Ultrasonic Focus Point Movement Cartridge and Ultrasonic Treatment Device Including the Same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic focal point moving cartridge. The ultrasonic focal point moving cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by including a drive gear rotatably installed around a first axis, a driven gear that receives a rotational force from the drive gear and rotates around a second axis parallel to the first axis while moving horizontally along the second axis, and an ultrasonic irradiating moving body that moves horizontally together with the driven gear and moves vertically in a direction perpendicular to the first axis or the second axis. This allows the ultrasonic focal point to be stably moved in the horizontal and vertical directions, improving the efficiency of the treatment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic focusing point movement cartridge, and more particularly, to an ultrasonic focusing point movement cartridge that enables the movement of an ultrasonic focusing point in an ultrasonic treatment device used for skin beauty.

Background Art

[0002] With the increasing interest in appearance, the market for skin beauty devices is growing. In particular, invasive methods are less safe and more rejected by patients, so non-invasive methods are in the spotlight. Among non-invasive methods, skin beauty devices using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) have been developed. Skin beauty devices using high-intensity focused ultrasound focus high-intensity ultrasound on specific locations within the human skin and cause thermal damage to the focused areas. Such thermal damage can lead to the synthesis of new collagen fibers in the skin, thereby improving skin elasticity and reducing wrinkles. Skin beauty devices using high-intensity focused ultrasound are safe for the skin and have been recognized for their high skin improvement effect.

[0003] On the other hand, the skin layer is composed of an epidermis layer, a dermis layer, a subcutaneous fat layer, and a fascia layer (SMAS: Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System) in order from the outside. In order to enhance the effect of skin improvement, it is necessary to irradiate the focused ultrasound uniformly on such skin layers. Also, in order to obtain a uniform skin improvement effect, it is necessary to irradiate the focused ultrasound uniformly over the entire skin surface.

[0004] However, in order to irradiate the focused ultrasound uniformly on the skin surface, there has been an inconvenience that the operator has to operate the device to move the depth of the ultrasonic focusing point or the operator has to directly move the ultrasonic treatment device along the skin surface.

[0005] Even if the ultrasonic focusing point automatically moves in the horizontal direction and / or the vertical direction with respect to the user's skin surface, due to the unstable mechanical structure of the device for such movement, vibration and noise are generated, and there is a problem that the durability of the device is reduced.

[0006] On the other hand, the above-mentioned prior art is technical information that the inventor possessed for the derivation of the present disclosure or obtained during the derivation process of the present disclosure, and it cannot necessarily be said to be publicly known technology generally disclosed before the filing of the present disclosure.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge that enables stable movement of the ultrasonic focusing point in the horizontal and vertical directions, thereby improving the efficiency of the treatment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a drive gear rotatably provided about a first axis, a driven gear that is transmitted a rotational force from the drive gear and rotates about a second axis parallel to the first axis and simultaneously moves horizontally along the second axis, and an ultrasonic irradiation moving body that moves horizontally together with the driven gear and moves vertically in a direction perpendicular to the first axis or the second axis.

[0009] The driven gear can move along a lead screw fixed along the second axis.

[0010] The driven gear includes a cam portion eccentric with respect to the second axis, and the ultrasonic irradiation moving body may include a push rod that abuts against the cam portion.

[0011] The driven gear and the ultrasonic irradiation moving body may each include a groove and a protrusion, or a protrusion and a groove corresponding to each other for the horizontal movement of the ultrasonic irradiation moving body.

[0012] The ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge further includes a carriage, and the carriage is provided so as not to be movable in the vertical direction and can guide the horizontal movement and the vertical movement of the ultrasonic irradiation moving body.

[0013] Elastic means for applying an elastic force may be provided between the ultrasonic irradiation moving body and the carriage so that the ultrasonic irradiation moving body is in close contact with the cam portion of the driven gear.

[0014] An ultrasonic treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized by including the ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the ultrasonic focusing point can be moved in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, the efficiency of the treatment can be improved.

[0016] In addition, when the ultrasonic treatment device is in operation, when the ultrasonic focusing point moves in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, the generation of vibration and noise can be effectively reduced, and the durability of the device can be improved.

[0017] In addition, the effects obtained or predicted by the embodiments of the present invention are directly or implicitly disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention. That is, various effects predicted by the embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the following detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

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Figure 2

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Figure 8

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Prior to this, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace these at the time of this application.

[0021] For the sake of clarity in explaining the present invention, descriptions of parts not related to the explanation are omitted, and the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0022] The sizes and thicknesses of the respective components shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for the convenience and clarity of the explanation. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is shown in the drawings.

[0023] Throughout the specification, when a certain part describes a certain component as "including", this means that, unless otherwise specified, it does not exclude other components and may further include other components.

[0024] In addition, terms such as "… unit", "… means", "… part", "… member", "… module" described in the specification mean a comprehensive structural unit that performs at least one function or operation.

[0025] In addition, terms such as "horizontal" or similar terms described in the specification mean a direction substantially parallel to the user's skin surface when the ultrasonic treatment device according to the present invention is used, and terms such as "vertical" or similar terms mean a direction substantially perpendicular to the user's skin surface when the ultrasonic treatment device according to the present invention is used.

[0026] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an ultrasonic treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1.

[0028] An ultrasonic treatment device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a handpiece 100 and an ultrasonic focus movement cartridge 200.

[0029] The handpiece 100 may include a controller 110, a power amplifier 120, a motor 130, a battery 140, and a handpiece housing 150.

[0030] The controller 110 transmits an operation command of a power switch (not shown) to the power amplifier 120. The power amplifier 120 outputs a high frequency and transmits it to the cartridge board 211. The cartridge board 211 can generate a high frequency for driving the ultrasonic transducer. The generated high frequency can be converted into ultrasonic waves by the cartridge board 211 and the ultrasonic transducer 213 and output.

[0031] The motor 130 generates a driving force. The driving force generated by the motor 130 is transmitted to the ultrasonic focus movement cartridge 200 and used for moving the ultrasonic focus.

[0032] The power required for the power amplifier 120 and the motor 130 can be supplied by the battery 140. The controller 110, the power amplifier 120, the motor 130, and the battery 140 may be disposed within the handpiece housing 150.

[0033] On the other hand, the ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge 200 may include a cartridge bracket 221, a cartridge housing 223, and a film portion 225. The cartridge bracket 221 may be provided with components for horizontal and vertical movement of the ultrasonic focusing point, and the components may be disposed within the cartridge housing 223. The cartridge housing 223 may be provided with a film portion 225 for irradiating ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic waves may be irradiated outside the ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge through the film portion 225 and used for skin beauty of the user.

[0034] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, an ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the cartridge housing 223 is removed. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a driven gear according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] An ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a drive gear 230, a driven gear 240, and an ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250.

[0037] The drive gear 230 may be rotatably provided about a virtual first axis X1. In one aspect, the cartridge bracket 221 may include two wall portions 221a, and the drive gear 230 may be rotatably provided on the two wall portions 221a of the cartridge bracket 221. The drive gear 230 may be rotated by receiving a driving force from the motor 130 described above.

[0038] The driven gear 240 is transmitted with a rotational force from the drive gear 230 and rotates about the virtual second axis X2, and at the same time, can move horizontally along the second axis X2. The second axis X2 may be an axis parallel to the first axis X1.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the driven gear 240 can move horizontally along a lead screw 260 fixed along the second axis X2. The lead screw 260 can be provided on two wall portions 221a of the cartridge bracket 221 and fixedly installed non-rotatably.

[0040] In one aspect, threads corresponding to the threads on the outer diameter of the lead screw 260 may be provided on the inner diameter of the driven gear 240. Thereby, the driven gear 240 can rotate and at the same time move horizontally along the lead screw 260.

[0041] The ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250 moves horizontally together with the driven gear 240 and can move vertically in a direction perpendicular to the virtual first axis X1 or the second axis X2.

[0042] In one aspect, the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250 may include a push rod 251 and an ultrasonic transducer holder 253. The push rod 251 and the ultrasonic transducer holder 253 can be coupled by a fixing bolt 255. By providing the push rod 251 and the ultrasonic transducer holder 253 as separate parts, a carriage 270 can be interposed between the push rod 251 and the ultrasonic transducer holder 253. That is, after the carriage 270 is interposed between the push rod 251 and the ultrasonic transducer holder 253, the push rod 251 and the ultrasonic transducer holder 253 can be assembled. Thereby, the assemblability of the push rod 251, the ultrasonic transducer holder 253, and the carriage 270 can be improved.

[0043] On the other hand, an ultrasonic transducer 213 can be coupled to the ultrasonic transducer holder 253.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the driven gear 240 may include a cam portion 241 eccentric with respect to the second axis X2.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 6, a cam portion 241 may be provided on one side of the driven gear 240, and the cam portion 241 may be provided eccentrically with respect to the second axis X2 which is the rotation axis of the driven gear 240. In one aspect, the cam portion 241 is circular about the third axis X3 and may rotate about the second axis X2 instead of the third axis X3.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6, the shape of the cam portion 241 viewed from the direction of the second axis X2 may be circular, but is not limited thereto. The cam portion 241 may have a shape such as an ellipse or a polygon. When the driven gear 240 rotates about the second axis X2, the cam portion 241 also rotates about the second axis X2. Referring to FIG. 6, the cam portion 241 of the ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge 200 according to the present invention can be designed to have a relatively small width, and the volume and mass of the cam portion 241 can also be designed to be relatively small. Thereby, compared with the case where the volume and mass of the eccentrically rotating cam portion 241 are large, the vibration and noise generated during operation can be effectively reduced, and the durability of the device can be improved.

[0047] The ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250 may include a push rod 251 that abuts against the cam portion 241 of the driven gear 240.

[0048] The push rod 251 is vertically movable at a predetermined position and may be provided to abut against the cam portion 241 of the driven gear 240. Thereby, when the cam portion 241 rotates, the push rod 251 moves in the vertical direction. In other words, the push rod 251 reciprocates in the vertical direction due to the rotation of the cam portion 241.

[0049] As a result, the ultrasonic transducer holder 253 coupled to the push rod 251, the ultrasonic transducer 213 coupled to the ultrasonic transducer holder 253, and the focusing point of the ultrasonic waves irradiated by the ultrasonic transducer 213 also move in the vertical direction or reciprocate in the vertical direction.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the driven gear 240 and the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250 may have grooves and protrusions, or protrusions and grooves corresponding to each other for the horizontal movement of the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 5, the driven gear 240 may be provided with a groove 243, and the push rod 251 may be provided with a protrusion 251a. The protrusion 251a of the push rod 251 may be inserted into the groove 243 of the driven gear 240.

[0052] As a result, when the driven gear 240 moves horizontally along the second axis X2, the push rod 251 also moves horizontally, and accordingly, the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250 may also move horizontally. Then, the ultrasonic transducer 213 coupled to the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250 and the focusing point of the ultrasonic waves irradiated by the ultrasonic transducer 213 may also move horizontally.

[0053] On the other hand, different from that shown in FIG. 5, the driven gear 240 may be provided with a protrusion, and the push rod 251 of the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250 may be provided with a groove.

[0054] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge 200 may be provided so as not to be movable in the vertical direction, and may further include a carriage 270 that guides the horizontal movement and the vertical movement of the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, a horizontal guide pin 221b can be provided along the horizontal direction between the two wall portions 221a of the cartridge bracket 221. The horizontal direction may be a direction parallel to the first axis X1 or the second axis X2. Further, a horizontal guide hole 271 may be provided in the carriage 270 in the horizontal direction. The horizontal guide pin 221b passes through the horizontal guide hole 271 of the carriage 270, whereby the horizontal movement of the carriage 270 can be guided. Then, the horizontal movement of the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250 that moves horizontally together with the carriage 270 can also be guided.

[0056] In one aspect, a vertical guide hole 273 may be provided in the carriage 270 in the vertical direction. Further, a vertical guide pin 253a may be provided on the ultrasonic transducer holder 253 of the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250. The vertical guide pin 253a of the ultrasonic transducer holder 253 is inserted into the vertical guide hole 273 of the carriage 270, whereby the vertical movement of the ultrasonic transducer holder 253 is guided and at the same time, the vertical movement of the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250 can be guided.

[0057] On the other hand, for the vertical movement of the ultrasonic focusing point, only the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250 may move vertically, and the carriage 270 may be provided so as not to be able to move in the vertical direction. Since the carriage 270 having a relatively large volume and mass does not move vertically, vibration and noise can be reduced and the durability of the device can be improved. In particular, in the present invention, since the vertical movement reciprocates over a very short distance, vibration and noise may be generated largely. However, by restricting the vertical movement of the carriage 270, the generation of the vibration and noise can be effectively prevented and the durability of the device can also be improved.

[0058] According to an embodiment of the present invention, elastic means for applying an elastic force may be provided between the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250 and the carriage 270 so that the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250 is in close contact with the cam portion 241 of the driven gear 240.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, elastic means may be provided between the push rod 251 and the carriage 270, and the elastic means may be a coil spring 257. The coil spring 257 applies an elastic force to push the push rod 251 so that the push rod 251 is in close contact with the cam portion 241.

[0060] On the other hand, different from that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the elastic means may be provided between the ultrasonic transducer holder 253 and the carriage 270. In such a case, the elastic means pulls the ultrasonic transducer holder 253 toward the carriage 270, whereby the push rod 251 can be in close contact with the cam portion 241.

[0061] When the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250 is in close contact with the cam portion 241, due to the rotation of the cam portion 241, the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250 can move vertically smoothly.

[0062] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 7, the horizontal movement of the ultrasonic focusing point will be described.

[0063] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the horizontal movement of the ultrasonic focusing point, and FIGS. 7(a), 7(b), and 7(c) show the state in which the ultrasonic focusing point moves horizontally in this order. In the drawing, the state in which the ultrasonic focusing point moves from right to left is shown.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 7, the driving force of the motor 130 is transmitted to the drive gear 230, and the drive gear 230 can rotate in one direction about a virtual first axis X1 by being transmitted with the driving force.

[0065] When the drive gear 230 rotates, the driven gear 240 can rotate in the other direction about a virtual second axis X2 due to the meshing of the gears. The second axis X2 may be an axis parallel to the first axis X1. The other direction may be the reverse direction of the one direction.

[0066] When the driven gear 240 rotates, it simultaneously moves horizontally along the lead screw 260. The lead screw 260 is provided along the second axis X2 and is fixedly installed so as not to rotate.

[0067] When the driven gear 240 moves horizontally, the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250 can also move horizontally together. Then, the ultrasonic transducer 213 also moves horizontally together with the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250, and thereby, the focusing point SP of the ultrasonic waves irradiated by the ultrasonic transducer 213 also moves horizontally together.

[0068] On the other hand, when the driven gear 240 moves horizontally and reaches the left end or the right end, a sensor (not shown) for detecting this may be provided. The sensor may be an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, a Hall sensor, etc. that detect the position of the driven gear 240 and / or the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250. When the sensor detects that the driven gear 240 or the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250 has arrived at a predetermined position at the left end or the right end, the motor 130 can rotate in a direction opposite to the existing rotation direction. Thereby, the driven gear 240 can move horizontally to the right or the left, which is the opposite direction to the left end or the right end.

[0069] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8, the vertical movement of the ultrasonic focusing point will be described.

[0070] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the vertical movement of the ultrasonic focusing point, and shows a state in which the ultrasonic focusing point vertically moves as the driven gear 240 rotates clockwise in the order of (a), (b), (c), and (d) in FIG. 7.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 8, the driving force of the motor 130 is transmitted to the drive gear 230, and the drive gear 230 rotates in one direction about the virtual first axis X1 while being transmitted with the driving force.

[0072] When the drive gear 230 rotates, the driven gear 240 rotates in the other direction about the virtual second axis X2 due to the gear engagement. The second axis X2 may be an axis parallel to the first axis X1. The other direction may be the reverse direction of the one direction. When the driven gear 240 rotates, the cam portion 241 eccentric with respect to the second axis X2 also rotates together.

[0073] Then, the push rod 251 that abuts against the cam portion 241 and is provided to be vertically movable at a predetermined position also moves vertically. When the driven gear 240 rotates clockwise in the order of (a), (b), (c), and (d) in FIG. 8, the cam portion 241 also rotates clockwise. As a result, the push rod 251 moves vertically in the order of the uppermost point, the middle point, the lowermost point, and the middle point. Then, the ultrasonic transducer 213 provided to move vertically together with the push rod 251 and the focusing point SP of the ultrasonic wave irradiated thereby also move vertically in the same order as above.

[0074] On the other hand, as described above, the carriage 270 that guides the vertical movement of the ultrasonic irradiation moving body 250 may be provided so as not to be movable in the vertical direction. Referring to FIG. 8, the carriage 270 can move horizontally along the horizontal guide pin 221b, but is provided so as not to be movable vertically. Since the carriage 270 having a relatively large volume and mass does not move vertically, vibration and noise can be reduced. In particular, in the present invention, since the vertical movement reciprocates over a very short distance, vibration and noise may be generated largely. However, by restricting the vertical movement of the carriage 270, the generation of the vibration and noise can be effectively reduced, and the durability of the device can also be improved.

[0075] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the limited embodiments and the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations are possible within the equivalent scope of the technical idea and the claims of the present invention by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains.

Claims

1. A drive gear rotatably provided about a first axis, A driven gear that is transmitted a rotational force from the drive gear and rotates about a second axis parallel to the first axis and simultaneously moves horizontally along the second axis, An ultrasonic irradiation moving body that moves horizontally together with the driven gear and moves vertically in a direction perpendicular to the first axis or the second axis, An ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge including the above.

2. The driven gear, The ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge according to claim 1, which moves along a lead screw fixed along the second axis.

3. The driven gear, Includes a cam portion eccentric with respect to the second axis, The ultrasonic irradiation moving body, The ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge according to claim 1, including a push rod that abuts against the cam portion.

4. The driven gear and the ultrasonic irradiation moving body each, The ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge according to claim 1, comprising corresponding grooves and protrusions, or protrusions and grooves, for the horizontal movement of the ultrasonic irradiation moving body.

5. The ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge further includes a carriage, The carriage, Is provided so as not to be movable in the vertical direction, and guides the horizontal and vertical movements of the ultrasonic irradiation moving body. The ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge according to claim 1.

6. Between the ultrasonic irradiation moving body and the carriage, The ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge according to claim 5, characterized in that elastic means for applying an elastic force is provided so that the ultrasonic irradiation moving body is in close contact with the cam portion of the driven gear.

7. An ultrasonic treatment apparatus including the ultrasonic focusing point moving cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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