device of the present invention provides a composite electrode structure capable of applying RF stimulation to various depths within the skin, thereby enabling surface thermal stimulation and deep thermal stimulation to be performed simultaneously or selectively.

[0021] In addition, the RF application device of the present invention can provide a device capable of performing complex treatment by combining the advantages of each method by combining an electrode structure capable of performing invasive treatment and an electrode structure capable of performing non-invasive treatment.

[0022] In addition, the RF application device of the present invention can provide a more improved treatment effect by applying complex RF stimulation to various depths within the skin through a single device.

[0023] In addition, the RF application device of the present invention can perform pain reduction and treatment simultaneously or sequentially through a composite electrode structure, thereby complementing the limitations of existing high-frequency treatment with respect to pain and maximizing the treatment effect.

[0024] Figure 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an RF application device of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an RF application device of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a composite electrode included in the RF application device of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining steps according to a first embodiment of inducing surface thermal stimulation and deep thermal stimulation using an RF application device of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 is a graph schematically illustrating RF stimulation applied according to the steps of Figure 4.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining steps according to a second embodiment of inducing surface thermal stimulation and deep thermal stimulation using an RF application device of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 7 is a graph schematically illustrating RF stimulation applied according to the steps of Figure 6.

[0031] Figure 8 is a drawing for explaining an example of the polarity arrangement of the first treatment electrode among the composite electrodes of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 9 is a drawing for explaining an example of the polarity arrangement of the second treatment electrode among the composite electrodes of the present invention.

[0033] The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided solely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined solely by the scope of the claims.

[0034] Although terms like "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another. Therefore, it should be understood that a "first" component referred to below may also be a "second" component within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0035] In the examples below, terms such as “include” or “have” mean that a feature or component described in the specification is present, and do not preclude the possibility that one or more other features or components may be added.

[0036] For convenience of explanation, the sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced. For example, the sizes and shapes of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation, and thus the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is shown.

[0037] Identical reference numerals throughout the specification refer to identical components.

[0038] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0039] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on" or "on" another element or layer, this includes not only directly on the other element or layer, but also whether or not there are other intervening elements or layers. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly on" the other element or layer, this means that there are no intervening elements or layers.

[0040] Spatially relative terms such as "below," "beneath," "lower," "above," and "upper" may be used to readily describe the relationship between one component or another as depicted in the drawings. Spatially relative terms should be understood to include different directions of use or operation of the element in addition to the directions depicted in the drawings.

[0041] The individual features of the various embodiments of the present invention can be partially or wholly combined or combined with each other, and as can be fully understood by those skilled in the art, various technical connections and operations are possible, and each embodiment can be implemented independently of each other or can be implemented together in a related relationship.

[0042] Hereinafter, an RF application device (1000) including a composite electrode (100) of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0043] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are block diagrams schematically illustrating an RF application device (1000) of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a composite electrode (100) included in the RF application device (1000) of the present invention.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the RF application device (1000) of the present invention includes a composite electrode (100) capable of simultaneously performing surface thermal stimulation and deep thermal stimulation of the skin. In addition, the RF application device (1000) of the present invention may include a hand piece (200) and a control unit (300) connected to the composite electrode (100).

[0045] The composite electrode (100) includes a plurality of treatment electrodes capable of applying RF stimulation to various depths within the skin. The present invention provides a structure of such a composite electrode (100), thereby enabling simultaneous or selective performance of surface thermal stimulation and deep thermal stimulation of the skin. The RF application device (1000) of the present invention includes the composite electrode (100), thereby enabling the application of complex RF stimulation to various depths within the skin through a single device, and can exhibit improved therapeutic effects compared to conventional devices.

[0046] The composite electrode (100) includes a first treatment electrode (110) and a second treatment electrode (120).

[0047] The first treatment electrode (110) is a non-invasive treatment electrode that can apply RF energy through the skin tissue of the first layer (10), which is the skin surface. Here, the first layer (10) may be the epidermal layer of the skin. The first treatment electrode (110) can apply RF energy non-invasively through the epidermal layer to the dermal layer deep in the skin.

[0048] The first treatment electrode (110) may be formed as a capacitive electric transfer (CET) electrode including a plate-shaped conductive plate (111) and a dielectric layer (112) coated on the conductive plate (111). The first treatment electrode (110) may be driven to capacitively transfer RF energy from the conductive plate (111) through the dielectric layer (112) to the skin tissue of the first layer (10).

[0049] Meanwhile, unlike the drawing, the dielectric layer (112) coated on the conductive plate (111) may be omitted. The first treatment electrode (110) may include a plate-shaped conductive plate (111) and a plurality of through holes (113) penetrating the conductive plate (111). The first treatment electrode (110) may be driven so that the conductive plate (111) is exposed and RF energy is electrically resistively transmitted from the conductive plate (111) to the skin tissue of the first layer (10). The first treatment electrode (110) may also be formed as a resistive electric transfer (RET) electrode.

[0050] The first treatment electrode (110) can apply RF energy in a monopolar or bipolar manner. This will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

[0051] Additionally, the first treatment electrode (110) includes a plurality of through holes (113) penetrating the conductive plate (111) and the dielectric layer (112). As illustrated in FIG. 3, a second treatment electrode (120) including a plurality of needle electrodes (121) passes through the through holes (113) of the first treatment electrode (110).

[0052] Here, the through hole (113) is formed to be larger than the diameter of each needle electrode (121), and it is preferable that the inner surface of the through hole (113) does not contact each needle electrode. In addition, the inner surface of the through hole (113) may be coated with the same material as the dielectric layer (112).

[0053] The second treatment electrode (120) is drawn out and introduced through the first treatment electrode (110) of the above-described plate shape.

[0054] The second treatment electrode (120) is an invasive treatment electrode composed of a plurality of needle electrodes (121), and applies RF energy through the skin tissue of the second layer (20) located deeper than the first layer (10). Here, the second layer (20) may be the dermis layer located below the epidermis layer of the skin. The second treatment electrode (120) can apply RF energy in an invasive manner by directly inserting the needle electrode (121) into the dermis layer of the skin.

[0055] The needle electrode (121) constituting the second treatment electrode (120) may be a conductive electrode. Each needle electrode (121) constituting the second treatment electrode (120) is arranged in an array form with a predetermined gap between adjacent needle electrodes (121). The needle electrode (121) may be formed as a resistive electric transfer (RET) electrode in which a conductive material is exposed without including an insulating layer. The second treatment electrode (120) is driven to directly transmit RF energy from the conductive needle electrode (121) to the skin tissue of the second layer (20).

[0056] The second treatment electrode (120) is an RF electrode of the RET method, which can apply RF energy in a monopolar or bipolar manner. This will be described later with reference to FIG. 9.

[0057] Meanwhile, the first treatment electrode (110) may have a plate-shaped structure that comes into contact with the skin, may be formed to have an inwardly curved surface suitable for a curved skin surface, or conversely, may be formed to have an outwardly curved surface that can adhere more closely to the skin surface. The shape of the first treatment electrode (110) illustrated in the referenced drawing is a plate-shaped structure, but is not limited thereto.

[0058] The RF application device (1000) of the present invention includes at least one return electrode (130) configured to return RF energy applied from a first treatment electrode (110) or a second treatment electrode (120). The return electrode (130) has a polarity opposite to that of the first treatment electrode (110) or the second treatment electrode (120).

[0059] The return electrode (130) may be an electrode that comes into contact with a target body part of the subject, and various known return electrodes may be utilized. It may be a plate-shaped return electrode that comes into contact with a body part, or a cylindrical return electrode that is held in the user's hand. The scope of the present invention is not particularly limited.

[0060] The RF application device (1000) of the present invention includes a handpiece (200) connected to the composite electrode (100) described above. The composite electrode (100) may also form a part of the handpiece (200).

[0061] The handpiece (200) is a part that the user holds to perform treatment, and can be formed in various known forms. The handpiece (200) may include a driving unit that moves a plurality of needle electrodes (121) of the second treatment electrode (120) forward or backward.

[0062] The RF application device (1000) of the present invention includes a control unit (300) connected to the composite electrode (100) described above.

[0063] The control unit (300) controls the operation of the composite electrode (100) and the RF energy output therefrom. Specifically, the control unit (300) can control the RF energy output from the first treatment electrode (110) and the second treatment electrode (120). The control unit (300) can control the first treatment electrode (110) and the second treatment electrode (120) to operate simultaneously or selectively. This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 below.

[0064] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining steps according to a first embodiment of inducing surface heat stimulation and deep heat stimulation using an RF application device (1000) of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a graph schematically illustrating RF stimulation applied according to the steps of FIG. 4. In addition, FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining steps according to a second embodiment of inducing surface heat stimulation and deep heat stimulation using an RF application device of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a graph schematically illustrating RF stimulation applied according to the steps of FIG. 6.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the RF application device (1000) of the present invention can apply complex RF stimulation to various depths within the skin by including the above-described composite electrode (100), and further can perform pain reduction and treatment simultaneously or sequentially. The RF application device (1000) of the present invention can apply RF energy through the epidermal layer, which is the first layer (10), and simultaneously or sequentially apply RF energy through the dermal layer, which is the second layer (20), thereby applying a more three-dimensional thermal stimulus than the conventional high-frequency device, thereby maximizing the treatment effect.

[0066] Specifically, the steps according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate sequentially performing RF energy application through the first treatment electrode (110) and the second treatment electrode (120), and the steps according to the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate simultaneously performing RF energy application through the first treatment electrode (110) and the second treatment electrode (120).

[0067] In addition, the methods according to the first and second embodiments may further include step (a), which is an RF application step for pain reduction prior to performing high-frequency treatment. The RF application device (1000) of the present invention can improve the limitations of existing high-frequency devices by enabling the application of frequency-modulated energy for pain reduction in parallel using the first treatment electrode (110). Hereinafter, the steps according to each embodiment will be described in detail.

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the control unit (300) performs a first stimulation step (step a) of applying frequency-modulated energy through the first treatment electrode (110). The first stimulation step (step a) is a step for pain reduction.

[0069] Conventional high-frequency treatment devices have consistently been criticized for causing skin pain in patients due to the momentary application of high-frequency waves. To overcome this problem, various pain-reducing technologies are being developed, including those that incorporate refrigerant injection technology into the electrode tip or vibration technology.

[0070] The RF application device (1000) of the present invention combines a first stimulation step (step a) that reduces pain in a subject without changing the structure of the composite electrode (100). When frequency-modulated energy is applied through the first treatment electrode (110) before performing high-frequency treatment (steps b and c), the subject experiences, for example, a tingling sensation on the skin surface. By controlling pain perception using this additional stimulation before applying high-frequency stimulation, the pain felt by the subject from a specific action can be reduced.

[0071] Here, the RF energy applied in the first stimulation step (step a) is frequency-modulated energy, and the RF energy is included in a range modulated with low-frequency energy of several hundred Hz or less with a frequency of several KHz to several hundred KHz as a carrier frequency, and preferably, the RF energy can be included in a range modulated with low-frequency energy of 200 Hz or less with a frequency of 5 KHz to 100 KHz as a carrier frequency.

[0072] Thereafter, the control unit (300) performs a second stimulation step (step b) of applying high-frequency energy through the first treatment electrode (110). The second stimulation step (step b) is a step of applying high-frequency energy through the epidermal layer to the dermal layer. By applying high-frequency energy, the dermal layer beneath the epidermal layer of the skin can be intentionally thermally damaged, thereby stimulating collagen growth and reorganization.

[0073] As described above, the energy application in the second stimulation step (step b) is preferably a monopolar method. In addition, the frequency of the RF energy applied in the second stimulation step (step b) may be within a range of several MHz to several tens of MHz, and is preferably within a range of 1 MHz to 10 MHz.

[0074] Thereafter, the control unit (300) performs the third stimulation step (step c) of applying high-frequency energy through the second treatment electrode (120). The third stimulation step (step c) is a step of applying high-frequency energy by invasively inserting a needle electrode into the skin tissue of the dermis layer, which is the second layer (20). By applying high-frequency energy, the growth and reorganization of collagen can be stimulated by intentionally causing thermal damage to the dermis layer at a predetermined depth.

[0075] The energy application in the third stimulation step (step c) can be monopolar or bipolar, which is explained with reference to FIG. 8. In addition, the RF energy applied in the third stimulation step (step c) can be the same as that in the second stimulation step (step b). The frequency of the RF energy applied in the third stimulation step (step c) can be in the range of several MHz to several tens of MHz, and is preferably in the range of 1 MHz to 10 MHz.

[0076] Meanwhile, Fig. 4 illustrates the second stimulation step (step b) and the third stimulation step (step c) being sequentially performed once each, but it is of course possible for the second stimulation step (step b) and the third stimulation step (step c) to be performed alternately and repeatedly a predetermined number of times.

[0077] Afterwards, the second treatment electrode (120) inserted into the second layer (20) is removed (step d).

[0078] Referring to the drawing of step d after removal, when high-frequency energy is applied through the first treatment electrode (110), thermal damage can be induced in a wide area from the epidermal layer shown in the dotted line toward the dermal layer. Since the first treatment electrode (110) is a non-invasive flat electrode, thermal damage can be induced in a wide area in the deep direction from the area where the electrode is in contact. On the other hand, when high-frequency energy is directly applied to the dermal layer through the second treatment electrode (120), thermal damage can be induced in a direction that spreads from the local area shown in the shaded area. In addition, thermal damage can be induced in a deeper area than the thermal damage induced through the first treatment electrode (110). In this way, the RF application device (1000) of the present invention can apply a complex RF stimulus to various depths within the skin by including the composite electrode (100), and can simultaneously perform surface thermal stimulation and deep thermal stimulation of the skin, thereby exhibiting an improved therapeutic effect compared to conventional devices.

[0079] Meanwhile, the method according to the second embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 exemplifies performing the second stimulation step (step b) and the third stimulation step (step c) simultaneously in the method according to the first embodiment described above.

[0080] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the control unit (300) performs a first stimulation step (step a) of applying frequency-modulated energy through the first treatment electrode (110). The first stimulation step (step a) is a step for pain reduction and is identical to the first stimulation step (step a) according to the first embodiment described above, so a duplicate description is omitted.

[0081] Thereafter, the control unit (300) performs a second stimulation step (step b+c) of applying high-frequency energy through the first treatment electrode (110) and the second treatment electrode (120).

[0082] The second stimulation step (step b+c) is performed simultaneously by applying high-frequency energy through the epidermal layer to the dermal layer using the first treatment electrode (110) and invasively applying high-frequency energy to the skin tissue of the dermal layer using the second treatment electrode (120).

[0083] The second stimulation step (step b+c) promotes collagen growth and reorganization through three-dimensional high-frequency energy application to the epidermal and dermal layers. Furthermore, the second stimulation step (step b+c) simultaneously applies high-frequency energy through two treatment electrodes (110, 120), thereby offering the advantage of allowing treatment to be performed in a short period of time.

[0084] Since the second stimulation step (step b+c) is a combination of the second stimulation step (step b) and the third stimulation step (step c) according to the first embodiment described above, a duplicate description is omitted.

[0085] Thereafter, the second treatment electrode (120) inserted into the second layer (20) is removed (step d). Referring to the drawing of step d after removal, as indicated by the dotted lines and shaded areas, complex RF stimulation can be applied to various depths within the skin, and surface and deep thermal stimulation of the skin can be simultaneously performed, thereby demonstrating improved therapeutic effects compared to conventional devices.

[0086] Meanwhile, FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining an example of the polarity arrangement of the first treatment electrode (110) among the composite electrodes of the present invention.

[0087] As described above, the first treatment electrode (110) can apply RF energy in a monopolar or bipolar manner.

[0088] When the first treatment electrode (110) is a monopolar RF electrode, the first treatment electrode (110) includes a first region (110a) having a first polarity. At this time, the RF energy output from the first treatment electrode (110) returns to the return electrode (130) described later through the skin tissue and forms a current path. The first treatment electrode (110) may be driven to have the first polarity, and the return electrode (130) may be driven to have a second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity. At this time, the first polarity may be a + pole, and the second polarity may be a - pole.

[0089] When the first treatment electrode (110) is a bipolar RF electrode, the first treatment electrode (110) includes a first region (110a) having a first polarity and a second region (110b) having a second polarity. At this time, the first treatment electrode (110) may include at least two plate-shaped conductive plates (111), and some of the plate-shaped conductive plates (111) may be driven to have the first polarity, and the remaining plates may be driven to have the second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity. The first region (110a) of the first treatment electrode (110) may be driven to have the first polarity, and the second region (110b) of the first treatment electrode (110) may be driven to have the second polarity. At this time, the first polarity may be a + pole, and the second polarity may be a - pole.

[0090] Meanwhile, if the first treatment electrode (110) is a bipolar RF electrode, it is not limited to that shown in Fig. 8, and the first treatment electrode (110) may be divided into a plurality of N sections, such as 3 or 4. For example, if the first treatment electrode (110) is divided into these 4 sections, two conductive plates may have the first polarity, and the remaining two conductive plates may have the second polarity.

[0091] Meanwhile, FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining an example of the polarity arrangement of the second treatment electrode (120) among the composite electrodes of the present invention.

[0092] As described above, the second treatment electrode (120) can apply RF energy in a monopolar or bipolar manner.

[0093] The second treatment electrode (120) is configured in an array form with each needle electrode having a predetermined spacing between adjacent electrodes, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0094] At this time, the second treatment electrode (120) can apply RF energy in a monopolar manner in which a plurality of conductive needle electrodes have the same polarity (e.g., + pole). In this case, the RF energy output from the second treatment electrode (120) can return to the return electrode (130) through the skin tissue and form a current path. The plurality of conductive needle electrodes (121) can be driven to have a first polarity, and the return electrode (120) can be driven to have a second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity.

[0095] Alternatively, the second treatment electrode (120) may be driven so that some of the plurality of conductive needle electrodes have a first polarity, and the remaining needle electrodes have a second polarity opposite to the first polarity. In other words, the second treatment electrode (120) may apply RF energy in a bipolar manner.

[0096] In this case, the plurality of conductive needle electrodes may be driven so that adjacent needle electrodes have different polarities, or the needle electrodes having a first polarity (e.g., + pole) may be driven so that they form a first region (120a), and the needle electrodes having a second polarity (e.g., - pole) may be driven so that they form a second region (120b). In addition, the second treatment electrode (120) may of course apply RF energy to the second layer (20) in various ways.

[0097] Meanwhile, if the second treatment electrode (120) is a bipolar needle RF electrode, it is not limited to that shown in Fig. 9, and the second treatment electrode (120) can be divided into a plurality of N regions, such as 3 or 4. For example, if the second treatment electrode (120) is divided into these 4 regions, 2 regions can have the first polarity, and the remaining 2 regions can have the second polarity.

[0098] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

Claims

1. In an RF application device including a composite electrode that induces surface thermal stimulation and deep thermal stimulation, A first treatment electrode that applies RF energy through the skin tissue of the first layer, which is the skin surface; A second treatment electrode comprising a plurality of needle electrodes, which applies RF energy through the skin tissue of the second layer located deeper than the first layer; and At least one return electrode configured to return RF energy applied from the first treatment electrode or the second treatment electrode; The second treatment electrode is configured to be drawn in and out through the first treatment electrode, An RF application device, wherein the first treatment electrode and the second treatment electrode are configured to operate simultaneously or selectively.

2. In paragraph 1, The above first treatment electrode is, A conductive plate having a plate shape, a dielectric layer coated on the conductive plate, and a plurality of through holes penetrating the conductive plate and the dielectric layer, Driven to capacitively transmit RF energy from the conductive plate to the skin tissue of the first layer through the dielectric layer, An RF application device configured to allow the second treatment electrode to pass through the above-mentioned through hole.

3. In paragraph 1, The above first treatment electrode is, It comprises a conductive plate in the form of a plate and a plurality of through holes penetrating the conductive plate, Driven to electrically resistively transmit RF energy from the conductive plate to the skin tissue of the first layer, An RF application device configured to allow the second treatment electrode to pass through the above-mentioned through hole.

4. In paragraph 1, The above first treatment electrode is driven to have a first polarity, An RF application device wherein the return electrode is driven to have a second polarity opposite to the first polarity.

5. In paragraph 2 or paragraph 3, The above first treatment electrode is, Containing at least two or more conductive plates, An RF application device, wherein some of the conductive plates on the above plate are driven to have a first polarity, and the remaining plates are driven to have a second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity.

6. In paragraph 1, The above second treatment electrode is, It comprises a plurality of conductive needle electrodes, each needle electrode is arranged in an array form with a predetermined gap between adjacent needle electrodes, An RF application device, wherein some of the plurality of conductive needle electrodes are driven to have a first polarity, and the remaining needle electrodes are driven to have a second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity.

7. In paragraph 6, An RF application device in which the above-mentioned plurality of conductive needle electrodes are driven so that adjacent needle electrodes have different polarities.

8. In paragraph 6, An RF application device in which needle electrodes having the first polarity are driven to form a first region and needle electrodes having the second polarity are driven to form a second region.

9. In paragraph 1, The above second treatment electrode is, It comprises a plurality of conductive needle electrodes, each needle electrode is arranged in an array form with a predetermined gap between adjacent needle electrodes, A plurality of conductive needle electrodes are driven to have a first polarity, An RF application device wherein the return electrode is driven to have a second polarity opposite to the first polarity.

10. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a control unit that controls the driving of the first treatment electrode and the second treatment electrode and the output RF energy; The above control unit, A first stimulation step of applying frequency-modulated energy through the first treatment electrode; A second stimulation step of applying high-frequency energy through the first treatment electrode; and An RF application device that performs a third stimulation step of applying high-frequency energy after introducing the second treatment electrode into the skin tissue of the second layer.

11. In paragraph 10, An RF application device wherein the second stimulation step and the third stimulation step are performed simultaneously or sequentially.

12. In paragraph 11, The RF energy applied in the above first stimulation step is included in a range modulated with low-frequency energy of several hundred Hz or less with a carrier frequency of several KHz to several hundred KHz, An RF application device, wherein the frequency of the RF energy applied to the second stimulation step and the third stimulation step is in the range of several MHz to several tens of MHz.

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