Contact sensor assembly and treatment head

Abstract

The utility model discloses a contact sensor assembly, including the contact layer, interval layer and first sensor of successive superposition, the contact layer includes the first surface and second surface of opposite, and the first surface is provided with first convex part, and the second surface is provided with second convex part, and the first surface is used for with the contact of the surface of attachment, and the through -hole is equipped with in the corresponding position of interval layer and second convex part, when the pressure is applied to contact sensor assembly, and first sensor passes through the through -hole and second convex part contact, thereby make first sensor detect the contact state between the first surface and the surface of attachment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a contact sensor assembly and treatment head for medical devices. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of medical technology, medical devices such as radiofrequency ablation devices and ultrasound ablation devices are widely used in various treatment processes. These medical devices typically need to be in close contact with the patient's skin to safely and effectively deliver therapeutic energy, such as radiofrequency energy and ultrasound waves. If the treatment head does not make sufficient contact with the skin, it may lead to energy scattering, reduced treatment efficiency, or even adverse reactions such as skin burns.

[0003] Traditionally, medical devices typically use contact sensors to detect fit, including piezoresistive sensors and capacitive sensors. Capacitive sensors are susceptible to gel interference and are easily triggered when close to the skin; piezoresistive sensors suffer from low sensitivity, requiring significant pressure to trigger detection and failing to accurately identify slight contact.

[0004] In existing technologies, to increase the sensitivity of the sensor, the protrusion is usually set on one side of the piezoresistive sensor or inside the piezoresistive sensor. The contact surface with the skin is still a surface contact, which results in limited sensitivity of the piezoresistive sensor. Especially in treatment areas with a certain skin thickness, a large amount of pressure is often required to make contact and detect the sensor, which affects the user's treatment experience. Utility Model Content

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide a contact sensor assembly and a treatment head, which aims to improve the sensitivity of the contact sensor assembly.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model proposes a contact sensor assembly and a treatment head, comprising a contact layer, a spacer layer, and a first sensor stacked sequentially. The contact layer includes a first surface and a second surface facing away from each other. The first surface has a first protrusion, and the second surface has a second protrusion. The first surface is used to contact the bonding surface. The spacer layer has a through hole at a position corresponding to the second protrusion. When pressure is applied to the contact sensor assembly, the second protrusion contacts the first sensor through the through hole. The first sensor is used to detect the contact state between the first surface and the bonding surface. By providing a first protrusion and a second protrusion on the first and second surfaces of the contact layer, respectively, the first surface contacts the bonding surface, and the second protrusion on the second surface can contact the first sensor through the through hole, thereby enabling the first sensor to detect whether there is contact between the first surface and the bonding surface. Simultaneously, the first and second protrusions on both sides of the contact layer can transform the surface-to-surface contact into a point-to-surface contact, thereby improving the sensitivity of the contact sensor assembly.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence. This technical feature, by arranging the first protrusion and the second protrusion in a one-to-one correspondence, allows the pressure on the first protrusion to be transmitted to the first sensor through the second protrusion, and improves the detection sensitivity of the first sensor by using point contact.

[0008] In one embodiment, the contact layer has a recess at a position corresponding to the second protrusion, and the first and second protrusions are formed by filling and curing the recesses with epoxy resin. This technical feature involves forming the recesses through a thermoforming process, and forming the first and second protrusions in the recesses by adding epoxy resin. The structural features of the protrusions can improve the sensitivity of the contact sensor assembly and also increase its wear resistance.

[0009] In one embodiment, a plurality of first protrusions are arranged circumferentially around the center of the contact layer. This arrangement ensures that all the circumferentially spaced first protrusions can detect the stress state, thereby avoiding accidental contact caused by unilateral contact.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first protrusion includes a convex surface, which is either spherical or ellipsoidal. The first protrusion adopts a spherical or ellipsoidal structural design. The spherical structure can improve the uniform distribution of force, while the ellipsoidal surface has high compressive strength in the long axis direction, avoiding deformation due to pressure from long-term contact with the skin.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first sensor includes one of a piezoresistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, or a strain gauge. This technical feature involves incorporating a first sensor into the contact sensor assembly. The first sensor monitors the contact state between the first surface and the mating surface. The first sensor outputs the contact state of the first surface and the mating surface as an electrical signal, thereby helping the user determine whether there is contact between the first surface and the mating surface. Specifically, the first sensor is one of a piezoresistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, or a strain gauge, thus enabling the first sensor to meet different user detection needs.

[0012] In one embodiment, the contact sensor assembly has a shape that includes one of the following: ring, circle, square, or rectangle. This configuration allows the user to select and install the appropriate contact sensor assembly to detect contact status based on the shape of the device.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first sensor further includes a substrate layer disposed on the side of the first sensor opposite to the spacer layer, and the substrate layer is used to support the first sensor. This technical feature uses the substrate layer to support the first sensor, thereby preventing the first sensor from deforming when subjected to pressure.

[0014] In one embodiment, the contact sensor assembly further includes a sealing layer disposed on both sides of the substrate layer for sealing the first sensor. This technical feature seals the first sensor with the sealing layer, preventing impurities or liquids from entering the first sensor through the substrate layer.

[0015] In one embodiment, the treatment head includes the aforementioned contact sensor assembly, which is attached to the surface of the treatment head housing. This technical feature allows for real-time monitoring of the contact state between the first surface and the contacting surface during treatment head operation by attaching the contact sensor assembly to the surface of the treatment head housing. When the contact sensor assembly detects contact between the first surface and the contacting surface, it controls the energy output to improve treatment safety. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of a contact sensor assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a contact sensor assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the treatment head structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A partial schematic diagram of treatment head A is shown.

[0021] label name label name 1 Contact sensor assembly 121 Through hole 11 Contact layer 13 First sensor 111 first convex part 131 Substrate layer 112 second convex part 14 sealing layer 12 Spacer layer

[0022] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the technical concept of the present utility model and the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present utility model.

[0024] It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in this utility model embodiment are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicator will also change accordingly.

[0025] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this utility model is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only on the basis of being achievable by those skilled in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, such a combination of technical solutions should be considered non-existent and not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0026] Existing medical devices are widely used in various cosmetic medical procedures. These devices consist of a treatment handpiece and a treatment head mounted on the handpiece. During use, the operator holds the handpiece and brings the treatment head into close contact with the skin to deliver therapeutic energy into the skin, achieving the desired cosmetic effect. If the treatment head is not in close contact with the skin or is not properly attached, energy scattering may occur, affecting the patient's experience.

[0027] To address the aforementioned issues, contact sensors are typically attached to the surface of the treatment head's outer shell and are commonly used to detect the adhesion between the treatment head and the skin. Contact sensors include piezoresistive sensors and capacitive sensors. Piezoresistive sensors are based on the piezoresistive effect; when subjected to external force, their resistance changes, thus converting the pressure signal into an electrical signal. However, piezoresistive sensors suffer from low sensitivity and require significant pressure to trigger the pressure detection threshold. Capacitive sensors convert pressure into a change in capacitance, thereby sensing the contact state. However, capacitive sensors are susceptible to interference from gels, making them prone to triggering during detection.

[0028] When the contact sensor assembly is attached to an ultrasonic therapy device, since ultrasonic energy relies on a medium for effective propagation, if the treatment head is not in close contact with the skin during treatment, air may exist between the treatment head and the skin. This air will cause most of the ultrasonic energy to be reflected back to the treatment head, not only resulting in a significant decrease in the utilization rate of treatment energy, but also potentially causing localized overheating due to the accumulation of reflected energy inside the treatment head, thereby damaging the epidermal tissue.

[0029] When the contact sensor assembly is used in a radiofrequency therapy device, radiofrequency energy is transferred through the skin when it comes into contact with the treatment head. Poor contact will cause the contact resistance of the contact area to increase sharply. Under the condition of constant treatment current, the current density at the local contact position will increase abnormally. When the current density exceeds the threshold that the skin tissue can withstand, it will cause epidermal tissue burns.

[0030] Furthermore, when contact sensor components are used in laser therapy devices, poor contact can cause the treatment head to lose stable support from the skin, resulting in tilting or displacement. This causes the laser beam to deviate from the preset treatment area, which not only seriously affects the accuracy of the beam transmission but may also cause the laser energy to be mistakenly applied to normal skin tissue, leading to epidermal damage or pigmentation in non-treatment areas.

[0031] In existing technologies, to improve sensor sensitivity, protrusions are typically located on one side or inside the piezoresistive sensor, maintaining surface contact with the skin. This limits the sensor's sensitivity, especially in treatment areas with thicker skin, where users need to apply greater pressure to trigger the detection threshold. For example, in ultrasound therapy devices, the piezoresistive sensor is attached to the surface of the treatment head shell, with protrusions on one side. These protrusions are made of epoxy resin and assembled using a planar bonding method. However, even with only unidirectional protrusions, the detection sensitivity is still insufficient. This is because the other side of the piezoresistive sensor is planar, distributing the force on the protrusions across the plane, thus reducing the sensor's sensitivity.

[0032] To further improve the detection sensitivity of contact sensors, this invention proposes a contact sensor assembly and a treatment head, comprising a contact layer, a spacer layer, and a first sensor stacked sequentially. The contact layer includes a first surface and a second surface facing away from each other. The first surface has a first protrusion, and the second surface has a second protrusion. The first surface is used to contact the mating surface. The spacer layer has a through hole at a position corresponding to the second protrusion. When pressure is applied to the contact sensor assembly, the second protrusion contacts the first sensor through the through hole. Compared to the prior art where a protrusion is provided on one side of the sensor, this application provides a first protrusion and a second protrusion on both sides of the contact layer, and a spacer layer is provided between the contact layer and the first sensor. This makes the contact between the contact layer and the first sensor a point contact, which can trigger the detection of the first sensor with a greater force, thereby improving the detection sensitivity of the contact sensor.

[0033] The following are specific embodiments of this utility model:

[0034] like Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the contact sensor assembly. The contact sensor assembly 1 includes a contact layer 11, a spacer layer 12, and a first sensor 13 stacked sequentially.

[0035] The contact layer 11 includes a first surface and a second surface facing away from each other. The first surface is used to contact the bonding surface. The first surface has a first protrusion 111, and the second surface has a second protrusion 112. The first protrusion 111 can more sensitively detect the force on the first surface. Specifically, the contact layer is a PI acoustic membrane layer. The PI acoustic membrane layer is a thin film structure made of polyimide material with acoustic conduction function, which can ensure efficient sound wave penetration and is widely used in ultrasonic equipment.

[0036] The spacer layer 12 has a through hole 121 at a position corresponding to the second protrusion 112. When the contact sensor is pressed, the second protrusion 112 contacts the first sensor 13 through the through hole 121, so that the first sensor 13 can detect the force. The size of the through hole 121 is set to correspond to the size of the first protrusion 111 and the second protrusion 112, so that the second protrusion 112 can pass through the through hole 121 and contact the first sensor 13. Specifically, the spacer layer is made of a rigid material and has a waterproof function. The material used includes polyethylene terephthalate or polycarbonate.

[0037] The first sensor 13 can contact the second protrusion 112, thereby enabling the first sensor 13 to sense the state of force from the contact layer 11, so as to detect the force state between the first surface and the bonding surface.

[0038] The contact layer, spacer layer, and first sensor are bonded together using UV adhesive. The adhesive is applied using either dot or uniform application to ensure a tight, gapless bond between the layers. After bonding, the adhesive is cured under ultraviolet light to form a strong and stable connection structure.

[0039] For example, the contact sensor assembly 1 can be used to detect the contact state with the skin and determine whether the contact sensor is in contact with the skin. When the skin adheres to the first surface, the first surface is compressed by force, and the second protrusion 112 transmits the force to the first sensor 13 through the through hole 121. The first sensor 13 then converts the force into an electrical signal and outputs it so that the user can determine the contact and adhesion state between the contact sensor and the skin.

[0040] In this embodiment, combined with Figure 2 and Figure 4 A first protrusion 111 and a second protrusion 112 are respectively provided on the first surface and the second surface of the contact layer 11, and the first protrusion 111 and the second protrusion 112 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence at the position of the contact layer 11.

[0041] In a specific embodiment, the spacer layer has a recess corresponding to the second protrusion. The recess is formed by hot pressing. Adhesive is then applied to fill the recess and cured to form the first and second protrusions. Specifically, the recess is a pit. Through holes are provided in the spacer layer corresponding to the second protrusion, and pits are provided in the contact layer at corresponding positions. The pits have a certain rigidity to maintain their concave shape and facilitate adhesive application. The pits can be formed by hot pressing. During processing, the contact layer is heated to a highly elastic state and kept at that temperature for a period of time, depending on the material thickness, to ensure complete softening and uniform heating. A certain pressure is then applied through a mold to press the contact layer into the mold cavity. While maintaining constant pressure, the contact layer is cooled to cure, ultimately resulting in a pit structure in the contact layer. Further, UV adhesive is applied to fill the pits in the contact layer, filling them to the protrusions. The structure of the epoxy resin bumps not only improves the sensitivity of the contact sensor assembly, but also enhances the wear resistance of the bumps. When the contact sensor assembly comes into contact with the skin, the bumps are less likely to fall off during repeated sliding and rubbing treatments.

[0042] In a further implementation, such as Figure 2 A plurality of first protrusions 111 are provided on the first surface. The plurality of first protrusions 111 are arranged circumferentially around the center of the contact layer 11. The circumferentially arranged first protrusions 111 can more comprehensively sense the stress state of the contact surface, thereby improving the accuracy of detection.

[0043] In this embodiment, such as Figure 2 The first protrusion 111 includes a convex surface, which is either spherical or ellipsoidal. The convex surface allows the contact layer 11 to be subjected to a uniform or directional force distribution. The force sensed by the contact layer 11 is then applied to the first sensor 13 by the second protrusion 112, making it easier for the first sensor 13 to reach the trigger threshold and start working.

[0044] In specific implementation methods, such as Figure 1 The first sensor 13 includes one of a piezoresistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, or a strain gauge. As an important component of the contact sensor assembly 1, the first sensor 13 monitors the pressure exerted on the contact layer 11 by the contact surface and outputs it as an electrical signal. For example, when the first sensor 13 is a piezoresistive sensor, the contact layer 11 is subjected to an external force, which is transmitted to the piezoresistive sensor, causing a change in its resistance value and thus affecting the output of the electrical signal. Capacitive sensors can detect pressure based on the characteristic that the capacitance value changes with the distance between the plates, and have the characteristic of high sensitivity. Users can select the appropriate sensor type according to their actual needs to meet different product requirements.

[0045] In specific implementation methods, such as Figure 1 The contact sensor assembly 1 has a shape that includes one of the following: ring, circle, square, or rectangle. Different shapes of the contact sensor assembly 1 can be attached to different monitoring devices to adapt to different product specifications and to ensure better contact with the skin. For example, a ring-shaped contact sensor assembly 1 allows for a more uniform circumferential spacing of the first protrusions 111, improving the accuracy of force detection and accommodating installation on the curved surface of the treatment head. The ring-shaped contact sensor assembly 1 can be used in radiofrequency therapy devices, attached to the surface of the treatment head to monitor the adhesion between the treatment head and the skin.

[0046] In this embodiment, such as Figure 1 The first sensor 13 also includes a substrate layer 131, which is disposed on the side of the first sensor 13 facing away from the spacer layer 12 and is used to support the first sensor 13. Specifically, the substrate layer 131 can be made of materials such as polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polyester, polyethylene naphthalate, or polycarbonate, to provide stable mechanical support for the first sensor 13.

[0047] In a further implementation, such as Figure 1 It also includes a sealing layer 14, which is disposed on both sides of the substrate layer 131 to seal the first sensor 13. Specifically, the sealing layer 14 can be made of a polyurethane film material with excellent waterproof properties, which can effectively seal the first sensor 13 from the influence of external impurities. At the same time, the sealing layer 14 is disposed on both sides of the substrate layer 131 to form double protection, preventing external liquids from entering the first sensor 13 through the spacer layer 12 and affecting the monitoring of the first sensor 13.

[0048] This invention also proposes a treatment head, which includes the contact sensor assembly described above, and the contact sensor assembly is attached to the surface of the treatment head housing. During treatment, the contact surface is placed on the skin, and the pressure change can be monitored by the first sensor to improve the accuracy and reliability of the contact state during treatment, thereby preventing the treatment head from causing damage to the skin during use.

[0049] The contact sensor assembly can monitor the contact status between the treatment head's contact surface and the skin in real time. When it detects that the treatment surface is fully in contact with the skin, it controls the energy generator to generate energy for treatment. When it detects that the treatment surface is not fully in contact with the skin, it pauses energy emission to protect the skin from damage.

[0050] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although the embodiments of this application have been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A contact sensor assembly, characterized in that, Includes a contact layer, a spacer layer, and a first sensor stacked in sequence: The contact layer includes a first surface and a second surface that are opposite to each other. The first surface is provided with a first protrusion, and the second surface is provided with a second protrusion. The first surface is used to contact the bonding surface. The spacer layer has a through hole at a position corresponding to the second protrusion. When pressure is applied to the contact sensor assembly, the second protrusion contacts the first sensor through the through hole. The first sensor is used to detect the contact state between the first surface and the bonding surface.

2. The contact sensor assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first protrusion and the second protrusion are provided in a one-to-one correspondence.

3. The contact sensor assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The contact layer has a recess at a position corresponding to the second protrusion, and the first protrusion and the second protrusion are formed by filling and curing the recess with adhesive.

4. The contact sensor assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple first protrusions are arranged circumferentially around the center of the contact layer.

5. The contact sensor assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first convex portion includes a convex surface, which is a spherical or ellipsoidal surface.

6. The contact sensor assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first sensor includes one of a piezoresistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, or a strain gauge.

7. The contact sensor assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact sensor assembly may be in the shape of a ring, circle, square or rectangle.

8. The contact sensor assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first sensor further includes a substrate layer disposed on the side of the first sensor opposite to the spacer layer, and the substrate layer is used to support the first sensor.

9. The contact sensor assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes a sealing layer disposed on both sides of the substrate layer for sealing the first sensor.

10. A treatment head, characterized in that, The treatment head includes the contact sensor assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, and the contact sensor assembly is attached to the surface of the treatment head housing.

Images