Skin treatment apparatus using RF energy having double treatment prevention function and control method thereof

Abstract

To provide an RF treatment apparatus capable of preventing a treatment region from overlapping on the basis of a partial temperature change of a tissue when treating the skin using RF energy, and a control method thereof.SOLUTION: A skin treatment apparatus using RF energy having an overlap treatment prevention function includes a main body, a handpiece configured to receive RF energy from the main body, an electrode provided in the handpiece and configured to deliver the RF energy to a tissue, a plurality of temperature sensors provided in the handpiece and configured to measure a temperature of the target tissue, and a controller configured to determine whether the target tissue at least partially overlaps a treated tissue based on values measured by the plurality of temperature sensors when the RF energy is delivered to the electrode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a skin treatment device using RF energy that can prevent duplicate treatment of tissue that has already been treated, and a control method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] Various types of devices have been developed to deliver RF energy to tissue for therapeutic purposes, and in particular, devices that use RF energy to induce appropriate changes in the skin, resulting in tissue regeneration and skin treatment effects.

[0003] Existing skin treatment devices mainly deliver RF energy to a small area compared to the entire facial treatment area. Korean Patent No. 0706155 discloses such a conventional treatment device using RF energy. With such existing devices, the user must repeatedly change the position of the handpiece to change the position where the handpiece contacts the skin. However, with conventional skin treatment devices, it is difficult for the user to accurately identify areas that have already been treated and position the handpiece on areas that have not yet been treated. Furthermore, if the user's skill level is low, RF energy may be delivered to tissue that has already been treated, resulting in repeated treatment and excessive tissue damage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent No. 0706155 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a skin treatment device using RF energy that has a function for preventing duplicate treatment, which is a problem with conventional skin treatment devices using RF energy, and a control method thereof. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention can provide a skin treatment device using RF energy with a function to prevent overlapping treatment, which includes a main body, a handpiece configured to transmit RF energy from the main body, an electrode provided in the handpiece and configured to transmit RF energy to tissue, a plurality of temperature sensors provided in the handpiece and configured to measure the temperature of the target tissue, and a control unit that determines whether at least a portion of the target tissue overlaps with the treated tissue based on values ​​measured by the plurality of temperature sensors when RF energy is transmitted to the electrode.

[0007] Meanwhile, the control unit may determine that the treatment of the target tissue has overlapped if one or more of the measured values ​​from the plurality of temperature sensors rises faster than the other measured values.

[0008] On the other hand, when the control unit determines that the target tissues overlap, it can perform control to cut off the transmission of RF energy.

[0009] In addition, the control unit can control the RF energy to be cut off if it is determined that the target tissue overlaps with the treated tissue during transmission of the RF energy to the electrode.

[0010] Meanwhile, the handpiece may further include a substrate provided at the distal end thereof, the electrodes being provided on one surface of the substrate facing outward, and the plurality of sensors being provided on the opposite surface of the substrate.

[0011] Meanwhile, at least some of the sensors may be provided on the opposite surface of the substrate at positions corresponding to the outer edges of the electrodes.

[0012] The device may further include a display unit configured to receive a signal from the control unit and display information related to the location where the target tissue overlaps with the treated tissue.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention may provide a method for controlling a skin treatment device using RF energy having a duplicate treatment prevention function, including an RF energy transmission step of transmitting RF energy from an RF generator to an electrode in contact with tissue, a temperature measurement step of measuring temperatures at multiple points on the tissue to which the RF energy is transmitted using a handpiece, and a duplicate treatment determination step of determining whether the temperatures measured at the multiple points show different change trends.

[0014] Meanwhile, the overlapping treatment determination step may determine that different change trends have been observed when it is determined that the temperature at at least one of the temperature values ​​measured at multiple points rises more rapidly than the temperatures at the other points.

[0015] Also, the method may further include an RF energy blocking step of blocking transmission of RF energy when it is determined in the overlapping treatment determining step that different change trends are present.

[0016] Furthermore, the overlapping treatment decision step and the RF energy blocking step can be performed during the RF energy delivery step.

[0017] Alternatively, the temperature measuring step may receive temperature measurements from a plurality of sensors provided along the border of the electrode placement area for transmitting RF energy to the tissue.

[0018] Meanwhile, the overlapping treatment determining step may further include an overlapping area determining step of determining an overlapping treatment point within an electrode placement area among the plurality of points.

[0019] The method may further include an overlap area display step of displaying the overlap treatment point determined in the overlap area determination step on a display unit of the handpiece. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] The skin treatment device using RF energy with a function to prevent overlapping treatments and its control method according to the present invention have the effect of preventing overlapping treatments during skin treatment, preventing excessive tissue damage, and maximizing the treatment effect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a skin treatment device using RF energy having a function of preventing duplicate treatment according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a graph showing the temperature rise in the overlapping treatment area. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the handpiece in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a substrate in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along II' in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the concept of overlapping treatment in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the concept of preventing duplicate treatment in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the first embodiment is used. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a skin treatment device using RF energy having a function of preventing duplicate treatment according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a skin treatment device using RF energy having a function of preventing duplicate treatment according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12]10 is a flowchart illustrating a skin treatment method using RF energy that prevents overlapping treatment according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a skin treatment method using RF energy that prevents overlapping treatment according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, a skin treatment device using RF energy with a duplicate treatment prevention function and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the embodiment, the names of the components may be referred to by other names in the art. However, if there is functional similarity and identity between the components, a modified embodiment may be considered an equivalent configuration. Furthermore, the reference numerals attached to the components are used for convenience of explanation. However, the illustrations in the drawings in which these reference numerals are used do not limit the scope of the components within the drawings. Similarly, even if an embodiment in which the configuration in the drawings is partially modified is adopted, if there is functional similarity and identity between the components, the modified embodiment may be considered an equivalent configuration. Furthermore, if a component is considered to be a common component in the art, its description will be omitted.

[0023] In this specification, treatment is explained on the premise that it means heating skin tissue to improve wrinkles, tone and textural changes, scars and acne scarring, sagging mucosa, overall rejuvenation, hyperhidrosis, laxity, lifting, tightening, fat reduction, etc.

[0024] A skin treatment device using RF energy and having a function of preventing repeated treatment according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a skin treatment device using RF energy having a function for preventing duplicate treatment according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the skin treatment device using RF energy having a function of preventing duplicate treatment according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include an RF generator 150, a power supply 160, a controller 170, an electrode 220, a temperature sensor 230, and a display 250.

[0027] The RF generator 150 may be configured to receive power from the power supply 160 and generate RF energy. The RF adjuster 140 may be configured to adjust at least one of the frequency, power, voltage, and electric power of the RF energy generated by the RF generator 150. Meanwhile, the power supply 160, the RF generator 150, and the RF adjuster 140 may have well-known circuit configurations.

[0028] The control unit 170 may be configured to control at least one of the RF generator 150, the RF adjuster 140, and the power supply unit based on a user input and a value received from the temperature sensor unit 230 (described later). The control unit 170 may control the RF generator 150 and the RF adjuster 140 to adjust the power, frequency, etc. of RF energy based on a user input. The control unit 170 may also be configured to control the RF generator 150 and the RF adjuster 140 based on various sensing values ​​received when RF energy is delivered to tissue. The control unit 170 may also transmit and receive information to and from the display unit 250 to display various information. The control unit 170 may include a calculation unit and may be configured to update parameters according to a predetermined algorithm based on a value received from the temperature sensor and control RF energy.

[0029] The electrode 220 may be electrically connected to the RF adjusting unit 140 to transmit RF energy and may be configured to transmit RF energy to contacted tissue. The electrode 220 may be configured in multiple numbers and may be arranged in a predetermined pattern. At least a portion of the electrode 220 may be configured as a planar electrode so that RF energy can be non-invasively transmitted to tissue. The electrode 220 may function as a bipolar electrode 220 or a monopolar electrode 220.

[0030] The temperature sensor unit 230 is configured to measure the temperature at multiple points during the delivery of RF energy to the tissue. The temperature sensor unit 230 may include multiple temperature sensors. The multiple temperature sensors may be configured to measure the temperature at multiple points within the treatment area to which RF energy is delivered. The controller 170 determines whether a different temperature change trend is present at at least one point based on values ​​measured by the multiple temperature sensors. The delivery of RF energy generally increases the temperature of the tissue. However, if RF energy is delivered again to a region where tissue has already been denatured by the delivery of RF energy, a sudden temperature increase trend may occur. Therefore, if a sudden temperature increase is detected within a certain region of the RF energy delivery area, the controller 170 controls at least one of the RF generator 150 and the RF adjuster 140 to shut off the RF energy.

[0031] The display unit 250 may be configured to display various information acquired during a treatment using RF energy, such as user information, RF energy setting information, a current treatment mode, and the number of treatments.

[0032] Meanwhile, the control unit 170 can determine whether or not to overlap treatments based on the value measured by the temperature sensor unit 230. The control unit 170 can be configured to transmit RF energy to tissue within a few seconds, preferably within a few ms to a few hundred ms. The control unit 170 can receive temperature from the temperature sensor during the RF energy transmission time of a few ms to a few hundred ms, and can control the RF energy by receiving the temperature measurement value in real time. For example, the temperature can be measured at multiple points from a plurality of temperature sensors for a period of a few ms to a few hundred ms.

[0033] In addition, the control unit 170 can be configured to measure or calculate the impedance of the tissue to adjust the RF energy according to the state of the tissue, and to control the power, voltage, current, duration, etc. of the RF energy.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a graph showing the temperature rise in the overlapping treatment area.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, when skin tissue is heated, it can be divided into a temperature rise section, a coagulation section, and an ablation section depending on the temperature. When energy is delivered at the same power, the tissue impedance can change depending on the tissue temperature. Such a change in impedance with temperature significantly differs between pre-treatment and post-treatment tissue. Here, post-treatment tissue refers to tissue in which at least a portion of the tissue has been denatured by delivery of RF energy. That is, when RF energy of the same power is delivered to tissue before and after treatment for the same time, the temperature change tendency changes, as shown in FIG. 2. That is, when RF energy of the same conditions is delivered to tissue that has already been treated (denatured), the tissue temperature may rise more rapidly than the tissue before treatment. Such a temperature rise may cause excessive damage to the tissue, such as ablation, so it is preferable to avoid delivering RF energy to treated tissue repeatedly.

[0036] The RF energy treatment device with the function of preventing duplicate treatment according to the present invention is configured to determine whether the tissue to which RF energy is currently being delivered is a tissue that has already been treated through temperature measurement, and to cut off the RF energy if the RF energy is being delivered redundantly.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, a skin treatment device using RF energy with a function of preventing duplicate treatment according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body 100, a handpiece 200 that a user can hold to perform treatment, and a connecting part 400 that connects the main body and the handpiece.

[0039] An RF generator, an RF adjuster, and a controller (not shown) may be provided inside the main body 100. As described above, the controller generates a control input for controlling the RF generator in response to a sensing value input from the sensor. At this time, the frequency of the RF energy may be adjusted depending on the patient's constitution, treatment purpose, treatment area, etc.

[0040] The exterior of the main body 100 may be provided with a power on / off switch 110, a frequency adjustment lever 120 for adjusting the frequency of RF energy generated from the RF generator, and a touch screen 130 for displaying various information including the operation of the treatment device, allowing the user to input commands, and displaying treatment information.

[0041] The handpiece 200 is connected to the main body via a connector 400. The handpiece 200 is configured to be held by a user for use. A tip 201 is provided at the distal end of the handpiece 200. The user can place the tip in close contact with the patient's skin and operate the handpiece to deliver RF energy to tissue. One side of the handpiece may be provided with a display unit 250 configured to display information related to treatment or device operation when the user holds and operates the handpiece. The handpiece 200 delivers RF energy generated from an RF generator in the main body to multiple electrodes provided at the end of the tip via the connector 400. Multiple temperature sensors provided on the tip are also configured to measure temperature as the RF energy is delivered to the tissue and transmit the temperature to the control unit. The user can bring the tip of the handpiece 200 into close contact with the skin and input to deliver RF energy. After RF energy is delivered to the skin tissue in response to the user's input, the user can move the handpiece and then input again to deliver RF energy to the tissue. A user may repeat this process several times or even hundreds of times to treat a large area of ​​tissue, such as the entire face.

[0042] The electrodes and temperature sensors will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0043] 4 is a bottom view of the handpiece in the first embodiment, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the base plate in the first embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along II' in FIG.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a plurality of electrodes 220 may be provided on the bottom surface of the tip 201 of the handpiece.

[0045] The plurality of electrodes 220 may be configured in a planar shape, and may be arranged in each of the regions divided by imaginary dividing lines. A first dividing line among the imaginary dividing lines is configured to be approximately concentric with the region in which the plurality of electrodes 220 are arranged, forming a closed curve. For example, the first dividing line L1 may be formed along a rectangular path, with its edge having a predetermined curvature. The second dividing line L2 may be formed radially and be configured as a curve. For example, six second dividing lines may be formed in FIG. 4. The plurality of divided electrodes 220 may be configured to deliver RF energy to the periphery of the electrode 220, preventing excessive heating of tissue in certain areas, and to deliver RF energy uniformly to the entire treatment region.

[0046] 5, the substrate 210 is unfolded, showing its inner surface on which the temperature sensor unit 230 is provided. Here, the outer surface of the substrate 210 refers to the surface that can come into contact with the skin when the substrate 210 is coupled to a handpiece, and the inner surface of the substrate 210 refers to the surface that faces the inside of the handpiece.

[0047] The electrodes 220 may be provided on the outer surface of the substrate 210. The substrate 210 may be formed in a flat plate shape, and at least a portion of the substrate 210 may be flexible. The substrate 210 may be made of an insulating material to prevent RF energy transmitted to the electrodes 220 from directly affecting the temperature sensor unit 230. A plurality of connectors 240 may be provided on the outer surface of the substrate 210 and connected to a circuit provided inside the handpiece. The plurality of connectors 240 may include a connector 240 for transmitting RF energy to each of the electrodes 220 and a connector 240 for electrically connecting to the temperature sensor unit 230.

[0048] A plurality of temperature sensor units 230 may be provided on the inner surface of the substrate 210. The plurality of temperature sensor units 230 may be provided at positions offset outward from the region of the inner surface corresponding to the region where the plurality of electrodes 220 are arranged. As an example, four temperature sensor units 230 may be provided at the edges of the roughly rectangular region where the electrodes 220 are arranged. Alternatively, an additional temperature sensor unit 230 may be provided at a position corresponding to the center of the region where the plurality of electrodes 220 are arranged on the inner surface of the substrate 210. However, this is just an example, and the temperature sensor unit 230 may be provided at a position where it can measure the temperature around the periphery of the region where RF energy is transmitted. Alternatively, a plurality of temperature sensor units 230 may be provided.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the concept of overlapping treatment in the first embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing the concept of preventing overlapping treatment in the first embodiment.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7, a first treatment area t1 and a second treatment area t2 are shown. The first treatment area is an area where RF energy has already been delivered to the tissue and treatment has been completed. The first treatment area may be an area where treatment was completed just before or a region where treatment was performed several times before. The second treatment area t2 is an area where the electrode is currently in contact and RF energy is being delivered. When RF energy is delivered to the second treatment area t2 while a portion of the second treatment area t2 overlaps with the first treatment area t1 (at t3), the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 241 at the 7 o'clock position in FIG. 7 rises faster than the temperature measured by the other temperature sensor 242. Based on the received temperature sensor values, the controller determines that the temperature measured by one of the temperature sensors rises faster than the temperature measured by the other temperature sensors and determines that a partial treatment overlaps. In this case, the controller controls to shut off the RF energy.

[0051] 8, when the previously treated area becomes larger after several treatments, if the second treatment area t2 for the current treatment does not overlap with the first treatment area t1, a treatment can be performed by delivering a preset amount of RF energy. During the delivery of RF energy to the second treatment area t2, the respective temperature sensors 240 detect similar temperature rise trends. Therefore, the control unit can perform a preset treatment process to complete the treatment for the second treatment area t2.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the first embodiment is used.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 9, the controller may further control the handpiece using information regarding the orientation of each temperature sensor at the end of the handpiece. The position of each temperature sensor may be input to the controller in advance. The controller may determine whether at least a portion of the current treatment area overlaps with the first treatment area t1 based on the values ​​measured by each temperature sensor, and may identify the direction of the overlapping treatment. If the controller determines that an overlapping treatment is occurring, it may cut off RF energy and display 251 the overlapping treatment direction on the display unit 250. Thus, the user can confirm the direction of the overlapping treatment relative to the handpiece, adjust the handpiece to a position where the treatments do not overlap, and then deliver RF energy while avoiding the overlap. The controller may perform calculations and control to repeatedly determine whether or not a treatment overlap occurs and display the overlapping position for several to several hundred RF energy delivery shots.

[0054] A method for controlling a skin treatment device using RF energy having a function for preventing duplicate treatment, which is another embodiment of the present invention, will be described below.

[0055] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a skin treatment device using RF energy having a function of preventing repeated treatment according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 10, the control method of the skin treatment device using RF energy having the function of preventing repeated treatment according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps: It may include an RF energy transmission step (S110), a temperature measurement step (S120), an overlapping treatment determination step (S130), and an RF energy shut-off step (S140).

[0057] The RF energy transmission step (S110) corresponds to a step of transmitting RF energy to a plurality of electrodes in contact with the skin. The RF energy transmission step (S110) may be performed based on a value input by a user. The value input by the user may be a value related to the transmission of RF energy, such as the power or frequency of the RF energy. The RF energy transmission step (S110) may be controlled in real time. For example, the output or application time of the RF energy may be controlled based on the impedance of the target tissue in contact with the electrodes.

[0058] The temperature measurement step (S120) corresponds to a step of measuring temperatures at multiple points in the tissue to which RF energy is delivered from multiple temperature sensors during the RF energy delivery step (S110). This step receives temperature values ​​measured at various points by the handpiece due to the temperature rise of the tissue when RF energy is delivered to the tissue via the electrodes with the handpiece in contact with the skin.

[0059] The overlapping treatment determination step (S130) is a step of determining whether the target tissue to which RF energy is currently being delivered overlaps with tissue that has already been treated. The controller determines whether the treatment overlaps based on the received temperature measurement values. Specifically, the controller receives real-time temperature measurements from various points on the surface of the tissue to be heated by the delivery of RF energy, and can determine that the treatment overlaps if the temperature measurement value at at least one point rises faster than the temperature measurement values ​​at other points.

[0060] The RF energy cut-off step (S140) corresponds to a step of immediately cutting off RF energy when it is determined that at least a portion of the target tissue to which RF energy is currently being delivered is tissue that has already been treated. If the controller determines in the overlapping treatment determination step (S130) that the current treatment area overlaps with the previously treated area, it can control the RF generator and / or RF adjuster, or related circuits, to cut off RF energy delivered to the electrodes.

[0061] Meanwhile, in the overlapping treatment determination step (S130), when temperature measurements taken at multiple points change in a similar manner in real time, the control unit first determines whether the rate of increase exceeds a threshold. If all measured temperatures change in a similar manner but do not exceed the threshold, it determines that the target tissue to which the current RF energy is being delivered is being treated for the first time. Then, it completes treatment for one shot of RF energy. However, if the measured temperatures change in a similar manner but have a change trend that exceeds the threshold, it determines that all target tissues to which the current RF energy is being delivered are being treated overlappingly, and it can shut off the RF energy.

[0062] In addition, if it is determined in the overlapping treatment determination step (S130) that the area to which RF energy is currently being delivered is being treated for the first time, the delivery of RF energy can be completed under predetermined conditions using pre-set parameters (S150).

[0063] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a skin treatment device using RF energy having a function of preventing repeated treatment according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] This embodiment can also be configured to include steps similar to those in the second embodiment, and a description of the similar steps will be omitted, and only steps that differ will be described.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 11, the method for controlling a skin treatment device using RF energy having a function of preventing overlapping treatment according to the third embodiment of the present invention may further include an overlapping area determination step (S160) and an overlapping area display step (S170).

[0066] The overlap region determination step (S160) is a step in which the controller determines which portions have overlapped. Signals received by the controller from the plurality of temperature sensors can be distinguished from one another. The controller can store the positions of the respective temperature sensors in advance. When the controller determines that the target tissue to which RF energy is currently being delivered has been overlapped, it determines whether a sudden increase in temperature has been detected by a temperature sensor.

[0067] The overlap area display step (S170) corresponds to a step of displaying the overlap area determined by the control unit on the display unit. The overlap area display step (S170) may be performed by displaying a direction around the handpiece. For example, the direction in which each temperature sensor is arranged based on the longitudinal central axis of the handpiece may be displayed in the same direction as the direction displayed when a user looks at the display unit.

[0068] On the other hand, if it is determined in the overlapping treatment determination step 130 that the treatments overlap, the overlapping area determination step (S160), the overlapping area detection step 170, and the RF energy cut-off step (S140) may be immediately performed.

[0069] The method for controlling a skin treatment device using RF energy having a function of preventing repeated treatment according to the present invention, which has been described above with reference to Figures 10 and 11, can be performed using the skin treatment device using RF energy described with reference to Figures 1 to 9.

[0070] Hereinafter, a method for treating skin using RF energy that prevents overlapping treatments, which is another embodiment of the present invention, will be described.

[0071] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a skin treatment method using RF energy that prevents overlapping treatment according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 12, the fourth embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for treating skin using RF energy to prevent overlapping treatments. The method includes a first treatment step (S210) of treating a first treatment area by transmitting RF energy to the first treatment area, a second treatment step (S220) of treating a second treatment area by transmitting RF energy to the second treatment area, a step of determining whether the first treatment area and the second treatment area overlap (S220), and interrupting the second treatment step (S230).

[0073] The user can treat the skin by repeatedly delivering RF energy several times to hundreds of times. When delivering RF energy repeatedly, the area to which it is delivered can be varied. The area to which RF energy is delivered during each treatment is smaller than the entire treatment area. Therefore, the user can complete the entire treatment by delivering RF energy each time they change the position where the RF electrode is in close contact with the skin.

[0074] The first treatment step (S210) of delivering RF energy to the first treatment area corresponds to a step of attaching an electrode to one location on the skin and delivering RF energy to treat the target tissue. The tissue to which the RF energy is delivered is heated, causing degeneration of the tissue.

[0075] The second treatment step (S220) of delivering RF energy to the second treatment area corresponds to a step in which the user changes the position of the handpiece that delivers RF energy to the second treatment area and delivers RF energy. The second treatment area is the area that will be the target of the next treatment after the first treatment step. The user recognizes the previously treated area through experience and understands changes in the skin surface, and then presses the electrodes against the untreated area. RF energy is then delivered to the second treatment area according to the user's input.

[0076] The overlap determination step (S230) between the first and second treatment regions corresponds to a step of measuring the temperature in real time at various points in the second treatment region while the current RF energy is being delivered and determining whether the treatments overlap. This step can be performed continuously within several milliseconds to several hundred milliseconds of one RF energy delivery. In this step, overlap determination is made based on whether a different temperature change trend is observed at at least one point among the various points in the second treatment region. Specifically, in the first treatment region that has already been treated, tissue degeneration occurs, causing a sudden rise in temperature even when the same RF energy is delivered. Therefore, the control unit determines that the second treatment region overlaps with the first treatment region if the real-time temperature measurement value at at least one point appears higher than the other points.

[0077] The second treatment step is interrupted (S240) when the control unit determines in the overlap determination step (S230) that at least a portion of the treatment areas overlap.

[0078] Completion of the second treatment step (S250) is a step in which, if it is determined in the overlap determination step (S230) that the second treatment tissue does not overlap with the first treatment tissue, RF energy is applied under preset conditions to complete treatment of the second treatment tissue.

[0079] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a skin treatment method using RF energy that prevents overlapping treatment according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] FIG. 13 can also be configured to include steps similar to those in the fourth embodiment, and only steps that differ will be described below.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 13, if it is determined in the overlap determination step (S230) that at least a portion of the second treatment area overlaps with the second treatment area, the second treatment step may be interrupted (S250), and an overlap area determination step (S260) and an overlap area display step (S270) may be performed.

[0082] The overlapping area determination step (S260) is a step in which the control unit determines in which direction the overlapping treatment is performed on the handpiece in the second treatment area. This step can be performed by determining which of the multiple temperature sensors provided in the handpiece has a sudden rise in temperature.

[0083] The overlap area display step (S270) corresponds to a step of displaying the area of ​​the second treatment area that overlaps with the first treatment area on the display of the handpiece or the RF treatment device body. After the overlap area is determined, the location of the overlapping treatment is displayed to the user on the handpiece, and the user can move the handpiece to move out of the overlap area. When the user then begins treatment again, the second treatment step (S250) is completed, or if it is determined again that at least a portion of the second treatment area overlaps with the first treatment area, the second treatment step (S250) or the overlap area display step (S270) may be performed.

[0084] The skin treatment method using RF energy to prevent overlapping treatment according to the present invention, described above with reference to Figures 12 and 13, can be performed using the skin treatment device using RF energy described with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

[0085] The skin treatment device using RF energy with the function of preventing overlapping treatment according to the present invention, the control method thereof, and the skin treatment method using the same described above automatically cut off RF energy when overlapping treatment occurs, allowing the user to recognize the overlapping area. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 200 handpieces 210 Substrate 220 electrode 230 Temperature Sensor

Claims

1. The main body and a handpiece configured to allow RF energy to be transmitted from the body; an electrode included in the handpiece and configured to deliver the RF energy to tissue; a plurality of temperature sensors provided in the handpiece and configured to measure the temperature of the target tissue; a control unit that determines whether the target tissue at least partially overlaps with the treated tissue based on values ​​measured by the plurality of temperature sensors when the RF energy is delivered to the electrode; A skin treatment device using RF energy having a function to prevent duplicate treatment.

2. The control unit 2. A skin treatment device using RF energy with a duplicate treatment prevention function as described in claim 1, wherein if one or more of the values ​​measured from the plurality of temperature sensors rises faster than the other values, it is determined that the treatment of the target tissue has been duplicated.

3. The control unit 3. The skin treatment device using RF energy with a function of preventing overlapping treatment according to claim 2, wherein when it is determined that the target tissues overlap, the transmission of the RF energy is controlled to be cut off.

4. The control unit 4. A skin treatment device using RF energy with a function of preventing overlapping treatment as described in claim 3, which controls to cut off the RF energy if it is determined that the target tissue overlaps with the treated tissue while the RF energy is being transmitted to the electrode.

5. a substrate disposed at a distal end of the handpiece; The electrode is provided on one surface of the substrate facing outward, The skin treatment device using RF energy and having a function of preventing overlapping treatments according to claim 4 , wherein the plurality of sensors are provided on the opposite side of the substrate from the one side.

6. At least some of the plurality of sensors The skin treatment device using RF energy with a function of preventing overlapping treatment according to claim 4, wherein the electrodes are provided at positions corresponding to the outer edges of the electrodes on the opposite surface of the substrate.

7. 7. The skin treatment device using RF energy with the function of preventing overlapping treatments of claim 6, further comprising a display unit configured to receive a signal from the control unit and display information related to the overlapping position of the target tissue with the treated tissue.

8. an RF energy transmitting step of transmitting RF energy from an RF generator to an electrode contacted with the tissue; a temperature measuring step in which a handpiece measures the temperature at multiple points in the tissue to which the RF energy is delivered; a redundant treatment determination step in which the calculation unit determines whether different change trends are observed between the temperatures measured at the plurality of points; A method for controlling a skin treatment device using RF energy having a function of preventing duplicate treatment, comprising:

9. The overlapping treatment determination step includes:

9. The method for controlling a skin treatment device using RF energy having a function of preventing repeated treatment according to claim 8, wherein, when it is determined that the temperature of at least one of the temperature values ​​measured at the plurality of points rises more rapidly than the temperatures of the other points, it is determined that different change trends have been observed.

10. 10. The method for controlling a skin treatment device using RF energy having a function of preventing overlapping treatments according to claim 9, further comprising an RF energy blocking step of blocking transmission of RF energy when it is determined in the overlapping treatment determination step that the different change trends are present.

11. The method for controlling a skin treatment device using RF energy having a function of preventing overlapping treatments according to claim 10, wherein the overlapping treatment determination step and the RF energy cut-off step are performed during the RF energy transmission step.

12. 12. A method for controlling a skin treatment device using RF energy with a duplicate treatment prevention function as described in claim 11, wherein the temperature measurement step receives temperature measurements from a plurality of sensors arranged along the border of the electrode placement area for transmitting the RF energy to the tissue.

13. The method for controlling a skin treatment device using RF energy having an overlapping treatment prevention function according to claim 12, wherein the overlapping treatment determination step further includes an overlapping area determination step of determining an overlapping treatment point among the electrode placement areas among the plurality of points.

14. The method for controlling a skin treatment device using RF energy with an overlap treatment prevention function according to claim 13, further comprising an overlap area display step of displaying the overlap treatment points determined in the overlap area determination step on a display unit of the handpiece.

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