Laser surgical device and surgical method therefor

Abstract

A laser surgery apparatus equipped with a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present application includes a laser module that irradiates a patient's skin with a laser beam; a sensor for detecting the temperature of the patient's skin surface before, during, or after the skin is heated by the laser beam; an inlet for receiving a coolant from a coolant storage portion; a nozzle for spraying the coolant toward the skin; a conduit connecting the inlet and the nozzle; a flow rate regulator that controls the amount of spraying of the coolant by using a valve located on the conduit and connecting or disconnecting the inlet and the nozzle; and a coolant condition regulator that applies heat energy to the coolant by using a thermoelectric element located between the flow rate regulator and the nozzle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a laser treatment device and a treatment method thereof. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a laser treatment device having a cooling system and a treatment method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, laser treatment devices are widely used for treatment or for skin care, treatment of vascular lesions, hair removal, or wart removal. In particular, in modern society, interest in skin care is on the rise, increasing interest and research into laser treatment devices.

[0003] However, since laser treatment uses a laser that outputs high energy in an extremely short time to the skin of the body, heat energy is accumulated in a specific block of the skin, which easily causes heat damage to the skin. Additionally, since treatment is performed on the principle of causing thermal ablation on a specific part of the skin by outputting high energy in a short time, there is a high possibility of causing pain by thermal ablation.

[0004] To this end, laser treatment is performed in a manner in which cooling is performed together with laser irradiation. In the case of conventional cooling, there are contact-type cooling, non-contact-type cooling, and cooling using air gas, and in particular, in the case of conventional spray-type cooling, when a refrigerant is sprayed, the strong pressure of the sprayed refrigerant is applied to the internal components of the spray unit and wears out the internal components of the spray unit, thereby reducing the durability of the components, and thus high costs are caused due to after-sales service (AS) for the components. Additionally, in the case of spray cooling, since spraying of the refrigerant is performed according to the experience of a doctor, there are still side effects of skin damage and pain.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a laser treatment device having a cooling system that prevents damage due to heat and relieves pain and a treatment method thereof. SUMMARY

[0006] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to propose a laser treatment device having a spray cooling system and a treatment method thereof.

[0008] Still another object of the present disclosure is to propose a laser treatment device and a treatment method thereof for controlling the temperature of a refrigerant by measuring the "temperature" of the skin, which is a direct factor of skin damage.

[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to propose a laser treatment device and a treatment method thereof for accurately controlling the temperature or amount of a refrigerant based on a measured skin temperature.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spraying unit is to propose a laser treatment device having a spray cooling system and a treatment method thereof, which performs cooling before, during, or after laser irradiation performed by the laser treatment device.

[0011] Still another object of the present disclosure is to propose a laser treatment device having a spray cooling system and a treatment method thereof, which prevents sudden pressure rise when a spray refrigerant is sprayed.

[0012] Still another object of the present disclosure is to propose a laser treatment device having a spray cooling system and a treatment method thereof, which solves and / or prevents errors in skin temperature measurement that can occur during laser irradiation.

[0013] Technical Solution

[0014] The laser treatment device having a cooling system disclosed in the present specification includes a laser module that irradiates a patient's skin with a laser, a sensing unit that detects a temperature of a skin surface of the patient before, during, or after the skin is heated by the laser, a cooling module that includes an inlet that receives a refrigerant from a refrigerant storage part, a nozzle that sprays the refrigerant onto the skin, a conduit that connects the inlet and the nozzle, a flow rate control unit that controls an amount of the refrigerant sprayed by using a valve located on the conduit and connecting or disconnecting the inlet and the nozzle, and a refrigerant condition control unit that applies heat energy to the refrigerant by using a thermoelectric element located between the flow rate control unit and the nozzle, the cooling module being configured to cool the surface of the skin by spraying the refrigerant before, during, or after the skin is heated by the laser, and a control module that obtains skin temperature information through the sensing unit, controls a temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed by controlling heat energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit based on the skin temperature information, and controls a temperature of the skin surface to reduce damage to the skin surface heated by the laser.

[0015] A laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can include a laser module that outputs laser light to a patient's skin to perform laser treatment, a sensing unit that measures a skin temperature, a nozzle that sprays a refrigerant onto the skin, a refrigerant condition control unit that controls at least one of a temperature and a spray amount of the refrigerant, and a control module configured to, after at least one of first skin information and second skin information is obtained by the sensing unit, control at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information when performing a second shot of laser treatment after a first shot of laser treatment, the first skin information including at least a skin temperature at or before a start of the first shot of laser output, and the second skin information including at least a skin temperature at or after a stop of the first shot of laser output.

[0016] A laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the present specification includes irradiating a patient's skin with laser light by a laser module, measuring a temperature of a skin surface before, during, or after the skin is heated by the laser light by a sensing unit, cooling the skin surface by spraying a refrigerant before, during, or after the skin is heated by the laser light by a cooling module including an inlet that receives the refrigerant from a refrigerant storage unit, a nozzle that sprays the refrigerant onto the skin, a conduit that connects the inlet and the nozzle, a flow rate control unit that controls a spray amount of the refrigerant by using a valve located on the conduit and connecting or disconnecting the inlet from the nozzle, and a refrigerant condition control unit that applies thermal energy to the refrigerant by using a thermoelectric element located between the flow rate control unit and the nozzle, and controlling the thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit to control a temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed to control a temperature of the skin surface based on skin temperature information obtained from the sensing unit by a control module, thereby reducing damage to the skin surface heated by the laser light.

[0017] A laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the present specification includes outputting laser light to a patient's skin by a laser module, measuring a temperature of the skin by a sensing unit, spraying a refrigerant on the skin by a nozzle, controlling at least one of a temperature and an amount of the refrigerant by a refrigerant condition control unit, obtaining at least one of first skin information and second skin information from the sensing unit by a control module, wherein the first skin information can include at least a skin temperature at or before a start of a first shot of laser output, and the second skin information can include at least a skin temperature at or after a stop of the first shot of laser output, and when performing a second shot of laser treatment after performing the first shot of laser treatment, controlling at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information by the control module.

[0018] A laser treatment apparatus having a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, which is used in laser therapy and has a cooling function, can include a laser module that irradiates a patient's skin with laser light, a sensing unit that obtains skin temperature information by detecting a skin surface temperature of the patient before the skin is heated by the laser light, a cooling module that includes a nozzle that sprays a refrigerant onto the skin surface and a refrigerant condition control unit that controls a refrigerant temperature by applying heat energy to the refrigerant, and a control module, wherein laser irradiation is performed on the skin by the laser module, the cooling module is controlled so that spraying of the refrigerant on the skin is started before the laser irradiation, at least one of an amount of spraying and a temperature of the refrigerant is controlled based on the skin temperature information during spraying of the refrigerant, it is detected whether the skin surface temperature reaches a predetermined first set temperature, and the laser irradiation is started when the skin surface temperature reaches the predetermined first set temperature.

[0019] A laser treatment apparatus having a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, which is used in laser therapy and has a cooling function, can include a laser module that irradiates a patient's skin with laser light, a sensing unit that obtains skin temperature information by detecting a skin surface temperature of the patient before the skin is heated by the laser light, a cooling module that includes a nozzle that sprays a refrigerant onto the skin surface and a refrigerant condition control unit that controls a refrigerant temperature by applying heat energy to the refrigerant, and a control module, wherein laser irradiation is performed on the skin by the laser module, the cooling module is controlled so that spraying of the refrigerant on the skin is started before the laser irradiation, at least one of an amount of spraying and a temperature of the refrigerant is controlled based on the skin temperature information during spraying of the refrigerant, it is detected whether the skin surface temperature reaches a predetermined first set temperature, and the laser irradiation is started when the skin surface temperature reaches the predetermined first set temperature.

[0020] Disclosed in the present specification is a laser treatment method using a cooling system in which cooling of a patient's skin and laser irradiation to the skin are performed, which can include: obtaining skin temperature information by detecting a skin surface temperature of the patient using a sensing unit; controlling a temperature of a refrigerant by applying heat energy to the refrigerant based on the skin temperature information through a refrigerant condition control unit; spraying the refrigerant on a skin surface of the patient through a nozzle before laser irradiation; detecting whether the skin surface temperature reaches a predetermined first set temperature; outputting a notification that the skin surface temperature reaches the predetermined first set temperature by using a notification module; and starting laser irradiation to the skin by a laser module when the skin surface temperature reaches the predetermined first set temperature.

[0021] Disclosed in the present specification is a laser treatment device with a cooling system, which is used in laser therapy and has a cooling function, which can include: a laser module that irradiates a patient's skin with laser; a sensing unit that obtains skin temperature information by detecting a skin surface temperature of the patient; a cooling module that includes a flow rate control unit that controls an injection amount of a refrigerant injected on the skin based on the skin temperature information and a refrigerant condition control unit that controls a temperature of the refrigerant; and a control module that controls the cooling module such that the refrigerant is injected onto the skin in an injection period of a pre-cooling period that starts at least at a time before a laser emission time, wherein the cooling module controls at least one of the temperature and the injection amount of the refrigerant such that the skin surface temperature is a predetermined first set temperature in at least a part of the pre-cooling period, and the predetermined first set temperature can be preset to a temperature at which ice that reflects at least a part of the laser is formed on the skin surface or a higher temperature.

[0022] A laser treatment device with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification is used in laser therapy and has a cooling function, and can include a laser module that irradiates a patient's skin with laser light, a sensing unit that obtains skin temperature information by detecting a skin surface temperature of the patient, a cooling module that includes a flow rate control unit that controls an injection amount of a cryogen injected onto the skin based on the skin temperature information, the cryogen being injected in an injection form including at least one state of a solid state, a liquid state, and a gas state, and a refrigerant condition control unit that controls a temperature of the cryogen, and a control module that controls the cooling module such that the cryogen is injected onto the skin in an injection period including at least a pre-cooling period starting at a time before a laser emission time and an intermediate cooling period corresponding to a period in which the laser light is emitted, wherein the control module can control at least one of the temperature and the injection amount of the cryogen such that a skin surface temperature in the pre-cooling period is a predetermined first set temperature, and such that a skin surface temperature in the intermediate cooling period is a predetermined second set temperature, and the predetermined second set temperature can be preset to a temperature at which a solid cryogen forming a reflection of at least a part of the laser light in a path of the emitted laser light or higher.

[0023] A laser treatment device with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification is used in laser therapy and has a cooling function, and can include a laser module that irradiates a patient's skin with laser light, a sensing unit that obtains skin temperature information by detecting a skin surface temperature of the patient, a cooling module that controls a gas state ratio of the injected cryogen by applying heat energy to a cryogen injected onto the skin based on the skin temperature information, the cryogen being injected in an injection form including at least one state of a solid state, a liquid state, and a gas state, and a control module that controls the cooling module such that the cryogen is injected onto the skin in an injection period including at least a pre-cooling period starting at a time before a laser emission time and an intermediate cooling period corresponding to a period in which the laser light is emitted, wherein the control module can apply heat energy to the cryogen using the cooling module such that the gas state ratio of the cryogen is a preset value or higher in the intermediate cooling period.

[0024] A laser treatment method using a cooling system in which cooling of a patient's skin and laser irradiation are performed, disclosed in the present specification, can include: obtaining skin temperature information by detecting a skin surface temperature of the patient using a sensing unit; based on the skin temperature information, applying heat energy to a cryogen sprayed onto the skin by using a thermoelectric element, the cryogen being sprayed in a sprayed form by including at least one state of a solid state, a liquid state, and a gas state; irradiating the patient's skin with laser light by using a laser module; controlling a temperature of the cryogen such that the skin surface temperature is a predetermined first set temperature in a pre-cooling period starting at a time before the time at which the skin is irradiated with laser light; and controlling the temperature of the cryogen such that the skin surface temperature is a predetermined second set temperature in an intermediate cooling period corresponding to a period in which the laser light is emitted, the second set temperature being preset to a temperature at which a solid cryogen forms a reflection of at least a portion of the laser light in a path in which the laser light is emitted or a higher temperature.

[0025] A laser treatment device with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can include: a laser module that irradiates a patient's skin with laser light; a sensing unit that measures a skin temperature before, during, or after the skin is heated by the laser light; a nozzle that sprays a cryogen onto the skin; a cryogen condition control unit that controls heat energy applied to the cryogen by using a thermoelectric element; and a control module, wherein the cryogen is controlled to be sprayed through the nozzle in a spray period including an intermediate cooling period corresponding to a period in which the laser light is emitted, a pre-cooling period before the intermediate cooling period, and a post-cooling period after the intermediate cooling, by the cryogen condition control unit, based on the temperature of the skin, a temperature of the cryogen to be sprayed is controlled to cool the skin to a desired temperature, in the pre-cooling period, the desired temperature is controlled to a skin temperature corresponding to a blood vessel temperature in which blood vessels under the skin are not constricted, and in at least a portion of the post-cooling period, the desired temperature is controlled to a skin temperature corresponding to a blood vessel temperature in which the blood vessels are constricted.

[0026] The laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can include: irradiating a patient's skin with a laser by a laser module; measuring a temperature of the skin by a sensing unit before, during, or after the skin is heated by the laser; spraying a refrigerant on the skin through a nozzle; controlling thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from a refrigerant condition control unit using a thermoelectric element; and controlling, by a control module, the refrigerant to be sprayed through the nozzle in a spraying period including an intermediate cooling period corresponding to a period in which the laser is emitted, a pre-cooling period before the intermediate cooling period, and a post-cooling period after the intermediate cooling, the temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed being controlled by the refrigerant condition control unit based on the temperature of the skin so as to cool the skin to a desired temperature, the desired temperature being controlled to adjust to a skin temperature corresponding to a blood vessel temperature in which blood vessels under the skin are not constricted in the pre-cooling period, and the desired temperature being controlled to adjust to a skin temperature corresponding to a blood vessel temperature in which blood vessels are constricted in at least a part of the post-cooling period.

[0027] Advantageous effects

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present specification, the sensing unit can measure the "temperature" of the skin, which is a direct factor of skin damage, which is used in controlling the temperature of the refrigerant, thereby minimizing the possibility of skin damage.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present specification, based on the skin temperature measured by the refrigerant condition control unit, the temperature or amount of the refrigerant can be accurately controlled, thereby accurately controlling the skin temperature.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present specification, the amount of the refrigerant measured by the flow rate control unit based on the skin temperature can be accurately controlled, thereby accurately controlling the skin temperature.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present specification, the spray cooling system performs cooling before the laser irradiation starts and / or during the laser irradiation, thereby minimizing damage of heat to the skin.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the present specification, the spray cooling system performs cooling after the laser irradiation stops, thereby minimizing pain of the skin.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present specification, the spray cooling system performs cooling using a refrigerant having optimal physical properties in each period before, during, and after the laser irradiation, thereby enabling to adaptively perform treatment according to various treatment types and purposes.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present specification, by the method of controlling the temperature or amount of the refrigerant by controlling the current applied to the refrigerant condition control unit, it is possible to prevent a sudden pressure rise of the refrigerant when the refrigerant is sprayed. Additionally, it is possible to prevent the components of the spray unit from being worn out due to the strong pressure of the refrigerant spray. Additionally, due to the durability of the components, the after-sales service (AS) cost of the components can be reduced.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present specification, during laser irradiation, it is possible to correct or prevent temperature measurement errors of the sensing unit, thereby minimizing the possibility of skin damage during laser irradiation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification.

[0037] Figure 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification.

[0038] Figure 3 is a schematic view illustrating the operation of a laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification according to an embodiment.

[0039] Figure 4 is a graph illustrating the change in the temperature of the skin surface and the target controlled according to an exemplary embodiment of the driving method of the laser treatment apparatus disclosed in the present specification.

[0040] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the driving method of the laser treatment apparatus disclosed in the present specification.

[0041] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a pre-cooling and laser irradiation method according to an embodiment of the laser treatment method disclosed in the present specification.

[0042] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an intermediate cooling and laser irradiation method according to an embodiment of the laser treatment method disclosed in the present specification.

[0043] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a post-cooling and laser irradiation method according to an embodiment of the laser treatment method disclosed in the present specification.

[0044] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a correction method of the skin surface temperature measured according to an embodiment of the laser treatment method disclosed in the present specification.

[0045] Figure 10 is a view illustrating laser irradiation on a first point by a first shot.

[0046] Figure 11 is a view illustrating laser irradiation of a second shot at the first point after a predetermined time elapses from completion of laser irradiation of a first shot at the first point.

[0047] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating a driving method of a laser treatment device when a plurality of shots of laser light are made at a first point.

[0048] Figure 13 is a view illustrating laser irradiation at a first point.

[0049] Figure 14 is a view illustrating laser irradiation of a second point after a predetermined time elapses from completion of laser irradiation of a first point.

[0050] Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating a driving method of a laser treatment device when a plurality of points are irradiated with laser light.

[0051] Figure 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method of emitting laser light during cooling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Figure 17 is a view illustrating a state of formation of an interfering substance on a skin surface when the skin is cooled according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure 18 is a view illustrating a method of preventing formation of an interfering substance during cooling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 19 is a view illustrating a method of performing skin surface cooling in a spray period including a frost prevention period according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] Figure 20 is a view illustrating a state of formation of an interfering substance in a path of laser light irradiating the skin according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] Figure 21 is a view illustrating a method of preventing formation of an interfering substance in a path of laser light during cooling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] Figure 22 is a view illustrating a method of controlling a refrigerant temperature for preventing formation of an interfering substance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] Figure 23 is a flowchart of a method of treatment and / or treatment of a vascular lesion by a laser treatment device disclosed in the present specification.

[0059] Figure 24 is a graph illustrating a change in skin surface temperature controlled according to a method of performing treatment and / or treatment of a blood vessel lesion by a laser treatment apparatus disclosed in the specification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] The above objects, features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements in the several views. The present application can, however, vary in many different aspects and can have various embodiments, but specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and will be described in detail below.

[0061] In the drawings, the thickness of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity, and further, it will be understood that when a layer is referred to as being "on" or "under" another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers can also be present. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. Also, the same reference numerals will be used to describe the same components throughout the specification and drawings.

[0062] Detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations incorporated herein can be omitted when it is determined that detailed description thereof can unnecessarily obscure the point of the present application. Also, ordinal numbers (for example, first and second) are used only to distinguish one component from another component in the description of the specification.

[0063] Further, the terms "module" and "part" of components used in the following embodiments are given or mixed only in consideration of the ease of writing the specification, and do not have meanings or roles different from each other by themselves.

[0064] In the following embodiments, singular expressions include plural expressions, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0065] In the following embodiments, terms such as "include" or "have" mean that some features or components described in the specification are included, and do not exclude the possibility that one or more other features or components can be added.

[0066] In the drawings, the size of each component can be exaggerated or reduced for convenience in description. For example, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily indicated for convenience in description, and the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0067] In the case where a specific process sequence can be different, the specific process sequence can be different from the described sequence. For example, two processes described in succession can be performed substantially simultaneously, or can be performed in an order opposite to the described sequence.

[0068] In the following embodiments, when it is said that a film, a region, and a member are connected to each other, not only a case where the film, the region, and the member are directly connected to each other is included, but also a case where other films, regions, and members are placed between the film, the region, and the member, so that the film, the region, and the member are indirectly connected to each other is included.

[0069] For example, in the present specification, when it is stated that a film, a region, and a member are electrically connected to each other, not only a case where the film, the region, and the member are directly electrically connected to each other is included, but also a case where other film materials, regions, and members are placed between the film, the region, and the member, so that the film, the region, and the member are indirectly electrically connected to each other is included.

[0070] The laser treatment device with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can include a laser module that irradiates a patient's skin with a laser, a sensing unit that detects a temperature of a skin surface of the patient before, during, or after the skin is heated by the laser, a cooling module that includes an inlet that receives a refrigerant from a refrigerant storage unit, a nozzle that sprays the refrigerant onto the skin, a conduit that connects the inlet and the nozzle, a flow rate control unit that controls an amount of spraying of the refrigerant by using a valve that is located on the conduit and connects or disconnects the inlet from the nozzle, and a refrigerant condition control unit that applies thermal energy to the refrigerant by using a thermoelectric element located between the flow rate control unit and the nozzle, the cooling module being configured to cool a surface of the skin by spraying the refrigerant before, during, or after the skin is heated by the laser, and a control module that obtains skin temperature information through the sensing unit, controls a temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed by controlling the thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit based on the skin temperature information, and controls the temperature of the skin surface to reduce damage to the skin surface heated by the laser.

[0071] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment device with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the control module can control a spraying period of the refrigerant to include at least a part of a laser emission period through the flow rate control unit, in the spraying period, the temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed can be controlled based on the skin temperature information through the refrigerant condition control unit, and the temperature of the skin surface can be controlled to reduce damage to the skin surface due to the laser.

[0072] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment device with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the refrigerant condition control unit can apply different thermal energy to the refrigerant in a period other than the laser emission period and in the laser emission period.

[0073] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment device with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the refrigerant condition control unit can apply less thermal energy to the refrigerant in the laser emission period than in a period other than the laser emission period.

[0074] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the refrigerant condition control unit can apply first heat energy at a first time point of the spraying period, and can apply second heat energy at a second time point of the spraying period, wherein the second time point can be included in the laser emission period, and the first time point can be included in a first period before the laser emission period or in a second period after the laser emission period, and the second heat energy can be less than the first heat energy.

[0075] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, when a temperature of the skin surface at a first time point of the spraying period is lower than a temperature of the skin surface at a second time point of the laser emission period, the control module controls application of first heat energy at the first time point of the spraying period, and controls application of second heat energy less than the first heat energy at the second time point of the spraying period.

[0076] The laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can include a laser module that outputs laser light to a patient's skin for laser treatment, a sensing unit that measures a skin temperature, a nozzle that sprays a refrigerant onto the skin, a refrigerant condition control unit that controls at least one of a temperature and a spraying amount of the refrigerant, and a control module configured to, after obtaining at least one of first skin information and second skin information through the sensing unit, control at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information when performing laser treatment of a second shot after laser treatment of a first shot, the first skin information including at least a skin temperature at or before a start of laser output of the first shot, and the second skin information including at least a skin temperature at or after a stop of the laser output of the first shot.

[0077] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the first skin information can include a skin temperature detected substantially simultaneously with a time at which the laser output starts; and the second skin information can include a skin temperature detected substantially simultaneously with a time at which the laser output stops, wherein when the laser treatment of the second shot is performed after the laser treatment of the first shot, the control module can control at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant in at least a portion of the laser emission period based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information.

[0078] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, when laser treatment of a second shot is performed after laser treatment of a first shot, the control module can control at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant based on a temperature detected on a skin surface irradiated with laser of the second shot in a remaining cooling period other than a laser emission period.

[0079] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, when laser treatment of a second shot is performed after laser treatment of a first shot, the control module can control at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant based on a difference between the first skin information and the second skin information in at least a part of the laser emission period.

[0080] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the laser output of the first shot and the laser output of the second shot can be performed on substantially the same position of the skin.

[0081] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the first shot can be a laser output to a first position of the skin, and the second shot can be a laser output to a second position of the skin.

[0082] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the control module can obtain third skin information from the sensing unit, wherein the third skin information includes at least a skin temperature at or before the start of the laser output of the second shot, when laser treatment of a second shot is performed after laser treatment of a first shot, the control module is configured to control at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant based on at least one of the first skin information, the second skin information, and the third skin information.

[0083] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, when laser treatment of a second shot is performed after laser treatment of a first shot, the control module can control at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during laser treatment of the second shot based on a difference between the first skin information and the third skin information.

[0084] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the control module can adjust the temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed during laser treatment by the second shot to be relatively higher if the skin temperature included in the first skin information is higher than the skin temperature included in the third skin information than if the skin temperature included in the first skin information is lower than the skin temperature included in the third skin information.

[0085] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the specification, the control module can control at least one of a temperature and an amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser treatment based on a difference between the first skin information and the third skin information when the second shot of the laser treatment is performed after the first shot of the laser treatment.

[0086] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the specification, the control module can control a temperature of the refrigerant sprayed during the laser treatment to be higher in a case of a first difference than in a case of a second difference greater than the first difference.

[0087] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the specification, the control module can control an amount of the refrigerant sprayed during the laser treatment to be greater in a case of a first difference than in a case of a second difference greater than the first difference.

[0088] The laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the specification can include: irradiating a patient's skin with a laser by a laser module; measuring a temperature of a skin surface before, during, or after the skin is heated by the laser by a sensing unit; cooling the skin surface by spraying a refrigerant before, during, or after the skin is heated by the laser by a cooling module, the cooling module including an inlet that receives the refrigerant from a refrigerant storage unit, a nozzle that sprays the refrigerant onto the skin, a conduit that connects the inlet and the nozzle, a flow rate control unit that controls an amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed by using a valve located on the conduit and connecting or disconnecting the inlet and the nozzle, and a refrigerant condition control unit that applies heat energy to the refrigerant by using a thermoelectric element located between the flow rate control unit and the nozzle; and controlling, by a control module, a temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed by controlling the heat energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit based on the skin temperature information obtained from the sensing unit to control a temperature of the skin surface to reduce damage to the skin surface heated by the laser.

[0089] The laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can include outputting laser to a patient's skin through a laser module; measuring a temperature of the skin through a sensing unit; spraying a refrigerant on the skin through a nozzle; controlling at least one of a temperature and an amount of the refrigerant through a refrigerant condition control unit; obtaining at least one of first skin information and second skin information from the sensing unit through a control module, wherein the first skin information includes at least a skin temperature at or before a start of a first shot of laser output, and the second skin information includes at least a skin temperature at or after a stop of the first shot of laser output; and when a second shot of laser treatment is performed after a first shot of laser treatment is performed, controlling at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information through the control module.

[0090] In the laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the first skin information can include a skin temperature detected at substantially the same time as a time at which laser output is started, and the second skin information can include a skin temperature detected at substantially the same time as a time at which laser output is stopped, and when a second shot of laser treatment is performed after a first shot of laser treatment is performed, the control module can control at least one of a temperature and an amount of a refrigerant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information in at least a part of a laser emission period.

[0091] In the laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, when a second shot of laser treatment is performed after a first shot of laser treatment is performed, the control module can control at least one of a temperature and an amount of a refrigerant based on a temperature detected on a skin surface irradiated with laser of the second shot in a remaining cooling period other than a laser emission period.

[0092] In the laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, when a second shot of laser treatment is performed after a first shot of laser treatment is performed, the control module can control at least one of a temperature and an amount of a refrigerant based on a difference between the first skin information and the second skin information in at least a part of a laser emission period.

[0093] According to the laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the first shot can be laser output to a first location of a skin, and the second shot can be laser output to a second location of the skin.

[0094] In the laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the control module can obtain third skin information from the sensing unit, wherein the third skin information includes at least a skin temperature at or before the start of the laser output of the second shot, and the control module is configured to control at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant based on at least one of the first skin information, the second skin information, and the third skin information when performing the second shot of the laser treatment after performing the first shot of the laser treatment.

[0095] In the laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, when performing the second shot of the laser treatment after performing the first shot of the laser treatment, the control module can control at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during the second shot of the laser treatment based on a difference between the first skin information and the third skin information.

[0096] According to an embodiment, the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can include a laser module that irradiates a patient's skin with a laser, a sensing unit that obtains skin temperature information by detecting a skin surface temperature of the patient before the skin is heated by the laser, a cooling module that includes a nozzle that sprays a refrigerant onto the skin surface and a refrigerant condition control unit that controls a refrigerant temperature by applying heat energy to the refrigerant, and a control module, wherein the cooling module is controlled such that the refrigerant is sprayed on the skin before the laser irradiation starts, at least one of the spray amount and the temperature of the refrigerant is controlled based on the skin temperature information during the spraying of the refrigerant, it is detected whether the skin surface temperature reaches a predetermined first set temperature, and the laser irradiation starts when the skin surface temperature reaches the predetermined first set temperature.

[0097] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the cooling module can control the temperature of the refrigerant such that the skin surface temperature reaches a predetermined second set temperature different from the predetermined first set temperature after the laser irradiation.

[0098] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the cooling module can control the temperature of the refrigerant such that the skin surface temperature reaches a predetermined first set temperature in a preset period before the laser irradiation.

[0099] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the cooling module can stop spraying the refrigerant on the skin surface when the laser irradiation starts.

[0100] According to embodiments of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the cooling module can allow the refrigerant to be sprayed on the skin surface such that the skin surface temperature reaches a set temperature different from a predetermined first set temperature after laser irradiation is stopped.

[0101] According to embodiments, the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can include a trigger that receives a user input, and when the user input is received, the control module can spray the refrigerant on the skin surface through the cooling module and can emit laser light through the laser module.

[0102] According to embodiments, the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can include a first trigger that receives a first input of a user command to cool the skin surface and a second trigger that receives a second input of a user command to perform laser irradiation, and the control module can spray the refrigerant on the skin surface through the cooling module by receiving the first input of the user and can emit laser light through the laser module by receiving the second input of the user.

[0103] According to embodiments of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, when the first input of the user is not received and the second input of the user is received, the control module can prevent laser irradiation on the skin.

[0104] According to embodiments, the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can include a trigger that receives an input of a user command to perform laser irradiation, and the control module can allow laser irradiation on the skin by receiving the input of the user and can prevent laser irradiation on the skin when the skin surface temperature does not reach a predetermined first set temperature.

[0105] According to embodiments of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the cooling module can maintain spraying of the refrigerant on the skin surface for a spraying period, and the spraying period can include a period in which the laser module irradiates the skin surface with laser light.

[0106] According to embodiments of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, when the skin surface temperature is a first desired temperature or more, the control module can stop laser irradiation when the input of the user is received.

[0107] According to embodiments of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the notification can include at least one of a visual notification, an auditory notification, and a tactile notification.

[0108] According to embodiments, the laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can include: obtaining skin temperature information by detecting a skin surface temperature of a patient using a sensing unit; controlling a temperature of a refrigerant by applying heat energy to the refrigerant based on the skin temperature information through a refrigerant condition control unit; spraying the refrigerant on a skin surface of the patient through a nozzle before laser irradiation; detecting whether the skin surface temperature reaches a predetermined first set temperature; outputting a notification that the skin surface temperature reaches the predetermined first set temperature by a notification module; and starting laser irradiation on the skin by a laser module when the skin surface temperature reaches the predetermined first set temperature.

[0109] According to embodiments, the laser treatment device with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can include: a laser module that irradiates a patient's skin with a laser; a sensing unit that obtains skin temperature information by detecting a skin surface temperature of the patient; a cooling module that includes a flow rate control unit that controls an injection amount of a refrigerant injected on the skin and a refrigerant condition control unit that controls a temperature of the refrigerant based on the skin temperature information; and a control module that controls the cooling module such that the refrigerant is injected onto the skin in an injection period including at least a pre-cooling period that starts before a laser emission time, wherein the cooling module controls at least one of the temperature and the injection amount of the refrigerant such that the skin surface temperature is a predetermined first set temperature in at least a part of the pre-cooling period, and the predetermined first set temperature can be set to a temperature at which a substance that reflects at least a part of the laser is formed on the skin surface or higher.

[0110] According to embodiments of the laser treatment device with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the injection period can include an intermediate cooling period corresponding to a period in which the laser is emitted, and the cooling module can control at least one of the temperature and the injection amount of the refrigerant such that the skin surface temperature is a predetermined second set temperature different from the predetermined first set temperature in the intermediate cooling period.

[0111] According to embodiments of the laser treatment device with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the injection period can include a post-cooling period that starts after the laser irradiation, and the cooling module can control at least one of the temperature and the injection amount of the refrigerant such that the skin surface temperature is a predetermined third set temperature different from the predetermined second set temperature in the post-cooling period.

[0112] According to embodiments of the laser treatment device with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the predetermined third set temperature can be set to a temperature at which ice that reflects at least a part of the laser is formed on the skin surface or lower.

[0113] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the spraying period can include an intermediate cooling period corresponding to a portion in which the laser is emitted, and the cooling module can stop the cooling module from spraying the refrigerant onto the skin surface during the intermediate cooling period.

[0114] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the spraying period can include a post-cooling period after the intermediate cooling period, and the cooling module can control at least one of the temperature and the spraying amount of the refrigerant such that the skin surface becomes a predetermined third set temperature different from the predetermined first set temperature in the post-cooling period.

[0115] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the predetermined first set temperature can be set to 0℃ or more.

[0116] According to an embodiment, the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can include a laser module that irradiates a patient's skin with a laser, a sensing unit that obtains skin temperature information by detecting a skin surface temperature of the patient, a cooling module that includes a flow rate control unit that controls a spraying amount of a cryogen sprayed onto the skin, the cryogen being sprayed in a sprayed form by including at least one state of a solid state, a liquid state, and a gas state, a refrigerant condition control unit that controls a temperature of the cryogen based on the skin temperature information, and a control module that controls the cooling module such that the cryogen is sprayed onto the skin in a spraying period, the spraying period including at least a pre-cooling period that starts before a laser emission time and an intermediate cooling period corresponding to a period in which the laser is emitted, wherein the cooling module can control at least one of the temperature and the spraying amount of the cryogen such that the skin surface temperature is a predetermined first set temperature in the pre-cooling period, and such that the skin surface temperature is a predetermined second set temperature in the intermediate cooling period, and the predetermined second set temperature can be preset to a temperature at which a solid cryogen that forms a reflection of at least a portion of the laser in a path of the emitted laser or a higher temperature.

[0117] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the predetermined second set temperature can be set to a temperature of -20℃ or more.

[0118] According to an embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the spraying period can include a post-cooling period that starts after the laser irradiation, and the cooling module can control the temperature of the cryogen such that the skin surface temperature becomes a predetermined third set temperature lower than the predetermined second set temperature in the post-cooling period.

[0119] According to embodiments, a laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the specification can include a laser module that irradiates a patient's skin with a laser, a sensing unit that obtains skin temperature information by detecting a skin surface temperature of the patient, a cooling module that controls a gas state ratio of a cryogen sprayed onto the skin by applying thermal energy to the cryogen sprayed on the skin based on the skin temperature information, the cryogen being sprayed in a sprayed form by including at least one state of a solid state, a liquid state, and a gas state, and a control module that controls the cooling module so that the cryogen is sprayed onto the skin in a spraying period, the spraying period including at least a pre-cooling period that starts before a laser emission time and an intermediate cooling period corresponding to a period in which the laser is emitted, wherein in the intermediate cooling period, the control module can control the cooling module so that the gas state ratio of the cryogen is a predetermined value or more by applying thermal energy to the cryogen.

[0120] According to embodiments of a laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the specification, the cryogen can include carbon dioxide, and the control module can control the cooling module so that a liquid droplet or dry ice included in the sprayed cryogen is a predetermined amount or less by applying thermal energy to the cryogen.

[0121] According to embodiments of a laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the specification, the control module can control the cooling module so that the gas phase ratio of the cryogen is 90% or more in the intermediate cooling period by applying thermal energy to the cryogen.

[0122] A laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the specification according to embodiments can include obtaining skin temperature information by detecting a skin surface temperature of a patient using a sensing unit, applying thermal energy to a cryogen sprayed onto the skin by a thermoelectric element based on the skin temperature information, the cryogen being sprayed in a sprayed form by including at least one state of a solid state, a liquid state, and a gas state, irradiating the patient's skin with a laser using a laser module, controlling a temperature of the cryogen so that the skin surface temperature is a predetermined first set temperature in a pre-cooling period that starts before a time at which the laser is sprayed onto the skin, and controlling the temperature of the cryogen so that the skin surface temperature is a predetermined second set temperature that is set to a temperature at which a solid cryogen that reflects at least a part of the laser in a path in which the laser is emitted or more is formed in an intermediate cooling period corresponding to a period in which the laser is emitted.

[0123] According to embodiments, the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can include a laser module that irradiates a patient's skin with a laser, a sensing unit that measures a skin temperature before, during, or after the skin is heated by the laser, a nozzle that sprays a refrigerant onto the skin, a refrigerant condition control unit that controls heat energy applied to the refrigerant by a thermoelectric element, and a control module, wherein in a spray period, the refrigerant is controlled to be sprayed by the nozzle, the spray period includes an intermediate cooling period corresponding to a period in which the laser is emitted, a pre-cooling period before the intermediate cooling period, and a post-cooling period after the intermediate cooling; a temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed is controlled by the refrigerant condition control unit based on the skin temperature so as to cool the skin to a desired temperature; in the pre-cooling period, the desired temperature is controlled to a skin temperature corresponding to a blood vessel temperature that does not cause blood vessels under the skin to contract; and in at least a part of the post-cooling period, the desired temperature is controlled to a skin temperature corresponding to a blood vessel temperature that causes the blood vessels to contract.

[0124] According to embodiments, the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can include a flow rate control unit that controls whether spraying of the refrigerant is performed or controls an amount of spraying of the refrigerant by using a valve, and to control the skin to a desired temperature, the control module can control the amount of spraying of the refrigerant to be sprayed by the flow rate control unit based on a temperature of the skin, and in the pre-cooling period, the control module can control the desired temperature to a skin temperature corresponding to a blood vessel temperature that does not cause blood vessels under the skin to contract, and in at least a part of the post-cooling period, the desired temperature can be controlled to a skin temperature corresponding to a blood vessel temperature that causes the blood vessels to contract.

[0125] According to embodiments of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the refrigerant condition control unit can apply different heat energy to the refrigerant in each of the pre-cooling period and the post-cooling period.

[0126] According to embodiments of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the control module can control an opening / closing period of the flow rate control unit in the pre-cooling period and an opening / closing period of the flow rate control unit in the post-cooling period to be different from each other, so that an amount of the refrigerant sprayed can be controlled.

[0127] According to embodiments of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the skin temperature corresponding to a blood vessel temperature that does not cause blood vessels under the skin to contract can be a temperature in a temperature range of 18℃ or more to 40℃ or less.

[0128] According to embodiments of the laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the skin temperature corresponding to the blood vessel temperature at which the blood vessels under the skin are not contracted can be a temperature in a temperature range of -10℃ or more to 2℃ or less.

[0129] According to embodiments, the laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can include: irradiating a patient's skin with laser light by a laser module; measuring a temperature of the skin by a sensing unit before, during, or after the skin is heated by the laser light; spraying a refrigerant on the skin through a nozzle; controlling heat energy applied to the refrigerant by a refrigerant condition control unit using a thermoelectric element; and controlling, by a control module, the refrigerant spray through the nozzle in a spray period including an intermediate cooling period corresponding to a period in which the laser light is emitted, a pre-cooling period before the intermediate cooling period, and a post-cooling period after the intermediate cooling, controlling, by the refrigerant condition control unit, a temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed based on the temperature of the skin so as to cool the temperature of the skin to a desired temperature, controlling the desired temperature to a skin temperature corresponding to a blood vessel temperature at which the blood vessels under the skin are not contracted in the pre-cooling period, and controlling the desired temperature to a skin temperature corresponding to a blood vessel temperature at which the blood vessels are contracted in at least a part of the post-cooling period.

[0130] According to embodiments, the laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can further include controlling, by a flow rate control unit using a valve, at least one of whether to perform the spraying of the refrigerant and the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed, wherein the control module can control, by the flow rate control unit, the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed based on the temperature of the skin so as to control the temperature of the skin to a desired temperature; the desired temperature can be controlled to a skin temperature corresponding to a blood vessel temperature at which the blood vessels under the skin are not contracted in the pre-cooling period; and the desired temperature can be controlled to a skin temperature corresponding to a blood vessel temperature at which the blood vessels are contracted in at least a part of the post-cooling period.

[0131] According to embodiments of the laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the refrigerant condition control unit can apply different heat energy to the refrigerant in the pre-cooling period and the post-cooling period.

[0132] According to embodiments of the laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the control module can control the opening / closing time period of the flow rate control unit in the pre-cooling period and the opening / closing time period of the flow rate control unit in the post-cooling period to be different from each other, so that the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed can be controlled.

[0133] According to embodiments of the laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the skin temperature corresponding to the blood vessel temperature at which the blood vessels under the skin are not contracted can be a temperature in a temperature range of 18℃ or more to 40℃ or less.

[0134] According to embodiments of the laser treatment method using a cooling system disclosed in the present specification, the skin temperature corresponding to the blood vessel temperature at which the blood vessels under the skin are not contracted can be a temperature in a temperature range of -10°C or more to 2°C or less.

[0135] The present specification relates to a laser treatment apparatus having a cooling system and a treatment method thereof. According to embodiments of the present specification, the laser treatment apparatus having a cooling system can emit laser light on a target area of the skin, and can cool the skin surface.

[0136] Here, the laser treatment can mean all actions of applying light energy to a treatment target, converting the light energy into thermal energy for the target to promote skin care or skin treatment. For example, the laser treatment can mean causing thermal ablation by the thermal energy of accumulated laser light energy in the treatment target.

[0137] The laser used in the laser treatment can be any type of laser that can be used for skin treatment, and a long pulse laser or a short pulse laser can be used according to the treatment type.

[0138] Specifically, the laser used in the laser treatment can be determined by considering the target of the laser treatment, the absorption wavelength in the surrounding tissue, and the position (e.g., depth) in the skin, etc. With regard to the wavelength of the laser, in general, as the wavelength of the laser increases, the penetration depth into the skin increases. However, since the penetration depth is affected not only by the simple wavelength but also by the absorption rate of the target object, it is necessary to select the laser by considering the absorption wavelength of the target object. Additionally, when light having a high absorption rate to the surrounding substance is used, the laser can be absorbed by the surrounding substance before the treatment target object, and thus heat can not be sufficiently applied to the target object. For example, many melanins are distributed at a shallow depth near the skin epidermis and absorb a large amount of light in a short wavelength band, and thus in the case of laser treatment targeting melanin, it is preferable to use a laser having a relatively short wavelength and a high absorption degree to melanin. Further, laser light having a wavelength lower than 600 nm is effectively absorbed into capillaries, and laser light having a wavelength higher than 1200 nm is effectively absorbed by moisture in the skin, and thus in the case of treatment for melanin, it is preferable to use light having a wavelength of 700 nm to 1100 nm. In other words, it is necessary to consider the absorption rate of the treatment target, the position (e.g., depth) in the skin, and the absorption rate of the surrounding tissue to select the laser used in the laser treatment.

[0139] Additionally, the target described in the present specification refers to a target of treatment. Specifically, the target region means a specific block or tissue of the skin to receive treatment, and as a block or tissue to which heat energy is concentratedly applied by a laser and treatment is performed by thermal ablation, the target can be a part of a site constituting a patient's body, including the skin, internal and external tissues of the body, various cells, blood, and saliva.

[0140] Additionally, the skin surface can mean a block of the skin surface located in a laser path when the target region is irradiated with a laser. That is, the skin surface can be a block located on the upper layer of the skin, rather than the target region. Additionally, the target region can be located on the skin surface, and in this case, the target region and the skin surface can refer to substantially the same block. However, when the target region is located in a different block under the skin surface, it is clear that the target region of the skin and the skin surface refer to different blocks.

[0141] Additionally, the skin and the skin surface described in the present specification are described as different concepts. Specifically, the skin can be a concept including all of the skin surface, the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue, and the skin surface, which is a tissue of the outer surface of the body, is used as a concept meaning the upper tissue of the skin. In other words, in the present specification, the skin is used as a more comprehensive concept than the skin surface.

[0142] Additionally, "cooling" described in the present specification means applying cooling energy to a target to be cooled by a refrigerant and absorbing heat energy of the target to be cooled, thereby lowering the temperature of the target to be cooled. For example, cooling is performed by applying cooling energy to the target to be cooled in a method of'spraying' the refrigerant to the target to be cooled. For another example, cooling can apply cooling energy to the target to be cooled by applying cooling energy to a cooling medium and bringing the cooling medium into 'contact' with the target to be cooled. For still another example, cooling energy can be applied to the target to be cooled by'spraying' air gas. In other words, cooling needs to be understood as a comprehensive concept including all methods (e.g., contact type, non-contact type (or injection type), and air gas injection type, etc.) of applying cooling energy to the target to be cooled. However, in the exemplary embodiment disclosed in the present specification, it is possible to cool the skin surface by spraying the refrigerant on the skin surface in a non-contact method, particularly, a spraying method.

[0143] Here, the 'target to be cooled', i.e., the target on which cooling is performed, can vary. For example, when laser treatment is performed on a patient, the target to be cooled can be a portion constituting a part of the patient's body on which laser treatment is performed, including the skin, internal and external tissues of the body, various cells, blood, and saliva, etc. In other words, in the present specification, the target to be cooled needs to be understood as a comprehensive concept including all zones to be subjected to laser treatment. In particular, when a portion of the patient's body is cooled by spraying a refrigerant, the refrigerant is generally sprayed on the skin surface, and in this case, due to the transfer of cooling energy, the cooling energy can be applied not only to the skin surface but also to the skin tissue in the internal zone of the skin surface. In this case, the target to be cooled needs to be understood as a comprehensive concept including not only the skin surface but also the skin tissue in the internal zone of the skin surface.

[0144] Additionally, in the present specification, the'refrigerant' can include any substance capable of applying cooling energy to the target to be cooled. For example, the refrigerant can include a freezing agent, a coolant, and a refrigerant, etc., including a liquid phase and / or a gas phase. For another example, the refrigerant can also include a substance containing a portion of a solid phase. For example, the'refrigerant' needs to be understood as a comprehensive concept including all substances containing a phase or a combination of phases capable of applying cooling energy, such as carbon dioxide, liquid nitrogen, nitrogen dioxide, an HFC-based substance, methane, PFC, SF6, cooling water, and cooling gas. In the exemplary embodiment disclosed in the present specification, the refrigerant can be carbon dioxide. However, the refrigerant is not limited thereto, and any substance harmless to the skin and capable of reducing the temperature of the skin can be used as the refrigerant of the laser treatment device of the present specification.

[0145] Additionally, a cooling period in which cooling is performed will be hereinafter referred to as a "spray period". In a time relationship with the laser emission period, the spray period can include a pre-cooling period (or a cooling period before emission), an intermediate cooling period (or a cooling period during emission), and a post-cooling period (or a cooling period after emission). The pre-cooling period means a spray period located before a start time of the laser emission period on a time axis. The intermediate cooling period means a spray period overlapping at least a part of the laser emission period on a time axis. The post-cooling period means a spray period located after a stop time of the laser emission period on a time axis. In other words, the spray period is a period included at least partially in a period other than the laser emission period and in the laser emission period, and according to a time relationship with the laser emission period, the period other than the laser emission period can include the pre-cooling period and the post-cooling period, and the period included at least partially in the laser emission period can be the intermediate cooling period. In some embodiments, the laser emission period and the intermediate cooling period can be referred to as substantially the same period. For example, when cooling is continuously performed from a start time of laser emission to a stop time of laser emission, the laser emission period and the intermediate cooling period can be referred to as substantially the same period.

[0146] In this case, the laser can continuously emit a plurality of pulses at a short time interval (for example, at a time interval of nanoseconds and microseconds). In this case, a period between a start time of the first laser pulse output and a stop time of the last laser pulse output can be referred to as a laser emission period. In other words, in the case of treatment of a laser having a plurality of pulses emitted at a time interval of nanoseconds and a time interval of microseconds, the laser output of the plurality of pulses can be used to have substantially the same meaning as the "one set" of laser output, and thus, the laser emission period can mean a period between a start time of the first pulse of the plurality of pulses and a stop time of the last pulse.

[0147] Additionally, the meaning of applying cooling energy can be substantially the same as that of absorbing heat energy from a target to be cooled. Additionally, absorbing heat energy from a target to be cooled can have substantially the same meaning as applying negative energy to a target to be cooled. That is, applying cooling energy can be substantially the same as applying negative energy.

[0148] Similarly, applying heat energy can be substantially the same as applying positive energy.

[0149] The laser treatment apparatus with a cooling system disclosed in the present specification can be used for skin treatment, and in particular, can be used for skin treatment such as vascular lesions, warts, acne, and pigmentation, and cosmetic procedures such as hair removal, hair loss, wrinkle removal, spot removal, and local fat reduction.

[0150] The present disclosure relates to a laser treatment apparatus having a cooling system. According to an embodiment of the present specification, the laser treatment apparatus having a cooling system can emit laser light on a target area of skin, and can cool a skin surface. In this case, after cooling the skin surface, laser light can be irradiated on the target area, and during laser light irradiation, the skin surface can be cooled simultaneously, and after laser light irradiation, the skin surface can be cooled. Cooling the skin surface can be preferably performed by spraying a refrigerant.

[0151] Hereinafter, a configuration of a laser treatment apparatus having a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present specification will be described with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 a configuration of a laser treatment apparatus having a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present specification will be described with reference to

[0152] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an illustrative embodiment of a laser treatment apparatus having a cooling system disclosed in the present specification. Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating an illustrative embodiment of a laser treatment apparatus having a cooling system disclosed in the present specification.

[0153] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the laser treatment apparatus having a cooling system 100 can include a laser module 1100, a cooling module 1200, a storage unit 1500 (or a tank), and a tube 1600 (or a catheter).

[0154] The laser module 1100 can generate laser light, and can output the laser light to a target area of the skin 10. The laser module 1100 can include a laser generation unit 1110 and a laser emission unit 1120. When a voltage is applied to the laser generation unit 1110, electrons can be emitted from an electron emission source thereof, and the electrons can move according to an electric field and collide with an electrode to generate laser light. The laser emission unit 1120 can output the laser light generated from the laser generation unit 1110 to the target area of the skin 10.

[0155] The cooling module 1200 can apply cooling energy to the skin by spraying a refrigerant on the skin. Here, the cooling module 1200 can control the cooling energy applied to the skin 10. Specifically, the cooling module 1200 can control the cooling energy applied to the skin 10 by controlling a characteristic of the refrigerant sprayed. Here, the characteristic of the refrigerant can include physical characteristics such as a temperature, an amount, a pressure, and a speed of the refrigerant. Accordingly, by controlling the physical characteristics of the refrigerant, the cooling module 1200 can prevent or minimize damage to the skin surface by laser treatment. In addition, the cooling module 1200 can control the physical characteristics of the refrigerant, and can control the temperature of the refrigerant to minimize pain caused by laser light by reducing the activity of nociceptors.

[0156] Additionally, the cooling module 1200 can cool the skin surface temperature by using a cooling method such as a spray type, a contact type, or an air gas spray type cooling.

[0157] Further, the cooling module 1200 can include a flow rate control unit 1210, a refrigerant condition control unit 1220, and a spray unit 1230.

[0158] The flow rate control unit 1210 of the cooling module 1200 can control the amount of refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 or the spray unit 1230. The refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can control the temperature, pressure, and / or amount of refrigerant to be sprayed, and the spray unit 1230 can spray the refrigerant to the skin surface.

[0159] The storage unit 1500 can accommodate the refrigerant. Specifically, the storage unit 1500 can receive the refrigerant including a thermodynamic state of a liquid state. Further, the storage unit 1500 can be configured in the form of a cartridge or a tank. The storage unit 1500 can accommodate more refrigerant than the refrigerant accommodated in the spray unit 1230. Thereby, the storage unit 1500 can have an internal pressure stably maintained, and can accommodate more mass of the liquid state refrigerant than the gaseous state refrigerant in the same volume.

[0160] In Figure 1 , the storage unit 1500 is illustrated as being located outside the handpiece of the laser treatment apparatus 100, but can be configured to be located inside the handpiece of the laser treatment apparatus 100. For example, when the storage unit 1500 is configured as a tank, the storage unit 1500 can be located outside the handpiece of the laser treatment apparatus 100, but when the storage unit 1500 is configured as a cartridge, the storage unit 1500 can be configured to be located inside the handpiece of the laser treatment apparatus 100 according to circumstances.

[0161] Additionally, the laser treatment apparatus 100 according to the embodiments of the present specification can further include a tube 1600 connecting the storage unit 1500 with the inlet of the cooling module 1200. Further, although not illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the components of the cooling module 1200 can be connected to each other by a tube. For example, the inlet of the cooling module 1200 and the first side of the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can be connected to each other by a tube, and the second side of the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 and one side of the spray unit 1230 can be connected to each other by a tube.

[0162] Further, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can include at least one tube. In the laser treatment apparatus 100, the tube can be used to form a flow path for spraying the refrigerant discharged from the storage unit 1500 to the outside by the spray unit 1230.

[0163] The laser treatment apparatus 100 can include a pipe involved in forming a flow path between the outlet of the storage unit 1500 and the inlet of the flow rate control unit 1210. In other words, at least one pipe can be disposed between the outlet of the storage unit 1500 and the inlet of the flow rate control unit 1210.

[0164] The laser treatment apparatus 100 can include a pipe involved in forming a flow path between the outlet of the flow rate control unit 1210 and the inlet of the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 and / or between the outlet of the flow rate control unit 1210 and the outlet of the refrigerant condition control unit 1220.

[0165] The laser treatment apparatus 100 can include a pipe involved in forming a flow path between the outlet of the flow rate control unit 1210 and the inlet of the ejection unit 1230 and / or between the outlet of the flow rate control unit 1210 and the outlet of the ejection unit 1230.

[0166] The laser treatment apparatus 100 can include a pipe involved in forming a flow path between the outlet of the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 and the inlet of the ejection unit 1230 and / or between the outlet of the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 and the outlet of the ejection unit 1230.

[0167] According to an embodiment of the present specification, the laser module 1100 and the cooling module 1200 of the laser treatment apparatus 100 can be coupled to each other in various methods. For example, the laser module 1100 and the cooling module 1200 can be configured to be an attached type. Alternatively, the laser module 1100 and the cooling module 1200 can be configured to be an independent type.

[0168] The independent type can mean a type in which the laser treatment method according to an embodiment of the present specification can be performed without a separate external apparatus.

[0169] The attached type can mean a type in which the laser treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present specification can perform laser treatment in cooperation with an external apparatus. The attached type cooling system can be provided in a form in which some components are excluded from the independent type cooling system. For example, the attached type cooling system can be configured by excluding the laser module. In this case, when an external apparatus that emits laser light and the attached type cooling system cooperate, the laser treatment method according to an embodiment of the present specification can be performed.

[0170] Hereinafter, the above-described cooling module 1200 will be described in more detail.

[0171] Referring again to Figure 2 , the cooling module 1200 can include a flow rate control unit 1210, a refrigerant condition control unit 1220, and an ejection unit 1230. Additionally, the cooling module 1200 can further include an inlet that receives refrigerant from a storage unit 1500 that contains refrigerant.

[0172] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the flow rate control unit 1210 can be configured as a valve. The valve can be used to control the flow and amount of the refrigerant. The valve can be used to discharge the refrigerant or prevent the refrigerant from passing through the valve. Alternatively, the valve can be used to control the degree of discharge of the refrigerant passing through the valve.

[0173] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the valve can be controlled according to a specific signal. The valve can be opened and closed in response to an electronic signal generated by the control module 1400. For a specific example, the valve can be an electronic valve (e.g., a solenoid valve), but is not limited thereto.

[0174] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the valve can be controlled according to a mechanical structure and fluid motion. The valve can be opened and closed according to the pressure formed by the fluid moving along the flow path in the laser treatment device 100. For a specific example, the valve can be a hydraulic valve (e.g., a pressure control valve), but is not limited thereto.

[0175] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the valve can be controlled according to a user input. The user can open or close the valve. For a specific example, the valve can be a manual valve (e.g., a stop valve), but is not limited thereto.

[0176] For example, the flow rate control unit 1210 can be located between the inlet of the cooling module 1200 and the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. In this case, the flow rate control unit 1210 can control the amount of refrigerant supplied from the inlet of the cooling module 1200 to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. For example, the valve can be located between the inlet of the cooling module 1200 and the refrigerant condition control unit 1220, and can control the amount of refrigerant supplied from the inlet of the cooling module 1200 to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. Specifically, when the valve is opened, the refrigerant can move from the inlet of the cooling module 1200 to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220, and when the valve is closed, the refrigerant can be restricted from moving from the inlet of the cooling module 1200 to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. In addition, the opening time and period of the valve can be controlled to control the amount of refrigerant that can move from the inlet of the cooling module 1200 to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220.

[0177] For example, the flow rate control unit 1210 can be located between the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 and the spraying unit 1230 within the cooling module 1200. In this case, the flow rate control unit 1210 can control the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 to the spraying unit 1230. For example, a valve can be located between the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 and the spraying unit 1230, and can control the amount of refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 to the spraying unit 1230. Specifically, when the valve is open, the refrigerant can move from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 to the spraying unit 1230, and when the valve is closed, the refrigerant can be restricted from moving from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 to the spraying unit 1230. In addition, by controlling the opening time and opening period of the valve, it is possible to control the refrigerant that can move from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 to the spraying unit 1230. In other words, by controlling the opening time of the flow rate control unit 1210, it is possible to control the amount of refrigerant supplied to the spraying unit 1230, and finally, it is possible to control the amount of refrigerant to be sprayed to control the skin surface temperature.

[0178] For example, the flow rate control unit 1210 can be configured as a solenoid valve, and the solenoid valve is electrically connected with the control module 1400 and the input unit, and thus, the signal generated by the user manipulating the input unit is input to the control module 1400, and based on this, the control module 1400 can control the solenoid valve to open, so that the inflow or outflow of the refrigerant can be controlled.

[0179] For example, the flow rate control unit 1210 can be configured as a solenoid valve. In this case, the solenoid valve can control the inflow or outflow of the refrigerant by adjusting the opening period of the valve according to the electrical signal of the control module 1400 by a pulse width modulation (PWM) method. Specifically, the solenoid valve automatically performs a plurality of opening / closing operations according to the scheme preset by the control module 1400, so that the valve can be open only for a predetermined period of time during treatment. In this case, the opening period of the valve can be a regular period or an irregular period.

[0180] Referring again to Figure 2 , the cooling module 1200 of the laser treatment device 100 can include a refrigerant condition control unit 1220. The refrigerant condition control unit 1220 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be used to control the physical state of the refrigerant. In other words, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can perform a function of controlling the physical state of the refrigerant in the laser treatment device 100. That is, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can be used to control the physical state of the refrigerant moving in the cooling module 1200 including the flow rate control unit 1210 and / or the spraying unit 1230.

[0181] In an embodiment, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can control the temperature and / or pressure of the refrigerant. The refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can heat the refrigerant. Alternatively, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can cool the refrigerant. Alternatively, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can heat and / or cool the refrigerant according to the state of the refrigerant to maintain the temperature of the refrigerant. Alternatively, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can heat and / or cool the refrigerant according to the state of the refrigerant to maintain the pressure of the refrigerant.

[0182] In an embodiment, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can control the velocity and / or pressure of the refrigerant. The refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can provide a space in which the refrigerant expands, and can decrease the velocity and pressure of the refrigerant. Alternatively, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can provide a space in which the refrigerant is compressed, and can increase the velocity and pressure of the refrigerant.

[0183] In an embodiment, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can perform control of the amount of the refrigerant. For example, when the thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 increases, the degree of freedom of the refrigerant moving through the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 increases, and thus its static pressure increases, so that the amount of the refrigerant decreases. In contrast, when the thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 decreases, the degree of freedom of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 decreases, and thus its static pressure decreases, so that the amount of the refrigerant increases.

[0184] The refrigerant condition control unit 1220 according to an embodiment of the disclosure can include an element capable of supplying thermal energy. The refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can generate thermal energy.

[0185] The refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can generate thermal energy by using chemical energy or by using electrical energy. Further, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can generate thermal energy by using a Joule-Thomson method in which a condensed gas is used.

[0186] Alternatively, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can supply thermal energy by using a thermoelectric element such as a Peltier element. In the case where the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 is a thermoelectric element, when an electric current is applied to the thermoelectric element, the first surface of the thermoelectric element can absorb heat and heat can be generated in the second surface of the thermoelectric element due to the Peltier effect.

[0187] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a laser treatment device 100 can be provided, which is arranged such that a surface corresponding to the second surface of the thermoelectric element is in thermal contact with a flow path in which the refrigerant can flow, and in this case, the thermoelectric element can function as the refrigerant condition control unit 1220.

[0188] Referring again to Figure 2 , the cooling module 1200 of the laser treatment apparatus 100 can include a spraying unit 1230. The spraying unit 1230 according to an embodiment of the disclosure can be used to spray a fluid inside the cooling module 1200 to the outside. The spraying unit 1230 can be used to discharge a refrigerant that passes through the flow rate control unit 1210 and / or the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 to the outside.

[0189] The spraying unit 1230 according to an embodiment of the disclosure can be configured as a nozzle. The nozzle can perform a function of allowing the refrigerant flowing in at least one block in the cooling module 1200 to be sprayed to the free space and to the skin surface. In addition, the spraying unit 1230 can be configured to include a nozzle structure in which the Joule-Thomson effect can be optimized. Specifically, the nozzle is formed to be narrower in width than a flow path through which a high-pressure refrigerant flows, and when the flow path is opened, the high-pressure refrigerant is guided along the flow path to the nozzle, and the refrigerant discharged through the nozzle is sprayed in a cooling state due to the Joule-Thomson effect.

[0190] The refrigerant sprayed through the spraying unit 1230 is sprayed in a cooling state due to the Joule-Thomson effect. Here, the Joule-Thomson effect is a phenomenon in which the temperature of compressed gas decreases when the compressed gas expands. This phenomenon is a change in temperature with respect to a thermodynamic phase composed of pressure-temperature, and is a phenomenon applied to liquefy air or cool air by a refrigerant. When a hole such as an orifice is inserted into a flow path of a fluid, the temperature of the fluid decreases behind the hole. This phenomenon is a phenomenon in which the internal energy is almost constant when a gas freely expands, that is, the gas adiabatically expands without exchanging work with the outside. This phenomenon refers to the effect of adiabatic free expansion in order to obtain a low temperature with a gas liquefaction device. Due to the Joule-Thomson effect, the refrigerant sprayed through the spraying unit 1230 is cooled due to its rapid pressure decrease, and when the refrigerant is sprayed on the treatment area, the refrigerant takes away heat from the treatment area by contact with the treatment area, and thus the treatment area can be cooled.

[0191] The refrigerant sprayed to the free space can be in a gas phase, a liquid phase, and / or a solid phase. In other words, the refrigerant can be in a gas phase, a liquid phase, or a solid phase, and can be a mixture in which at least two phases or more phases of the refrigerant are distributed together. In one example, when the refrigerant is carbon dioxide (CO2), the sprayed refrigerant can be distributed as a mixture of gas and solid. In another example, when the refrigerant is nitrogen (N2), the sprayed refrigerant can be distributed as a mixture of gas and liquid.

[0192] Additionally, the nozzle can have a wear resistance property. In other words, the nozzle can be formed of a material that is not easily damaged by friction. For example, the nozzle can be made of an aluminum alloy, a steel alloy, stainless steel, or a copper alloy, but is not limited thereto.

[0193] Additionally, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the spraying unit 1230 can further include a spraying restriction portion to limit an area of a skin surface reached by the refrigerant discharged from the spraying unit 1230. Furthermore, the spraying unit can further include a guide portion so that the refrigerant does not reach a block other than the spraying restriction portion.

[0194] Referring again to Figure 2 , according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can include a sensing unit 1300. The sensing unit 1300 can detect a skin surface temperature, a refrigerant temperature, and a component temperature of the cooling module 1200, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0195] The sensing unit 1300 can include a first temperature sensing unit that measures a skin surface temperature.

[0196] Additionally, the sensing unit 1300 can include a second temperature sensing unit that measures a temperature of the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 and / or thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220.

[0197] Additionally, the sensing unit 1300 can include a third temperature sensing unit that measures a temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed from the spraying unit 1230.

[0198] The first temperature sensing unit can measure a temperature of a block of a skin surface to be irradiated by a laser, a temperature of a block of a skin surface being irradiated by a laser, or a temperature of a block of a skin surface for which laser irradiation is completed. The first temperature sensing unit can preferably measure a center temperature of a target area of a skin surface (e.g., a block of a skin surface in a laser path). The first temperature sensing unit can be configured to measure an area other than a center of a target area of a skin surface, but the temperature of the center of the target area increases the most due to a laser output, and thus is more likely to reach a skin damage temperature, and thus it is possible to minimize the possibility of skin damage by measuring the temperature of the center of the target area of the skin surface.

[0199] In this case, the first temperature sensing unit can be configured as a non-contact temperature sensing unit. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spaced distance between the laser treatment device 100 and the skin surface can vary, and in this case, the angle of the non-contact temperature sensing unit can be adjusted so that the non-contact temperature sensing unit measures the center of the target area of the skin surface according to the spaced distance. For example, the laser treatment device 100 of the present disclosure can further include a cooling distance maintaining portion through which the distance between the laser treatment device and the skin surface can be adjusted to a plurality of distances (e.g., 1 cm, 2 cm, and 3 cm). In this case, the cooling distance maintaining portion is mechanically interlocked with the non-contact temperature sensing unit, and thus the mounting angle of the non-contact temperature sensing unit is adjusted so that the center of the target area of the skin surface is checked according to the distance preset by the cooling distance maintaining portion.

[0200] The second temperature sensing unit can measure the temperature of the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 and / or the heat energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. For example, in the case where the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 is a thermoelectric element such as a Peltier element, when an electric current is applied to the thermoelectric element, the first surface of the thermoelectric element can absorb heat and heat can be generated in the second surface of the thermoelectric element due to the Peltier effect. In this case, the heat energy generated or absorbed in the thermoelectric element is different according to the electric current applied to the thermoelectric element, and thus the second temperature sensing unit can be configured to measure the temperature of at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the thermoelectric element. Since the heat energy generated or absorbed in the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 is one of the direct variables that control the temperature of the target area of the skin surface, the temperature of the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can be measured, and thus data that can be used to accurately control the temperature of the target area of the skin surface can be obtained.

[0201] However, this is only one example, and the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can measure the amount of heat energy applied to the refrigerant based on information about the current value obtained by measuring the electric current applied to the thermoelectric element and the refrigerant temperature measured by the third temperature sensing unit to be described below.

[0202] The third temperature sensing unit can be configured to measure the temperature of the refrigerant sprayed by the spraying unit 1230. Since the temperature of the refrigerant sprayed by the spraying unit 1230 is one of the direct variables in the temperature control of the target area of the skin surface, the temperature of the refrigerant sprayed by the spraying unit 1230 is measured, so that data that can be used to precisely control the temperature of the target area of the skin surface can be obtained. However, the third temperature sensing unit is not limited to the temperature of the refrigerant sprayed by the spraying unit 1230, and it is clear that the purpose of the present disclosure for precisely controlling the temperature of the target area of the skin surface can be achieved even if the third temperature sensing unit is configured to measure the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the flow path at any position inside the cooling module 1200 of the laser treatment device 100.

[0203] Referring again to Figure 2 , the laser treatment device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can include a control module 1400. In this case, the control module 1400 can further include a memory in which existing treatment information, temperature information such as the temperature of the refrigerant and the temperature of the skin surface, and treatment plan information are stored.

[0204] The control module 1400 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can control the overall operation of the laser treatment device 100. For example, the control module 1400 can load and execute a program for the operation of the cooling module 1200 from the memory, can generate a control signal for controlling the laser emitted by the laser emission unit 1120, or can receive a trigger signal from the user through the input unit and transmit the trigger signal to the laser module 1100, the cooling module 1200, and the sensing unit 1300.

[0205] The control module 1400 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can control the operation of the laser treatment device 100. For example, the control module 1400 can control the emission of the laser through the laser module 1100 of the laser treatment device 100. In addition, the control module 1400 can allow the physical properties of the refrigerant to be controlled by the cooling module 1200 of the laser treatment device 100, and can control the refrigerant to be sprayed. In addition, the control module 1400 can control the sensing unit 1300 of the laser treatment device 100 to detect the temperature of the skin surface and the temperature of the refrigerant.

[0206] The control module 1400 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can control the operation of the laser generation unit 1110 and the laser emission unit 1120 of the laser module 1100.

[0207] The control module 1400 according to an embodiment of the disclosure can control driving of the flow rate control unit 1210. For a more specific example, the control module 1400 can control opening / closing of the flow rate control unit 1210, and can control the opening / closing of the flow rate control unit 1210 to have a repeated cycle when necessary.

[0208] Additionally, the control module 1400 can control an opening / closing time period of the flow rate control unit 1210. Thereby, the control module 1400 can control an amount of the refrigerant supplied to the spray unit 1230, and can control an amount of cooling energy applied to the target area of the skin surface.

[0209] The control module 1400 according to an embodiment of the disclosure can control operation of the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. For example, the control module 1400 can control whether to operate the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 (e.g., whether to turn on / off the refrigerant condition control unit 1220), and can control the turning on / off of the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 when necessary, considering a relationship of the opening / closing of the refrigerant condition control unit with the flow rate control unit 1210 (e.g., a valve). In particular, when the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 is a thermoelectric element (e.g., a Peltier element), the control module 1400 can control an amount of current applied to the thermoelectric element. Thereby, a degree of heat absorption of a first surface of the thermoelectric element and a degree of heat generation of a second surface thereof can be controlled, and thus an amount of thermal energy applied to the refrigerant by the thermoelectric element can be controlled.

[0210] Here, an increase in the amount of thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 (e.g., the thermoelectric element) can be substantially the same as an increase in the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through a flow path inside the refrigerant condition control unit 1220, and a decrease in the amount of thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 (e.g., the thermoelectric element) can be substantially the same as a decrease in the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the flow path inside the refrigerant condition control unit.

[0211] According to another embodiment of the disclosure, by reversing a direction of current applied to the thermoelectric element, the control module 1400 can control heat generation on a first surface of the thermoelectric element, and can control heat absorption on a second surface of the thermoelectric element. In this case, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can be "cooled" by heat absorption of the second surface of the thermoelectric element. Accordingly, when the thermoelectric element is applied to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220, the control module 1400 can control a direction of current applied to the thermoelectric element, and can heat or cool the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant condition control unit 1220.

[0212] As Figure 2As illustrated, the common control module 1400 is illustrated as controlling the laser module 1100 and the cooling module 1200, but is not limited thereto, and the laser treatment apparatus 100 can include a plurality of control modules, and can be configured such that a first control module of the plurality of control modules controls the operation of the laser module 1100, and a second control module of the plurality of control modules controls the operation of the cooling module 1200. In this case, the first control module and the second control module can be electrically connected to each other, and can control the laser emission and the refrigerant injection to be performed, respectively, by taking into account the connection between the laser module 1100 and the cooling module 1200.

[0213] The control module 1400 can be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) or the like according to hardware or software or a combination thereof. For example, the control module 1400 can be configured as a controller or a processor. The control module 1400 can be provided in the form of an electronic circuit as hardware that performs a control function by processing an electrical signal, and can be provided in the form of a program or code as software for driving the hardware circuit.

[0214] So far, the components of the laser treatment apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the disclosure have been described. However, the laser treatment apparatus 100 of the disclosure need not include only the above components, and although not illustrated, can further include an input unit for receiving a user input, an output unit (such as a display) for outputting specific information to the user, and a filter for filtering out impurities of the refrigerant flowing through the laser treatment apparatus 100.

[0215] Additionally, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can have a separate power supply, or can receive power from the outside in a wired or wireless manner, and can have a separate switch for controlling the power supply.

[0216] Hereinafter, the connection relationship between the components of the laser treatment apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the disclosure and the specific operation of the laser treatment apparatus 100 will be described in detail.

[0217] Hereinafter, the connection relationship between the components of the laser treatment apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the disclosure and the specific operation of the laser treatment apparatus 100 will be described in detail. Figure 3 will be described. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the laser treatment apparatus 100 having a cooling system according to the embodiment disclosed in the specification. The laser module 1100 can emit laser light on a target of the skin 10, and the cooling module 1200 can inject refrigerant on the target of the skin 10 and a block including a skin surface. In Figure 3 In the above, the cooling module 1200 injects refrigerant when laser light is output from the laser module 1100, but this is not limiting, and the cooling module 1200 can inject refrigerant before the laser light is output or after the laser light output is stopped.

[0218] Additionally, the sensing unit 1300 can measure the skin surface temperature according to the emission of the laser and / or the injection of the refrigerant. Additionally, the sensing unit 1300 can measure the change in the skin surface temperature according to the emission of the laser and / or the injection of the refrigerant.

[0219] Additionally, each of the laser module 1100, the cooling module 1200, and the sensing unit 1300 can be electrically connected to the control module 1400 so as to transmit or receive an electrical signal to or from the control module 1400. The control module 1400 can control the operation of the laser module 1100, the cooling module 1200, and the sensing unit 1300 through the electrical signal.

[0220] The control module 1400 according to the embodiment of the disclosure can control a first temperature sensing unit of the sensing unit 1300 to control the temperature of the skin surface, which is the path of the laser when the laser module 1100 irradiates the target area with the laser. In this case, the first temperature sensing unit of the sensing unit 1300 can measure the skin surface temperature before, during, and after the laser irradiation, and the detected skin surface temperature can be transmitted to the control module 1400.

[0221] For example, the control module 1400 and the first temperature sensing unit of the sensing unit 1300 can be electrically connected to each other, and the skin surface temperature measured by the first temperature sensing unit can be transmitted to and stored in the control module 1400.

[0222] The refrigerant condition control unit 1220 of the laser treatment device 100 according to the embodiment of the disclosure can control the temperature and / or pressure and / or amount of the refrigerant to be injected. In this case, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can control the temperature and / or pressure of the refrigerant by controlling the thermal energy applied to the refrigerant. In this case, the sensing unit 1300 can further include a second temperature sensing unit that measures the degree of thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. The second temperature sensing unit can measure the amount of change in the temperature of the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 or the amount of change in the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 (for example, the amount of change in the temperature of the refrigerant between the inlet and the outlet of the refrigerant condition control unit 1220), and can measure the degree of thermal energy applied to the refrigerant. However, it is not limited thereto, and the purpose of measuring the degree of thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can even be achieved by a method of measuring the intensity of the current applied to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220.

[0223] In this case, the temperature of the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 (for example, the temperature of the first surface and the second surface of the thermoelectric element) detected by the second temperature sensing unit, or temperature information about the amount of change in the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant condition control unit 1220, can be transmitted to the control module 1400.

[0224] For example, the control module 1400 and the second temperature sensing unit of the sensing unit 1300 can be electrically connected to each other, and the temperature information measured by the second temperature sensing unit can be transmitted to the control module 1400 and stored in the control module 1400.

[0225] Additionally, the spraying unit 1230 of the laser treatment device 100 according to the embodiment of the disclosure can spray the refrigerant. In this case, the spraying unit 1230 can be configured such that the refrigerant is sprayed in a manner in which the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant are controlled by the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 and / or the flow rate control unit 1210. In this case, the sensing unit 1300 can include a third temperature sensing unit that can measure the temperature of the refrigerant sprayed by the spraying unit 1230, and the temperature of the refrigerant detected by the third temperature sensing unit can be transmitted to the control module 1400.

[0226] For example, the control module 1400 and the third temperature sensing unit of the sensing unit 1300 can be electrically connected to each other, and the temperature information of the sprayed refrigerant detected by the third temperature sensing unit can be transmitted to the control module 1400 and stored in the control module 1400.

[0227] The control module 1400 according to the embodiment of the disclosure can control the opening / closing period of the flow rate control unit 1210 or the current applied to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 based on the plurality of pieces of temperature information detected by the first temperature sensing unit to the third temperature sensing unit, which are received and stored in the control module 1400.

[0228] The control module 1400 according to the embodiments of the disclosure can be electrically connected to the flow rate control unit 1210, and the control module 1400 can precisely control the amount of the supplied coolant by controlling the opening / closing period or the opening / closing time period of the flow rate control unit 1210 based on the temperature data detected by the first to third temperature sensing units. In addition, data regarding the opening / closing period and the opening / closing time period of the flow rate control unit 1210 can be measured by a timer, and the data regarding the opening / closing period and the opening / closing time period of the flow rate control unit 1210 measured by the timer can be transmitted to the control module 1400 and stored in the control module 1400. The opening / closing period and the opening / closing time period of the flow rate control unit 1210 stored in the control module 1400, in combination with the skin surface temperature or / and the temperature of the coolant, can be a basis for controlling the temperature and / or the amount of the coolant to be sprayed. The control module 1400 can control the temperature and / or the amount of the coolant to be sprayed based on the data regarding the opening / closing period and the opening / closing time period of the flow rate control unit 1210 and the skin surface temperature and the temperature of the coolant.

[0229] In addition, the control module 1400 according to the embodiments of the disclosure can be electrically connected to the coolant condition control unit 1220, and the control module 1400 can be configured to control the heat energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition control unit 1220 and / or the amount of the coolant flowing through the coolant condition control unit 1220 based on the temperature data detected by the first to third temperature sensing units. In addition, information regarding the heat energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition control unit 1220 can be measured by the second temperature sensing unit, and the information regarding the heat energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition control unit 1220 measured by the second temperature sensing unit can be transmitted to the control module 1400 and stored in the control module 1400. The information regarding the heat energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition control unit 1220 stored in the control module 1400, in combination with the skin surface temperature or / and the temperature of the coolant, can be a basis for controlling the temperature and / or the amount of the coolant to be sprayed subsequently. In other words, the control module 1400 can control the temperature and / or the amount of the coolant to be sprayed based on the information regarding the heat energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition control unit 1220, the skin surface temperature, and the temperature of the coolant.

[0230] The control module 1400 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can control the opening / closing time period, the opening / closing cycle, and the opening / closing of the heat energy and / or flow rate control unit 1210 applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. Thereby, the control module 1400 can control the "skin surface temperature" by controlling the amount of the refrigerant sprayed. In this case, the control module 1400 can control the temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed by using the existing information of the skin surface temperature detected by the first temperature sensing unit and stored in the control module 1400, and the temperature information detected by at least one of the second temperature sensing unit and the third temperature sensing unit and stored in the control module 1400. Additionally, the control module 1400 can control the refrigerant of the controlled temperature to be sprayed to the skin surface by the spraying unit 1230, thereby controlling the "skin surface temperature".

[0231] For example, the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant can be stored in the control module 1400 at each treatment by using the temperature information based on the degree of heat energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. Additionally, the information of the skin surface temperature controlled according to the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant can also be stored in the control module 1400. In other words, the control module 1400 can store and analyze the information about the degree of heat energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 to control the skin surface temperature to a certain temperature by using the stored temperature information. The control module 1400 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can control the temperature of the "refrigerant" by using the above-mentioned temperature information to control the skin surface temperature.

[0232] Additionally, the control module 1400 of the laser treatment apparatus 100 according to the present specification can control the opening / closing time period of the heat energy and / or flow rate control unit 1210 applied to the refrigerant by considering whether the laser emission period and the spraying period of the refrigerant overlap.

[0233] For example, in the case of pre-cooling before laser emission, the control module 1400 receives the skin surface temperature information from the sensing unit 1300 and can control the temperature of the refrigerant sprayed before the laser emission start time by controlling the heat energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220, thereby controlling the skin surface temperature to a critical temperature or lower at which the skin is damaged in the "laser emission period". In this case, by considering the increase value of the skin surface temperature caused by the laser in the laser emission period, the control module 1400 can control the temperature of the refrigerant sprayed in the pre-cooling period P1 so that the skin surface temperature is a critical temperature or lower at which the skin is damaged.

[0234] Additionally, in the period of performing the laser emission, the control module 1400 can receive information of the skin surface temperature caused by the laser emission from the sensing unit 1300, and can control the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant in the laser emission period by controlling the thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. In this case, the temperature of the refrigerant can be controlled by the control module 1400 so that the skin surface temperature caused by the laser emission is controlled to a critical temperature or lower at which the skin surface is damaged.

[0235] Additionally, in the case of performing post-cooling after the laser emission, the control module 1400 can receive the skin surface temperature information from the sensing unit 1300, and can control the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant after the stop time of the laser emission period by controlling the thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. In this case, the control module 1400 can control the temperature of the refrigerant to be a certain temperature in order to minimize the pain of the skin 10.

[0236] Figure 4 is a graph illustrating changes in the skin surface temperature and the temperature of the target according to the control of the exemplary embodiment of the driving method of the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in the present specification. Here, Figure 4 “T_surface surface” of is can refer to the skin surface temperature of the present specification. Also, Figure 4 “T_target” of is can refer to the temperature of the target of the present specification. Also, Figure 4 “T_damage damage” of is can refer to the skin damage temperature of the present specification. Also, Figure 4 “T_desired” of is can refer to the desired temperature of the target of the present specification. Also, Figure 4 “P1”, “P2”, and “P3” in are can refer to “pre-cooling period”, “inter-cooling period”, and “post-cooling period” in the present specification, respectively. Additionally, Figure 4 “Ts1”, “Ts2”, and “Ts3” of are can refer to “first set temperature”, “second set temperature”, and “third set temperature” of the present specification, respectively.

[0237] According to the embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in the present specification, the control module 1400 can control the spraying period of the refrigerant to include at least a part of the laser emission period by the flow rate control unit 1210. For example, in Figure 4 , the spraying period of the refrigerant includes a pre-cooling period P1, an inter-cooling period P2 of the laser emission period, and a post-cooling period P3, and the inter-cooling period P2 can include at least a part of the laser emission period, and can be substantially the same period as the laser emission period.

[0238] Additionally, the control module 1400 can control the temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed by the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 based on the skin temperature information (e.g., the skin surface temperature and the temperature of the target, etc.) of the spray period of the refrigerant. Thereby, the skin surface temperature can be controlled, and thus, the damage of the laser to the skin surface can be reduced. For example, referring to Figure 4 The second set temperature Ts2 can be preset such that the skin surface temperature of the laser emission period is controlled to the skin damage temperature or less, and thus, the temperature of the refrigerant can be controlled by the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 to spray the refrigerant.

[0239] According to the embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus disclosed in the present specification 100, by the flow rate control unit 1210, the control module 1400 can control the spray period of the refrigerant to include at least a part of the laser emission period. In this case, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can apply different thermal energy to the refrigerant in the spray period other than the laser emission period (e.g., the pre-cooling period P1 and / or the post-cooling period P3) and the spray period of the laser emission period.

[0240] For example, referring to Figure 4 The spray period can include the pre-cooling period P1, the intermediate cooling period P2 (the laser emission period), and the post-cooling period P3, and in particular, the intermediate cooling period P2 can be controlled to include at least a part of the laser emission period. In this case, the thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 in the laser emission period and the thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 in the spray period other than the laser emission period, e.g., the pre-cooling period P1 and / or the post-cooling period P3, can be different from each other.

[0241] According to the embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus disclosed in the present specification 100, the difference between the skin surface temperature and the skin damage temperature in the laser emission period can be less than the difference between the skin surface temperature and the skin damage temperature in the period other than the laser emission. Thus, the thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 in the laser emission period can be less than the thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 in the period other than the laser emission period. In other words, the temperature of the refrigerant sprayed in the laser emission period can be lower than the temperature of the refrigerant sprayed in the period other than the laser emission period.

[0242] For example, referring to Figure 4The heat energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 in the laser emission period can be less than the heat energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit in a period other than the laser emission period (e.g., the pre-cooling period P1 and the post-cooling period P3). In other words, since the temperature rise of the skin 10 caused by the laser output can be higher in the laser emission period than in a period other than the laser emission period, the heat energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can be controlled to be less in the laser emission period than in the spray period other than the laser emission period, so that the temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed can be controlled to be lower in the laser emission period.

[0243] However, the above description is merely illustrative, and the heat energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can be controlled based on the difference between the skin surface temperature and the skin damage temperature measured by the sensing unit 1300, regardless of whether it is under the laser emission period.

[0244] According to the embodiment of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present specification, the spray period can include a first time point TP1 and a second time point TP2. As the time point in the spray period, the first time point TP1 can be a time point included in a first period (e.g., the pre-cooling period P1) before the laser emission period, or a time point included in a second period (e.g., the post-cooling period P3) after the laser emission period. The second time point TP2 can be a time point included in the laser emission period. In this case, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 applies first heat energy to the refrigerant at the first time point TP1 of the spray period, and applies second heat energy to the refrigerant at the second time point TP2 of the laser emission period, and the second heat energy can be less than the first heat energy.

[0245] For example, with reference to Figure 4 , the first time point TP1 can be a time point included in the pre-cooling period P1 of the spray period, and the second time point TP2 can be a time point included in the intermediate cooling period P2 of the laser emission period and the spray period. In this case, since the temperature rise is caused by the laser emission in the second time point TP2, the temperature of the refrigerant sprayed in the spray period of the laser emission period can be controlled to be relatively lower by controlling the heat energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 to be greater at the first time point TP1 than at the second time point TP2.

[0246] According to the embodiment of the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in the present specification, the spraying period can include a first time point TP1 and a second time point TP2. As the first time point TP1 which is a time point in the spraying period, it can be a time point included in a first period (e.g., a pre-cooling period P1) before the laser emission period, or a time point included in a second period (e.g., a post-cooling period P3) after the laser emission period. The second time point TP2 can be a time point included in the laser emission period. In this case, when the skin surface temperature at the first time point TP1 is lower than the skin surface temperature at the second time point TP2, the control module 1400 can apply the first heat energy at the first time point TP1, and can apply the second heat energy which is "less" than the first heat energy at the second time point TP2. Through the refrigerant condition control unit 1220, the control module 1400 can control the heat energy applied to the refrigerant at each of the first time point TP1 and the second time point TP2.

[0247] In Figure 4 , the first set temperature Ts1, the second set temperature Ts2, and the third set temperature Ts3 are illustrated as different temperatures, but are not limited thereto, and at least two of the first set temperature Ts1, the second set temperature Ts2, and the third set temperature Ts3 can be the same. Alternatively, the first set temperature Ts1, the second set temperature Ts2, and the third set temperature Ts3 can be preset to be the same. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail with reference to Figure 6 to Figure 8 .

[0248] Additionally, in Figure 4 , the pre-cooling period P1, the intermediate cooling period P2, and the post-cooling period P3 are illustrated as all being included, but are not limited thereto, and depending on the purpose of treatment and the type of treatment, the refrigerant can be sprayed so that only some of the pre-cooling period P1, the intermediate cooling period P2, and the post-cooling period P3 are included.

[0249] In the above, various operations of the laser module 1100, the cooling module 1200, the sensing unit 1300, the control module 1400, the storage unit 1500, and the tube 1600 of the laser treatment apparatus 100 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described. This can be inferred and applied to a driving method of the laser treatment apparatus 100 having a cooling system, which will be described hereinafter.

[0250] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a driving method S1000 of the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in the present specification.

[0251] The laser treatment method S1000 of the laser treatment device 100 according to the embodiments of the disclosure can include measuring a skin surface temperature and a temperature of a coolant at S1100, determining a temperature or an ejection amount of the coolant at S1200, and ejecting the coolant at S1300.

[0252] In the laser treatment method S1000 according to the embodiments of the disclosure, when the laser treatment starts, the skin surface temperature and / or the temperature of the coolant can be measured at S1100, and the temperature or the ejection amount of the coolant can be determined at S1200 by considering the measured temperature and a predetermined set temperature. Additionally, the ejection of the coolant at S1300 can be performed according to the temperature or the ejection amount of the coolant determined at S1200.

[0253] According to an embodiment, the temperature can be preset before S1000 starts (or before S1100).

[0254] The set temperature can be a desired temperature intended to control the skin surface temperature. Alternatively, the set temperature can be a desired temperature intended to control the temperature of the ejected coolant. Alternatively, the set temperature can be a desired temperature intended to control the temperature of the target receiving the laser treatment.

[0255] In this case, the user can directly preset each of the skin surface temperature, the temperature of the ejected coolant, and / or the desired temperature of the target as a specific temperature desired to be controlled. For example, the laser treatment device 100 according to the embodiments of the disclosure can include an input unit capable of receiving a user input, and through the input unit, the user can input at least one of the skin surface temperature, the temperature of the coolant, and the desired temperature of the target as a specific temperature desired to be controlled. The at least one of the skin surface temperature, the temperature of the coolant, and the desired temperature of the target input to the input unit can be transmitted to the control module 1400 and can be used as a factor to be considered when determining the temperature or the ejection amount of the coolant at S1200.

[0256] In another example, the set temperature can be set by the "control module" 1400 considering the treatment area, the type of lesion to receive treatment, the purpose of treatment, and the type of laser used. For example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can include an input unit capable of receiving a user input, and through the input unit, the user can input treatment information such as the type of lesion to receive treatment, the treatment area, the purpose of treatment, and the type of laser to be used. In this case, the treatment information input to the input unit is transmitted to the control module 1400, and the control module 1400 can preset at least one of the skin surface temperature, the refrigerant temperature, and the desired temperature of the target to a specific value based on the received treatment information. At least one of the skin surface temperature, the refrigerant temperature, and the desired temperature of the target preset by the control module 1400 can be modified or confirmed by the user. At least one of the skin surface temperature, the refrigerant temperature, and the desired temperature of the target preset by the control module 1400 can be transmitted to the control module 1400 and can be used as a factor to be considered in determining the temperature or the amount of injection of the refrigerant at S1200.

[0257] Additionally, in the setting of the set temperature, at least one of the skin surface temperature, the temperature of the injected refrigerant, and the desired temperature of the target can be set to be different according to the laser emission period and the injection period. In other words, in the setting of the set temperature, a first set temperature Ts1 of the pre-cooling period P1, a second set temperature Ts2 of the intermediate cooling period P2, and a third set temperature Ts3 of the post-cooling period P3 can be preset. Additionally, in the setting of the set temperature, the first set temperature Ts1 of the pre-cooling period P1, the second set temperature Ts2 of the intermediate cooling period P2, and the third set temperature Ts3 of the post-cooling period P3 can be set to be different. This will be described in detail with reference to Figure 6 to Figure 8 hereinafter.

[0258] The input unit can be formed on the outer surface of the laser treatment apparatus 100 and can be provided in a space separate from the laser treatment apparatus 100 to communicate with the laser treatment apparatus 100 in a wired or wireless manner. For example, the input unit can be provided in the form of a display on the outer surface of the handpiece of the laser treatment apparatus 100. For another example, the input unit can be configured as an external device capable of wirelessly communicating with the laser treatment apparatus 100. However, the input unit is not limited thereto and can be provided in various methods in which set temperature information or treatment information can be transmitted to the control module 1400 of the laser treatment apparatus 100.

[0259] As described above, the step of setting the set temperature is described as being performed before S1000 starts, but this is merely illustrative, and the set temperature can be set at any suitable step within S1000.

[0260] Hereinafter, each step will be described in detail.

[0261] Referring back Figure 2 and Figure 5 At S1100, the skin surface temperature and / or the refrigerant temperature can be measured.

[0262] After detecting the temperature information by using the sensing unit 1300 of the laser treatment apparatus 100, the measurement of the skin surface temperature and / or the temperature of the refrigerant at S1100 can be performed by transmitting the detected temperature information to the control module 1400. The temperature information can include at least one of the skin surface temperature and the refrigerant temperature. In other words, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can measure the skin surface temperature and / or the temperature of the refrigerant, and specifically, the temperature information can be detected by the sensing unit 1300.

[0263] For example, the sensing unit 1300 can include a first temperature sensing unit that can measure the skin surface temperature, and the skin surface temperature measured by the first temperature sensing unit can be transmitted to and stored in the control module 1400 of the laser treatment apparatus 100.

[0264] For another example, the sensing unit 1300 can include a third temperature sensing unit that can measure the temperature of the refrigerant sprayed by the spraying unit 1230, and the measured temperature of the refrigerant measured by the third temperature sensing unit can be transmitted to and stored in the control module 1400 of the laser treatment apparatus 100.

[0265] As Figure 5 illustrated, the temperature information is illustrated as including the skin surface temperature and the refrigerant temperature, but is not limited thereto, and can also include temperature information related to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. For example, the sensing unit 1300 can include a second temperature sensing unit that can measure the degree of thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220, and the temperature information measured by the second temperature sensing unit can be transmitted to and stored in the control module 1400 of the laser treatment apparatus 100.

[0266] Additionally, according to Figure 5 , the temperature information is illustrated as including the skin surface temperature and the refrigerant temperature in its entirety, but only the skin surface temperature other than the refrigerant temperature can be measured and considered when determining the temperature or the spraying amount of the refrigerant at S1200 described below. In other words, at S1100 of the laser treatment apparatus 100, the measurement of the refrigerant temperature can be omitted. Figure 5

[0267] Referring back​Figure 5 The laser treatment method according to an embodiment of the disclosure can include determining the temperature or the injection amount of the refrigerant, at S1200, considering the measured temperature at S1100 and a predetermined set temperature.

[0268] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, at S1200, the determining of the temperature or the injection amount of the refrigerant, considering the measured temperature and the predetermined set temperature, can consider the measured temperature at S1100 when determining the temperature or the injection amount of the refrigerant. Further, S1200 can consider the predetermined set temperature when determining the temperature or the injection amount of the refrigerant. Further, S1200 can consider a difference between the measured temperature and the predetermined set temperature when determining the temperature or the injection amount of the refrigerant.

[0269] The measured temperature can be at least one of a skin surface temperature measured by the sensing unit 1300 and a temperature of the injected refrigerant. Specifically, the skin surface temperature can be a temperature measured by the first temperature sensing unit and transmitted to the control module 1400 to be stored. Additionally, the temperature of the refrigerant, i.e., the temperature of the injected refrigerant, can be a temperature measured by the third temperature sensing unit and transmitted to the control module 1400 to be stored.

[0270] The predetermined set temperature can be a desired temperature of the skin surface temperature or a desired temperature of the refrigerant preset in the temperature preset described above. Specifically, the predetermined set temperature can be temperature information input by the user to the input unit. Alternatively, the set temperature can be a temperature set by the control module 1400 based on treatment information input by the user to the input unit.

[0271] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, at S1200, considering the measured temperature and the predetermined set temperature, a property of the refrigerant, such as the temperature or the injection amount of the refrigerant, can be determined. Specifically, the temperature and / or the injection amount of the refrigerant can be determined by the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 or the flow rate control unit 1210 controlled by the control module 1400.

[0272] According to an embodiment, the temperature of the refrigerant can be controlled by the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 controlled by the control module 1400.

[0273] For example, the control module 1400 can be configured such that the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 controls the "temperature of the refrigerant" to be sprayed by controlling the heat energy applied to the refrigerant, thereby making the skin surface temperature close to the predetermined set temperature of the skin surface. The temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed can be controlled, and ultimately the skin surface temperature can be controlled to be close to the predetermined set temperature. In this case, just after being sprayed from the spraying unit 1230, the temperature of the refrigerant can increase due to the air, i.e., the external air, present between the spraying unit 1230 and the target area, and thus the refrigerant just sprayed from the spraying unit 1230 can be controlled by the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 to be lower than the temperature of the target area. In this case, the difference between the temperature of the refrigerant just sprayed from the spraying unit 1230 and the temperature of the target area can vary depending on the temperature of the external air, and as the temperature of the external air increases, the difference between the temperature of the refrigerant just sprayed from the spraying unit 1230 and the temperature of the target area can increase. For a specific example, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can control the heat energy applied to the refrigerant such that the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant (e.g., carbon dioxide) is -20°C or lower, so that the skin surface temperature is close to a temperature range of -20°C or higher to 10°C or lower. Alternatively, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can control the heat energy applied to the refrigerant such that the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant (e.g., carbon dioxide) is 10°C or lower, so that the skin surface temperature is close to a temperature range of -20°C or higher to 10°C or lower. The refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can preferably control the heat energy applied to the refrigerant such that the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant (e.g., carbon dioxide) is -60°C or higher to -20°C or lower, so that the skin surface temperature is close to a temperature range of -20°C or higher to 10°C or lower.

[0274] Alternatively, the heat energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can be controlled such that the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant (e.g., carbon dioxide) is -20°C or lower, so that the skin surface temperature is close to a temperature range of -20°C or higher to -10°C or lower. Alternatively, the heat energy is applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 such that the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant (e.g., carbon dioxide) is -10°C or lower, so that the skin surface temperature is close to a temperature range of -20°C or higher to -10°C or lower. The heat energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can be preferably controlled such that the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant (e.g., carbon dioxide) is -60°C or higher and -30°C or lower, so that the skin surface temperature is close to a temperature range of -20°C or higher and -10°C or lower.

[0275] Optionally, the thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can be controlled so that the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant (e.g., carbon dioxide) is -10°C or less, so that the skin surface temperature approaches a temperature range of -10°C or more and 0°C or less. Optionally, the thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can be controlled so that the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant (e.g., carbon dioxide) is 0°C or less, so that the skin surface temperature approaches a temperature range of -10°C or more and -10°C or less. The thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can be preferably controlled so that the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant (e.g., carbon dioxide) is -60°C or more and -25°C or less, so that the skin surface temperature approaches a temperature range of -10°C or more and 0°C or less.

[0276] Optionally, the thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can be controlled so that the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant (e.g., carbon dioxide) is 0°C or less, so that the skin surface temperature approaches a temperature range of 0°C or more and 10°C or less. Optionally, the thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can be controlled so that the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant (e.g., carbon dioxide) is 10°C or less, so that the skin surface temperature approaches a temperature range of 0°C or more and 10°C or less. The thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can be preferably controlled so that the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant (e.g., carbon dioxide) is -55°C or more and -25°C or less, so that the skin surface temperature approaches a temperature range of 0°C or more and 10°C or less.

[0277] When the refrigerant is sprayed to control the skin surface temperature at a specific temperature by a spray distance (a distance between the spray unit and the skin surface) of about 25 mm, the above-mentioned temperature of the sprayed refrigerant can be a refrigerant temperature measured after a thermocouple is installed at a distance of about 3 mm from the spray unit.

[0278] However, this is only an example, and the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant can be controlled so that the skin surface temperature approaches a specific temperature range, and the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant can differ according to a measurement scheme (e.g., a spray distance and a temperature measurement position of the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant, etc.).

[0279] According to an embodiment, the amount of spraying of the refrigerant can be controlled by the flow rate control unit 1210 controlled by the control module 1400.

[0280] For example, in order to control the skin surface temperature to be close to a predetermined set temperature of the skin surface, the control module 1400 can control the opening / closing period or opening / closing cycle of the flow rate control unit 1210 and can control the amount of refrigerant to be sprayed. By controlling the amount of refrigerant to be sprayed, the degree of cooling energy applied to the skin surface can be controlled. Additionally, in this way, ultimately, the skin surface temperature can be controlled to be close to the predetermined temperature.

[0281] According to another embodiment, the amount of spray of the refrigerant can be controlled by the refrigerant condition control unit 1220.

[0282] For example, when the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 increases the degree of thermal energy applied to the refrigerant, i.e., increases the temperature of the refrigerant, the degree of freedom of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 increases, and thus the static pressure of the refrigerant increases, so that the amount of the refrigerant decreases. In contrast, when the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 decreases the degree of thermal energy applied to the refrigerant, the degree of freedom of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 decreases, and thus the static pressure decreases, so that the amount of the refrigerant increases. By controlling the amount of refrigerant to be sprayed, the degree of cooling energy applied to the skin surface can be controlled. Additionally, ultimately, the skin surface temperature can be controlled to be close to a predetermined set temperature.

[0283] The control of the thermal energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can be performed by a thermoelectric element, such as a Peltier element, and the control module 1400 can control whether to supply power to the thermoelectric element and / or the amount of current applied to the thermoelectric element, so that the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can control the amount of thermal energy applied to the refrigerant. However, this is one example, and through various operations of the control module 1400 and the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 described above, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can control the degree of thermal energy applied to the refrigerant, thereby controlling the temperature or amount of the refrigerant.

[0284] According to an embodiment, at S1200, a property of the refrigerant can be controlled in consideration of a predetermined set temperature and a measured temperature. The property of the refrigerant can include the temperature, amount, pressure, or speed of the refrigerant, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0285] For example, the characteristics of the refrigerant can be controlled based on a difference between the preset skin surface temperature and the measured actual skin surface temperature. Specifically, based on whether the measured skin surface temperature is higher or lower than the preset skin surface temperature, the characteristics of the refrigerant can be controlled. When the preset skin surface temperature is lower than the measured actual skin surface temperature, the control module 1400 can control the flow rate control unit 1210 and / or the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 to lower the actual skin surface temperature. For example, the control module 1400 can increase the amount of refrigerant by increasing the opening / closing time period of the flow rate control unit 1210, and can increase the amount of energy applied to the skin surface. For another example, the control module 1400 can control the temperature decrease of the refrigerant by decreasing the current applied to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. On the other hand, when the preset skin surface temperature is higher than the measured actual skin surface temperature, the control module 1400 can control the flow rate control unit 1210 and / or the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 to raise the actual skin surface temperature. For example, the control module 1400 can decrease the amount of refrigerant by decreasing the opening / closing time period of the flow rate control unit 1210, and can decrease the amount of cooling energy applied to the skin surface. For another example, the control module 1400 can control the temperature increase of the refrigerant by increasing the current applied to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220.

[0286] For example, the characteristics of the refrigerant can be controlled based on a difference between the predetermined temperature of the "refrigerant" and the measured actual temperature of the "refrigerant". Specifically, the characteristics of the refrigerant can be controlled based on whether the measured temperature of the refrigerant is higher or lower than the predetermined temperature of the refrigerant. When the predetermined temperature of the refrigerant is lower than the measured actual temperature of the refrigerant, the control module 1400 can control the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 to lower the actual temperature of the refrigerant. For example, the control module 1400 can control the temperature decrease of the refrigerant by decreasing the current applied to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. On the other hand, when the predetermined temperature of the refrigerant is higher than the measured actual temperature of the refrigerant, the control module 1400 can control the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 to raise the actual temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed. For example, the control module 1400 can control the temperature increase of the refrigerant by increasing the current applied to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220.

[0287] According to an embodiment, at S1200, the characteristics of the refrigerant, such as the temperature and / or the amount of the refrigerant, can be controlled according to a "degree of difference" between the predetermined temperature and the measured actual temperature.

[0288] For example, there can be a difference in detail in the control of the temperature and / or amount of the refrigerant between a case where the difference between the predetermined skin surface temperature and the measured actual skin surface temperature is a first temperature difference and a case where the difference between the predetermined skin surface temperature and the measured actual skin surface temperature is a second temperature difference that is "greater" than the first temperature difference.

[0289] For example, a case where the difference between the predetermined skin surface temperature and the measured actual skin surface temperature is a first temperature difference can mean that it is closer to the predetermined skin surface temperature than a case where the difference between the predetermined skin surface temperature and the measured actual skin surface temperature is a second temperature difference. Therefore, the "amount of change" between the temperature of the refrigerant that has been sprayed and the temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed by the control can be smaller in the case of the first temperature difference than in the case of the second temperature difference. Similarly, the "amount of change" between the amount of the refrigerant that has been sprayed and the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed by the control can be smaller in the case of the first temperature difference than in the case of the second temperature difference.

[0290] On the other hand, this can mean that the difference between the predetermined skin surface temperature and the measured actual skin surface temperature is greater in the case where the difference between the predetermined skin surface temperature and the measured actual skin surface temperature is the second temperature difference than in the case where the difference between the predetermined skin surface temperature and the measured actual skin surface temperature is the first temperature difference. Therefore, the temperature and / or amount of the refrigerant can need to be corrected more than in the case of the first temperature difference. In other words, the "amount of change" between the temperature of the refrigerant that has been sprayed and the temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed by the control can be greater in the case of the second temperature difference than in the case of the first temperature difference. To this end, the "amount of change" between the current applied to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 before and the current to be applied to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 by the control can be greater in the case of the second temperature difference than in the case of the first temperature difference. Similarly, the "amount of change" between the amount of the refrigerant that has been sprayed and the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed by the control can be greater in the case of the second temperature difference than in the case of the first temperature difference. To this end, the "amount of change" between the existing opening time of the flow rate control unit 1210 and the opening time of the flow rate control unit 1210 to be opened by the control can be greater in the case of the second temperature difference than in the case of the first temperature difference. The above-described examples have been described based on the predetermined skin surface temperature and the measured actual skin surface temperature, but can be similarly applied to the predetermined temperature of the refrigerant and the measured actual temperature of the refrigerant.

[0291] According to an embodiment, at S1200, by taking into account the predetermined temperature and the measured actual temperature, the characteristics of the refrigerant, such as the temperature and / or amount of the refrigerant, can be controlled, preferably by a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control method.

[0292] According to an embodiment, at S1200, the characteristics of the refrigerant, such as the temperature and / or amount of the refrigerant, can be controlled by considering the external temperature. For example, when the preset skin surface temperature is constant, the refrigerant condition control unit can control the heat energy applied to the refrigerant differently according to the external temperature. For one specific example, when the preset skin surface temperature is constant, and when the external temperature is in a temperature range of 10°C or more to 25°C or less, generally, as the external temperature increases, the temperature of the refrigerant sprayed to achieve the preset skin surface temperature decreases. Accordingly, as the external temperature increases, the refrigerant condition control unit can control the heat energy applied to the refrigerant to decrease.

[0293] According to an embodiment, at S1200, the temperature and / or amount of the refrigerant can be controlled by the control module 1400 by considering the "type" of the refrigerant as well as the measured temperature and the predetermined set temperature. Specifically, the control method of the temperature and / or amount of the refrigerant can vary according to the basic physical characteristics of the refrigerant at the atmospheric pressure of the refrigerant.

[0294] For example, when carbon dioxide (CO2) is used as the refrigerant, the carbon dioxide refrigerant, after being sprayed from the spraying unit 1230, can be applied to the skin surface at a relatively lower temperature than the HFC-based refrigerant at the atmospheric pressure. For example, in the case where the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 is a thermoelectric element (e.g., a Peltier element, etc.), when the refrigerant of carbon dioxide is sprayed by turning off the power of the thermoelectric element, the refrigerant can be sprayed and applied to the skin surface at a temperature of about -40°C to -70°C. Specifically, the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant can be affected by the external temperature, and when the temperature of the external air is a temperature of 15°C to 25°C, the temperature of the sprayed carbon dioxide refrigerant can be a temperature of about -70°C or more to -50°C or less in the case where the power of the thermoelectric element is turned off. Additionally, when the temperature of the external air is a temperature of 25°C to 35°C or less, the temperature of the sprayed carbon dioxide refrigerant can be a temperature of about -40°C or less to -60°C or more in the case where the power of the thermoelectric element is turned off. In this case, the measured temperature of the sprayed refrigerant can be a temperature measured after installing a thermocouple at a distance of about 3 mm from the spraying unit. Accordingly, when carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can control the temperature of the refrigerant by controlling only the degree of heating the refrigerant. In other words, since the temperature of the refrigerant is significantly lower even when the carbon dioxide refrigerant is not applied with heat energy (i.e., not heated), it can be preferable to control the amount of heat energy applied to the refrigerant from the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 by "heating" to thereby control the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant.

[0295] For example, in a case where a substance based on HFC is used as the refrigerant, when the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 is turned off, the refrigerant can be sprayed at a relatively high temperature (for example, -20°C) than the carbon dioxide refrigerant. This can be a relatively high temperature to control the skin surface temperature in a wide range. In particular, it can be difficult to adjust the skin surface temperature to a temperature of about -10°C or less without additional cooling by using the refrigerant based on HFC. Accordingly, when the substance based on HFC is used as the refrigerant, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can be operated to heat and cool the refrigerant. In particular, in a case where the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 is a thermoelectric element (for example, a Peltier element), when a current is applied to the thermoelectric element in a first direction, heat absorption can occur on a first surface of the thermoelectric element, and heat generation can occur on a second surface thereof. Additionally, when a current is applied to the thermoelectric element in a second direction, heat generation can occur on the first surface of the thermoelectric element, and heat absorption can occur on the second surface thereof. In this case, a flow path through which the refrigerant flows can be configured to be in contact with at least one of the first surface and the second surface, and the control module 1400 can be configured to control a direction of the current applied to the thermoelectric element so as to heat or cool the refrigerant according to the situation.

[0296] As described above, it is mainly described that at S1200, the control module 1400 determines the temperature or the amount of spray of the refrigerant in consideration of the measured temperature and the predetermined set temperature.

[0297] However, this is only one example, and according to an embodiment, the control module 1400 can be configured to determine whether the measured actual temperature (for example, the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed refrigerant) corresponds to a "condition" of the predetermined set temperature. In this case, the "condition" of the predetermined set temperature can be a temperature range in which an allowable "error range" with respect to the predetermined set temperature is set.

[0298] When the measured actual temperature (for example, the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed refrigerant) corresponds to the predetermined set temperature condition, the control module 1400 can determine the temperature or the amount of spray of the refrigerant to be sprayed by the temperature or the amount of spray of the previously sprayed refrigerant.

[0299] When the measured actual temperature (for example, the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed refrigerant) does not correspond to the predetermined set temperature condition, the control module 1400 can be configured to control the temperature or the amount of the refrigerant by the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. Alternatively, the control module 1400 can be configured to control the amount of the refrigerant by the flow rate control unit 1210.

[0300] Referring back to Figure 5According to the laser treatment method of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the refrigerant can be sprayed at S1300.

[0301] In this case, the refrigerant can be sprayed at S1300 according to the temperature or the amount of the refrigerant determined at S1200.

[0302] Figure 5 It is illustrated that the driving of the laser treatment device 100 is stopped when the refrigerant is sprayed, but this is only an example, and the measurement S1100 of the skin surface temperature and / or the refrigerant temperature can be performed again when the refrigerant is sprayed, and thus the series of steps can be repeatedly performed.

[0303] According to the driving method of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present specification, the temperature or the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed can be determined by considering the measured information about the skin surface temperature information and / or the refrigerant temperature after the measurement of the skin surface temperature and / or the refrigerant temperature, and thus the skin surface temperature can be controlled to be close to the predetermined set temperature. Through this temperature feedback, the skin surface temperature, the most direct parameter of skin damage, can be stably maintained around the set temperature. In particular, by setting the set temperature to be lower than the skin damage temperature, the skin damage can be minimized.

[0304] The laser treatment method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, and the description above can be equally applied to the laser treatment method of the laser treatment device 100 according to another embodiment of the present specification, which will be described below.

[0305] The laser treatment method by the laser treatment device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can include measuring a temperature; determining a temperature or an amount of a refrigerant; and spraying the refrigerant; and emitting a laser.

[0306] The laser emission can include emitting a laser to a target area receiving a treatment. The laser can be generated in a laser generation unit 1110 of the laser module 1100, and can be emitted in a laser emission unit 1120.

[0307] Specifically, the laser module 1100 is electrically connected with the control module 1400, and receives a laser emission signal of the control module 1400 to emit a laser.

[0308] In this case, the control module 1400 can receive a user input of laser emission, and can transmit a laser emission signal to the laser module 1100, and thus can perform laser emission of the laser module 1100. Alternatively, a condition for laser emission can be preset in the control module 1400. In this case, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the laser module 1100 can be controlled by the control module 1400 to emit laser. For example, when the skin surface temperature reaches a specific temperature due to the cooling system, the laser module 1100 can be controlled by the control module 1400 to emit laser. In this case, the specific temperature can be preset by considering the skin damage temperature, the temperature at which the frost is formed on the skin surface, and the temperature at which the interfering substance in the laser path is least. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. Figure 17 to Figure 22 This will be described in detail.

[0309] The laser treatment method driven by the laser treatment apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the disclosure can include a refrigerant spraying period and a laser emission period.

[0310] In this case, referring to Figure 4 , the refrigerant spraying period can include a pre-cooling period P1, an intermediate cooling period P2, and a post-cooling period P3. The refrigerant spraying period can mean a period in which cooling energy is applied to the skin surface by spraying the refrigerant. However, there can be a difference between the point in time at which the refrigerant is sprayed and the point in time at which the cooling energy is applied to the skin surface, and the time difference can be very small, and in this case, the refrigerant spraying period and the period in which the cooling energy is applied to the skin surface can be used to have substantially the same meaning.

[0311] The pre-cooling period P1 can mean a period in which cooling energy is applied to the skin surface by the refrigerant before the starting point of the laser emission period. However, although it is described that the cooling energy is applied to the skin surface "before" the starting point of the laser emission period, the starting point of the laser emission can also be included in the pre-cooling period P1 when the cooling energy is applied to the skin surface by the refrigerant at the starting point of the laser emission. The pre-cooling period P1 can aim to "pre-emptively" lower the skin surface temperature to prevent the skin surface from reaching the skin damage temperature due to the accumulation of heat energy by the laser emission in the laser emission period. Alternatively, the pre-cooling period P1 can be performed to numb the skin 10 before the laser emission.

[0312] The intermediate cooling period P2 can mean a period in which cooling energy is applied to the skin surface by the refrigerant in the laser emission period. The intermediate cooling period P2 can also be used as a term such as an intermediate cooling period, a real-time cooling period, and a cooling period during laser emission. At least a part of the intermediate cooling period P2 and at least a part of the laser emission period can overlap on a time axis. That is, the cooling in the intermediate cooling period P2 and the laser emission in the laser emission period can be performed at least partially simultaneously.

[0313] At least a part of the intermediate cooling period P2 can overlap with the laser emission period on a time axis, and can be a period in which the skin surface temperature can greatly increase due to the laser emission. In this case, the main purpose of the intermediate cooling can be to cool the skin surface so that the skin surface temperature is controlled to be lower than the skin damage temperature.

[0314] The post-cooling period P3 can mean a period in which cooling energy is applied to the skin surface by the refrigerant after the stop time of the laser emission period. However, although the cooling energy is applied 'after' the stop time of the laser emission period, when the cooling energy is applied to the skin surface by the refrigerant at the stop time of the laser emission, the stop time of the laser emission can also be included in the post-cooling period P3.

[0315] The post-cooling period P3 is a period after the stop time of the laser emission, and can aim to reduce the skin surface temperature and / or the temperature of the target to a normal temperature or to alleviate pain after the laser treatment.

[0316] Embodiments of the driving method of the laser treatment device in the pre-cooling period P1, the intermediate cooling period P2, and the post-cooling period P3 will be described below in detail.

[0317] The laser treatment method by the laser treatment device 100 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be performed through pre-cooling, intermediate cooling, and post-cooling. In other words, the laser treatment method by the laser treatment device 100 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include the pre-cooling period P1, the intermediate cooling period P2, and the post-cooling period P3.

[0318] Hereinafter, embodiments of the driving method of the laser treatment device in the pre-cooling period P1, the intermediate cooling period P2, and the post-cooling period P3 will be described with reference to Figure 4 and Figure 6 Figure 6 is a flowchart S2000 illustrating a pre-cooling and laser irradiation method according to an embodiment of the laser treatment method disclosed in the present specification.

[0319] The pre-cooling can include measuring the skin surface temperature and / or the refrigerant temperature at S2100, determining the temperature or the spray amount of the refrigerant at S2200, spraying the refrigerant at S2300, and determining whether a laser emission event occurs at S2400.

[0320] The above-described S1100 can be equally applied to the measurement of the skin surface temperature and / or the refrigerant temperature at S2100. When features around the pre-cooling period P1 are described, at S2100, the temperature of the refrigerant sprayed before the start of the laser emission period and the skin surface temperature before the start of the laser emission period can be measured.

[0321] According to Figure 6 ​, illustrates measuring the temperature of the refrigerant and the skin surface temperature at S2100, but in addition to the temperature of the refrigerant, only the skin surface temperature can be measured and considered in determining the temperature of the refrigerant or the amount of spraying at S2200 described below. In other words, at S2100 of Figure 6 the measurement of the refrigerant temperature can be omitted.

[0322] S1200 is also applicable to determining the temperature of the refrigerant or the amount of spraying at S2200. Therefore, hereinafter, the characteristics of the pre-cooling period P1 will be mainly described.

[0323] Referring again to Figure 6 , the laser treatment method according to the embodiment of the disclosure can include determining the temperature of the refrigerant or the amount of spraying at S2200 by considering the measured temperature at S2100 and a predetermined first set temperature.

[0324] The first set temperature Ts1 can be a desired temperature intended to control the skin surface temperature in the pre-cooling period. Alternatively, the first set temperature Ts1 can be a desired temperature intended to control the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant in the pre-cooling period. Alternatively, the first set temperature Ts1 can be a desired temperature intended to control the temperature of the target on which treatment is performed by the laser in the pre-cooling period.

[0325] In an embodiment, the first set temperature Ts1 can be determined by considering the degree of increase in the skin surface temperature in the laser emission period, the skin damage temperature, and whether the laser interference substance is generated in the laser emission period. In addition, the first set temperature Ts1 can be set by the user, or can be set in a manner that the user selects the value set by the control module 1400 by using the treatment information and the temperature information stored in the control module 1400.

[0326] For example, in the laser emission period, the light energy of the laser can be converted into heat energy in the target, and the converted heat energy can be accumulated in the target, thus raising the temperature of the skin including the target and the skin surface. In this case, when the skin surface temperature rises above the skin damage temperature in the laser emission period, the skin surface can be damaged. Therefore, even if the skin surface temperature rises in the laser emission period, in order to control the skin surface temperature to rise only to below the skin damage temperature, the skin surface temperature can be lowered in the pre-cooling period P1 before the laser emission. To this end, in the pre-cooling period P1, the skin surface temperature can be set to a first set temperature Ts1 by considering the degree of temperature rise caused by the laser emission and the skin damage temperature. In this case, the skin damage temperature can vary depending on the treatment type and the skin type, but generally, when the skin temperature reaches a temperature in the range of 40 to 60°C, the skin can be thermally damaged. According to an exemplary embodiment, the skin temperature reaches a temperature in the range of 50 to 60°C, the skin can be thermally damaged. However, the damage to the skin is not limited thereto, and a person skilled in the art can set the first set temperature Ts1 considering the degree of accumulation of heat energy that can cause skin damage. For example, even when the skin temperature is continuously maintained at a temperature of 40°C or less, skin damage can occur, and in this case, the first set temperature Ts1 can be set considering the amount of time for which heat is exposed to the skin and / or the degree of heat accumulation.

[0327] For example, in order to minimize skin damage in the laser emission period, the first set temperature Ts1 can be set by considering the position of the treatment target, the type of skin receiving treatment, the type of laser, and the intensity of the laser output, etc. For example, when the position of the treatment target is close to the skin surface, the degree of rise in the skin surface temperature caused by the laser emission can be high, and thus the first set temperature Ts1 of the pre-cooling period P1 can be set considering this. Additionally, as the output intensity of the laser to be used increases, the amount of heat energy accumulated in the target can increase, and thus the first set temperature Ts1 of the pre-cooling period P1 can be set by considering the output intensity of the laser according to the type of laser to be used.

[0328] For example, in order to minimize skin damage in the laser emission period, the first set temperature Ts1 can be set by considering the position of the treatment target, the type of skin receiving treatment, the type of laser, and the intensity of the laser output, etc. For example, when the position of the treatment target is close to the skin surface, the degree of rise in the skin surface temperature caused by the laser emission can be high, and thus the first set temperature Ts1 of the pre-cooling period P1 can be set considering this. Additionally, as the output intensity of the laser to be used increases, the amount of heat energy accumulated in the target can increase, and thus the first set temperature Ts1 of the pre-cooling period P1 can be set by considering the output intensity of the laser according to the type of laser to be used.

[0329] In an embodiment, the first set temperature Ts1 can be set by considering a treatment area and a lesion to be treated. For example, during laser treatment for a vascular lesion, when pre-cooling is performed on the skin to a temperature corresponding to a blood vessel contraction temperature condition, the blood vessels can contract, and the treatment target can not be visible. Thus, during pre-cooling for laser treatment of a vascular lesion, the first set temperature Ts1 can be set by considering the contraction temperature condition of the vascular lesion. Hereinafter, a method for laser treatment of a vascular lesion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. Figure 23 and Figure 24 A method for laser treatment of a vascular lesion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0330] In this embodiment, the first set temperature Ts1 can be set differently even in the pre-cooling period P1.

[0331] For example, as described above, in order to minimize the possibility of skin damage due to temperature rise caused by laser emission in the laser emission period in the pre-cooling period P1, it can be necessary to set the first set temperature Ts1 to be relatively low, and in order to prevent laser interference substances from remaining on the skin surface in the laser emission period, it can be necessary to set the first set temperature Ts1 to be relatively high.

[0332] In this case, in the latter period of the pre-cooling period P1 and the period adjacent to the start point of the laser emission period, the first set temperature Ts1 can be set so that laser interference substances do not remain on the skin surface. When laser interference substances do not remain on the skin surface from the time when the laser emission period starts, laser scattering can be sufficiently prevented, and thus the first set temperature Ts1 can be set to a temperature that does not leave laser interference substances in the period just before laser emission, so that laser scattering can be prevented.

[0333] Additionally, in a period other than the latter period of the pre-cooling period P1, the first set temperature Ts1 can be set to be relatively low, and thus the possibility of skin damage due to laser emission in the laser emission period can be minimized.

[0334] In other words, in a period other than the latter period of the pre-cooling period P1 (for example, the first half of the pre-cooling period P1), the first set temperature Ts1 can be set to be as low as possible so that the possibility of skin damage in the laser emission period is minimized, and in the latter period of the pre-cooling period P1, the first set temperature Ts1 can be set to a temperature at which laser interference substances do not remain on the skin surface so that laser scattering is minimized in the laser emission period. Thus, the first set temperature Ts1 can be set to be different even in the pre-cooling period P1.

[0335] In an embodiment, the first set temperature Ts1 can be a temperature of a specific range. Specifically, the first set temperature Ts1 can be a temperature range including a permissible "error range" with respect to the first set temperature Ts1.

[0336] In this case, even in the pre-cooling period P1, the error range of the first set temperature Ts1 can be set to be different. For example, in a period immediately before the laser emission period included in the pre-cooling period P1, the skin surface temperature can be controlled to a temperature at which a laser interference substance such as frost is not formed on the skin surface. In this case, in order to control the skin surface temperature to a temperature at which a laser interference substance is not formed on the skin surface, it can be preferable to set the error range to be narrow. In other words, in a period immediately before the laser emission period included in the pre-cooling period P1, in order to accurately control the skin surface temperature so that frost is not formed on the skin surface, the error range can be set to be relatively narrow. On the other hand, in an initial period of the pre-cooling period P1 separated in time from the laser emission period, cooling can be performed to lower the skin surface temperature as much as possible so that the possibility of skin damage in the laser emission period is reduced. In this case, in the initial period of the pre-cooling period P1, relatively less accurate control of the skin surface temperature is allowed, and thus the error range can be preset to be relatively wide.

[0337] In the above, the first set temperature Ts1 is explained as being set based on the skin surface temperature, but is not limited thereto, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that a specific temperature can be preset based on the temperature of the refrigerant, which is a direct variable of the skin surface temperature.

[0338] The laser treatment method can include determining S2200 the temperature or the injection amount of the refrigerant by considering the skin surface temperature and / or the refrigerant temperature measured at S2100. Specifically, the control module 1400 can control the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 by considering the skin surface temperature and / or the refrigerant temperature measured at S2100, and can determine the temperature and / or the injection amount of the refrigerant at S2200. Alternatively, at S2200, the control module 1400 can control the amount of the refrigerant supplied to the injection unit 1230 by controlling the opening / closing period, the opening / closing period of the flow rate control unit 1210, and can determine the injection amount of the refrigerant.

[0339] When the refrigerant is injected at S2300, the refrigerant can be injected according to the refrigerant temperature or the injection amount determined at S2200.

[0340] When the refrigerant is injected at S2300, the determination of whether the laser emission event occurs at S2400 can be performed.

[0341] The laser emission event can occur by a user inputting a laser emission signal. Alternatively, the laser emission event can occur when a predetermined time elapses after the pre-cooling starts. Alternatively, the laser emission event can occur when the skin surface temperature and / or the temperature of the refrigerant is substantially the same as a first set temperature Ts1 set so that frost does not remain on the skin surface.

[0342] When it is determined at S2400 whether the laser emission event occurs, it can be determined whether the pre-cooling period P1 is stopped according to whether the laser emission event occurs. Specifically, at S2400, the control module 1400 can be configured to determine whether the laser emission event occurs when the refrigerant is sprayed at S2300. When the laser emission event does not occur, the control module 1400 can control the laser treatment device 100 so that the measurement of the skin surface temperature and the refrigerant temperature is performed at S2100, and thus the series of steps can be performed again.

[0343] On the other hand, when the laser emission event occurs, the control module 1400 can control the laser treatment device 100 so that the pre-cooling is stopped and the intermediate cooling C1 is performed.

[0344] Although the control module 1400 is described herein as "determining" whether the laser emission event occurs, it is not limited thereto, and when the laser emission event occurs, a laser emission signal is transmitted to the control module 1400, and the control module 1400 can control the laser treatment device 100 so that the intermediate cooling C1 is performed even though the control module 1400 does not determine whether the laser emission event occurs.

[0345] As described above, it has been mainly described that the temperature of the refrigerant or the spraying amount is "determined" after the control module 1400 "considers" the measured temperature and the predetermined first set temperature Ts1 at S2200. However, this is merely one example, and according to an embodiment, the control module 1400 can be configured to "determine" whether the measured actual temperature (e.g., the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed refrigerant) corresponds to a predetermined first set temperature condition. In this case, the predetermined first set temperature condition can be a temperature range in which a permissible "error range" with respect to the predetermined first set temperature is set. Alternatively, the first set temperature condition can be any suitable condition including a condition in which the skin surface temperature is maintained with respect to a specific temperature value for a specific period of time.

[0346] When the measured actual temperature (e.g., the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed refrigerant) corresponds to the predetermined first set temperature condition, the control module 1400 can determine the temperature or the spraying amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed so that the refrigerant is sprayed by having the temperature or the spraying amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed.

[0347] When the measured actual temperature (e.g., the actual temperature of the skin surface, the actual temperature of the sprayed refrigerant) does not correspond to the predetermined first set temperature condition, the control module 1400 can control the temperature or amount of the refrigerant through the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. Alternatively, the control module 1400 can control the amount of the refrigerant through the flow rate control unit 1210.

[0348] The above-described S1100 can be applied to the measurement of the skin surface temperature and / or the refrigerant temperature at S3100 in the same manner. When the characteristics of the intermediate cooling period P2 are mainly described, at S3100, the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant in the laser emission period can be measured, and the skin surface temperature of the laser emission period can be measured. According to the measured skin surface temperature and / or the refrigerant temperature, the control module 1400 can control the temperature or amount of the refrigerant through the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. Figure 4 Figure 7 will be described below. Figure 7 is a flowchart S3000 illustrating an intermediate cooling and laser irradiation method according to an embodiment of the laser treatment method disclosed in the present specification.

[0349] The intermediate cooling can include: laser emission at S3010; measurement of the skin surface temperature and / or the temperature of the refrigerant at S3100; determination of the temperature or amount of the refrigerant at S3200; spraying of the refrigerant at S3300; and determination of whether a laser emission stop event occurs at S3400.

[0350] The laser emission at S3010 can be performed such that the laser output through the laser module 1100 applies thermal energy to the target such that the temperature of the target treated is a desired temperature or a higher temperature of the target. The desired temperature of the target can mean a temperature capable of inducing thermal ablation in the target.

[0351] The desired temperature of the target can vary depending on the type of treatment and / or the type of target tissue, but can generally be a temperature within about 40℃ to 60℃. The desired temperature of the target can preferably be a temperature within about 50℃ to 60℃.

[0352] However, the thermal energy accumulated in the target by the laser can be conducted or transmitted to the skin surface, and thus the skin surface temperature can increase. In this case, when the skin surface temperature is a skin damage temperature or a higher temperature, a side effect of skin damage can occur, and thus the side effect of skin damage caused by the laser emission can be minimized by measuring the skin surface temperature and / or the temperature of the refrigerant at S3100; controlling the temperature or amount of the refrigerant at S3200; and spraying the refrigerant at S3300 as described below.

[0353] The above-described S1100 can be applied to the measurement of the skin surface temperature and / or the refrigerant temperature at S3100 in the same manner. When the characteristics of the intermediate cooling period P2 are mainly described, at S3100, the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant in the laser emission period can be measured, and the skin surface temperature of the laser emission period can be measured. According to the measured skin surface temperature and / or the refrigerant temperature, the control module 1400 can control the temperature or amount of the refrigerant through the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. Figure 7 ​, the temperature of the refrigerant and the skin surface temperature are illustrated as all being measured at S3100, but when determining the temperature of the refrigerant or the amount of spraying at S3200 described below, only the skin surface temperature other than the temperature of the refrigerant can be measured and considered. In other words, at S3100 of Figure 7 the measurement of the temperature of the refrigerant can be omitted.

[0354] The above-described S1200 can be applied to the determination S3200 of the temperature of the refrigerant or the amount of spraying in the same manner. Therefore, hereinafter, the characteristics of the intermediate cooling period P2 will be mainly described.

[0355] Referring again to Figure 7 , the laser treatment method according to the embodiment of the disclosure can include determining the temperature of the refrigerant or the amount of spraying at S3200 by considering the temperature measured at S3100 and a predetermined second set temperature Ts2.

[0356] The second set temperature Ts2 can be a desired temperature intended to control the skin surface temperature in the intermediate cooling period P2. Alternatively, the second set temperature Ts2 can be a desired temperature intended to control the temperature of the refrigerant sprayed in the intermediate cooling period P2. Alternatively, the second set temperature Ts2 can be a desired temperature intended to control the desired temperature of the target to be treated by the laser in the intermediate cooling period P2.

[0357] In an embodiment, the second set temperature Ts2 can be set by considering the degree of increase in the skin surface temperature in the laser emission period, the temperature of the target in the laser emission period and the desired temperature of the target, the skin damage temperature, and whether the laser interference substance of the laser emission period is generated. Further, the second set temperature Ts2 can be directly set by the user, or set in a manner that the user selects the value set by the control module 1400 using the treatment information and temperature information stored in the control module 1400.

[0358] For example, the second set temperature Ts2 can be set by considering the degree of increase in the skin surface temperature in the laser emission period. The degree of increase in the skin surface temperature can differ according to the type of laser related to the output and wavelength, the treatment area, and the location of the treatment area. Specifically, as the output of the laser increases, the degree of increase in the skin surface temperature can increase, and the type and location of the target that absorbs the laser can differ according to the wavelength of the laser, and thus the degree of increase in the skin surface temperature can differ according to the type of laser related to the output and wavelength of the laser. Additionally, the degree of increase in the skin surface temperature can increase as the treatment area is located close to the skin surface. Therefore, the second set temperature Ts2 can be set considering the above-described variables.

[0359] For example, the second set temperature Ts2may be set by considering the "temperature of the target" and the "desired temperature of the target" in the laser emission period. Specifically, in at least a part of the laser emission period, in order to heat ablation of the treatment area (target), it is necessary to apply heat energy by the laser to the treatment area so that the temperature of the treatment area is the desired temperature of the target or higher. Therefore, the second set temperature Ts2for the skin surface temperature can be set so that the temperature of the target can sufficiently reach the desired temperature of the target.

[0360] For example, the second set temperature Ts2may be set by considering the skin damage temperature. Specifically, in the laser emission period, the skin surface temperature can also increase by conduction and transmission of heat energy applied to the target by the laser. In this case, when the skin surface temperature is higher than the skin damage temperature, a side effect of skin damage can occur. Therefore, in order to minimize the side effect of skin damage, the second set temperature Ts2may be set to a temperature that is considered to be such that the skin surface temperature does not reach the skin damage temperature.

[0361] For example, the second set temperature Ts2may be set by considering whether a laser interference substance (for example, a solid phase substance) is generated in the "laser path" during laser output. Specifically, when the refrigerant is ejected from the cooling module 1200, the refrigerant adiabatically expands due to the Joule-Thomson effect, and the temperature of the refrigerant can significantly decrease. In this case, a solid phase substance can also occur in the refrigerant, and moisture in the surrounding atmosphere can instantaneously become a solid phase such as ice. When the solid phase substance exists in the laser path, the substance can scatter the laser, and can reduce the efficiency of the laser treatment. Therefore, the second set temperature Ts2may be set to a temperature corresponding to the temperature of the refrigerant that is considered to minimize the solid phase ratio in the laser path.

[0362] For example, the second set temperature Ts2may be set by considering whether a laser interference substance is generated at the "skin surface". Specifically, when the skin surface temperature is controlled to 0°C or lower, a laser interference substance such as frost can be generated on the skin surface, and the laser interference substance can scatter the laser and can interfere with efficient laser treatment. Therefore, the second set temperature Ts2may be set by considering the skin surface temperature at which the laser interference substance is not generated. The second set temperature Ts2may be preferably set to a temperature higher than 0°C at which a laser interference substance such as frost is not generated.

[0363] In an embodiment, the second set temperature Ts2 can also be set to be different even in the intermediate cooling period P2. For example, in an initial period of the intermediate cooling period P2, the total amount of heat energy applied by the laser can be relatively small, and thus whether a laser interference substance is generated in the laser path and / or on the skin surface, rather than a skin damage temperature, can be an important factor to be considered in setting the second set temperature Ts2. On the other hand, in a later period of the intermediate cooling period P2, the total amount of heat energy applied by the laser can be relatively large, and thus the possibility of skin damage can be relatively high. Accordingly, in the later period of the intermediate cooling period P2, the second set temperature Ts2 can be set by relatively importantly considering the skin damage temperature. Thus, even in the intermediate cooling period P2, the second set temperature Ts2 can be appropriately set to be different according to circumstances.

[0364] In an embodiment, the second set temperature Ts2 can be a specific range of temperature. Specifically, the second set temperature Ts2 can be a temperature range including an allowable "error range" with respect to the second set temperature Ts2. The error range of the second set temperature Ts2 can also be set to be different even in the laser emission period. For example, the amount of heat accumulated by the laser treatment in a later period of the laser emission period is greater than the amount of heat accumulated in an initial period of the laser emission period, and the possibility of skin damage is relatively high, and thus the error range of the later period of the laser emission period can be preset to be narrower than the error range of the initial period of the laser emission period, thereby precisely controlling the skin surface temperature.

[0365] In the above, the second set temperature Ts2 is described as being set based on the skin surface temperature, but is not limited thereto, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that a specific temperature can be set based on the refrigerant temperature, which is a direct variable of the skin surface temperature.

[0366] Referring again to Figure 7 , the laser treatment method can include determining S3200 the temperature or the injection amount of the refrigerant by considering the skin surface temperature and / or the refrigerant temperature measured at S3100. Specifically, the control module 1400 can control the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 by considering the skin surface temperature and / or the refrigerant temperature measured at S3100, thereby determining the temperature and / or the injection amount of the refrigerant at S3200. Alternatively, the control module 1400 can control the amount of refrigerant supplied to the injection unit 1230 by the opening / closing period and the opening / closing period of the flow rate control unit 1210, thereby determining the injection amount of the refrigerant at S3200.

[0367] When the refrigerant is injected at S3300, the refrigerant can be injected according to the refrigerant temperature or the injection amount determined at S3200.

[0368] When the refrigerant is sprayed at S3300, it can be determined whether a laser emission stop event occurs at S3400.

[0369] When the user stops the input of the laser emission signal, the laser emission stop event can occur, and when a predetermined time elapses after the intermediate cooling starts, the laser emission stop event can occur. Alternatively, when the skin surface temperature and / or the temperature of the refrigerant is substantially the same as a predetermined second set temperature, the laser emission stop event can occur. Alternatively, the laser emission stop event can occur when a time elapses relative to the temperature of the target reaching a desired temperature of the target by a predetermined time. However, the laser emission stop event is not limited thereto, and can occur in any suitable method.

[0370] In the step of determining whether the laser emission stop event occurs at S3400, it is determined whether the intermediate cooling period P2 is stopped according to whether the laser emission stop event occurs. Specifically, at S3400, when the refrigerant is sprayed at S3300, the control module 1400 can determine whether the stop event of the laser emission occurs.

[0371] When the laser emission stop event does not occur, the control module 1400 can control the laser treatment device 100 so that the measurement of the skin surface temperature and the refrigerant temperature is performed at S3100, so that the series of steps can be performed again.

[0372] On the other hand, when the stop event of the laser emission occurs, the control module 1400 can stop the intermediate cooling, and can control the laser treatment device 100 so that the post-cooling C2 is performed.

[0373] Although the control module 1400 is described herein as "determining" whether the laser emission stop event occurs, it is not limited thereto, and when the laser emission stop event occurs, a laser stop signal is transmitted to the control module 1400, and even if the control module 1400 does not determine whether the laser emission stop event occurs, the laser treatment device 100 can be controlled so that the post-cooling C2 is performed.

[0374] As described above, it is mainly described that the control module 1400 determines the temperature or the amount of the sprayed refrigerant by considering the temperature measured at S3200 and the predetermined second set temperature Ts2. However, this is merely an example, and according to an embodiment, the control module 1400 can be configured to determine whether the measured actual temperature (e.g., the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed refrigerant) corresponds to the predetermined second set temperature condition. In this case, the "condition" of the predetermined second set temperature can be a temperature range in which an allowable "error range" with respect to the predetermined second set temperature is preset. Alternatively, the second set temperature condition can be any suitable condition including a condition in which the skin surface temperature is maintained with respect to a specific temperature value for a specific period of time.

[0375] When the measured actual temperature (e.g., the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed refrigerant) corresponds to the predetermined second set temperature condition, the control module 1400 can determine the temperature or the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed so that the refrigerant is sprayed by having the temperature or the amount of the sprayed refrigerant.

[0376] When the measured actual temperature (e.g., the actual temperature of the skin surface, the actual temperature of the sprayed refrigerant) does not correspond to the predetermined second set temperature condition, the control module 1400 can control the temperature or the amount of the refrigerant through the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. Alternatively, the control module 1400 can control the amount of the refrigerant through the flow rate control unit 1210.

[0377] Hereinafter, the method of controlling the temperature of the refrigerant will be described with reference to Figure 4 and Figure 8 . Figure 8 is a flowchart S4000 illustrating a post-cooling and laser irradiation method of the laser treatment method disclosed in the present specification according to an embodiment.

[0378] The post-cooling can include: measuring the skin surface temperature and / or the refrigerant temperature at S4100; determining the temperature or the amount of the refrigerant at S4200; spraying the refrigerant at S4300; and determining whether a preset period of time has elapsed after the laser emission is stopped at S4400.

[0379] The above-described S1100 can be applied to the measurement S4100 of the skin surface temperature and the refrigerant temperature in the same manner. When the post-cooling period P3 characteristics are mainly described, at S4100, the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant after the "stop" time of the laser emission period can be measured, and the skin surface temperature after the stop time of the laser emission period can be measured. That is, at S4100, the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant and / or the skin surface temperature after the laser emission is stopped can be measured. According to an embodiment, the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant and / or the skin surface temperature after the laser emission is stopped can be measured at S4100. Figure 8, the temperature of the refrigerant and the skin surface temperature are illustrated as all being measured at S4100, but when the temperature of the refrigerant or the amount of spraying is determined at S4200 described below, only the skin surface temperature other than the temperature of the refrigerant can be measured and only considered. In other words, at S4100 of Figure 8 the measurement of the temperature of the refrigerant can be omitted.

[0380] The above-described S1200 can be applied to the determination S4200 of the temperature of the refrigerant or the amount of spraying in the same manner. Therefore, hereinafter, the characteristics of the post-cooling period P3 will be mainly described.

[0381] Referring again to Figure 8 , the laser treatment method according to the embodiment of the disclosure can include determining the temperature of the refrigerant and the amount of spraying by considering the measured temperature measured at S4100 and a predetermined third set temperature Ts3 at S4200.

[0382] The third set temperature Ts3 can be a desired temperature intended to control the skin surface temperature in the post-cooling period P3. Alternatively, the third set temperature Ts3 can be a desired temperature intended to control the temperature of the refrigerant sprayed in the post-cooling period P3. Alternatively, the third set temperature Ts3 can be a target temperature intended to control a desired temperature of a target receiving the laser treatment in the post-cooling period P3.

[0383] In an embodiment, the third set temperature Ts3 can be set by considering the degree of increase in the skin surface temperature in the laser emission period, a pain minimization temperature, and a skin death temperature caused by cooling, etc. Further, the third set temperature Ts3 can be directly set by a user, or set in a manner that the user selects a value set by the control module 1400 using treatment information and temperature information stored in the control module 1400.

[0384] For example, the third set temperature Ts3 can be set by considering the degree of increase in the skin surface temperature in the laser emission period. Specifically, post-cooling can be performed to reduce the skin surface temperature raised by the laser output in the laser emission period to a normal body temperature. Therefore, in the post-cooling period P3, the refrigerant can be sprayed by considering the skin surface temperature according to the degree of increase in the skin surface temperature in the laser emission period, and in consideration of the above description, the set temperature of the skin surface to be controlled in the post-cooling period P3 can be set as the third set temperature Ts3.

[0385] For example, the third set temperature Ts3 can be set by considering a pain-minimizing temperature of a skin surface or tissue adjacent to the target. Specifically, the post-cooling can serve to minimize damage to the skin surface and minimize pain. Thus, the third set temperature Ts3 of the post-cooling period P3 can be set by considering a pain-minimizing temperature. For example, the third set temperature can be set to a temperature of 30℃ or less, which is a temperature at which the activity of nociceptors of a skin surface or tissue adjacent to the target is reduced. Alternatively, the third set temperature Ts3 can be set to a temperature of 10℃ or less (preferably, a temperature of 0℃ or more and 10℃ or less), which is a temperature at which the activity of nociceptors of a skin surface or tissue adjacent to the target is reduced.

[0386] For example, the third set temperature Ts3 can be set by considering a temperature at which a skin surface or skin tissue dies due to cooling. Specifically, for example, when a skin surface or skin is exposed to a temperature of 0℃ or less for a long period of time, death of the skin tissue can be caused by frostbite. Also for example, when a skin surface or skin is exposed to a temperature of -20℃ or less, death of the skin tissue can occur despite the exposure lasting for a short period of time. Thus, in the post-cooling period P3, the third set temperature Ts3 can be set to a temperature higher than a temperature at which a skin surface or skin dies (e.g., 0℃ or less).

[0387] In an embodiment, the third set temperature Ts3 can need to be set differently according to each period even in the post-cooling period P3. For example, since an initial period of the post-cooling period P3 is adjacent to the stop time of the laser emission period, when the third set temperature Ts3 is preset in the initial period of the post-cooling period P3, the degree of increase in the skin surface temperature of the laser emission period can be an important factor to be considered. On the other hand, in a period after the initial period of the post-cooling period P3, the pain-minimizing temperature and the skin death temperature can be relatively important factors to be considered when the third set temperature Ts3 is set. In this case, the third set temperature Ts3 can be set differently even in the post-cooling period P3 because the factors to be considered are different in the initial period and the latter period of the post-cooling period P3.

[0388] In the above, the third set temperature Ts3 is described as being set with respect to the skin surface temperature, but is not limited thereto, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that a specific temperature can be set based on the temperature of a refrigerant, which is a direct variable of the skin surface temperature and is controlled by the refrigerant condition control unit 1220.

[0389] Referring again to FIG. 12, Figure 8The laser treatment method can include determining S4200 the temperature or the spraying amount of the coolant by considering the skin surface temperature and / or the coolant temperature measured at S4100. Specifically, the control module 1400 can control the coolant condition control unit 1220 by considering the skin surface temperature and / or the coolant temperature measured at S4100, thereby determining the temperature and / or the spraying amount of the coolant at S4200. Alternatively, at S4200, the control module 1400 can control the amount of the coolant supplied to the spraying unit 1230 by controlling the opening / closing period and the opening / closing time period of the flow rate control unit 1210, thereby determining the spraying amount of the coolant.

[0390] When the coolant is sprayed at S4300, the coolant can be sprayed according to the temperature or the spraying amount of the coolant determined at S4200.

[0391] When the coolant is sprayed at S4300, determining S4400 whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the laser emission is stopped can be performed.

[0392] In determining S4400 whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the laser emission is stopped, the control module 1400 can determine whether the time period in which the after-cooling is performed is within a predetermined time period after the laser emission.

[0393] The predetermined time can be set by considering the degree of pain according to the treatment type and the degree of increase in the skin surface temperature in the laser emission period, etc. The predetermined time can mean the time period in which the after-cooling can be performed, and the time period of the after-cooling can have a linear relationship with the amount of energy applied to the skin surface, and thus can be set by considering the degree of pain according to the treatment and the degree of increase in the skin surface temperature in the laser emission period.

[0394] For example, the degree of pain can be different according to the treatment type or the treatment area, and when the degree of pain is relatively high, the time period of the after-cooling, that is, the predetermined time period is set to be relatively long, so that a relatively large amount of cooling energy is applied to the skin surface. On the other hand, when the degree of pain is relatively low, the time period of the after-cooling, that is, the predetermined time period is set to be relatively short, so that a relatively small amount of cooling energy is applied to the skin surface. In other words, the predetermined time period can be set by considering the degree of pain according to the treatment.

[0395] The predetermined time period can be directly set by the user, or set in a manner that the user selects a value set by the control module 1400 using the treatment information and the temperature information stored in the control module 1400. Further, the predetermined time period can be set before the laser treatment starts (for example, before the start step of the laser treatment). Figure 5

[0396] ​When the time period in which the post-cooling is performed is within the predetermined time period, the measurement S4100 of the skin surface temperature and the refrigerant temperature is performed, so that the series of steps can be performed again.

[0397] On the other hand, when the time period in which the post-cooling is performed passes the predetermined time period, the control module 1400 can stop the post-cooling.

[0398] Although the control module 1400 herein is described as "determining" whether the predetermined time period has passed after the laser emission, it is not limited thereto, and when the predetermined time period has passed after the laser emission, a time elapse signal is transmitted to the control module 1400, and even if the control module does not determine whether the predetermined time period has passed after the laser emission, the control module 1400 can control the laser treatment device 100 so that the post-cooling is stopped.

[0399] Additionally, in Figure 8 In the above, the post-cooling is illustrated as being stopped when the predetermined time period has passed after the laser emission is stopped, but this is only one example. The post-cooling can be stopped even by an input of the user stopping the refrigerant spraying.

[0400] As described above, it is mainly described that at S4200, the control module 1400 determines the temperature or the spraying amount of the refrigerant by considering the measured temperature and the predetermined third set temperature Ts3. However, this is only one example, and according to an embodiment, the control module 1400 can determine whether the measured actual temperature (e.g., the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed refrigerant) corresponds to a 'condition' of the predetermined third set temperature. In this case, the predetermined third set temperature condition can be a temperature range that presets an allowable "error range" with respect to the predetermined third set temperature. Alternatively, the predetermined third set temperature condition can be any suitable condition including a condition in which the skin surface temperature is maintained with respect to a specific temperature value for a specific time period.

[0401] When the measured actual temperature (e.g., the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed refrigerant) corresponds to the predetermined third set temperature condition, the control module 1400 can determine the temperature or the spraying amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed so that the refrigerant is sprayed by having the temperature or the spraying amount of the sprayed refrigerant.

[0402] When the measured actual temperature (e.g., the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed refrigerant) does not correspond to the predetermined third set temperature condition, the control module 1400 can control the temperature or the amount of the refrigerant through the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. Alternatively, the control module 1400 can control the amount of the refrigerant through the flow rate control unit 1210.

[0403] According to the laser treatment method by the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present specification, at least two of the first set temperature Ts1 in the pre-cooling period P1, the second set temperature Ts2 in the laser emission period, and the third set temperature Ts3 in the post-cooling period P3 can be set to be different. Specifically, factors to be considered in the pre-cooling period P1, the laser emission period, and the post-cooling period P3 can be different. For example, the first set temperature Ts1 can be set by considering the degree of increase in the skin surface temperature in the laser emission period and whether the laser interference substance of the laser emission period is generated, and the second set temperature can be set by considering the temperature of the target in the laser emission period and the desired temperature of the target and the skin damage temperature, etc. Additionally, the third set temperature Ts3 can be set by considering the pain minimization temperature and the skin death temperature caused by cooling, etc. In this case, since factors to be considered in each period can be different, the first set temperature Ts1, the second set temperature Ts2, and the third set temperature Ts3 can be set to be different from each other.

[0404] For example, the first set temperature Ts1 can be lower than the second set temperature Ts2, and the third set temperature Ts3 can be a temperature between the first set temperature Ts1 and the second set temperature Ts2. Specifically, since the second set temperature Ts2 can correspond to a period in which the skin surface temperature is increased due to laser emission, the second set temperature Ts2 can be set to be higher than the first set temperature Ts1 and the third set temperature Ts3. Further, the first set temperature Ts1 can be set to a temperature lower than the third set temperature Ts3 to maintain the skin surface temperature as low as possible before laser emission.

[0405] For example, the first set temperature Ts1 can be lower than the second set temperature Ts2, and the first set temperature Ts1 can be higher than the third set temperature Ts3. Specifically, since the second set temperature Ts2 can correspond to a period in which the skin surface temperature is increased due to laser emission, the second set temperature Ts2 can be set to be higher than the first set temperature Ts1 and the third set temperature Ts3. Further, the first set temperature Ts1 can be set to a temperature (0℃ or more) in which there is no frost on the skin surface during laser emission, and the third set temperature Ts3 can be set to a temperature lower than 0℃ to restore the skin surface temperature to a normal temperature as quickly as possible.

[0406] For example, the first set temperature Ts1 can be lower than the second set temperature Ts2, and can be the same as the third set temperature Ts3. Specifically, since the second set temperature Ts2 can correspond to a period in which the skin surface temperature is elevated due to the laser emission, the second set temperature Ts2 can be set to be higher than the first set temperature Ts1 and the third set temperature Ts3. In addition, in consideration of the above description, the first set temperature Ts1 and the third set temperature Ts3 can be set to be any suitable equal temperature.

[0407] For example, in the laser emission period, the second set temperature can be set such that the skin surface temperature approaches the second set temperature. However, since a high output energy is applied to the skin surface in the laser emission period, there is a possibility that the skin surface temperature is not controlled to the second set temperature. That is, there is a possibility that a difference between the actual skin surface temperature and the second set temperature is large. In this example, regardless of the actual skin surface temperature, the second set temperature can be set to be as low as possible such that a possibility of skin surface damage is minimized. In this case, the second set temperature Ts2 can be lower than the first set temperature Ts1 and / or the third set temperature Ts3.

[0408] However, the above description is merely an example, and the first set temperature Ts1, the second set temperature Ts2, and the third set temperature Ts3 can be set in consideration of a type and a purpose of treatment. For example, the first set temperature Ts1, the second set temperature Ts2, and the third set temperature can all be set to be the same temperature. For another example, the first set temperature Ts1 and the second set temperature Ts2 can be set to be the same in consideration of a type and a purpose of treatment. For another example, the second set temperature Ts2 and the third set temperature Ts3 can be set to be the same in consideration of a type and a purpose of treatment.

[0409] According to the laser treatment method by the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in the present specification, an error range of the first set temperature Ts1 in the pre-cooling period P1, an error range of the second set temperature Ts2 in the laser emission period, and an error range of the third set temperature Ts3 in the post-cooling period P3 can be set. For example, referring back to Figure 4 In the pre-cooling period P1, the skin surface temperature is set to be controlled to the first set temperature Ts1, and the error range R1 can be set such that the skin surface temperature is maintained within a predetermined temperature range.

[0410] In this case, the error range can be directly input by a user in a similar manner to the above-described set temperatures, or can be set to be any suitable value in the control module 1400.

[0411] Additionally, the error range can be set to be different according to the pre-cooling period P1, the intermediate cooling period P2, and the post-cooling period P3.

[0412] For example, in the intermediate cooling period P2, the error range can be set by considering the type of laser, the output of the laser, the skin damage temperature, and the desired temperature of the target, and the possibility of skin damage caused by the laser is relatively high, and thus the error range of the set temperature can be set to be narrower than other cooling periods.

[0413] On the other hand, the post-cooling period P3 is a cooling period after the laser output is stopped, and the possibility of skin damage due to the temperature rise caused by the laser treatment is lower in the post-cooling period than in other cooling periods, and thus the error range related to the set temperature in the post-cooling period P3 can be set to be wider in the post-cooling period P3 than in other cooling periods.

[0414] According to the laser treatment method by the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present specification, since the set temperature of the skin surface can be appropriately set considering the treatment situation and the temperature situation in each of the pre-cooling period P1, the laser emission period, and the post-cooling period P3, customized treatment can be performed for each treatment situation and each temperature situation, and more efficient cooling can be performed. In particular, in the pre-cooling period P1, the skin surface temperature can be lowered before the laser emission, thereby preventing the possibility of skin damage due to the temperature rise in the laser emission period, and in the laser emission period, the skin surface temperature can be controlled to the skin damage temperature or lower, thereby minimizing the possibility of skin damage. Further, in the post-cooling period P3, the skin surface temperature can be controlled to a temperature at which pain can be minimized, so that pain due to the treatment is minimized. Additionally, in the laser emission period, the temperature and / or amount of the refrigerant can be controlled with respect to the laser emission, so that the temperature of the target reaches the desired temperature of the target while the skin surface temperature is maintained at the skin damage temperature or lower. Therefore, based on the above, it is possible to achieve the purpose of the target treatment and the purpose of the present specification to minimize the possibility of skin damage and pain.

[0415] When the skin temperature is measured during laser irradiation, an error can occur. Specifically, in the laser emission period, when the sensing unit 1300 detects the temperature of the skin surface while the skin surface is irradiated with the laser, the output of the laser is very large, and thus the detection of the skin surface temperature by the sensing unit 1300 can interfere with the laser. Therefore, when the skin temperature in the laser emission period is measured, the measured skin temperature can have an error. Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 9 , a driving method of a laser treatment device for minimizing the error of the skin temperature measured in the laser emission period will be described. Figure 9 is a flowchart S5000 illustrating a method of correcting the measured skin surface temperature according to an embodiment of the laser treatment method disclosed in the present specification.

[0416] Reference Figure 9 The driving method of the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in the present specification can include emitting a laser at S5100, measuring a skin surface temperature at S5200, and determining whether the measured skin surface temperature is an actual skin surface temperature at S5300. In this case, when the measured skin surface temperature is the actual skin surface temperature, temperature feedback at S5410 can be performed by controlling a temperature and / or an amount of a refrigerant based on the measured skin surface temperature. On the other hand, when it is determined that the measured skin surface temperature is not the actual skin surface temperature, correction of the measured skin surface temperature at S5420 can be performed.

[0417] Hereinafter, as a method of correcting the measured skin surface temperature at S5420, a method of correcting an error or reducing a possibility of an error is proposed.

[0418] In an embodiment, by using a method of correcting and estimating data of the skin surface temperature measured by the sensing unit 1300 at the same time as a laser emission time, accuracy of temperature feedback due to an error of a measured temperature can be improved. Specifically, by using data of the skin surface temperature caused by laser emission, which is accumulated by a regular treatment, correction and / or estimation of data of the skin surface temperature measured by the sensing unit 1300 can be performed so that a difference between data of the skin surface temperature measured by the sensing unit 1300 at the same time as the laser emission time and data of the actual skin surface temperature is small. For example, based on data about a change in the skin surface temperature caused by laser emission, which is accumulated by a regular treatment, a trend of the change in the skin surface temperature caused by laser emission can be analyzed, and in order to conform to the trend of the change in the skin surface temperature, data about the skin surface temperature having a high possibility of an error can be corrected and / or estimated. By correcting and / or estimating data of the skin surface temperature having a high possibility of an error to appropriate temperature data, accuracy of temperature feedback can be improved.

[0419] When the skin surface temperature is measured by using the sensing unit during laser emission, a difference can occur between the measured skin surface temperature and the actual skin surface temperature under the influence of the laser.

[0420] In an embodiment, in order to reduce such an error, a temperature measurement period of the sensing unit 1300 can be set in consideration of a relationship with a laser emission period. For example, when laser is emitted, the laser can be outputted at a predetermined period, and in this case, a temperature measurement period of the skin surface by the sensing unit 1300 can be set to be different from the laser output period, so that an error of the measured skin surface temperature can be prevented or reduced.

[0421] For example, the temperature measurement period of the sensing unit 1300 can be set to be shorter than the laser emission period. When the temperature measurement period of the sensing unit 1300 is set to be shorter than the laser emission period, the number of times of measuring the temperature of the skin surface in which error is likely to occur due to the influence of the laser is different from the number of times of measuring the temperature of the skin surface in which error is not likely to occur, and thus it is easy to distinguish between the two. Thereby, the measured temperature of the skin surface in which error is likely to occur due to the influence of the laser (for example, the skin surface temperature measured at the same time as the laser emission time) is excluded or corrected from the data, and thus the accuracy of the temperature feedback according to the error of the measured temperature can be improved.

[0422] Here, the temperature measurement period of the sensing unit 1300 is described as being set to be shorter than the laser emission period, but is not limited thereto. The temperature measurement period can be set to be the same period as the laser emission period or a longer period than the laser emission period, and temperature data at the same time as the laser emission time is excluded or corrected, and thus the accuracy of the temperature feedback according to the error of the measured temperature can be improved.

[0423] For example, the sensing unit 1300 can be configured to measure the temperature of the skin surface at random. Specifically, the sensing unit 1300 measures the temperature of the skin surface at random regardless of the time and period of the laser output, and thus it is possible to reduce the probability that the sensing unit 1300 measures the temperature of the skin surface at the same time as the laser output time. Thereby, the possibility of error of the measured temperature of the skin surface is reduced, and thus the accuracy of the temperature feedback can be improved.

[0424] Additionally, when the temperature of the skin surface is measured by using the sensing unit during the laser emission, there can be a difference between the measured temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the skin surface under the influence of the laser. In order to reduce such error, temperature data measured only at a desired time can be selectively filtered out.

[0425] For example, the sensing unit 1300 continuously measures the temperature of the skin surface, and among the measured temperature data, temperature data measured at the laser emission time can be excluded, and temperature data measured only at a time other than the laser emission time can be selectively filtered out. The filtering can be implemented by an external device, or can be implemented in the control module 1400. The accuracy of the temperature feedback can be improved by filtering temperature data having a high possibility of error.

[0426] When the temperature of the skin surface is measured by using the sensing unit during the laser emission, there can be a difference between the measured temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the skin surface under the influence of the laser.

[0427] In one embodiment, to prevent temperature measurement of the sensing unit 1300 from generating errors due to laser interference, a filter that selectively blocks only a wavelength of a laser used in treatment can be used. Specifically, the sensing unit 1300 for measuring the skin surface temperature can be configured as an infrared temperature sensing unit, and during laser emission, the laser or light partially reflected on the skin surface by the laser can interfere with the infrared temperature sensing unit. In this case, a filter capable of filtering a wavelength band of the laser or the wavelength band of the light reflected on the skin surface can be attached to the infrared temperature sensing unit. Thereby, it is possible to minimize temperature measurement errors of the sensing unit 1300 due to the laser or the laser reflected light. In other words, a filter (e.g., an infrared radiation filter) can be attached to the sensing unit 1300 so that light of a specific wavelength does not pass through the filter, and thereby, in temperature measurement of the sensing unit 1300, it is possible to minimize temperature measurement errors due to interference of the laser and / or the laser reflected light.

[0428] According to the driving method of the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in the present specification in which temperature measurement errors of a measured skin surface are avoided, the temperature measurement function of the sensing unit 1300 can not be used in a laser emission period. Specifically, in the laser emission period, measurement of the skin surface temperature can interfere with the laser, and in this case, performing temperature feedback by measuring the skin surface temperature can not be efficient. Therefore, in the laser emission period, measurement of the skin surface temperature of the sensing unit 1300 can not be performed. However, the laser emission period is a period in which skin damage is likely to occur, and thus hereinafter, even though temperature measurement of the sensing unit 1300 is not performed, other methods for preventing skin damage are proposed.

[0429] In an embodiment, according to the driving method of the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in the present specification, in the laser emission period, it is possible to spray the refrigerant to be sprayed on the skin surface regardless of the skin surface temperature by setting the amount of the refrigerant to a fixed value. Specifically, in the laser emission period, the sensing unit 1300 can be configured so that the sensing unit 1300 does not perform measurement of the skin surface temperature. To prevent damage to the skin surface by the heat energy of the laser even in the laser emission period, the refrigerant can be sprayed on the skin surface by setting the amount of the refrigerant to a fixed value. In this case, the set value of the amount of the refrigerant can be a value considered to be such that the skin surface temperature does not reach a skin damage temperature, based on treatment information and temperature information stored in the control module 1400.

[0430] In an embodiment, according to the driving method of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present specification, in the laser emission period, it is possible to spray the refrigerant on the skin surface by setting the temperature of the refrigerant to a fixed value regardless of the skin surface temperature. Specifically, in the laser emission period, the sensing unit 1300 is configured such that the sensing unit 1300 does not measure the skin surface temperature. In order to prevent damage to the skin surface by the heat energy of the laser even in the laser emission period, the temperature of the sprayed refrigerant can be set to a fixed value, and the refrigerant can be sprayed on the skin surface by having a specific temperature. Since the temperature of the refrigerant is a direct variable of the skin surface temperature, the refrigerant can be sprayed by having a specific temperature, so that the skin surface temperature can be controlled. In this case, based on the treatment information and the temperature information stored in the control module 1400, the preset value of the refrigerant temperature can be a value considered to make the skin surface temperature not reach the skin damage temperature.

[0431] In an embodiment, according to the driving method of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present specification, in the laser emission period, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can operate by fixing the value of the amount of heat energy applied to the refrigerant regardless of the skin surface temperature. Specifically, in the laser emission period, the sensing unit 1300 can be configured such that the sensing unit 1300 does not measure the skin surface temperature. In order to prevent damage to the skin surface by the heat energy of the laser even in the laser emission period, the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can fix the value of the amount of heat energy applied to the refrigerant. To this end, by fixing the current applied to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220, the power applied to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 can be fixed. In this case, based on the treatment information and the temperature information stored in the control module 1400, at least one of the current value applied to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220, the power value applied to the refrigerant condition control unit 1220, and the value of the amount of heat energy applied to the refrigerant can be a value considered to make the skin surface temperature not reach the skin damage temperature.

[0432] In the above, it is mainly described that in the laser emission period, the sensing unit 1300 does not perform measurement of the skin surface temperature, but when the sensing unit 1300 measures the skin surface temperature in the laser emission period, the refrigerant condition control unit fixes the amount of refrigerant, the refrigerant condition control unit fixes the temperature of the refrigerant, and the refrigerant condition control unit fixes the amount of heat energy applied to the refrigerant can be used in combination with each other, and it is clear to those skilled in the art that by such a combination, the purpose of the present disclosure of controlling the skin surface temperature not to exceed the skin damage temperature in the laser emission period can be achieved.

[0433] In the driving method of the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in the present specification, in order to minimize the possibility of skin surface damage while preventing errors in the skin surface temperature measured by the sensing unit 1300, the change in the temperature of the skin surface and the target in the laser emission period can be estimated based on the treatment information and / or the temperature information obtained through the regular treatment. Specifically, the control module 1400 can be configured to estimate and / or predict the temperature change in the laser emission period based on the skin surface temperature, the temperature of the target, and the temperature of the coolant obtained in the regular treatment (using substantially the same treatment information as the treatment information such as the treatment area in which the treatment will be performed and the laser type).

[0434] In this embodiment, when the treatment is performed by spraying the coolant on the skin surface so that the temperature and the amount of the coolant have specific values at the same time as the time at which the laser is emitted in the laser emission period of the regular treatment, the control module 1400 can analyze the change and the trend of the temperature information including the skin surface temperature and / or the temperature of the target based on the treatment information and the temperature information obtained from the regular treatment. In this case, the control module 1400 can analyze information such as the temperature and the amount of the coolant, the laser type, and the treatment area, and their connection with the change in the skin surface temperature and / or the temperature of the target. Additionally, when the treatment substantially the same as the regular treatment is performed, the control module 1400 can estimate and predict the skin surface temperature and the temperature of the target, and can control the temperature and / or the amount of the coolant, thereby controlling the spraying of the coolant. In this case, the control module 1400 can be configured to control the temperature and / or the amount of the coolant so that the skin surface temperature does not reach the skin damage temperature and the temperature of the target reaches the desired temperature of the target.

[0435] In an embodiment, based on the skin surface temperature and / or the temperature of the target of the regular treatment substantially the same as the treatment to be performed, the control module 1400 can be configured to control the temperature and the amount of the coolant to be sprayed. In particular, based on the skin surface temperature and / or the temperature of the target at the start time of the laser emission of the regular treatment and the skin surface temperature and / or the temperature of the target at the stop time of the laser emission thereof, the control module 1400 can be configured to control the temperature and the amount of the coolant to be sprayed. In this case, the control module 1400 can be configured to control the temperature and / or the amount of the coolant so that the skin surface temperature does not reach the skin damage temperature and the temperature of the target reaches the desired temperature of the target.

[0436] In an embodiment, a plurality of lasers can be used to irradiate one target for treatment. In this case, by using the skin information obtained by the first shot, it is possible to control the temperature and / or the amount of the coolant sprayed at the second shot. This will be described in detail later.

[0437] In an embodiment, a plurality of targets can be treated with laser irradiation. In this case, the temperature and / or amount of the coolant sprayed on the second point can be controlled by using the temperature information of the first point. This will be described in detail later.

[0438] The laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in the specification can include a laser module that outputs laser light to a patient's skin for laser treatment, a sensing unit that measures a skin temperature, a nozzle that sprays a coolant onto the skin, a coolant condition control unit that controls at least one of a temperature and a spray amount of the coolant, and a control module configured to, after at least one of first skin information and second skin information is obtained by the sensing unit, control at least one of the temperature and the amount of the coolant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information when performing laser treatment of a second shot after laser treatment of a first shot, the first skin information including at least a skin temperature at or before a start of laser output of the first shot, and the second skin information including at least a skin temperature at or after a stop of the laser output of the first shot.

[0439] Here, the first skin information or the second skin information is a concept including a skin type, a skin treatment area, a skin temperature, and any suitable information related to the skin, but hereinafter, embodiments regarding information on the skin temperature will be mainly described.

[0440] The first skin information can be a skin temperature at or before a start of laser output of the first shot, and the second skin information can be a skin temperature at or after a stop of the laser output of the first shot.

[0441] When laser treatment of the second shot is performed after laser treatment of the first shot, the control module 1400 of the laser treatment apparatus 100 can be configured to control at least one of the temperature and the amount of the coolant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information.

[0442] According to an embodiment, the first skin information can indicate a skin temperature detected substantially simultaneously with a laser output start time, and the second skin information can indicate a skin temperature detected substantially simultaneously with a laser output stop time. In this case, when laser treatment of the second shot is performed after laser treatment of the first shot, the control module 1400 can be configured to control at least one of the temperature and the amount of the coolant in at least a portion of an emission period of the laser based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information.

[0443] According to an embodiment, when the laser treatment of the second shot is performed after the laser treatment of the first shot, the control module 1400 can be configured to control at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant based on a "difference" between the first skin information and the second skin information.

[0444] According to an embodiment, when the laser treatment of the second shot is performed after the laser treatment of the first shot, the control module 1400 can be configured to control at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant based on the temperature detected from the skin surface irradiated with the second shot in the remaining cooling period other than the laser emission period of the second shot. In other words, the control module 1400 can be configured to control at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant in at least a part of the emission period of the laser based on the first skin information and / or the second skin information related to the first shot in the laser emission period, and can be configured to control at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant in the pre-cooling period P1 and / or the post-cooling period P3 other than the laser emission period based on the temperature detected from the skin surface to be irradiated with the second shot or the skin surface irradiated with the second shot.

[0445] According to an embodiment, the laser output of the first shot and the laser output of the second shot can be performed on the same target. For example, when the laser output of the first shot is output to a first point, the laser of the second shot can also be output to the first point. In other words, the laser output of the first shot and the laser output of the second shot can be performed to substantially the same position of the skin.

[0446] According to an embodiment, the laser output of the first shot and the laser output of the second shot can be performed on different targets. For example, when the laser output of the first shot is output to a first point, the laser of the second shot can be output to a second point. In other words, the first shot is the laser output to a first position of the skin, and the second shot can be the laser output to a second position of the skin different from the first position.

[0447] According to an embodiment, the driving method of the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in the present specification can include performing a plurality of laser shots on one target.

[0448] According to an embodiment, the driving method of the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in the present specification can further include performing one laser shot on a plurality of targets.

[0449] According to an embodiment, the driving method of the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in the present specification can include performing a plurality of laser shots on a plurality of targets, respectively.

[0450] Here, one laser shot can mean outputting one pulse. Also, multiple laser shots generally mean outputting multiple pulses. However, there can be a case where multiple short pulses are continuously outputted at intervals of very short time units (e.g., nanosecond time units), and in this case, one laser shot can mean including multiple continuously outputted pulses.

[0451] Through this operation and implementation method, at least a measurement error of the skin surface temperature at the time of laser emission can be prevented, and the possibility of skin damage can be minimized. Hereinafter, the above operation and implementation method will be described in more detail.

[0452] Hereinafter, the laser treatment device 100 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 10 to Figure 12 Hereinafter, the laser treatment device 100 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 10 is a view illustrating laser irradiation of a first shot. Figure 11 is a view illustrating laser irradiation of a second shot on the first point after a predetermined time period elapses after completing the laser irradiation of the first shot on the first point. Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating a driving method S6000 of the laser treatment device when multiple laser shots are performed on the first point.

[0453] The driving method of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present specification can include measuring first skin information at S6100 when laser treatment starts, emitting a first shot of laser at S6200, measuring second skin information at S6300, controlling at least one of a temperature and an amount of a refrigerant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information at S6400, and spraying the refrigerant according to the second shot of laser emission and the controlled temperature or amount of the refrigerant at S6500.

[0454] According to an embodiment, in the measurement of the first skin information at S6100, the sensing unit 1300 can detect skin information of a skin surface of a target receiving laser treatment or a block adjacent to the skin surface.

[0455] The first skin information can be detected at or before the start of laser output. Preferably, the first skin information can be skin information detected substantially simultaneously with the time of the start of laser output.

[0456] The first skin information can be a temperature of a skin surface of a target receiving a laser treatment or a "skin temperature" of a zone adjacent to the skin surface. For example, the first skin information can be a skin surface temperature before a laser is output and its thermal energy is applied to the skin surface. However, the first skin information is not limited to the skin surface temperature, and can include a skin type and a treatment area of a patient, and a location and / or depth of a target. For example, in the case of a hair removal treatment, information about characteristics (e.g., moisture and sensitivity, etc.) of skin where hair is located and skin information about a target location or depth are measured, and the information can be used during a laser emission of a second shot.

[0457] According to an embodiment, the first skin information can be detected before a laser output start time. In this case, at a time before the start time of the laser output, pre-cooling can be performed. When the pre-cooling is performed, information about a temperature and / or amount of the cryogen sprayed in the pre-cooling can be obtained in addition to the first skin information, and the information can be used to control a temperature and / or amount of the cryogen to be sprayed during a laser emission of a second shot, which will be described below.

[0458] In the laser emission of the first shot at S6200, the laser module 1100 can output a laser to a treatment target. Preferably, the emission of the laser of the first shot can aim to obtain skin information for precisely controlling a temperature and / or amount of the cryogen to be sprayed together when emitting a laser of a second shot. In other words, the emission of the laser of the first shot can aim to control a temperature and / or amount of the cryogen such that, based on skin information obtained at an emission start time and an emission stop time of the laser emission period of the first shot, a skin surface temperature does not reach a skin damage temperature during a laser treatment of the second shot.

[0459] According to an embodiment, in the measurement of the second skin information at S6300, the second skin information can be detected by the sensing unit 1300 in the same skin surface area as a skin surface zone where the first skin information is measured. That is, the second skin information about a skin surface of a target receiving a laser treatment or a zone adjacent to the skin surface can be measured.

[0460] The second skin information can be detected at or after a laser output is completed. Preferably, the second skin information can be skin information detected substantially simultaneously with a time when the laser output is stopped.

[0461] The second skin information can be a "skin temperature" of a target skin surface to which the laser treatment is received or a zone adjacent to the skin surface. For example, the second skin information can be a skin surface temperature after heat energy is applied to the skin surface after the laser output is stopped. However, the second skin information is not limited to the skin surface temperature, and can include a laser type (laser wavelength and output) and a laser emission time, etc. in the laser emission period.

[0462] According to an embodiment, the second skin information can be detected at or after the laser output is stopped. In this case, in the laser emission period, the refrigerant can be sprayed in addition to the output of the laser. That is, intermediate cooling can be performed. When the intermediate cooling is performed, information on the temperature and / or amount of the sprayed refrigerant can be additionally obtained in the intermediate cooling. Further, information on a change in the skin surface temperature according to the temperature and / or amount of the sprayed refrigerant can also be obtained in the intermediate cooling. The temperature of the refrigerant, the information on the amount of the refrigerant, and / or the information on the change in the skin surface temperature in the intermediate cooling can be used to control the temperature and / or amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed before, during, or after the laser emission of the second shot, which will be described below.

[0463] In the process of controlling at least one of the temperature and amount of the refrigerant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information at S6400, the control module 1400 can control at least one of the temperature and amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot based on at least one of the detected first skin information and the second skin information. In this case, the control module 1400 can control the temperature and / or amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot by controlling the amount of heat energy applied to the refrigerant through the refrigerant condition control unit 1220. Alternatively, the control module 1400 can control the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot by controlling the opening / closing period and / or opening / closing cycle of the flow rate control unit 1210.

[0464] In the process of controlling at least one of the temperature and amount of the refrigerant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information at S6400, the skin surface temperature during the emission of the second shot can be controlled to be at or below the skin damage temperature by controlling at least one of the temperature and amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot. Accordingly, the possibility of skin damage can be minimized.

[0465] For example, in the process of controlling at least one of the temperature and amount of the refrigerant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information at S6400, the temperature and / or amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot can be controlled based on the first skin information.

[0466] For example, the temperature and / or amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot can be controlled based on the'skin surface temperature' of the treatment area at the start of the laser emission of the first shot. When the skin surface temperature is relatively high, it is highly likely that the skin surface temperature reaches the skin damage temperature due to the increase in the skin surface temperature by the heat accumulation of the laser, and thus the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot can be controlled to be sprayed by having a relatively low temperature or in a relatively large amount.

[0467] On the other hand, when the skin surface temperature is relatively low, it is less likely that the skin surface temperature reaches the skin damage temperature due to the increase in the skin surface temperature by the heat accumulation of the laser, and thus the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot is controlled to be sprayed by having a relatively high temperature or in a relatively low amount, thus it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 and save the refrigerant.

[0468] For example, in controlling at least one of the temperature and amount of the refrigerant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information at S6400, the temperature and / or amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot can be controlled based on the'second skin information'.

[0469] For example, based on the'skin surface temperature' of the treatment area at a time substantially the same as the stop time of the laser emission of the first shot, the temperature and / or amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot can be controlled. When the skin surface temperature is the skin damage temperature or a higher temperature, or a temperature relatively close to the skin damage temperature at a time substantially the same as the stop time of the laser emission, it means that the possibility of skin damage is high due to the laser emission, and thus the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot can be controlled to be sprayed by having a relatively low temperature or in a relatively large amount. Thus, it is possible to minimize the possibility of skin damage.

[0470] On the other hand, when the skin surface temperature is not relatively close to the skin damage temperature, it means that the skin surface temperature is less likely to reach the skin damage temperature due to the increase in the skin surface temperature by the heat accumulation of the laser, and thus the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot is controlled to be sprayed by having a relatively high temperature or in a relatively low amount, thus it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 and save the refrigerant.

[0471] For example, in the control of at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant at S6400 based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information, the temperature and / or the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot can be controlled based on the first skin information and the second skin information. In some examples, in the control of at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant at S6400 based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information, the temperature and / or the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot can be controlled based on a "difference" between the first skin information and the second skin information.

[0472] For example, in the control of at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant at S6400 based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information, the temperature and / or the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot can be controlled based on a "difference" between the skin surface temperature of the treatment area at the start time of the laser emission of the first shot and the skin surface temperature of the treatment area at the stop time of the laser emission of the first shot. That is, based on the difference between the skin surface temperatures at the start time and the stop time of the laser emission of the first shot, the temperature and / or the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot can be controlled. When the difference between the skin surface temperatures is relatively large, this can be interpreted to mean that the skin surface temperature at the start time is greatly increased due to the laser emission and is likely to reach a skin damage temperature. Therefore, in this case, the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot can be controlled to be sprayed with a relatively low temperature or in a relatively large amount. Thus, it is possible to minimize the possibility of skin damage.

[0473] On the other hand, when the difference between the skin surface temperatures is relatively small, this can be interpreted to mean that the skin surface temperature at the start time is slightly increased due to the laser emission and is unlikely to reach a skin damage temperature. Therefore, in this case, the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot can be controlled to be sprayed with a relatively high temperature or in a relatively small amount. Thus, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the refrigerant condition control unit 1220 and save the refrigerant.

[0474] In the control of at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant at S6400 based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information, at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant can be additionally controlled considering a difference between the stop time of the first shot and the start time of the second shot.

[0475] For example, when the difference between the stop time of the first shot and the start time of the second shot is relatively large, the heat energy transmitted to the skin surface by the laser emission of the first shot is likely to be distributed to the surrounding tissue. On the other hand, when the difference between the stop time of the first shot and the start time of the second shot is relatively small, the heat energy left in the skin surface due to the laser emission of the first shot can be relatively high, and additional heat energy can accumulate in the skin surface due to the laser emission of the second shot, so the skin surface temperature can be relatively more likely to reach the skin damage temperature. Therefore, when the time difference is relatively small, the cryogen to be sprayed during the laser emission of the second shot can be controlled to be sprayed by having a relatively low temperature or a relatively large amount.

[0476] In the spraying of the cryogen according to the laser emission of the second shot and the controlled temperature or amount of the cryogen at S6500, the cryogen can be sprayed on the treatment area according to the temperature and / or amount of the cryogen controlled at least one of the temperature and amount of the cryogen controlled based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information at S6400. In this case, the spraying of the cryogen can be performed in at least a part of the laser emission period of the second shot. That is, the cryogen is sprayed according to the controlled temperature or amount of the cryogen, and thus intermediate cooling can be performed during the laser emission of the second shot. Additionally, by this cooling, it is possible to control the skin surface temperature in the laser emission period of the second shot not to reach the skin damage temperature.

[0477] However, the control of the cryogen is not limited to intermediate cooling, and according to the controlled temperature or amount of the cryogen, "pre-cooling" can be performed before the laser emission of the second shot and / or "post-cooling" can be performed after the laser emission of the second shot, and thus it is possible to achieve the purpose of the present disclosure to minimize the possibility of skin damage and pain. In other words, in the above, the intermediate cooling has been mainly described in which at least one of the temperature and amount of the cryogen is controlled based on the first skin information of the first shot and / or the second skin information, but the control of the cryogen is not limited to intermediate cooling, and in the pre-cooling and / or post-cooling of the second shot, at least one of the temperature and amount of the cryogen to be sprayed can be controlled based on the first skin information of the first shot and / or the second skin information.

[0478] The above describes a treatment in which multiple laser shots are performed on one target, but the above description is not limited to performing multiple laser irradiations on one target, and it can be inferred and even applied in the same or similar manner to irradiating multiple targets with a laser, which will be described below. Hereinafter, the characteristics of laser treatment on multiple targets will be mainly described.

[0479] Hereinafter, it will be described with reference to Figure 13 and Figure 15 . Figure 13is a view illustrating irradiation of a first point with a laser. Figure 14 is a view illustrating irradiation of a second point with a laser after a lapse of a predetermined period of time after irradiation of the first point with the laser. Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating a driving method S7000 of a laser treatment apparatus when a plurality of points are irradiated with a laser.

[0480] The driving method of the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in the present specification can include: measuring first skin information of a first point after a laser treatment starts at S7100; irradiating the first point with a laser at S7200; measuring second skin information of the first point at S7300; controlling at least one of a temperature and an amount of a coolant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information at S7400; and spraying the coolant according to laser irradiation on a second point and the controlled temperature or amount of the coolant at S7500.

[0481] According to an embodiment, when the first skin information of the first point is measured at S7100, the skin information of a skin surface of the first point to receive a laser treatment or a block adjacent to the skin surface can be detected by the sensing unit 1300. The first point can be a point different from a second point to be described below. However, the first point and the second point can preferably be tissues in a living body that perform the same or similar functions in adjacent blocks.

[0482] The first skin information can be detected at or before the start of laser output to the "first point".

[0483] Additionally, the first skin information can be a skin temperature of a skin surface of the "first point" or a block adjacent to the skin surface. However, the first skin information is not limited thereto and can include a skin type of a patient, a treatment area, and a target location.

[0484] When the first point is irradiated with a laser at S7200, the laser module 1100 can output a laser to the first point to receive a treatment. Preferably, irradiation of the first point with a laser can aim to obtain skin information for appropriately controlling a temperature and / or an amount of a coolant to be sprayed when a second point is irradiated with a laser. In other words, skin information of a start time and a stop time of a laser emission period of the "first point" can be obtained, and a temperature and / or an amount of a coolant can be aimed to be controlled based on the skin information so that a skin surface temperature does not reach a skin damage temperature during laser treatment of a second point that is a point different from the first point.

[0485] According to an embodiment, when the second skin information of the first point is measured at S7300, the second skin information can be detected by the sensing unit 1300 in the same skin surface block as the skin surface block in which the first skin information is measured. That is, the second skin information can be measured in the first point.

[0486] When or after the laser output to the 'first point' is stopped, the second skin information can be detected.

[0487] Additionally, the second skin information can be a'skin surface temperature' of the skin surface of the 'first point' or a zone adjacent to the skin surface. However, the second skin information is not limited to the skin surface temperature, and can include a laser type (laser wavelength and output) and a laser emission time, etc. in a laser emission period.

[0488] When at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant is controlled based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information at S7400, at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during irradiation of the second point with the laser can be controlled based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information detected from the first point. In this case, when the second point is irradiated with the laser, by controlling at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during laser irradiation of the second point, it is possible to control the skin surface temperature of the second point not to reach the skin damage temperature. Thereby, it is possible to minimize the possibility of skin damage of the second point.

[0489] When the refrigerant is sprayed according to the controlled temperature or amount of the refrigerant in the laser irradiation on the second point and the refrigerant at S6500, the refrigerant can be sprayed on the second point according to the controlled temperature and / or amount of the refrigerant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information detected from the first point. In this case, the refrigerant can be sprayed on the second point before the second point is irradiated with the laser. Alternatively, the refrigerant can be sprayed on the second point when the second point is irradiated with the laser. Alternatively, the refrigerant can be sprayed on the second point after the second point is irradiated with the laser.

[0490] When the treatment environment, the treatment type, or the treatment method of the first point and the second point are the same or similar, the above-described embodiments can be applied.

[0491] However, even when the treatment environment, the treatment type, or the treatment method of the first point and the second point are different, at least one of the temperature and the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed on the second point can be controlled based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information of the first point, additionally considering the difference between the treatment environment, the treatment type, or the treatment method of the first point and the second point.

[0492] For example, although Figure 15 Although not shown in FIG. 13, when the second shot laser treatment is performed after the first shot laser treatment, the third skin information of the second point can be measured by the sensing unit 1300.

[0493] The third skin information can be skin information of the second point at least at or before the start of the laser output of the second shot. Additionally, the third skin information can be a "skin temperature" of a skin surface of the target receiving the laser treatment of the second shot or a patch adjacent to the skin surface. For example, the third skin information can be a skin surface temperature before heat energy is applied to the skin surface corresponding to the second point by outputting the laser of the second shot. However, the third skin information is not limited to the skin surface temperature, and can also include a skin type of the patient, a location and / or a depth of the target, etc. For example, when performing a hair removal treatment, information about characteristics (e.g., moisture and sensitivity, etc.) of the skin where the hair is located and skin information about the location or depth of the target can be measured, and these information can be used as a basis for controlling the characteristics of the coolant during the laser irradiation of the second shot.

[0494] In an embodiment, the control module 1400 can control at least one of a temperature and an amount of the coolant to be sprayed during the laser treatment of the second shot based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information related to the first shot and the third skin information related to the second shot obtained through the sensing unit 1300.

[0495] For example, the control module 1400 can control the temperature or the amount of the coolant to be sprayed during the laser treatment of the second shot based on a difference between the first skin information related to the first shot and the third skin information related to the second shot. For example, the control module 1400 can control the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed on the second point to be relatively higher in a case where the skin temperature included in the first skin information is higher than the skin temperature included in the third skin information than in a case where the skin temperature included in the first skin information is lower than the skin temperature included in the third skin information. Alternatively, the control module 1400 can control the amount of the coolant to be sprayed on the second point to be relatively smaller in a case where the skin temperature included in the first skin information is higher than the skin temperature included in the third skin information than in a case where the skin temperature included in the first skin information is lower than the skin temperature included in the third skin information.

[0496] For example, the control module 1400 can control the temperature or the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during the laser treatment of the second shot based on a "difference" between the second skin information related to the first shot and the third skin information related to the second shot. For example, the control module 1400 can control the temperature of the refrigerant to be sprayed on the second point to be relatively higher in a case where a difference between the skin temperature included in the second skin information and the skin temperature included in the third skin information is a second difference that is greater than a first difference than in a case where the difference between the skin temperature included in the second skin information and the skin temperature included in the third skin information is the first difference. Alternatively, the control module 1400 can control the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed on the second point to be relatively smaller in a case where the difference between the skin temperature included in the second skin information and the skin temperature included in the third skin information is the second difference that is greater than the first difference than in a case where the difference between the skin temperature included in the second skin information and the skin temperature included in the third skin information is the first difference.

[0497] Referring to Figure 10 to Figure 12 , the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in the present specification can be operated as a method of outputting a plurality of laser shots to one point. Additionally, referring to Figure 13 to Figure 15 , the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in the present specification can be operated as a method of outputting a laser shot to each of a plurality of points. However, this is not restrictive, and any principles and advantages of the method of outputting a plurality of laser shots to one point and any principles and advantages of the method of outputting a laser shot to each of a plurality of points can be combined with each other.

[0498] For example, when treatment is performed by irradiating a first point with a first shot, the temperature and / or the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed during the second shot treatment on the first point can be controlled based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information for the first shot. Also, the temperature and / or the amount of the refrigerant to be sprayed on the second point during the laser treatment can be controlled based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information for the first shot.

[0499] That is, the method of outputting a plurality of laser shots to one point and the method of outputting a laser shot to each of a plurality of points can be combined with each other.

[0500] Hereinafter, a method of emitting a laser during cooling by using the laser treatment apparatus 100 with a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present specification will be described with reference to Figure 16 .

[0501] Figure 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method S8000 of emitting a laser during cooling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0502] Referring to Figure 16 In the laser treatment, the method S8000 of emitting laser during cooling on the skin surface can include: receiving a first trigger signal at S8100; performing a cooling function at S8200; receiving a second trigger signal at S8300; determining whether a laser emission condition is satisfied at S8400; providing a notification at S8500; and emitting laser at S8600.

[0503] Hereinafter, each step will be described in more detail.

[0504] The laser treatment device 100 can receive a first trigger signal from a user at S8100. Here, the first trigger signal can include a trigger signal for commanding the start of laser treatment and / or a trigger signal for commanding cooling before laser treatment. In this case, the laser treatment device 100 can include a first trigger button (or a first trigger) for receiving the first trigger signal.

[0505] When the first trigger signal is received, the laser treatment device 100 can operate the cooling module so that the skin surface is cooled at S8200. For example, the cooling module can continuously measure the skin surface temperature, and can cool the skin surface by periodically or continuously spraying a refrigerant on the skin surface so that the skin surface temperature is a predetermined first set temperature Ts1. For another example, the cooling module can cool the skin surface so that the skin surface temperature is within a preset temperature range with respect to the predetermined first set temperature Ts1. For still another example, the cooling module can cool the skin surface so that the skin surface temperature varies with time within different set temperature ranges. In this case, the laser treatment device 100 can use skin temperature information obtained from the sensing unit when operating the cooling module.

[0506] The laser treatment device 100 can receive a second trigger signal from a user at S8300. The second trigger signal can include a signal for commanding laser irradiation on the skin surface. In this case, the laser treatment device 10 can include a second trigger button (or a second trigger) for receiving the second trigger signal. Meanwhile, the reception S8300 of the second trigger signal can be omitted, or can be performed after determining S8400 whether the laser emission condition is satisfied, which will be described hereinafter. By receiving the second trigger signal at S8300, the user can emit laser on the skin surface at a desired time.

[0507] When the first trigger signal or the second trigger signal is received, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can determine whether a laser emission condition is satisfied at S8400. Here, the laser emission condition can include at least one of a condition that the skin surface temperature is included in a set temperature range, a condition that the skin surface temperature is maintained in the set temperature range for a predetermined period of time, and a condition that a predetermined period of time elapses after the coolant starts to be sprayed on the skin surface. Of course, the data described in the present specification regarding the skin surface temperature can be used to determine whether the above-described conditions are satisfied.

[0508] When the laser emission condition is not satisfied, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can provide a notification at S8500, and can perform a cooling function of the skin surface at S8200. For example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can include a notification module, and can provide a notification to the user that the laser emission condition is not satisfied through the notification module. The notification can be performed in various ways such as visual, auditory, and tactile notifications. Meanwhile, even when the laser emission condition is satisfied, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can provide a notification to the user that the laser emission condition is satisfied.

[0509] When the laser emission condition is satisfied, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can emit laser on the skin surface at S8600. For example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can operate the laser module for a predetermined period of time from the time when the laser emission condition is satisfied, and can emit laser on the skin surface. Meanwhile, when the laser emission condition is satisfied, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can provide a notification to the user, and can emit laser on the skin surface when a second trigger signal from the user is received.

[0510] When the cooling is performed on the skin surface, the method of emitting laser at S8000 can omit at least one of the above-described steps. For example, the determination of whether the laser emission condition is satisfied at S8400 and the provision of the notification at S8500 can be omitted. Specifically, when the second trigger signal is received, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can emit laser while cooling the skin surface. Alternatively, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can cool the skin surface when the first trigger signal is received, and can emit laser when a predetermined period of time elapses or the skin surface satisfies a specific temperature condition.

[0511] Further, although Figure 16The skin surface is cooled even when the skin surface is irradiated with a laser, but is not shown here, and is cooled even after the laser irradiation, as described elsewhere in this specification. For example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can control the sprayed refrigerant so that the skin surface temperature is the second set temperature Ts2 when the skin is irradiated with a laser, and can control the sprayed refrigerant so that the skin surface temperature is a third set temperature after the laser irradiation. For another example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can stop spraying the refrigerant when the laser irradiation starts. For still another example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can stop spraying the refrigerant when the laser irradiation starts, and can restart spraying the refrigerant when the laser irradiation stops, and can control the refrigerant so that the skin surface temperature is the same as the first set temperature Ts1 or another third set temperature.

[0512] As described above, when the skin surface is continuously or periodically cooled, the skin surface is irradiated with a laser when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and thus a safer laser treatment can be performed, and pain caused by the laser irradiation can be reduced.

[0513] Meanwhile, to further improve the effect of the method S8000 of emitting a laser during cooling, a plurality of cooling modules can be used. For example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can include a main cooling module that continuously sprays a refrigerant for a spray period, and an auxiliary cooling module that sprays a refrigerant for a preset period set based on a laser emission time. Here, after the auxiliary cooling module is operated to spray the refrigerant on the skin surface, the laser module is operated to emit a laser.

[0514] Here, each of the main cooling module and the auxiliary cooling module can be understood as similar to the cooling module described in this specification, and can be configured to have some common components. In addition, the main cooling module and the auxiliary cooling module can control the refrigerant sprayed on the skin surface by using different set temperatures.

[0515] In addition, here, the main cooling module and the auxiliary cooling module can be operated based on the above-described trigger signals. For example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can operate the main cooling module when the first trigger signal is received, and can operate the auxiliary cooling module when the second trigger signal is received.

[0516] Accordingly, the laser treatment apparatus 100 can include a main cooling module that continuously performs cooling for a spray period, and an auxiliary cooling module that temporarily performs cooling for a spray period, and thus the laser treatment apparatus 100 can continuously emit a laser while moving over the skin, and thus can more quickly cool the skin surface.

[0517] Hereinafter, a method of preventing the formation of an interference substance 20 that interferes with laser irradiation of the skin will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10C. Figure 17 to Figure 22 A method of preventing the formation of an interference substance 20 that interferes with laser irradiation of the skin will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10C.

[0518] As described above, in the laser treatment, cooling is performed before laser irradiation on the skin, and thus the interfering substance 20 (or the blocking substance and the reflective substance) that interferes with the laser irradiation or blocks at least a part of the laser can occur. For example, when the skin surface temperature is lowered due to the cooling, frost is generated on the skin surface, and scatters or reflects the laser used to irradiate the skin surface, and thus at least a part of the laser can be blocked. For another example, as the temperature of the refrigerant sprayed on the skin surface is lowered, at least a part of the refrigerant freezes in the laser emission path, and thus the emitted laser can be scattered or reflected. Therefore, in order to prevent the formation of such interfering substance 20 or remove the generated interfering substance 20, it is necessary to facilitate more effective laser treatment by controlling the temperature of the skin surface or the refrigerant.

[0519] Figure 17 is a view illustrating a state in which the interfering substance 20 is generated on the skin surface when the skin is cooled according to an embodiment of the present specification.

[0520] Figure 18 is a view illustrating a method of preventing the formation of the interfering substance 20 when cooling according to an embodiment of the present specification is performed.

[0521] Figure 19 is a view illustrating a method of performing skin surface cooling in a spray period including a frost prevention period P_frost according to an embodiment of the present specification.

[0522] Referring to Figure 17 , the interfering substance 20 can be formed on the skin surface. For example, as the skin is cooled, moisture in the air or moisture or gaseous substances contained in the skin can condense, and thus the interfering substance 20 can be formed. For another example, when the refrigerant sprayed to cool the skin surface condenses, the interfering substance 20 can be formed on the skin surface. When laser treatment is performed on the skin 10, the interfering substance 20 blocks the user's line of sight, or reflects or scatters the laser used to irradiate the skin 10, and as a result, the effect of the laser treatment can be lowered. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a case in which the interfering substance 20 is frost is mainly described, but the technical idea of the present specification is not limited thereto, and any substance that is formed on the skin surface by cooling and interferes with the user's line of sight and scatters or reflects the laser can be similarly applicable.

[0523] Referring to Figure 18 , the method S9000 of preventing the formation of frost can include: controlling the spray of the refrigerant based on a first set temperature at S9100; controlling the spray of the refrigerant based on a frost formation critical temperature at S9200; emitting a laser at S9300; and controlling the spray of the refrigerant based on a second set temperature at S9400.

[0524] Each step will be described in detail below.

[0525] The laser treatment device 100 can control the injection of the refrigerant based on the first set temperature at S9100. For example, the laser treatment device 100 can lower the skin surface temperature by injecting the refrigerant for a pre-cooling period P1 before irradiating the target intended to perform the laser treatment with the laser. Here, the temperature for performing the cooling pre-set in the laser treatment device 100 can include the first set temperature Ts1 described in other parts of the specification. In this case, the pre-determined first set temperature Ts1 can be lower than or equal to the frost formation critical temperature Th1 to be described below.

[0526] The laser tre...

Claims

1.A laser apparatus having a cooling system, the laser apparatus comprising: a laser module for irradiating a laser to a target; a sensor for detecting a temperature corresponding to a surface of the target; a cooling module including: an inlet for receiving a refrigerant; a nozzle for spraying the refrigerant; a conduit for providing a flow path for at least a portion of the refrigerant from the inlet to the nozzle; a valve for controlling a flow rate of the refrigerant in the flow path; a refrigerant condition controller arranged between the inlet and the nozzle and for providing heat to the refrigerant before the refrigerant is sprayed by the nozzle; and a controller for: controlling the valve of the cooling module to spray a refrigerant to the surface, controlling the refrigerant condition controller to provide heat to the refrigerant before the refrigerant is sprayed based on a preset temperature and a temperature detected by the sensor, and controlling the laser module to irradiate the laser for a portion of a time period, wherein the valve of the cooling module is controlled to spray the refrigerant during the time period, wherein when the laser module is controlled to irradiate the laser from a first time point to a second time point, the controller is further for controlling the refrigerant condition controller to: provide heat to the refrigerant so that the temperature detected by the sensor reaches a first preset temperature before the first time point, and provide heat to the refrigerant so that the temperature detected by the sensor reaches a second preset temperature between the first time point and the second time point, wherein the second preset temperature is set to be equal to or greater than 0℃ and equal to or less than 10℃ to prevent formation of a laser interference substance on the surface between the first time point and the second time point, and wherein the first preset temperature is set to be lower than the second preset temperature. 2.The laser apparatus according to claim 1, wherein between the first time point and the second time point, the refrigerant condition controller is controlled to provide heat to the refrigerant so that the temperature detected by the sensor remains the second preset temperature within a second error range. 3.The laser apparatus according to claim 1, wherein before the first time point, the refrigerant condition controller is controlled to provide heat to the refrigerant so that the temperature detected by the sensor remains the first preset temperature within a first error range. 4.The laser apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first preset temperature is set to be between -10℃ and 2℃. 5.The laser apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant condition controller is further controlled to provide heat to the refrigerant so that the temperature detected by the sensor reaches a third preset temperature after the second time point. 6.The laser apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the third preset temperature is set to be equal to the second preset temperature. 7.The laser device of claim 5, wherein the third preset temperature is set to be less than the second preset temperature. 8.The laser device of claim 5, wherein the third preset temperature is set to be equal to or greater than 0 ℃ and equal to or less than 10 ℃. 9.The laser device of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to control the laser module to irradiate the laser when the detected temperature of the surface is maintained within a predetermined temperature range for a predetermined time. 10.The laser device of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to control the laser module to irradiate the laser when the detected temperature of the surface is within a predetermined temperature range.

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