Treatment device using RF energy, handpiece thereof, and tip module thereof

Abstract

To provide a treatment device using RF energy, a handpiece thereof, and a tip module thereof.SOLUTION: The present invention provides a treatment device using RF energy, a handpiece thereof, and a tip module thereof, wherein the treatment device comprises: an electrode for transmitting RF energy to tissues; a plurality of branched channels provided at the rear side of the electrode and through which a refrigerant is transmitted; and a cooling module including a plurality of nozzles, which is provided at the end of each of the channels, through which the refrigerant is discharged, wherein the branched channels each have a shape to increase in the diameter, along the direction of flow of the refrigerant, in a section adjacent to the nozzles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a treatment device using RF energy, a handpiece thereof, and a chip module thereof.

Background Art

[0002] Techniques for transmitting RF energy to tissue to treat tissue lesions have been developed in various ways. In particular, in recent years, a technique for treating tissue without damaging the skin surface has been developed by transmitting RF energy while cooling the skin with an electrode in contact with the skin surface. Such a treatment technique using RF energy is disclosed in Korean Registered Patent No. 0706115 and the like.

[0003] When performing such treatment using RF energy, a cooling structure for cooling the electrode during treatment is provided to prevent the electrode from overheating. However, it has been difficult for the conventional cooling structure to cool the electrode uniformly.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a treatment device using RF energy, a handpiece thereof, and a chip module thereof, which can uniformly cool an electrode in consideration of the heat generation characteristics of the electrode at different positions during electrode cooling when treating tissue using RF energy.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To achieve the above object of the present invention, the present invention includes an electrode for transmitting RF energy to tissue, a plurality of branched flow paths provided on the rear side of the electrode through which a refrigerant is transmitted, and a plurality of injection ports provided at ends of the respective flow paths through which the refrigerant is discharged. The branched flow paths have a shape in which the diameter increases along the traveling direction of the refrigerant in a section adjacent to the injection ports, and provides a treatment device using RF energy.

[0006] Among the branched flow paths, the section adjacent to the injection port forms an inner wall inclined in the outer direction based on the central axis of the flow path.

[0007] The inclined inner wall has an inclination angle within the range of 10 degrees to 80 degrees based on the central axis of the flow path.

[0008] The cross-sectional area of the injection port can be 1.2 times or more the cross-sectional area of the flow path before the section where the diameter increases among the branched flow paths.

[0009] A plurality of injection ports are provided on one surface of the cooling module, and the plurality of injection ports are symmetrically arranged on one surface of the cooling module. As an example, at least four or more injection ports can be provided on one surface of the cooling module. The plurality of branched flow paths are formed to have the same length.

[0010] The plurality of injection ports are arranged at positions radially spaced a predetermined distance from the center of one surface of the cooling module, and the separated distance can be half or more of the distance from the center of one surface of the cooling module to the outer edge.

[0011] On the other hand, the branched flow path has a widening section formed such that the diameter increases along the traveling direction of the refrigerant at a position adjacent to the injection port, and the inner walls forming the one widening section can be formed to have different inclination angles from each other.

[0012] Here, among the inner walls forming the one widening section, the inner wall closer to the center of one surface of the cooling module can have a larger inclination angle than the inner wall farther from the center of one surface of the cooling module.

[0013] Alternatively, it can further include a dispersion member disposed between the electrode and the cooling module for dispersing the refrigerant discharged through the injection port.

[0014] On the one hand, the object of the present invention described above can also be achieved by a handpiece or a tip module of a treatment device using RF energy, which includes an electrode for transmitting RF energy to tissue, a plurality of branched flow paths provided on the rear side of the electrode through which a refrigerant passes, and injection ports provided at the ends of the respective flow paths through which the refrigerant is discharged. The branched flow paths have a shape in which the diameter increases along the traveling direction of the refrigerant in a section adjacent to the injection ports.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, even if the refrigerant is injected and cooled around the outside of the electrode, sufficient cooling can be performed up to the central part of the electrode. Therefore, the electrode can be cooled uniformly to prevent skin damage during treatment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a treatment apparatus using RF energy according to an embodiment of the present invention, its handpiece, and its chip module will be specifically described. In the following description, the positional relationship of each component is described based on the drawings in principle. And the drawings may display the structure of the invention simplified or exaggerated for convenience of explanation. Therefore, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various devices can be added, changed, or omitted and implemented.

[0018] Hereinafter, the "treatment apparatus using RF energy" includes all apparatuses for treating mammals including humans. The treatment apparatus may include various apparatuses that deliver RF energy for the purpose of improving the condition of a lesion or tissue and perform treatment. In the following embodiments, an apparatus for treating skin lesions will be mainly described. For example, it can be meant to locally heat skin tissue using RF energy and exert effects such as improving Wrinkles, Tone and Textural Changes, Scars and Acne Scarring, Sagging mucosa, Overall Rejuvenation, Hyperhidrosis, laxity, lifting, tightening, Fat reduction, etc. However, it is clarified that the present invention is not limited thereto and can be applied to various apparatuses used by transmitting RF energy to various affected parts, including apparatuses for surgically treating internal organ lesions.

[0019] Hereinafter, "tissue" means a collection of cells that make up various body organs of animals including humans. It includes skin tissues of the face, neck, arms, legs, and torso, and also includes various tissues that make up various organs in the body.

[0020] Hereinafter, a treatment device using RF energy according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a treatment device using RF energy according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the treatment device using RF energy according to the present embodiment includes a main body 10, a handpiece 20 connected to the main body 10, and a return electrode pad 30.

[0023] The main body 10 is provided with various components for operating the treatment device of the present embodiment. On the outer surface of the main body 10, various switches and display units for setting / operating the operation of the treatment device are provided. And inside the main body 10, components such as an RF energy generation unit 50 and a refrigerant storage unit may be provided inside.

[0024] The handpiece 20 is configured to perform treatment at the treatment position and is provided in a form that can be held by the user. At one end of the handpiece 20, an electrode 60 for contacting the skin surface of the patient and transmitting RF energy is provided. On the outer surface of the handpiece 20, various operation units for operating the treatment operation may be provided, and inside the handpiece 20, a conductive path for transmitting RF energy to the electrode 60 and a cooling channel for cooling the electrode are provided.

[0025] The return electrode pad 30 includes a return electrode. The return electrode is made of a conductive material and is arranged to contact a position in the patient's body opposite to the treatment position during treatment. Therefore, when applying RF energy, the return electrode forms a path through which RF energy is transmitted to the patient's body together with the electrode of the handpiece.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the handpiece 20 and the return electrode pad 30 are respectively connected to the main body by connection parts. The connection parts can be composed of cables or the like, and each is electrically connected to the main body to form an RF transmission line and is configured to be able to transmit and receive various signals.

[0027] In this embodiment, the electrode 60 of the handpiece is configured in a monopolar type (single-pole type) having one polarity and includes separate return electrode pads, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As another example, when the electrodes of the handpiece are configured in a bipolar type having different polarities from each other, it can be implemented without including the aforementioned return electrode pads.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the treatment device according to FIG. 1.

[0029] The RF energy generation unit 50 generates the RF energy used for treatment. The RF energy generation unit 50 generates RF pulses having various parameters according to the patient's constitution, treatment purpose, treatment site, etc. The parameters can be at least one of output, pulse duration, pulse interval, and frequency. The RF energy generated by the RF energy generation unit 50 is transmitted to the electrode 60 of the handpiece via the connection part and applied to the skin surface in contact with the electrode 60.

[0030] The RF energy generation unit 50 of the present embodiment generates RF energy having at least two or more different frequencies. That is, the RF energy generation unit 50 can selectively generate RF energy having a first frequency and RF energy having a second frequency. Here, when the frequency range is divided into a first range (2 to 6 MHz), a second range (6 to 10 MHz), and a third range (10 to 30 MHz), the first frequency is a frequency within the first range, and the second frequency can be a frequency within the second range. Alternatively, the first frequency can be a frequency within the first range, and the second frequency can be a frequency within the third range. Alternatively, the first frequency can be a frequency within the second range, and the second frequency can be a frequency within the third range. When the RF energy generation unit 50 can generate RF energy of three different frequencies, the first frequency can be a frequency within the first range, the second frequency can be a frequency within the second range, and the third frequency can be a frequency within the third range.

[0031] The RF energy generation unit 50 generates RF energy having any one selected frequency or generates RF energy by combining RF pulses of a plurality of frequencies according to the selected treatment mode or the progress of the treatment process, and can control the frequency ratio to be different.

[0032] The cooling unit 70 is configured to cool the electrode 60 of the handpiece. The cooling unit 70 can be configured in various cooling methods. As an example, the cooling unit 70 of the present embodiment is configured to cool the electrode by transmitting a refrigerant to the back surface of the electrode. Therefore, since the electrode 60 in contact with the skin during treatment is cooled, it is possible to prevent the skin surface from being thermally damaged during the transmission of RF energy.

[0033] Specifically, the cooling unit 70 includes a refrigerant storage unit for storing refrigerant, a cooling flow path for forming a path through which the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage unit is transmitted to the electrode, and a refrigerant injection unit 152 for injecting the refrigerant transmitted through the cooling flow path onto the back surface of the electrode of the handpiece. The refrigerant storage unit is provided in the main body or another position. The cooling flow path is connected from the refrigerant storage unit to the refrigerant injection unit, and at least a part thereof is provided inside the handpiece. And, a valve for adjusting the amount of the transmitted refrigerant is provided on the path through which the refrigerant is transmitted, and the on / off operation or the opening / closing amount of the valve can be controlled by the control unit 40.

[0034] The cooling unit 70 can also be configured to continuously inject refrigerant onto the back surface of the electrode, or can be configured to inject in the form of refrigerant pulses at a predetermined range of periods by controlling a valve or the like. The cooling performance of the cooling unit 70 can be adjusted by the amount of refrigerant transmitted per unit time to the back surface of the electrode. Such cooling performance can be adjusted by a method of controlling the pressure of the refrigerant storage unit, the valve on / off cycle, or the opening / closing amount of the valve.

[0035] The sensing unit 80 is configured to sense various information necessary for the operation of the treatment device during or before and after the treatment. For example, the sensing unit 80 can be at least one of an impedance sensor for measuring the impedance of tissue, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the electrode or the skin, a contact sensor for sensing the presence or absence of contact between the electrode of the handpiece and the skin surface, and a movement sensor for sensing the moving speed of the handpiece. As an example, in the present embodiment, the temperature sensor and the contact sensor can be arranged at positions adjacent to the electrode of the handpiece.

[0036] The storage unit 90 is configured to include a memory element and store various types of information necessary for treatment. The storage unit 90 is provided in the main body 10 and may also be provided in the handpiece 20 or the chip module 100. The storage unit 90 can store parameter information for each treatment mode, patient-related information, control information according to the sensed conditions, etc. And it can update and record the information sensed during treatment and the information input by the user. And in the case of the memory provided in the handpiece 20 or the chip module 100, it may be configured to store the identification information of the handpiece or the chip module.

[0037] The control unit 40 is configured to control the operations of various components of the treatment device such as the RF energy generation unit 50 and the cooling unit 70. For example, the control unit 40 controls various components in various ways using the content set by the user via the setting unit or the control information stored in the storage unit. The control unit receives the information sensed from the sensing unit 80 and controls various configurations by utilizing the sensed information. As an example, the control unit 40 receives the transmission of the temperature value sensed by the temperature sensor and controls the parameters of the RF energy and the cooling performance for the electrodes based on this. Here, the control unit 40 is configured to include an arithmetic unit and can calculate real-time control values from the sensed values using a preset algorithm and control various components based on this.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the handpiece of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the handpiece 20 is composed of a main body 21 and a chip module 100. One end of the main body 21 is connected to the connection part, and various components for performing treatment operations such as an RF transmission circuit and a cooling flow path are provided inside. The outer surface of the main body 21 may be provided with a display part such as an operation part and a display. The chip module 100 is provided with an electrode 60 for contacting the skin and transmitting RF energy, and is detachably coupled to one end of the main body 21. The chip module 100 is provided with a circuit for transmitting RF energy to the electrode and a cooling structure for cooling the electrode. Hereinafter, the structure of the chip module will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0039] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the main components of the chip module of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the main components of the chip module of FIG. 3. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the chip module is composed of a chip housing 110, an electrode module 140, a cooling flow path block 150, an inner case 120, and a rear cover 130.

[0040] The chip housing 110 and the inner case 120 are coupled to each other to support the electrode module 140. The cooling flow path block 150 is disposed inside the inner case 120. The rear cover 130 is coupled to the back surface of the chip housing 110 with the electrode module 140, the inner case 120, and the cooling flow path block 150 disposed inside the chip housing 110. The chip housing 110 or the rear cover 130 is provided with a coupling structure for being fastened to the end of the main body 21 of the handpiece.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the electrode module 140 is composed of a flexible substrate that can be folded, and an electrical element and a circuit for electrically forming the same are formed thereon. The electrode 60 is disposed in front of the electrode module (based on the state where the electrode module is folded), exposed to the opening of the chip housing 110, and brought into contact with the skin surface. The electrode 60 is composed of a conductive layer formed on the flexible substrate, and the conductive layer is configured to be covered by a dielectric layer. Therefore, during treatment, when the conductive layer of the electrode is brought into contact with the skin through the dielectric layer and RF energy is applied to the electrode, the electrode capacitively couples the RF energy to the skin tissue through the dielectric layer and transmits the RF energy to the skin tissue.

[0042] On the other hand, as described above, the temperature sensor and the contact sensor of the sensing unit are provided at a position adjacent to the electrode 60 inside the electrode module 140 to measure the temperature of the electrode or the skin surface and sense the presence or absence of contact between the electrode and the skin. Further, the electrode module 140 further includes a memory, and such a memory can store information of the chip module such as the type of the electrode, the size of the electrode, the pattern of the electrode, the size of the cooling space, and the like. The electrode module 140 is provided with a conductive lead that is connected to the aforementioned electrode, each sensor, and the memory and extends rearward. The terminal formed at the end of the conductive lead is exposed rearward with the rear cover 130 coupled thereto, and is electrically connected to the main body 21 side RF circuit of the handpiece when the chip module 100 is coupled.

[0043] The cooling channel block 150 includes a cooling channel 151 that forms a path through which the refrigerant is transmitted, and a cooling injection part 152 for injecting the refrigerant transmitted through the cooling channel onto the back surface of the electrode. The cooling channel 151 forms a pipe that extends behind the cooling injection part, and an end thereof is exposed at the rear side of the rear cover 130 when the chip module 100 is assembled. Therefore, when the chip module 100 is coupled to the main body 21 of the handpiece, the end of the cooling channel 151 is coupled to the cooling channel on the main body 21 side, forming a path through which the refrigerant transmitted from the refrigerant accommodating part is transmitted. The refrigerant injection part 152 is disposed in front of the cooling channel 151 and includes a plurality of branched pipes and injection ports formed at the ends of each pipe. Therefore, the refrigerant transmitted through the cooling channel passes through the refrigerant injection part 152, is divided into a plurality of pipes, and is injected into the cooling space provided on the back surface of the electrode through the injection ports.

[0044] The chip module 100 having such a structure is detachably coupled to the end of the main body of the handpiece as described above. When the chip module 100 is coupled, the control unit 40 receives the provision of information of the chip module from the memory of the chip module 100, and controls the RF energy generation unit 50 and the cooling unit 70 in consideration of this to transmit RF energy to the electrodes of the chip module 100 and proceed with the process of cooling the electrodes. And the chip module 100 may be composed of consumables, and may be replaced with a new chip module 100 when treating a new patient or when the allowed number of uses is exceeded.

[0045] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12, various embodiments of the cooling module will be described in more detail.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the cooling module of FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 6, the cooling module 200 includes the above-described pipe 210 and the cooling channel block 220.

[0047] As described above, the pipeline 210 is provided at the rear side of the cooling module 200, and one flow path 220c through which the refrigerant is transmitted is formed inside (see Fig. 5). The end of the pipeline 210 is coupled to the cooling flow path of the main body 21 when the chip module is fastened, forming a path through which the refrigerant is provided from the refrigerant storage portion.

[0048] The cooling flow path block 220 includes a first block 222 and a second block 221. The first block 222 is arranged forward (in the electrode direction), and the second block 221 is arranged rearward (in the direction of the handpiece main body when the chip module is fastened), and the two blocks are coupled to each other. The pipeline 210 extends from the rear side center of the second block 221. An opening communicating with the cooling flow path 220c of the pipeline 210 is formed at the center of the second block 221, and a groove extending radially from the opening is formed on the front surface of the second block 221. The groove forms a plurality of branched flow paths 220a in a state of being coupled to the rear surface of the first block 222. The rear surface of the first block 222 may be configured as a plane or a groove having a shape corresponding to the groove of the second block 221 may be formed. And, through holes are formed in the first block 222 at positions corresponding to the outer ends of the grooves of the second block 221. Therefore, the branched flow paths 220a form bent flow paths along the through holes, and injection ports 220b are formed at the ends of the flow paths 220a, respectively.

[0049] The refrigerant transmitted through the cooling flow path 220c of the pipeline 210 is branched along the plurality of branched flow paths 220a and discharged through the injection ports 220b. All of the plurality of branched flow paths 220a are formed to have the same length, and a certain amount of refrigerant is uniformly injected at a certain pressure through each injection port 220b.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the front face of the cooling module. As shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of injection ports 220b are arranged in a radial direction based on the center of the front face 222a of the cooling module 200, but are provided at symmetric positions with respect to each other. As an example, the plurality of injection ports 220b may be arranged at the same distance d2 from the center of the front face 222a and arranged to be separated from each other at the same angle. However, this is an example in the case where the front face of the electrode or the cooling module corresponds to a circular or square structure. In the case of a structure corresponding to an ellipse or a rectangle, the plurality of injection ports are arranged symmetrically, but may be arranged in a different manner.

[0051] On the other hand, each injection port 220b is arranged to be offset outward from the center on the front face of the cooling module 200. Generally, when RF energy is applied to skin tissue through an electrode, an edge effect phenomenon occurs in which the current density is concentrated at the end portion compared to the center of the electrode, and the periphery of the electrode is relatively overheated. Therefore, when the position of each injection port 220b is arranged to be offset to the outer edge, skin damage due to the edge effect can be prevented. As an example, it is preferable to arrange the distance d2 by which each injection port 220b is separated from the center of the front face to be at least half of the distance d1 from the center of the front face to the outer edge passing through the injection port.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of the cooling module according to an embodiment. Hereinafter, the flow path structure of the cooling module will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8.

[0053] The cooling method according to this embodiment is a method of cooling an electrode or a skin surface by utilizing the latent heat of vaporization of a refrigerant. The refrigerant transmitted from the cooling container is provided in a liquid phase through a cooling channel, and after being discharged through an injection port, it vaporizes to cool the back surface of the electrode. Therefore, the cooling channel is designed in consideration of the pressure and velocity of the refrigerant passing through it so that the refrigerant can maintain its liquid state until it is discharged through the injection port 220b. The cross-section A1 of the cooling channel 220c of the pipeline and the cross-section A2 of the branch channel 220a branched therefrom in this embodiment are designed in consideration of such conditions. In particular, the cross-section A2 of the branched channel 220a is configured to have a relatively smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area A1 of the cooling channel so that the necessary pressure and velocity can be maintained even when flowing from one cooling channel 220c. As an example, the sum of the cross-sectional areas A2 of a plurality of branch channels may correspond to the cross-sectional area A1 of the cooling channel of the pipeline.

[0054] However, if the cross-sectional area of the injection port is also formed narrow like the branch channel, the refrigerant is discharged with high straightness at a high speed, and as a result, only the positions corresponding to the plurality of injection ports on the back surface of the electrode can be locally cooled. To overcome such limitations, the cooling module 200 of this embodiment is configured to form a widening section W at a position adjacent to the injection port in each branch channel 220a. The widening section W is a section in which the cross-sectional area and the diameter of the flow channel gradually increase along the traveling direction of the refrigerant. And the injection port 220b is formed at the end of the widening section W, and thereby, the injection port 220b is formed to have a cross-sectional area A3 corresponding to the end cross-sectional area of the widening section. The refrigerant has its velocity and pressure relatively reduced while passing through the widening section W, and as a result, the refrigerant discharged through the injection port 220b comes to have various direction components in addition to the straight-ahead direction. Therefore, compared with a structure without a widening section, in which the refrigerant is intensively injected into a local part of the electrode, it is possible to inject the refrigerant over a wider range on the back surface of the electrode by providing the widening section W.

[0055] Specifically, the enlarged pipe section W is formed at a position adjacent to the injection port on the bent flow path provided in the first block 222 within the branch flow path 220a. The inner wall of the enlarged pipe section W forms an inclined surface that slopes outward along the refrigerant flow direction based on the central axis of the flow path. As an example, the inner wall has a structure corresponding to the side surface shape of a truncated cone, and the inner wall has a fixed inclination angle based on the central axis of the flow path (the central axis of the bent flow path within the branched flow path, or the vertical axis of the front surface of the cooling module). (θ1 and θ2 are the same). Here, the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 can be one value within the range of 10 degrees to 80 degrees. Specifically, the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 can be one value within the range of 20 degrees to 50 degrees. Due to the enlarged pipe section W, the cross-sectional area A3 of the injection port 220b increases compared to the cross-sectional area A2 of the flow path before the enlarged pipe section. As an example, the cross-sectional area A3 of the injection port can be 1.2 times or more, and more specifically, 2 times or more the size of the cross-sectional area (A2) of the flow path before the enlarged pipe section.

[0056] According to this, compared with the prior art, although the refrigerant is injected through the injection port 220b with various directions, nevertheless, the amount of refrigerant reaching the position corresponding to the injection port 220b on the electrode 60 is relatively large, and the amount of refrigerant reaching decreases as the distance from that position increases. However, since the refrigerant injected through other injection ports 220b overlaps and reaches even in the central direction of the electrode 60 at a distance, even if the injection port 220b is biased outside the electrode 60, it can cool the center of the electrode 60 relatively uniformly.

[0057] On the other hand, the cooling module having the enlarged pipe section can be implemented with various modifications other than the structure shown in FIG. 8. In the following, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12, various embodiments of the cooling module having the enlarged pipe structure will be described.

[0058] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of a cooling module according to another embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the cross-sectional area of the flow path gradually increases throughout the enlarged pipe section. In contrast, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, within the enlarged pipe section W, the diameter of the flow path can be configured to gradually increase in a partial section and remain constant in the remaining section adjacent to the injection port.

[0059] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of a cooling module according to another embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the inner wall of the enlarged pipe section W forms an inclined surface having the same inclination angle based on the central axis of the flow path. In contrast, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the inner wall of the flow path of the enlarged pipe section W can be configured to have different inclination angles along the periphery.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 10, the inner wall of the enlarged pipe section W can be configured in the shape of the side surface of an inclined frustum of a cone. Therefore, among the inner walls of the enlarged pipe section W, the inner wall adjacent to the center direction of the front surface of the cooling module 200 forms a relatively large inclined surface, and the inner wall adjacent to the outer side direction forms a relatively small inclined surface (θ3 < θ4). In this case, the amount of refrigerant injected outward and the directivity in the outer side direction can be increased compared to being relatively restricted, and the amount of refrigerant injected in the center direction and the directivity proceeding in the center direction can be enhanced. Considering the point that the plurality of injection ports 220b are arranged offset to the outside of the electrode 60 as described above, according to this embodiment, there is an advantage that the periphery of the electrode can be sufficiently cooled for compensating the edge effect while cooling the center of the electrode more uniformly.

[0061] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of a cooling module according to another embodiment. In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the inclination angle of the inner wall of the enlarged pipe section is used to relatively restrict the refrigerant from proceeding in the outer side direction. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 11, a similar purpose can be achieved by adjusting the distance from the electrode along the periphery of the injection port.

[0062] In a previous embodiment, compared with the case where the front surface of the cooling module having the injection ports is configured as a flat surface, the front surface of the cooling module 200 according to the present embodiment can be formed as a curved surface recessed in the central direction or a recessed stepped surface. And each injection port 220b is provided on such a curved surface or stepped surface. Thereby, even if the inner wall of the diffuser section W has a certain inclination angle based on the central axis of the flow path, the path length of the diffuser section is formed to be different along the periphery of each injection port 220b. Specifically, in the diffuser section W, the inner wall in the central direction of the front surface compared with the outer direction forms a relatively short path, and the distance between the injection port 220b and the electrode 60 is formed to be separated from the outer direction of the electrode in the central direction of the electrode. As a result, the refrigerant is discharged first from the outer direction to the inner direction through the injection port, so that the injection of the refrigerant in the outer direction of the electrode is restricted, and it can be guided to inject relatively in the central direction.

[0063] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of a cooling module according to another embodiment. The embodiment shown in FIG. 12 further includes a dispersion member 230 for uniformly distributing the refrigerant over the entire electrode 60 compared with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 to 11. The dispersion member can be composed of a mesh member disposed in the cooling space between the cooling module 200 and the back surface of the electrode 60. In this way, when the dispersion member 230 is further provided, the refrigerant injected through the plurality of injection ports 220b can be dispersed while passing through the dispersion member to cool the electrode 60 more uniformly.

[0064] In the embodiments described above, the description is centered on the treatment field using a monopolar type electrode, but the present invention is not limited thereto and can also be applied to the treatment field using a bipolar type electrode. Further, the foregoing content can be applied to the field of treating skin tissues of various parts such as the face, neck, abdomen, and thighs using RF energy.

[0065] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments. It should be clarified that those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can implement the present invention with various modifications or changes without departing from the scope of the technical features of the present invention defined in the appended claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0066] 20: Handpiece 40: Control unit 60: Electrode 70: Cooling unit 80: Sensing unit 100: Chip module 220: Cooling module 220a: Branch flow path 220b: Injection port

Claims

1. An electrode for transmitting RF energy to tissue, a cooling module including a plurality of branched flow paths provided on the rear side of the electrode through which a refrigerant is transmitted, and a plurality of injection ports provided at ends of the respective flow paths through which the refrigerant is discharged, wherein the branched flow paths have a shape in which the cross-sectional area increases along the traveling direction of the refrigerant in a section adjacent to the injection ports, and a treatment device using RF energy.

2. The treatment device using RF energy according to claim 1, wherein, in the branched flow path, a section adjacent to the injection port forms an inner wall inclined outward based on the central axis of the flow path.

3. The treatment device using RF energy according to claim 2, wherein the inclined inner wall has an inclination angle within a range of 10 degrees to 80 degrees based on the central axis of the flow path.

4. The treatment device using RF energy according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the injection port is 1.2 times or more larger than the cross-sectional area of the flow path before a section where the cross-sectional area of the branched flow path increases.

5. The treatment device using RF energy according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the injection ports are provided on one surface of the cooling module, and the plurality of injection ports are symmetrically arranged on one surface of the cooling module.

6. The treatment device using RF energy according to claim 5, wherein at least four or more injection ports are provided on one surface of the cooling module.

7. The treatment device using RF energy according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of injection ports are arranged at positions radially spaced apart from the center of one surface of the cooling module by a predetermined distance, and the spaced distance is half or more of the distance from the center of one surface of the cooling module to the outer edge.

8. The treatment device using RF energy according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of branched flow paths have the same length.

9. The branched flow path has a widening section formed such that the diameter increases along the traveling direction of the refrigerant at a position adjacent to the injection port, and the inner walls forming the one widening section are formed to have different inclination angles. The treatment device using RF energy according to claim 2.

10. Among the inner walls forming the one enlarged pipe section, the inner wall closer to the center of one surface of the cooling module has a larger inclination angle than the inner wall farther from the center of one surface of the cooling module. The treatment device using RF energy according to claim 9 is characterized in that.

11. The injection port is provided on a curved surface or a stepped surface inside the front surface of the cooling module, and is provided such that the distance from the rear surface of the electrode varies along the periphery of the injection port. Among the periphery of the injection port, the portion located in the central direction of the electrode is formed such that the distance from the rear surface of the electrode is further larger than the portion located in the outer direction of the electrode. The treatment device using RF energy according to claim 1 is characterized in that.

12. The treatment device using RF energy according to claim 1 further includes a dispersion member disposed between the electrode and the cooling module and dispersing the refrigerant discharged through the injection port.

13. An electrode for transmitting RF energy to tissue Including a cooling module provided on the rear side of the electrode, a plurality of branched flow paths through which the refrigerant passes, and injection ports provided at the ends of the respective flow paths for discharging the refrigerant. The branched flow path has a shape in which the diameter increases along the traveling direction of the refrigerant in a section adjacent to the injection port. The handpiece of a treatment device using RF energy.

14. An electrode for transmitting RF energy to tissue Including a cooling module provided on the rear side of the electrode, a plurality of branched flow paths through which the refrigerant passes, and injection ports provided at the ends of the respective flow paths for discharging the refrigerant. The branched flow path has a shape in which the diameter increases along the traveling direction of the refrigerant in a section adjacent to the injection port. The chip module of a treatment device using RF energy.

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