High-frequency skin care device

Abstract

A high frequency skin care device is disclosed. A high-frequency skin care device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a high-frequency generator configured to receive power and output a high-frequency current; a coil portion configured to convert the high frequency current output from the high frequency generator into an alternating magnetic field; a needle assembly comprising a plurality of needles configured to be heated by the alternating magnetic field and in contact with skin to treat the skin; a mover configured to move the needle assembly and allow the needle assembly to be inserted into the skin; and a controller configured to control the high frequency generator and the mover.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] The present invention claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0104228, filed on August 9, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a high-frequency skin care device, and more particularly, to a high-frequency skin care device capable of preventing skin burns after skin treatment using high-frequency waves.

[0004] 2. Related technical discussions

[0005] Human skin is composed of epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous fat. The epidermis prevents the entry of pathogens and the like and prevents the loss of body fluids, and the dermis contains fibrin and matrix proteins (such as collagen and elastin) and is used to provide nutrition to the epidermis. In addition, subcutaneous fat is located below the dermis and is used to absorb pressure or shock from the outside and maintain body temperature.

[0006] As skin ages, skin elasticity gradually decreases and wrinkles form, generally due to a decrease in the amount of matrix proteins (such as collagen and elastin) and a decrease in the amount of water in the dermis.

[0007] In order to improve fine lines, pores, aging, scars, etc. of the skin, a high-frequency skin care method is used, in which an electrode configured to transmit electrical energy is inserted into the dermis to apply high-frequency energy directly to the dermis. High-frequency skin care technology is a method of applying electrical energy with a certain frequency directly to the human body using fine needles as electrodes, wherein the electrical energy is converted into heat energy at the site where the needle and the skin contact, and the converted heat energy stimulates the regeneration of collagen and elastin, which are skin growth factors.

[0008] However, in conventional high-frequency skin care methods, since heat is generated at the needles used as electrodes, heat is generated on the skin around the needles, and there is a problem that side effects such as skin redness, mild skin burns, etc. may occur at the treated site after treatment.

[0009] The related art of the present invention is disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1124675 (publication date: March 19, 2012) "Skin treatment device using high-frequency waves". Summary of the invention

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a high-frequency skin care device capable of preventing skin burns after skin treatment using high-frequency waves.

[0011] The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above objects, and those skilled in the art should clearly understand other unmentioned objects from the following description.

[0012] One aspect of the present invention provides a high-frequency skin care device, comprising: a high-frequency generator, which is configured to receive power and output a high-frequency current; a coil part, which is configured to convert the high-frequency current output from the high-frequency generator into an alternating magnetic field; a needle assembly, which includes a plurality of needles, which are configured to be heated by the alternating magnetic field and contact the skin to treat the skin; a mover, which is configured to move the needle assembly and allow the needle assembly to be inserted into the skin; and a controller, which is configured to control the high-frequency generator and the mover.

[0013] In the present invention, the coil part may include a substrate, a coil disposed on the substrate, and a plurality of through holes formed between portions of the coil and through which the plurality of needles pass.

[0014] In the present invention, the substrate may be formed as a non-conductor and have one surface formed as a close contact surface configured to come into contact with the skin of a user during treatment and the other surface provided on the coil.

[0015] In the present invention, a plurality of through holes may be spaced apart at predetermined intervals and formed in a grid shape.

[0016] In the present invention, the coil portion may be provided at a front end portion of the handpiece housing.

[0017] In the present invention, each of the plurality of needles may include: a circular rod portion made of a non-conductor and having an upper end connected to a mover; and a heat generator connected to the circular rod portion and configured to generate heat due to an alternating magnetic field generated by a coil portion.

[0018] In the present invention, the heat generator may be made of a conductor, and current flowing in the heat generator is converted into heat by eddy current loss and hysteresis loss due to an alternating magnetic field.

[0019] In the present invention, the heat generated by the heat generator can be transferred as thermal energy to the portion of the dermis in contact with the heat generator without being transferred to the round rod portion, so that the skin can be treated.

[0020] In the present invention, the plurality of needles of the needle assembly may each have the same length. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a view schematically illustrating a configuration of a high-frequency skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a handpiece of a high-frequency skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 is an exemplary view for describing the front end portion of the high-frequency skin care device according to the present embodiment;

[0025] Figure 4 is an exemplary view for describing a coil portion according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 is an exemplary view for describing a through hole of a coil portion according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 is an exemplary view for describing a needle according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0028] Figure 7 is an exemplary view for describing a state in which heat energy is output into the dermis through a needle according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Hereinafter, a high-frequency skin care device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the process, for the sake of clarity and convenience of description, the thickness of the lines or the size of the components illustrated in the drawings may be exaggerated.

[0030] In addition, the terms used herein are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless the context clearly states otherwise, singular expressions include plural expressions. In the present invention, terms such as "including" or "having" are intended to represent the existence of features, numbers, steps, operations, parts, parts or combinations thereof described herein, and should not be understood as excluding the possibility of existing or adding one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, parts, parts or combinations thereof. Terms such as "first" and "second" can be used to describe various parts, but parts should not be limited by terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one part from another.

[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their repeated description will be omitted.

[0032] Figure 1 is a view schematically illustrating a configuration of a high-frequency skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a handpiece of a high-frequency skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is an exemplary view for describing the front end portion of the high-frequency skin care device according to the present embodiment; Figure 4 is an exemplary view for describing a coil portion according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is an exemplary view for describing a through hole of a coil portion according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is an exemplary view for describing a needle according to one embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 7 is an exemplary view for describing a state in which heat energy is output into the dermis through a needle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 According to one embodiment of the present invention, a high-frequency skin care device 100 includes a high-frequency generator 120, a coil portion 130, a mover 140, a needle assembly 150, and a controller 160. Here, the high-frequency generator 120 may be included in a main body (not illustrated) of the high-frequency skin care device, and the coil portion 130, the mover 140, and the needle assembly 150 may be included in a main body (not illustrated) of the high-frequency skin care device. Figure 2 In the illustrated handpiece housing 110.

[0034] The handpiece housing 110 also serves as a handle that can be held by a user, and an internal space may be provided therein. The handpiece housing 110 may have a generally cylindrical shape and may have an internal space in which the coil portion 130, the needle assembly 150, and the mover 140 are installed. The handpiece housing 110 may be formed of an insulating material such as plastic.

[0035] The front end portion of the handpiece housing 110 may be a portion of the handpiece housing 110 that contacts the skin.

[0036] The high frequency generator 120 may receive power and output a high frequency current.

[0037] The high frequency generator 120 may include an inverter part (not shown) configured to convert DC power into AC power in the range of 100kHz to 10MHz to generate an induced electromotive force. Specifically, the high frequency generator 120 may include an input filter circuit (not shown), a primary rectifier circuit (not shown), a power factor improvement circuit (not shown), a switch circuit (not shown), an isolation transformer (not shown), a secondary rectifier circuit (not shown), an inverter circuit (not shown) and an output common filter (not shown). The input filter circuit can block the noise of the input AC power, the primary rectifier circuit and the power factor improvement circuit can set the input voltage within the range of 85V to 264V while improving the power factor, the switching circuit can switch the DC power input from the power factor improvement circuit and transmit the DC power as AC power to the isolation transformer, the isolation transformer can control the output voltage while insulating the primary side and the secondary side, the secondary rectifier circuit can rectify the AC power input from the isolation transformer into DC power, the inverter circuit can adjust the frequency to be transmitted to the coil part 130, and the output common filter can remove the common mode noise included in the output power, and then transmit the output power to the coil part 130.

[0038] The high frequency generator 120 may be connected to each of the positive (+) and negative (−) poles of the coil portion 130, and may receive power and transmit power to the coil portion 130. The high frequency generator 120 may flow a high frequency current in the coil portion 130.

[0039] The coil part 130 may convert the high frequency current output from the high frequency generator 120 into an alternating magnetic field. That is, the coil part 130 may convert the alternating current input from the high frequency generator 120 into an alternating magnetic field having energy. For example, the coil part 130 may convert the alternating current in the range of 100 kHz to 10 MHz transmitted from the high frequency generator 120 into an alternating magnetic field through the coil 134.

[0040] like Figure 3 As illustrated, the coil portion 130 may be provided at the front end portion of the handpiece housing 110. That is, the coil portion 130 may be provided at a portion that contacts the skin.

[0041] like Figure 4 As illustrated, the coil portion 130 may include a coil 134 , a substrate 132 on which the coil 134 is disposed, and a plurality of through holes 136 .

[0042] The coil 134 may be disposed on the substrate 132 in a spiral shape.

[0043] The coil 134 may be positioned on the substrate 132 and between the substrate 132 and the skin-contacting surface of the handpiece housing 110. Maximum energy transfer is possible when the coil portion 130 is positioned closest to the skin.

[0044] One surface of the substrate 132 may be a close contact surface that contacts the user's skin during treatment, and the other surface of the substrate 132 may have the coil 134 disposed thereon. A plurality of through holes 136 may be formed in the substrate 132. The substrate 132 may be a concept including a bobbin.

[0045] The substrate 132 may be made of a non-metal material such as rubber, silicone, or plastic so as not to affect the high frequency current flowing in the coil 134 .

[0046] A plurality of through holes 136 may be provided on the substrate 132 and allow a plurality of needles 155 to pass therethrough between portions of the coil 134. Figure 5 As illustrated, the plurality of through holes 136 may be spaced apart at predetermined intervals and formed in a grid shape. Although the plurality of through holes 136 are formed in a grid shape in the present embodiment, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and the plurality of through holes 136 may be formed in various other shapes across the front end portion of the hand piece housing 110. The front end portion of the hand piece housing 110 contacts the user's skin.

[0047] When the needle assembly 150 moves downward in a state where the user's skin is pressed and the close contact surface is in contact with the skin, the needle 155 of the needle assembly 150 moves downward through the through hole 136 and stimulates the dermis of the skin.

[0048] In order to facilitate the insertion of the needle 155 into the through hole 136 , the diameter of the through hole 136 may be greater than the diameter of the needle 155 .

[0049] By allowing the plurality of needles 155 to be positioned in the plurality of through holes 136 , the coil portion 130 may prevent the plurality of needles 155 from bending just before being inserted into the skin, and may improve the straightness of the plurality of needles 155 .

[0050] The mover 140 may be installed in the handpiece housing 110 and move the needle assembly 150 (in a vertical direction) to bring the needle assembly 150 into contact with the skin or out of contact with the skin.

[0051] The mover 140 can vertically lift or lower the plurality of needles 155. The plurality of needles 155 are fixed to the mover 140, and the plurality of needles 155 are vertically lifted or lowered due to the movement of the mover 140. Through the mover 140, the plurality of needles 155 can protrude from one surface of the front end portion of the handpiece housing 110 and be inserted into the skin. The mover 140 can be configured to vertically move upward or downward by a separate driver (not illustrated) provided inside or outside the handpiece housing 110. A motor, a ball screw, a pneumatic actuator, an electromagnetic device, etc. can be used as the driver.

[0052] The needle assembly 150 may include a plurality of needles 155 configured to be heated by the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil portion 130 and to come into contact with the skin to treat the skin.

[0053] The multiple needles 155 may each be designed to be inserted into the skin at a depth of approximately 0.1 mm to 4 mm, current may flow in the heat generator 155b inserted into the skin due to the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil part 130, and the heat generator 155b may convert the generated current into heat due to eddy current loss and hysteresis loss caused by the current.

[0054] The plurality of needles 155 of the needle assembly 150 may each have the same length. The diameter of each needle 155 may be in micrometers.

[0055] like Figure 6 As illustrated, the needle 155 may include a circular rod portion 155a and a heat generator 155b. That is, the needle 155 may have an upper end portion and a lower end portion, the upper end portion being configured as a circular rod portion 155a that is non-conductive (having non-conductive properties) and has high thermal resistance, and the lower end portion being configured as a heat generator 155b that has conductivity and low thermal resistance.

[0056] The circular rod portion 155 a may be configured as an insulator (non-conductor) and have an upper end portion connected to the mover 140 .

[0057] The heat generator 155 b may be connected to the circular rod portion 155 a and generate heat due to an alternating magnetic field generated by the coil portion 130 .

[0058] The heat generator 155b may be configured as a conductor, current may flow in the heat generator 155b due to the alternating magnetic field, and the heat generator 155b may generate heat due to eddy current loss and hysteresis loss caused by the current. For example, the heat generator 155b may be made of a metal material.

[0059] The alternating magnetic field may induce eddy currents in the heat generator 155b configured as a conductor. The eddy currents may be converted into heat in the heat generator 155b due to eddy current loss and hysteresis loss. The hysteresis loss may be the energy loss that occurs when the heat generator 155b changes from a magnetized state to a demagnetized state due to the alternating magnetic field. The heat generated by the heat generator 155b may be transferred as thermal energy to a portion of the dermis that contacts the heat generator 155b, without being transferred to the round rod portion 155a having a high thermal resistance. The skin may be treated by the heat transferred to the dermis of the skin.

[0060] When the needle assembly 150 is inserted into the skin, each needle 155 can be inserted into the epidermis at a depth of about 0.1 mm to 4 mm. The heat generator 155b can be inserted into the dermis of the skin and use heat to treat the skin. For example, when high-frequency waves are applied to the needle assembly 150, multiple heat energy reaches the area A distributed in the thickness direction of the dermis.

[0061] The controller 160 may control the high frequency generator 120 and the mover 140 .

[0062] The controller 160 may also be connected to a switch (not illustrated) disposed on an outer surface of the handpiece housing 110. The user may operate the switch to generate a control signal.

[0063] Hereinafter, the operation of the high-frequency skin care device 100 configured as above will be described.

[0064] The physician holds the high-frequency skin care device 100 while bringing the close contact surface of the front end of the handpiece housing 110 into close contact with the patient's skin. When the close contact surface is in full close contact with the patient's skin, a switch (not shown) provided on the handpiece housing 110 may be operated to move the mover 140 downward toward the skin. When the mover 140 moves downward, the needle assembly 150 connected to the mover 140 also moves downward, and the needle 155 passes through the epidermis and pierces the dermis, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 At the moment when the needle 155 is inserted into the dermis, the high frequency generator 120 may be operated and generate high frequency waves. The high frequency generator 120 may transfer high frequency current to the coil part 130, and the coil part 130 may convert the high frequency current output from the high frequency generator 120 into an alternating magnetic field.

[0065] In each of the plurality of needles 155, due to the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil part 130, current may flow in the heat generator 155b inserted into the skin, and the heat generator 155b may convert the current into heat due to eddy current loss and hysteresis loss caused by the current flowing therein. That is, the heat generator 155b of each needle 155 may be heated by the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil part 130, and may be heated as shown in FIG. Figure 7The heat energy outputted from the heat generator 155b of each needle 155 can coagulate the tissue in the dermis and can regenerate and restore collagen.

[0066] As described above, in the high-frequency skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention, heat is generated only at the heat generator at the tip of the needle, and not at the round shaft portion of the needle, thereby preventing skin burns or skin redness that may occur after treatment.

[0067] Furthermore, in the high-frequency skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention, electrical energy is transferred into the skin as heat energy using high-frequency induction heating technology, so skin tissue can be regenerated and the skin care effect can be enhanced.

[0068] In a high-frequency skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention, since heat is generated only at the heat generator at the tip of the needle and not at the round rod portion of the needle, it has the effect of preventing skin burns or skin redness that may occur after treatment.

[0069] Furthermore, in the high-frequency skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention, since electrical energy is transferred into the skin as heat energy using high-frequency induction heating technology, it has the effect of regenerating skin tissue and enhancing the skin care effect.

[0070] Meanwhile, the beneficial effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned beneficial effects, and various other beneficial effects may be included within a range that is self-evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art according to the contents described below.

[0071] The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but the description is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A high-frequency skin care device, comprising: a high frequency generator configured to receive power and output a high frequency current; a coil portion configured to convert the high-frequency current output from the high-frequency generator into an alternating magnetic field; a needle assembly comprising a plurality of needles configured to be heated by the alternating magnetic field and to contact the skin to treat the skin; a mover configured to move the needle assembly and allow the needle assembly to be inserted into the skin; and A controller is configured to control the high frequency generator and the mover.

2. The high-frequency skin care device according to claim 1, wherein the coil portion comprises: substrate; A coil, wherein the coil is arranged on the substrate; and A plurality of through holes are formed between portions of the coil and through which the plurality of needles pass.

3. A high-frequency skin care device according to claim 2, wherein the substrate is formed as a non-conductor and has one surface formed as a close contact surface and another surface arranged on the coil, and the close contact surface is configured to contact the user's skin during treatment. 4 . The high-frequency skin care device according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of through holes are spaced apart at predetermined intervals and formed in a grid shape.

5. The high-frequency skin care device according to claim 1, wherein the coil portion is provided at a front end portion of a handpiece housing.

6. The high-frequency skin care device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of needles comprises: a circular rod portion made of a non-conductor and having an upper end connected to the mover; and A heat generator is connected to the circular rod portion and is configured to generate heat due to the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil portion.

7. The high-frequency skin care device according to claim 6, wherein the heat generator is made of a conductor, and the current flowing in the heat generator is converted into heat through eddy current loss and hysteresis loss caused by the alternating magnetic field.

8. The high-frequency skin care device according to claim 6, wherein the heat generated by the heat generator is transmitted as thermal energy to a portion of the dermis in contact with the heat generator without being transferred to the circular rod portion, thereby treating the skin.

9. The high-frequency skin care device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of needles of the needle assembly each have the same length.

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