Skin treatment device and control method thereof

Abstract

The skin treatment device of the present invention includes an RF generating unit that generates RF energy, electrodes that transmit the RF energy to the skin tissue of a user, a measuring unit that measures a forward RF voltage due to the RF energy and a reverse RF voltage due to the RF energy reflected toward the RF generating unit, and a control unit, wherein the control unit calculates the skin impedance and RF energy efficiency of the user based on the measured forward RF voltage and reverse RF voltage, and controls the output of the RF generating unit based on the calculated skin impedance and RF energy efficiency.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a skin treatment device and a control method thereof, and more particularly to a skin treatment device capable of measuring real-time energy efficiency and impedance according to skin impedance in an RF (Radio Frequency) treatment device, and a control method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, RF therapy, in which RF energy is delivered to skin tissue by inserting needle-shaped electrodes, has been widely used to treat skin lesions such as wrinkle removal, scar removal, and acne treatment.

[0003] RF treatment methods use the principle that when RF current is applied to tissue through electrodes, the electrical energy flowing through the tissue is converted into thermal energy, which is then transferred to the tissue. Even when the same RF energy output is transferred, the amount of energy transferred can vary depending on the impedance characteristics of the skin (target tissue). Due to these characteristics, even when treatment is performed under the same conditions, problems can arise, such as insufficient energy being transferred to provide optimal treatment, or excessive energy being applied, which can cause tissue damage.

[0004] Therefore, RF treatment devices that transmit RF energy appropriate to tissue by taking into account the impedance characteristics of the tissue are disclosed in Prior Art 1 (Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0111202) and Prior Art 2 (Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0129344), etc.

[0005] However, Prior Art 1 and Prior Art 2 propose a method of calculating tissue impedance by measuring the current, voltage, and power applied to electrodes when RF energy is applied. In other words, they measure the RF current and voltage in the forward direction (when RF energy is transmitted to skin tissue), and do not take into account the RF current and voltage reflected from the skin tissue in the reverse direction. Therefore, there is a problem in that the impedance of skin tissue with respect to RF energy actually transmitted to the skin tissue cannot be accurately calculated. Furthermore, there is a limitation in that the impedance of skin tissue cannot be measured in real time because the method involves emitting a predetermined level of RF energy for a certain period of time and measuring the flowing current. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the above problems and other problems, and one of its objects is to provide a skin treatment device and a control method thereof that measures RF energy efficiency and skin impedance in real time in an RF treatment device.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a skin treatment device and a control method thereof that can accurately measure RF energy efficiency and skin impedance by taking into account both forward RF energy output from an RF treatment device and backward RF energy reflected from skin tissue.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a skin treatment device and a control method thereof that can measure RF energy efficiency and skin impedance in real time and be controlled to output RF energy quantitatively according to the user's skin characteristics. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above and other objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, a skin treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized by being configured to include an RF generator that generates RF energy, electrodes that transmit the RF energy to skin tissue of a user, a measuring unit that measures a forward RF voltage due to the RF energy and a reverse RF voltage due to RF energy reflected toward the RF generator, and a control unit that calculates the skin impedance and RF energy efficiency of the user based on the measured forward RF voltage and reverse RF voltage, and controls the output of the RF generator based on the calculated skin impedance and RF energy efficiency.

[0010] In one embodiment, the control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention is characterized by including: a data processing unit that calculates the user's skin impedance and RF energy efficiency based on the measured forward RF voltage and reverse RF voltage; and an RF control unit that controls output parameters of the RF energy based on the calculated skin impedance and RF energy efficiency.

[0011] In one embodiment, the measuring unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to be connected to an RF transmission line that transmits RF energy output from the RF generator to the electrode, and is configured to measure a forward RF voltage due to the RF energy output from the RF generator and a reverse RF voltage due to RF energy reflected from a load including the user's skin tissue.

[0012] In one embodiment, the measuring unit according to the embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it is configured to include a directional power coupler module.

[0013] In one embodiment, the measuring unit according to the embodiment of the present invention measures the forward RF voltage and the reverse RF voltage as effective voltage values.

[0014] In one embodiment, the data processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it is configured to include first and second analog-to-digital converters that convert the forward RF voltage and the reverse RF voltage measured by the measurement unit into digital signal values, respectively, and a digital processing module that calculates skin impedance and RF energy efficiency based on the converted forward RF voltage and reverse RF voltage.

[0015] In one embodiment, a data processing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention calibrates a measurement error by changing the load of the measurement unit to a first load, a second load, and a third load that operate in open, short, and load modes, and calculates a forward voltage (V F ) and reverse voltage (V R ) based on the skin impedance (Z) JPEG2026503831000002.jpg13170 Calculate the forward voltage (V F ) and reverse voltage (V R ) based on RF energy efficiency (P R / P F )of JPEG2026503831000003.jpg16170 where Z0 is the load value equivalent to the rated load, which is 50 Ω, and P F and P R is characterized as a forward RF power and a reverse RF power.

[0016] In one embodiment, the data processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it calculates the amount of temperature change inside the user's skin tissue for each output level of the RF energy based on the calculated skin impedance.

[0017] In one embodiment, the control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention controls output parameters of the RF energy based on one or more of the calculated skin impedance, RF energy efficiency, and temperature change amount inside the skin tissue, and the output parameters of the RF energy are one or more of the voltage magnitude and output time of the RF energy.

[0018] In one embodiment, the skin treatment device according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured to further include a display unit, and is characterized in that at least one of the calculated skin impedance and RF energy efficiency of the user is output to the display unit.

[0019] In order to achieve the above and other objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a skin treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising the steps of generating RF energy, measuring a forward RF voltage due to the RF energy and a reverse RF voltage due to the RF energy reflected back to an RF generator, calculating a user's skin impedance and RF energy efficiency based on the measured forward RF voltage and reverse RF voltage, and controlling an output of the RF generator based on the calculated skin impedance and RF energy efficiency. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the following effects can be achieved.

[0021] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a skin treatment device and a control method thereof that measure RF energy efficiency and skin impedance in real time in an RF treatment device.

[0022] Furthermore, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a skin treatment device and a control method thereof that can accurately measure RF energy efficiency and skin impedance by taking into account both forward RF energy output from an RF treatment device and backward RF energy reflected from skin tissue.

[0023] Furthermore, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a skin treatment device and a control method thereof that can measure RF energy efficiency and skin impedance in real time and be controlled to output RF energy quantitatively according to the user's skin characteristics. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a skin treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a skin treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a directional power coupler according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a graph showing real-time changes in skin impedance and RF energy efficiency according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is an operational flowchart showing a control method for a skin treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regardless of the reference numerals, identical or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and "unit" used in the following description are used solely for ease of description and do not have any distinguishing meanings or functions. Furthermore, when describing the embodiments disclosed herein, if it is determined that a detailed description of known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, such a detailed description will be omitted. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are merely provided to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and the accompanying drawings should not be construed as limiting the technical concepts disclosed herein, and all modifications, equivalents, or alternatives within the concept and technical scope of the present invention are included.

[0026] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0027] When a component is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly coupled or connected to the other component, but that there may be other components in between. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a skin treatment device and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a simplified configuration of a skin treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, a skin treatment device 100 may include an RF generator 110, an electrode 120, a measuring unit 130, and a controller 140.

[0031] The components shown in FIG. 1 are not required to implement skin treatment device 100, and therefore, the skin treatment device 100 described herein may have more or fewer components than those listed above.

[0032] The RF generator 110 may receive power from a power supply (not shown) to generate RF energy. At this time, the RF energy output from the RF generator 110 may be configured to be variable in terms of voltage magnitude and output time.

[0033] The electrode 120 is configured to deliver RF energy generated from the RF generator 110 to the skin tissue of the user. The electrode 120 may be configured in the shape of at least one needle and configured to deliver RF energy to multiple points inside the skin tissue of the user through the ends of the needles.

[0034] The measuring unit 130 is connected to an RF transmission line between the RF generator 110 and the electrode 120, and measures a forward RF voltage caused by RF energy output from the RF generator 110 and a reverse RF voltage caused by RF energy reflected toward the RF generator 110. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the measuring unit connected to the RF transmission line may be configured to include a directional power coupler module.

[0035] The control unit 140 calculates the user's skin impedance and RF energy efficiency in real time using the forward RF voltage and reverse RF voltage measured by the measurement unit 130, and controls the output of the RF generator 110 based on the calculated skin impedance and RF energy efficiency. That is, the control unit 140 can control output parameters including the voltage magnitude and output time of the RF energy output from the RF generator 110 based on the calculated skin impedance and RF energy efficiency.

[0036] Additionally, the skin treatment device 100 may be configured to further include a display unit 150 for outputting information processed by the device.

[0037] The display unit 150 may further display execution screen information of an application program run on the skin treatment device 100, or UI (User Interface) and GUI (Graphical User Interface) information corresponding to such execution screen information. For example, the display unit 150 may output measurement information including skin impedance and RF energy efficiency, and treatment information including RF energy output parameters, in real time.

[0038] Furthermore, the display unit 150 may include a touch screen to receive commands from the user and output measurement information and treatment information in real time, but is not limited thereto.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a skin treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] In an RF treatment device, a portion of the RF energy output from the RF generator 210 may be reflected by a load including skin tissue and transmitted back to the RF generator. Therefore, a skin treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention proposes a method for accurately calculating the RF energy actually delivered to the skin and the skin impedance, taking into account the backward RF energy returning to the RF generator.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, the measurement unit 230 of the skin treatment device is connected to the RF transmission line between the RF generator 210 and the electrode 220, and measures the forward RF voltage (V F ), and the reverse RF voltage (V R ) can be measured. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the measuring unit 230 can measure the forward RF voltage (V F ) and reverse RF voltage (V R ) may be configured to include a Directional Power Coupler module 231 to measure the power, current, and current, respectively.

[0042] Directional power couplers can generally be used in circuits to measure impedance mismatch in RF transmission lines. Directional power couplers have a forward transmission path and a coupling transmission path. This configuration allows for the measurement of both the voltage due to RF energy traveling forward from the RF source to the load (forward voltage) and the voltage due to RF energy reflected back from the load back to the source (reverse voltage).

[0043] FIG. 3 shows an example of a directional power coupler that may be included in a skin treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 3, a forward RF voltage (V F ) can be measured at the Coupled Forward port 301. In addition, the reverse RF energy reflected from a load including skin tissue and input to the RF Output port 320 generates a reverse RF voltage (V R ) can be measured as the forward RF voltage (V F) and reverse RF voltage (V R ) and may be defined as 50Ω in the embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited thereto. Also, Load shown in FIG. 3 may refer to a load including skin tissue.

[0045] Referring again to FIG. 2, the control unit 240 of the skin treatment device according to the embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a data processing unit 250 and an RF control unit 260.

[0046] First, the data processing unit 250 calculates the forward RF voltage (V F ) and reverse RF voltage (V R ) as digital values, respectively.

[0047] The forward RF voltage (V F ) and reverse RF voltage (V R ) may be an alternating current (AC) signal. Since the magnitude and direction of an AC signal change periodically over time, the magnitude of the AC signal may be expressed numerically using methods such as an instantaneous value, a maximum value, an average value, a peak-to-peak (PP) value, or an effective value.

[0048] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the alternating current (AC) voltage caused by forward RF energy and reverse RF energy can be measured in terms of root mean square (RMS).

[0049] The effective value is a method of measuring AC voltage as a DC voltage, that is, a digital value, based on the principle that the electrical energy consumed by the resistance of a DC circuit is the same as the electrical energy consumed by an AC circuit with the same resistance. Generally, the effective value of AC voltage (V rms ) is the maximum value of AC voltage (Vm ) can be calculated as shown in the following Equation 1.

[0050] [Formula 1] JPEG2026503831000004.jpg1565

[0051] Referring again to FIG. 2, the data processor 250 calculates the forward RF voltage (V F ) and reverse RF voltage (V R The device may further include a digital signal processing (DSP) module 252 that calculates skin impedance and RF energy efficiency using the IR spectrum analyzer.

[0052] The skin impedance calculation in this specification is based on the SOL (Short Open Load) calibration algorithm used in a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA).

[0053] Specifically, a method for calculating skin impedance using the SOL calibration algorithm is as follows. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the measurement unit 230 can be realized as a vector network analyzer. Alternatively, the measurement unit 230 and the control unit 240 can be realized as a vector network analyzer.

[0054] The forward voltage measured at the Coupled Forward port 301 in FIG. 3 can be defined as X, the reverse voltage measured at the Coupled Reverse port 302 as Y, and the impedance of the skin corresponding to the load as Z.

[0055] Before measuring the skin impedance, the measurement error of the vector network analyzer can be calibrated by changing the load to a first load, a second load, and a third load that operate in open, short, and load modes in the frequency band.

[0056] In this regard, the forward voltage X1 and reverse voltage Y1 can be measured in an open circuit where the Load value is set to Open, the forward voltage X2 and reverse voltage Y2 can be measured in a short circuit where the Load value is set to Short, and the forward voltage X3 and reverse voltage Y3 can be measured in a circuit where the Load value is set to a rated load of 50 Ω.

[0057] Next, the DSP module 252 calculates the forward voltage (V F ), reverse voltage (V R ), that is, when the load including the user's skin tissue is connected, the forward voltage (V F ) and reverse voltage (V R ) can be measured.

[0058] In this regard, the skin impedance Z can be calculated after calibrating the vector network analyzer using the forward voltages X1 to X3 and the reverse voltages Y1 to Y3 measured by the above-mentioned method.

[0059] Referring to Figure 3, the forward voltage (V F ), reverse voltage (V R ) is measured. Meanwhile, the load impedance at the load point connected to the output point of the vector network analyzer corresponds to the skin impedance Z. Therefore, if the vector network analyzer is considered as a transmission line, the skin impedance Z at the output point of the transmission line is calculated as the forward voltage (V F ), reverse voltage (V R ) can be calculated using the following formula 2.

[0060] [Formula 2] JPEG2026503831000005.jpg2040

[0061] In this regard, Z0 can be set to 50 Ω with the Load value corresponding to the rated load. Fcorresponds to the forward voltage measured at the Coupled Forward port 301, and V R corresponds to the reverse voltage measured at the Coupled Reverse port 302.

[0062] And the measured forward voltage (V F ), reverse voltage (V R ) and the skin impedance Z calculated by Equation 2, the forward RF power (P F ), and the reverse RF power (P R ) can be calculated using the following Equation 3.

[0063] [Formula 3] JPEG2026503831000006.jpg4233

[0064] Next, the DSP module 252 calculates the forward RF power (P F ) and reverse RF power (P R ), RF energy efficiency (RF Output Power Efficiency) can be calculated using the following Equation 4.

[0065] [Formula 4] JPEG2026503831000007.jpg1589

[0066] 2 and 3, the data processor 250 calculates the skin impedance (Z) and the RF energy efficiency (P R / P F In this regard, the data processing unit 250 can calibrate the measurement error by changing the load of the measuring unit 230 to a first load, a second load, and a third load that operate in an open, short, and load state. The data processing unit 250 calculates the forward voltage (V F ), reverse voltage (V R ) based on the skin impedance (Z) JPEG2026503831000008.jpg14170 The data processing unit 250 calculates the forward voltage (V F ) and reverse voltage (V R ) based on RF energy efficiency (P R / P F )of JPEG2026503831000009.jpg17170 Here, Z0 is the load value corresponding to the rated load, which is 50 Ω, and P F and P R are the forward and reverse RF powers.

[0067] Therefore, the method for calculating skin impedance according to the present invention can calculate the forward voltage (V) at the input point of the measuring unit without complicated calculation processes. F ) and reverse voltage (V R ), it has the advantage of being able to perform a quick and accurate calculation as shown in Equation 2. In particular, after calibrating the measurement error of the measurement system using the first to third loads, namely, Open, Short, and Load, which have a standard configuration, it is possible to quickly and accurately calculate the skin impedance.

[0068] In addition, regardless of the length error from the needle penetrating the skin to the input point of the measurement part, the forward voltage (V F ), reverse voltage (V R ) based on which the skin impedance can be calculated.

[0069] FIG. 4 illustrates a graph for the change in skin impedance and RF energy efficiency over time.

[0070] In a skin treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, changes in skin impedance and RF energy efficiency over time can be measured for each RF energy output time, i.e., pulse duration (e.g., 120 ms). The measured changes in skin impedance and RF energy efficiency can be output in real time on a display unit provided in the skin treatment device.

[0071] This allows the user of the RF treatment device to monitor the skin impedance characteristics, which vary from user to user, in real time and control the output of RF energy, i.e., by adjusting the output time of RF energy or the magnitude of the voltage of RF energy, RF energy can be irradiated quantitatively to suit the user's skin impedance.

[0072] Meanwhile, the skin impedance and RF energy efficiency calculated in real time by the above-described method may be stored in real time in a memory (not shown) further included in the skin treatment device. Furthermore, the skin impedance characteristics of each user can be determined based on the skin impedance and RF energy efficiency of each user stored in the memory, which may be useful for quantitatively irradiating RF energy suitable for the user's skin impedance characteristics.

[0073] Furthermore, although not shown, the temperature change inside the user's skin can be monitored in real time based on the skin impedance and RF energy efficiency calculated in the above-described manner.

[0074] 2 again, the RF control unit 260 of the skin treatment device according to the embodiment of the present invention can control the output of RF energy output from the RF generation unit 210 based on the calculated skin impedance and RF energy efficiency. That is, the RF control unit 260 can automatically control the output parameters of the RF energy output from the RF generation unit 210 according to preset conditions in accordance with the skin impedance and RF energy efficiency that are calculated differently for each user.

[0075] For example, if the calculated RF energy efficiency is lower than a preset threshold, the RF energy output time or the RF energy voltage magnitude may be increased by a preset value. Also, if the calculated RF energy efficiency is higher than the preset threshold, the RF energy output time or the RF energy voltage magnitude may be decreased by a preset value. Furthermore, if the change in RF energy efficiency increases or decreases rapidly, the RF energy output may be cut off, but is not limited to this.

[0076] Hereinafter, the basic operation of the skin treatment device will be described with reference to FIG.

[0077] First, the skin treatment device according to the embodiment of the present invention outputs RF energy through the RF generator (S501).

[0078] The RF energy output from the RF generator can be adjusted to change output parameters such as the voltage magnitude and output time of the RF energy, and can be transmitted to the user's skin tissue through electrodes connected to an RF transmission line.

[0079] Next, the skin treatment device according to the embodiment of the present invention measures the forward RF voltage due to the RF energy output from the RF generating unit and the reverse RF voltage due to the RF energy reflected back to the RF generating unit (S502).

[0080] The measuring unit included in the skin treatment device is connected to an RF transmission line between the RF generator and the electrode, and can measure a forward RF voltage due to forward RF energy output from the RF generator, and can also measure a reverse RF voltage due to RF energy reflected from a load including the user's skin tissue.

[0081] A measuring unit according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a directional power coupler module to measure forward and reverse RF voltages, respectively. A directional power coupler is generally a module that can be used in a circuit that measures impedance mismatches in RF transmission lines, and has a forward transmission path and a coupling transmission path. This configuration makes it possible to measure both the voltage due to forward RF energy from an RF source to a load (forward voltage) and the voltage due to reverse RF energy reflected back from the load to the source (reverse voltage).

[0082] Next, the skin treatment device according to the embodiment of the present invention calculates the skin impedance and RF output power efficiency based on the measured forward RF voltage and reverse RF voltage (S503).

[0083] The forward RF voltage and reverse RF voltage measured by the directional power coupler of the measuring unit may be alternating current (AC) signals. Thus, the forward RF voltage and reverse RF voltage measured as AC signals can be sampled as digital signals via first and second analog-to-digital converter modules and calculated as effective values. The effective value refers to a value obtained by measuring an AC voltage as a DC voltage, i.e., a digital value, based on the principle that the electrical energy consumed by the resistance of a DC circuit is the same as the electrical energy consumed by an AC circuit with the same resistance. The forward RF voltage and reverse RF voltage measured as effective values ​​can be calculated as skin impedance and RF energy efficiency by a digital signal processing module included in the control unit.

[0084] A digital signal processing (DSP) module according to an embodiment of the present invention can calculate skin impedance based on a Short Open Load (SOL) calibration algorithm used in a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA).

[0085] Specifically, the method for calculating skin impedance using the SOL calibration algorithm is as follows.

[0086] First, before measuring the skin impedance, the measurement error of the vector network analyzer can be calibrated by changing the load to a first load, a second load, and a third load that operate in open, short, and load modes in the frequency band.

[0087] In this regard, the forward voltage X1 and reverse voltage Y1 can be measured in an open circuit where the Load value is set to Open, the forward voltage X2 and reverse voltage Y2 can be measured in a short circuit where the Load value is set to Short, and the forward voltage X3 and reverse voltage Y3 can be measured in a circuit where the Load value is set to a rated load of 50 Ω.

[0088] Next, the forward voltage (V F ), reverse voltage (V R ), that is, when the load including the user's skin tissue is connected, the forward voltage (V F ) and reverse voltage (V R In this regard, the skin impedance Z can be calculated after calibrating the vector network analyzer using the forward voltages X1 to X3 and reverse voltages Y1 to Y3 measured by the above-mentioned method.

[0089] The DSP module according to an embodiment of the present invention also measures the forward voltage (V F ) and reverse voltage (V R ) and the calculated skin impedance Z, the forward RF power (P F ), and the reverse RF power (P R ) can be calculated. The DSP module also calculates the forward RF power (P F ) and reverse RF power (P R ) to calculate the RF energy efficiency (P R / P F )of JPEG2026503831000010.jpg17170 It can be calculated using

[0090] Next, the skin treatment device according to the embodiment of the present invention controls the output parameters of RF energy based on the calculated skin impedance and RF energy efficiency (S504). Specifically, the control unit can adjust the output parameters, including the voltage magnitude and output time of RF energy, based on the calculated skin impedance and RF energy efficiency.

[0091] The present disclosure described above can be realized as computer-readable code on a medium having a program recorded thereon. Computer-readable media include all types of storage devices that store data readable by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable media include hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state disks (SSDs), silicon disk drives (SDDs), ROMs, RAMs, CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices. The computer may also include a control unit for a skin treatment device.

[0092] Therefore, the above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in all respects, but should be considered as illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. an RF generating unit that generates RF energy; an electrode for transmitting the RF energy to the skin tissue of a user; a measurement unit for measuring a forward RF voltage due to the RF energy and a reverse RF voltage due to the RF energy reflected toward the RF generating unit; calculating the user's skin impedance and RF energy efficiency based on the measured forward RF voltage and reverse RF voltage; a control unit that controls an output of the RF generating unit based on the calculated skin impedance and RF energy efficiency.

2. The control unit a data processing unit that calculates the user's skin impedance and RF energy efficiency based on the measured forward RF voltage and reverse RF voltage; The skin treatment device of claim 1 , further comprising an RF control unit that controls an output parameter of the RF energy based on the calculated skin impedance and RF energy efficiency.

3. The measurement unit connected to an RF transmission line that transmits RF energy output from the RF generator to the electrode; The skin treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein a forward RF voltage due to RF energy output from the RF generator and a reverse RF voltage due to RF energy reflected from a load including the user's skin tissue are measured.

4. The measurement unit 4. The skin treatment device of claim 3, including a Directional Power Coupler module.

5. The measurement unit The skin treatment device of claim 3 , wherein the forward RF voltage and the reverse RF voltage are each measured as an effective voltage value.

6. The data processing unit a first analog-to-digital converter and a second analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the forward RF voltage and the reverse RF voltage measured by the measuring unit into digital signal values, respectively; The skin treatment device of claim 2 , further comprising a digital processing module that calculates skin impedance and RF energy efficiency based on the converted forward and reverse RF voltages.

7. The data processing unit calibrating a measurement error by changing the load of the measurement unit to a first load, a second load, and a third load that operate in an open, short, and load state; The forward voltage (V Ｆ ) and reverse voltage (V Ｒ ) based on the skin impedance (Z) The forward voltage (V Ｆ ) and reverse voltage (V Ｒ ), the RF energy efficiency (P Ｒ / P Ｆ )of Calculate it as follows: Here, Z ０ is the load value corresponding to the rated load, which is 50Ω, and P Ｆ and P Ｒ 7. The skin treatment device of claim 6, wherein is forward RF power and reverse RF power.

8. The data processing unit The skin treatment device according to claim 7 , further comprising: a temperature change amount inside the skin tissue of the user for each output level of the RF energy calculated based on the calculated skin impedance.

9. The control unit controlling an output parameter of the RF energy based on one or more of the calculated skin impedance, RF energy efficiency, and temperature change amount inside the skin tissue; The RF energy output parameters are: The skin treatment device of claim 8 , wherein the RF energy is at least one of a voltage magnitude and an output time.

10. Further including a display unit, The skin treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the calculated skin impedance and RF energy efficiency of the user is output to the display unit.

11. generating RF energy; measuring a forward RF voltage due to the RF energy and a reverse RF voltage due to the RF energy reflected toward the RF generator; calculating a user's skin impedance and RF energy efficiency based on the measured forward RF voltage and reverse RF voltage; and controlling an output of the RF generator based on the calculated skin impedance and RF energy efficiency.

Images