Electronic device that emits an emulsion and method of operating the same

Abstract

An example electronic device includes a cartridge storage section that stores a cartridge containing an emulsion therein, a crushing circuit including a crushing element that can crush at least a portion of the cartridge placed in the cartridge storage section, a microneedle that releases the emulsion exposed by crushing at least a portion of the cartridge to the outside of the electronic device, a processor that generates a crushing signal, and a transmission circuit that transmits the crushing signal to the crushing circuit, and the crushing circuit further includes an infrared lamp that emits infrared (IR) rays, and the processor generates a lamp signal that controls the infrared lamp.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following embodiments relate to a technique for discharging an emulsion through an electronic device, and more specifically, to an electronic device attached to a user's skin.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, the demand for electronic cigarettes has been gradually increasing. Further, due to the increasing demand for electronic cigarettes, functions related to electronic cigarettes have been continuously developed. In particular, related functions depending on the type and characteristics of electronic cigarettes have been continuously developed.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] An electronic device for discharging an emulsion through a microneedle according to an embodiment includes a cartridge housing unit that houses a cartridge containing the emulsion therein, a crushing circuit including a crushing element that can crush at least a part of the cartridge disposed in the cartridge housing unit, a microneedle that discharges the emulsion exposed by crushing at least a part of the cartridge to the outside of the electronic device, a processor that generates a crushing signal, and a transmission circuit that transmits the crushing signal to the crushing circuit. The crushing circuit further includes an infrared (IR) lamp that emits infrared rays, and the processor generates a lamp signal for controlling the infrared lamp.

[0004] The crushing element is formed on the substrate so as to penetrate the substrate of the crushing circuit, and the crushing element can form bumps on the second surface of the substrate while forming a closed circuit with a first transmission element and a second transmission element of the transmission circuit on the first surface of the substrate.

[0005] The material of the crushing element includes a material that generates heat by the crushing signal, and at least a part of the cartridge can be crushed by the heat generated by the crushing element.

[0006] The material of the crushing element may be a metal having a specific resistance.

[0007] At least a part of the cartridge crushed by the heat may be a thin film cell.

[0008] The crushing circuit may further include an elastic element provided between the lower surface of the substrate of the crushing circuit and the cartridge.

[0009] The crushing circuit further includes an emulsion discharge element attached to the elastic element, and the elastic element and the emulsion discharge element can move the emulsion in the direction of the microneedle when at least a part of the cartridge is crushed by the crushing element.

[0010] The electronic device may further include an indicator indicating the amount of the emulsion discharged.

[0011] The electronic device may further include a button for receiving the amount of the emulsion discharged from the user.

[0012] When the cartridge includes a plurality of blocks each containing an emulsion, the processor can generate the crushing signal for crushing the first block among the plurality of blocks.

[0013] The crushing circuit includes a plurality of crushing elements, and each of the plurality of crushing elements corresponds to each of the plurality of blocks.

[0014] The IR lamp includes one or more IR lamps, and the processor can generate a first lamp signal for controlling a first IR lamp corresponding to the first block among the one or more IR lamps.

[0015] An electronic device that emits an emulsion via Mewtwo can include a cartridge housing portion that houses a cartridge containing the emulsion therein, a crushing circuit including a crushing element capable of crushing at least a part of the cartridge disposed in the cartridge housing portion, a Mewtwo that emits the emulsion exposed by crushing at least a part of the cartridge to the outside of the electronic device, a processor that generates a crushing signal, a transmission circuit that transmits the crushing signal to the crushing circuit, and a light transmission element through which infrared rays can pass from one side to the other side of the electronic device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] The specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments are disclosed for illustrative purposes only and can be changed into various forms. Therefore, the embodiments are not limited to the specific disclosed forms, and the scope of this specification includes changes, equivalents, or alternatives included in the technical idea.

[0018] Terms such as first or second may be used to describe a plurality of components, but such terms must be interpreted only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, the first component can be named the second component, and similarly, the second component can also be named the first component.

[0019] When it is mentioned that any component is "connected" or "coupled" to another component, it should be understood that it is directly connected or coupled to the other component, but there may be other components in between.

[0020] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly gives a different meaning. In this specification, terms such as "including" or "having" indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should not be understood as precluding the possibility of the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0021] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs. Commonly used predefined terms shall be construed to have a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art and shall not be construed in an idealized or overly formal sense unless clearly defined herein.

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing with reference to the drawings, the same components will be given the same reference numerals regardless of the reference signs, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an emulsion release system according to an example.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, the emulsion release system includes an electronic device 110 and an external device. For example, the external device may include a user terminal 120 (e.g., a smartphone) or a smokeless inhalation device 130 (e.g., an e-cigarette or an inhaler).

[0025] According to one embodiment, the electronic device 110 is attached to a part of the body of the user 101 and releases an emulsion (for example, a liquid-phase composition) onto or into the skin of the user 101. The emulsion released onto the skin of the user 101 may be absorbed into the body of the user 101 through the skin. For example, the emulsion may contain a drug component required for the user to treat the illness of the user 101. For example, the emulsion may contain various vitamin components and mineral components. For example, the emulsion may contain a component (for example, nicotine) for the symbol of the user 101. For example, the acidity of the emulsion may be a value that minimizes the irritation of the user (for example, between pH 7.0 and pH 8.0). When the pH of the emulsion is high, the basic emulsion irritates the skin. When the pH of the emulsion is low, the acidic emulsion irritates the skin. For example, the emulsion is a liquid-phase substance in which a water-soluble substance and a fat-soluble substance are mixed at a certain ratio together with a surfactant. The substances in the emulsion can be mixed so as to be uniformly dispersed in the form of nano-sized droplets. In the present disclosure, although the acidity of the emulsion is exemplified as being between pH 7.0 and pH 8.0, the acidity of the emulsion can be adjusted to a higher value or a lower value in consideration of the skin absorption rate, and thus is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

[0026] Hereinafter, the electronic device 110 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9.

[0027] According to an example, the electronic device 110 may be used alone. For example, the user 101 may directly input a control signal to the electronic device 110, and the electronic device 110 may control the operation of the electronic device 110 based on the control signal of the user 101.

[0028] According to an example, the electronic device 110 may establish a wireless communication connection with the user terminal 120 and receive a control signal from the user 101 via the user terminal 120.

[0029] According to one example, the electronic device 110 may establish a wireless communication connection with the smokeless inhalation device 130 and receive a control signal from the smokeless inhalation device 130. For example, when the user 101 uses the smokeless inhalation device 130, the smokeless inhalation device 130 may transmit a control signal corresponding to the user operation to the electronic device 110. The electronic device 110 that has received the control signal corresponding to the user operation may emit an emulsion to the user 101 based on the control signal.

[0030] Hereinafter, various embodiments in which the electronic device 110 receives user input will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 11.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the electronic device 200 (e.g., the electronic device 110 of FIG. 1) includes a user interface 210, a control unit 220, a crushing circuit 230, a cartridge housing unit 240, and a micro needle unit 250. The electronic device 200 may further include a fixing unit (e.g., a band, a sticker, or a layer) that provides a fixing force for attaching the electronic device 200 to a part of the user's body. The fixing unit may be of a flexible type to enhance skin adhesion. The material of the fixing unit may be a material that does not induce skin rash (e.g., a porous polymer material).

[0033] According to one embodiment, the user interface 210 includes a button 212 that can physically receive user input and an indicator 214 (e.g., an LED) that visually shows the state of the electronic device 200. For example, the button 212 receives the amount of emulsion released from the user. For example, the indicator 214 may indicate the amount of emulsion released. The user interface 210 may be disposed outside the housing of the electronic device 200.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the control unit 220 includes a battery 221, a communication unit 222, a processor 223, a memory 224, and a transmission circuit 225 that can supply power to the electronic device 200. For example, the control unit 220 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) that includes at least a part of the battery 221, the communication unit 222, the processor 223, the memory 224, and the transmission circuit 225.

[0035] The communication unit 222 is connected to the processor 223 and the memory 224 to transmit and receive data. The communication unit 222 can transmit and receive data via short-range wireless communication with another external device (for example, the user terminal 120 or the wireless inhalation device 130 in FIG. 1). Hereinafter, the expression of "transmitting and receiving 'A'" indicates transmitting and receiving "information or data indicating A".

[0036] The communication unit 222 can be realized as a circuit network within the control unit 220. For example, the communication unit 222 may include an internal bus and an external bus. As a different example, the communication unit 222 may be an element that connects the control unit 220 (or the electronic device 200) to an external device. The communication unit 222 may be an interface. The communication unit 222 receives data from an external device and transmits the data to the processor 223 and the memory 224.

[0037] Processor 223 processes the data received by communication unit 222 and the data stored in memory 224. A "processor" may be a data processing device implemented in hardware having a circuit with a physical structure for performing desired operations. For example, the desired operations include code or instructions included in a program. For example, a data processing device implemented in hardware may include a microprocessor, a central processing unit, a processor core, a multi-core processor, a multiprocessor, an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0038] Processor 223 executes computer-readable code (e.g., software) stored in a memory (e.g., memory 224) and instructions induced by processor 223.

[0039] Memory 224 stores the data received by communication unit 222 and the data processed by processor 223. For example, memory 224 may store a program (or an application, software). The stored program may be coded to control electronic device 200 and may be a set of syntax executable by processor 223.

[0040] According to one aspect, memory 224 may include one or more volatile memories, non-volatile memories, and RAM (Random Access Memory), flash memory, hard disk drives, and optical disk drives.

[0041] The memory 224 stores an instruction set (e.g., software) that operates the control unit 220. The instruction set that operates the control unit 220 is executed by the processor 223.

[0042] The transmission circuit 225 transmits a signal (e.g., a crushing signal) generated by the processor 223 to the crushing circuit 230. Hereinafter, the transmission circuit 225 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3A.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the crushing circuit 230 can crush at least a part of the cartridge in the cartridge housing portion 240 based on the crushing signal transmitted through the transmission circuit 225. For example, the crushing element of the crushing circuit 230 may generate heat due to the crushing signal, and at least a part of the cartridge may be crushed by the heat. An embodiment in which at least a part of the cartridge is crushed by the crushing element will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3B below.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the cartridge housing portion 240 can be configured to house the cartridge therein. For example, the cartridge housing portion 240 may be formed such that one side of the cartridge disposed within the cartridge housing portion 240 is in contact with the crushing element of the crushing circuit 230, and the other side of the cartridge is disposed in the direction of the following microneedle portion 250. For example, the cartridge may be composed of one or more blocks, and each block of the cartridge may be separately inserted into the cartridge housing portion 240. The cartridge or the block of the cartridge may be formed based on a thin film cell containing an emulsion therein. For example, the thin film cell of the cartridge may be manufactured based on a material (e.g., a polymer composite material or a biological material) that can be crushed by heat. The emulsion in one block of the cartridge contains an amount of substance corresponding to one stick of traditional rolled tobacco. The structure of the cartridge housing portion 240 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3B below.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the micro needle portion 250 includes a plurality of micro needles. The micro needles have a length that can reach the dermis layer when attached to the user's skin. For example, when the cartridge is crushed within the cartridge housing portion 240 and the emulsion within the cartridge is exposed to the outside, the emulsion is released to the user's dermis layer through the micro needle portion 250. The emulsion released to the dermis layer can be absorbed by the capillaries. The micro needle portion 250 can have a structure that closely adheres to the user's skin. Hereinafter, the structure of the micro needle portion 250 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

[0046] FIG. 3A shows the connection relationship of the transmission circuit and the crushing circuit according to one embodiment.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the transmission circuit 225 shown in FIG. 2 includes a substrate 310, wires 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316 passing through the substrate 310, and transmission elements 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326 respectively connected to the wires 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316. For example, the transmission elements 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326 may be BGAs (ball grid arrays). For example, a processor 223 may be located on the substrate 310, and the pins of the processor 223 may be connected to the wires 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the crushing circuit 230 shown in FIG. 2 includes a substrate 350 and crushing elements generated to pass through the substrate 350. The crushing elements include plates and bumps. For example, the first crushing element includes a first plate 351 and a first bump 361, the second crushing element includes a second plate 353 and a second bump 363, and the third crushing element includes a third plate 355 and a third bump 365. The plates are formed on the first surface of the substrate 350, and the bumps electrically connected to the plates may be formed on the second surface of the substrate 350.

[0049] According to one embodiment, when the transmission circuit 225 and the crushing circuit 230 are physically coupled, the first plate 351 of the first crushing element is electrically connected to the first transmission element 321 and the second transmission element 322 of the transmission circuit 225. For example, the first plate 351 of the first crushing element may form a first closed circuit 391 with the first transmission element 321 and the second transmission element 322 of the transmission circuit 225 on the first surface of the substrate 350. For example, the second plate 353 of the second crushing element may form a second closed circuit 393 with the third transmission element 323 and the fourth transmission element 324 of the transmission circuit 225 on the first surface of the substrate 350. For example, the third plate 355 of the third crushing element may form a third closed circuit 395 with the fifth transmission element 325 and the sixth transmission element 326 of the transmission circuit 225 on the first surface of the substrate 350.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the material of the first crushing element includes a material that generates heat by a signal supplied to the closed circuit. When power is supplied through the first closed circuit 391, the first crushing element acts as a resistor, and thus heat generation may occur in the first crushing element. For example, the material of the first crushing element may be a metal (e.g., copper) having a specific resistance.

[0051] FIG. 3B shows the connection relationship of a crushing circuit, a cartridge housing portion, and a microneedle portion according to an example.

[0052] According to one embodiment, a cartridge including a plurality of blocks can be inserted into the cartridge housing portion 240. For example, the first block 371 among the plurality of blocks may include a thin film cell containing an emulsion 372 inside. The components of the emulsions included in each of the plurality of blocks may all be the same or partially different.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the crushing circuit 230 may be disposed on the cartridge housing portion 240 with the cartridge inserted into the cartridge housing portion 240. For example, the crushing circuit 230 and the cartridge housing portion 240 may be coupled such that the bumps 361, 363, 365 of the crushing circuit 230 contact the thin film cells of the cartridge. Each of the plurality of crushing elements (e.g., bumps 361, 363, 365) corresponds to each of the plurality of blocks of the cartridge in terms of position.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the cartridge housing portion 240 and the micro needle portion 250 can be coupled. For example, when an emulsion is exposed within the cartridge housing portion 240, the cartridge housing portion 240 and the micro needle portion 250 may be coupled such that the emulsion is discharged to the outside through the micro needles. For example, the micro needle portion 250 includes a plurality of micro needles 381, 383, 385.

[0055] According to one embodiment, power can be supplied to the first crushing element or the first bump 361 through the first closed circuit 391 described above with reference to FIG. 3A. In this case, the first bump 361 generates heat, and the generated heat heats the first block 371 of the cartridge. When heat higher than the heat resistance limit is applied to the first block 371, the thin film cell of the first block 371 is crushed. When the thin film cell of the first block 371 is crushed, the emulsion 372 in the thin film cell can be discharged to the outside through the first micro needle 381 corresponding to the first block 371.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows the connection relationship between the crushing circuit including the elastic element according to an example and the cartridge within the cartridge housing portion.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the crushing circuit 230 described above with reference to FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B further includes an elastic element (e.g., the first elastic element 410) and an emulsion discharge element (e.g., the first emulsion discharge element 420) in addition to the plate (e.g., the first plate 351) and the bump (e.g., the first bump 361). The elastic element may be provided between one side (e.g., the lower surface) of the substrate 350 of the crushing circuit 230 and the cartridge (e.g., the first block 371). For example, the elastic element may be a spring. The emulsion discharge element may be attached to the elastic element. For example, the material of the emulsion discharge element may include a material with high thermal conductivity.

[0058] According to one embodiment, in the process of coupling the crushing circuit 230 and the cartridge housing portion 240, the first elastic element 410 and the first emulsion discharge element 420 may be compressed in the direction of the first bump 361 by the first block 371 in the cartridge housing portion 240. For example, when the crushing circuit 230 and the cartridge housing portion 240 are completely coupled, the first bump 361 and the first emulsion discharge element 420 come into contact with each other, and the upper portions of the first emulsion discharge element 420 and the first block 371 come into contact with each other.

[0059] According to one embodiment, when the first bump 361 generates heat, the generated heat heats the first emulsion discharge element 420. The first block 371 is crushed by the heated first emulsion discharge element 420, and thus, the emulsion 372 in the first block 371 may be discharged to the outside through the micro needles. When the first block 371 is crushed, the first elastic element 410 pushes the first emulsion discharge element 420 in the outer direction, and the movement of the first emulsion discharge element 420 may cause the emulsion 372 in the cartridge housing portion 240 to be discharged to the outside. That is, the first elastic element 410 and the first emulsion discharge element 420 can move the emulsion 372 in the direction of the micro needles when at least a part of the cartridge (e.g., the first block 371) is crushed by the first crushing element (e.g., the first bump 361).

[0060] According to one embodiment, when the first emulsion discharge element 420 fills the cross-section of the cartridge housing portion 240, leakage is prevented because the emulsion 372 does not flow in the direction of the first bump 361. Further, regardless of the position or orientation where the electronic device 200 is disposed, the emulsion 372 is pushed in the direction of the microneedle.

[0061] FIG. 5 shows a connection relationship between a cartridge housing portion and a microneedle portion according to an example.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the microneedle portion 510 (for example, the microneedle portion 250 in FIG. 2) includes a plurality of connection units provided between the cartridge housing portion 240 and a plurality of microneedles. For example, the length (or height) of each of the plurality of connection units may vary according to the position where it is disposed. For example, the outermost connection unit 511 may be the longest compared to the remaining connection units, and the central connection unit 512 may be the shortest. With the above structure, the microneedle portion 510 may have a concave shape on the inside. When the microneedle portion 510 has a concave shape on the inside, it can be easily adhered to the user's skin. For example, the plurality of connection units and the plurality of microneedles of the microneedle portion 510 are made of an elastic material and can be adhered to the user's skin.

[0063] FIG. 6 shows a crushing circuit including an infrared lamp according to an example.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the crushing circuit 230 described above with reference to FIG. 2 includes a substrate 600 and a crushing element generated to pass through the substrate 600. The crushing element includes a plate and a bump. For example, the first crushing element includes a first plate 611 and a first bump 612, and the second crushing element includes a second plate 631 and a second bump 632. The plate may be formed on the first surface of the substrate 600, and the bump electrically connected to the plate may be formed on the second surface of the substrate 600.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the crushing circuit 230 further includes a first electrode 621, a second electrode 622, and an IR lamp 623 that emits infrared (IR). The IR lamp 623 may be connected to the first electrode 621 and the second electrode 622. For example, the first electrode 621 and the second electrode 622 may be electrically connected to the third transmission element 323 and the fourth transmission element 324 of the transmission circuit 225 described above with reference to FIG. 3A. For example, the processor 223 supplies power to a closed circuit formed through the wires 313, 314, the third transmission element 323 and the fourth transmission element 324, the first electrode 621, the second electrode 622, and the IR lamp 623. When power is supplied to the closed circuit, the IR lamp 623 may emit IR. More specifically, the emitted IR may be NIR (near IR). When NIR irradiates the user's skin, the NIR can reach the dermis layer of the skin.

[0066] According to one embodiment, when the user's skin is irradiated with NIR, the absorption rate or absorption speed of the emulsion released onto the skin may increase. For example, heat may be generated in the skin by NIR, and the absorption rate or absorption speed of the emulsion may increase due to the generated heat. For example, the heat generated by NIR may cause the nanocapsules in the emulsion to be destroyed in the dermis layer, and the substances in the nanocapsules may be absorbed into the capillaries.

[0067] FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of an electronic device capable of transmitting external infrared rays in the direction of the user's skin according to an example.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the electronic device 700 (e.g., the electronic device 110 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 200 of FIG. 2) includes a main body portion 710 and a micro-needle portion 720. For example, the main body portion 710 includes a user interface 210, a control portion 220, a crushing circuit 230, and a cartridge accommodating portion 240.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the electronic device 700 includes a light transmission element 730 through which IR can pass from one side (e.g., the upper surface) to the other side (e.g., the lower surface) of the electronic device 700. For example, the light transmission element 730 may be in the form of a hole penetrating the main body 710 and the micro-needle part 720. For example, the light transmission element 730 is an element of a transparent material formed in the main body 710 and the micro-needle part 720.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the user can illuminate the IR emitted by the IR emission device 750 on one side of the electronic device 700. For example, the IR emission device 750 may be an electronic cigarette or an inhaler. The IR emitted by the IR emission device 750 reaches the other side of the electronic device 700 through the light transmission element 730 of the electronic device 700. When the electronic device 700 is attached to the user's skin and the user illuminates the IR on the upper surface of the electronic device 700 using the IR emission device 750, the emitted IR can reach the user's skin by reaching the lower surface of the electronic device 700.

[0071] FIG. 8 shows a crushing circuit including an ultrasonic vibrator according to an example.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the crushing circuit 230 described above with reference to FIG. 2 includes a substrate 800 and a crushing element generated to pass through the substrate 800. The crushing element includes a plate and a bump. For example, the first crushing element includes a first plate 811 and a first bump 812, and the second crushing element includes a second plate 831 and a second bump 832. The plate is formed on the first surface of the substrate 800, and the bump electrically connected to the plate may be formed on the second surface of the substrate 800.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the crushing circuit 230 further includes a first electrode 821, a second electrode 822, and a piezoelectric transducer 823 that emits ultrasonic waves or ultrasonic vibrations. The piezoelectric transducer 823 may be connected to the first electrode 821 and the second electrode 822. For example, the first electrode 821 and the second electrode 822 may be electrically connected to the third transmission element 323 and the fourth transmission element 324 of the transmission circuit 225 described above with reference to FIG. 3A. For example, the processor 223 may supply power to a closed circuit formed via the wires 313, 314, the third transmission element 323, the fourth transmission element 324, the first electrode 821, the second electrode 822, and the piezoelectric transducer 823. When power is supplied to the closed circuit, the piezoelectric transducer 823 may emit ultrasonic waves or ultrasonic vibrations.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the ultrasonic waves or ultrasonic vibrations emitted to the user's skin can convert the sound wave energy into heat in the user's body, and the heat can vaporize the moisture inside the cells. The moisture vaporized inside the cells applies pressure to the cell tissue, and the pressure can expand the space between the cells. The absorption of the emulsion can be facilitated through the expanded space between the cells.

[0075] FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of an electronic device capable of transmitting external ultrasonic waves in the direction of the user's skin according to an example.

[0076] According to one embodiment, an electronic device 900 (e.g., the electronic device 110 of FIG. 1 or the electronic device 200 of FIG. 2) includes a main body 910 and a micro needle unit 920. For example, the main body 910 includes a user interface 210, a control unit 220, a crushing circuit 230, and a cartridge housing unit 240.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the electronic device 900 includes an ultrasonic transmission element 930 through which ultrasonic waves or ultrasonic vibrations can pass (or be transmitted) from one side (e.g., the upper surface) to the other side (e.g., the lower surface) of the electronic device 900. For example, the ultrasonic transmission element 930 may be in the form of a hole penetrating the main body 910 and the micro-needle part 920. For example, the ultrasonic transmission element 930 may be an element made of a transparent material formed on the main body 910 and the micro-needle part 920.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the user illuminates one side of the electronic device 900 with ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic wave emitting device 950. For example, the ultrasonic wave emitting device 950 may be an electronic cigarette or an inhaler. The ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic wave emitting device 950 reach the other side of the electronic device 900 through the ultrasonic transmission element 930 of the electronic device 900. When the electronic device 900 is attached to the user's skin and the user illuminates the upper surface of the electronic device 900 with ultrasonic waves using the ultrasonic wave emitting device 950, the emitted ultrasonic waves can reach the user's skin by reaching the lower surface of the electronic device 900.

[0079] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method for emitting an emulsion according to one embodiment.

[0080] The following operations 1010 to 1030 can be performed by an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 110 in FIG. 1 or the electronic device 200 in FIG. 2).

[0081] In operation 1010, the electronic device generates a crushing signal for crushing at least a part of a cartridge (e.g., the first block 371 in FIG. 3A) housed inside the electronic device.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the electronic device can receive user input via a button of the electronic device (e.g., button 212 in FIG. 2) and generate a crushing signal based on the user input. For example, the user input may include information regarding the time when the crushing signal is generated (e.g., immediately, or a timer) and information regarding the amount of the emulsion to be released. For example, when the user presses the button once, it may indicate the amount of the first emulsion, and when the user presses the button twice, it may indicate the amount of the second emulsion (e.g., twice the amount of the first emulsion).

[0083] For example, button A may be a button for the user to turn on the power of the electronic device. For example, button B may be a button for the user to input the amount of the emulsion (e.g., pressing once indicates 0.1 mg, pressing twice indicates 0.3 mg, pressing three times indicates 0.5 mg). For example, button C may be a button for the user to input an emulsion release command. According to one example, one button can perform one or more functions. The user may input different commands by varying the pattern of pressing the button.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the information input by the user can be visually indicated via an indicator (e.g., indicator 214 in FIG. 2). For example, the indicator may include a plurality of LEDs, and each LED indicates the current state of the electronic device (e.g., power state or emulsion release progress state) or the set amount of the emulsion.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the electronic device can receive user input from an external device connected to the electronic device via wireless communication. For example, the external device includes the user terminal 120 (e.g., a smartphone) or the smokeless inhalation device 130 (e.g., an e-cigarette or an inhaler) in FIG. 1. The method of receiving user input from the external device will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 11 below.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the electronic device may monitor the user's state via a sensor of the electronic device disposed within the user's skin, and generate a crushing signal based on the monitoring result. For example, when the sensor of the electronic device is a blood glucose sensor, the electronic device monitors the user's blood glucose using the blood glucose sensor, and when the user's blood glucose is equal to or higher than a preset value, generates a crushing signal for the cartridge so that an emulsion containing insulin is supplied to the user.

[0087] According to one embodiment, a crushing signal can be generated so that a preset amount of the emulsion is released at a preset time. For example, the time when the crushing signal is generated by the user may be preset. For example, it may be preset so that 0.2 mg of the emulsion is released at 8 o'clock, 12 o'clock, and 7 o'clock respectively. For example, when 0.1 mg of the emulsion is contained in one block of the cartridge, the crushing signal may be generated so that two blocks are crushed at each target time.

[0088] According to one embodiment, generation of the crushing signal supplies power to a closed circuit (e.g., the first closed circuit 391, the second closed circuit 393, and / or the third closed circuit 395 in FIG. 3A) formed by a transmission circuit (e.g., the transmission circuit 225 in FIG. 2) and a crushing circuit (e.g., to the crushing circuit 230 in FIG. 2) so that an electric current flows through the closed circuit.

[0089] In operation 1020, the electronic device transmits the generated crushing signal to the crushing circuit via the transmission circuit. For example, the crushing signal may be transmitted to the crushing circuit only through the first closed circuit 391 among the plurality of closed circuits. In the above case, power may be supplied only to the first crushing element of the crushing circuit. When power is supplied to the first crushing element, the first bump (e.g., the first bump 361 in FIG. 3A) of the first crushing element generates heat.

[0090] In operation 1030, the electronic device discharges the emulsion in the cartridge to the outside of the electronic device by crushing at least a part of the cartridge (e.g., the first block 371 in FIG. 3B) through the crushing element of the crushing circuit. For example, the emulsion in the block of the crushed cartridge may be discharged to the outside of the electronic device through the microneedles (e.g., the first microneedle 381 in FIG. 3B) arranged to correspond to the block. When the electronic device is attached to the user's skin, the emulsion discharged to the outside of the electronic device may be absorbed by the user's capillaries.

[0091] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method for generating a crushing signal based on user input according to an example.

[0092] According to one embodiment, operation 1110 may be executed before operation 1010 described above with reference to FIG. 10.

[0093] In operation 1110, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 110 in FIG. 1 or the electronic device 200 in FIG. 2) receives user input.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the electronic device receives user input through the user interface of the electronic device (e.g., the user interface 210 in FIG. 2).

[0095] According to one embodiment, the electronic device can receive user input through an external device (e.g., the user terminal 120 (e.g., a smartphone) or the smokeless inhalation device 130 (e.g., an e-cigarette or an inhaler) in FIG. 1) via the communication unit (e.g., the communication unit 222 in FIG. 2). For example, the communication unit may establish a wireless communication channel with the external device and receive user input from the external device via the wireless communication channel.

[0096] According to one embodiment, a user of an inhaler can set the amount of the emulsion discharged through an input device such as a touch / button of the inhaler, and the inhaler can transmit a user input to an electronic device via a wireless communication channel. For example, when inhalation or puff of the user through the inhaler is detected, the inhaler may transmit a preset user input to the electronic device via the wireless communication channel.

[0097] According to one embodiment, a user of a smartphone can input a user input to an electronic device through an application for controlling the electronic device installed in the smartphone. For example, the user may set, via the application of the smartphone, the time when the emulsion is discharged and the amount of the emulsion. For example, a doctor regarding the user may transmit a user input to the electronic device via a user terminal so that the emulsion for treating the disease is supplied to the user in an appropriate amount at an appropriate time.

[0098] According to one embodiment, operation 1010 described above with reference to FIG. 10 includes the following operation 1120.

[0099] In operation 1120, the electronic device generates a crushing signal based on the user input. For example, the user input includes conditions for generating a crushing signal, and when the above conditions are satisfied, the electronic device may generate a crushing signal.

[0100] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method for controlling an IR lamp according to an example.

[0101] According to one embodiment, after operation 1030 described above with reference to FIG. 10 is executed, the following operations 1210 and 1220 are further executed. Operations 1210 and 1220 are executed by an electronic device (for example, the electronic device 110 in FIG. 1 or the electronic device 200 in FIG. 2).

[0102] In operation 1210, the electronic device generates a first lamp signal for controlling a first IR lamp (e.g., IR lamp 623 in FIG. 6) corresponding to the first block of the cartridge among one or more IR lamps. For example, the first block may be a block to be crushed among a plurality of blocks of the cartridge. When the electronic device includes a plurality of IR lamps, a first lamp signal for controlling at least some of the IR lamps corresponding to the first block may be generated. When the electronic device includes only one IR lamp, a lamp signal for controlling the IR lamp can always be generated even if an emulsion is emitted from any block.

[0103] In operation 1220, the electronic device controls the first IR lamp based on the first lamp signal. For example, the first lamp signal may be a signal (e.g., power) supplied to a closed circuit formed through wires 313 and 314, third transmission element 323, fourth transmission element 324, first electrode 621, second electrode 622, and IR lamp 623 described above with reference to FIG. 6. The first IR lamp that has received the signal can emit IR. For example, IR is emitted onto the user's skin.

[0104] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method for controlling an ultrasonic vibrator according to an example.

[0105] According to an embodiment, after operation 1030 described above with reference to FIG. 10 is executed, the following operations 1310 and 1320 are further executed. Operations 1310 and 1320 may be executed by an electronic device (e.g., electronic device 110 in FIG. 1 or electronic device 200 in FIG. 2).

[0106] In operation 1310, the electronic device generates a first vibration signal for controlling a first ultrasonic vibrator (e.g., ultrasonic vibrator 823 in FIG. 8) corresponding to the first block of the cartridge among one or more ultrasonic vibrators. For example, the first block may be a block to be crushed among a plurality of blocks of the cartridge. When the electronic device includes a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators, a first vibration signal for controlling at least some of the ultrasonic vibrators corresponding to the first block is generated. When the electronic device includes one ultrasonic vibrator, a vibration signal for controlling the ultrasonic vibrator can always be generated even if an emulsion is emitted from any block.

[0107] In operation 1320, the electronic device controls the first ultrasonic vibrator based on the first vibration signal. For example, the first vibration signal may be a signal (e.g., power) supplied to a closed circuit formed through wires 313 and 314, third transmission element 323, fourth transmission element 324, first electrode 821, second electrode 822, and ultrasonic vibrator 823 as described above with reference to FIG. 8. The first ultrasonic vibrator that has received the signal may emit ultrasonic waves or ultrasonic vibrations. For example, ultrasonic waves or ultrasonic vibrations may be transmitted onto the user's skin.

[0108] The method according to the embodiment is embodied in the form of program instructions executed via various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The recording medium includes program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. alone or in combination. The recording medium and the program instructions may be those specially designed and configured for the purpose of the present invention, or may be those known to and usable by those skilled in the art of computer software technology. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy (registered trademark) disks, and magnetic tapes, optical recording media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions such as ROMs, RAMs, flash memories, etc. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language code generated by a compiler but also high-level language code executable by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

[0109] Software may include a computer program, code, instruction, or any combination thereof, and can configure a processing adaptive supersampling device as desired or command a processing adaptive supersampling device independently or collectively. Software and / or data can be permanently embodied in any type of machine, component, physical adaptive supersampling device, virtual adaptive supersampling device, computer storage medium, or adaptive supersampling device, or transmitted signal wave to be interpreted by a processing adaptive supersampling device or to provide instructions or data to a processing adaptive supersampling device. Software may be distributed on a network-connected computer system and stored or executed in a distributed manner. Software and data can be stored on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0110] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the limited drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above description. For example, the described techniques may be performed in an order different from the described method, and / or the components such as the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. may be combined or assembled in a form different from the described method, and appropriate results can be achieved even if they are replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents.

[0111] Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims also fall within the scope of the claims described hereinafter.

Claims

1. An electronic device that emits an emulsion through a microneedle, comprising: A cartridge housing portion that houses a cartridge containing the emulsion therein; A crushing circuit including a crushing element that can crush at least a part of the cartridge disposed in the cartridge housing portion; A microneedle portion including a microneedle that discharges the emulsion exposed by crushing at least a part of the cartridge to the outside of the electronic device; A processor that generates a crushing signal; A transmission circuit that transmits the crushing signal to the crushing circuit; and The crushing circuit further includes an infrared (IR) lamp that emits infrared rays disposed alongside the crushing element; The processor generates a lamp signal for controlling the infrared lamp; The microneedle portion further includes an optical transmission element through which the infrared rays emitted by the infrared lamp pass; The optical transmission element is in the form of a hole penetrating the microneedle portion. An electronic device.

2. The crushing element is formed on the substrate so as to penetrate the substrate of the crushing circuit; The crushing element forms a bump on the second surface of the substrate while forming a closed circuit with a first transmission element and a second transmission element of the transmission circuit on the first surface of the substrate; The crushing circuit and the cartridge housing portion are coupled such that the bump contacts at least a part of the cartridge. When the crushing signal is supplied to the closed circuit, heat is generated by the bump, resulting in the crushing of at least a part of the cartridge. The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. The material of the crushing element includes a material that generates heat by the crushing signal; At least a part of the cartridge is crushed by the heat generated by the crushing element. The electronic device according to claim 1.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the material of the crushing element is a metal having a specific resistance.

5. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein at least a part of the cartridge crushed by the heat is a thin film cell.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the crushing circuit further includes an elastic element provided between the lower surface of the substrate of the crushing circuit and the cartridge.

7. The crushing circuit further includes an emulsion discharge element attached to the elastic element, The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the elastic element and the emulsion discharge element move the emulsion in the direction of the microneedle when at least a part of the cartridge is crushed by the crushing element.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, further including an indicator indicating the amount of the emulsion to be discharged.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, further including a button for receiving the amount of the emulsion discharged from the user.

10. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein when the cartridge includes a plurality of blocks each containing an emulsion, the processor generates the crushing signal for crushing a first block among the plurality of blocks.

11. The crushing circuit includes a plurality of crushing elements, The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of crushing elements corresponds to each of the plurality of blocks.

12. The infrared lamp includes one or more IR lamps, The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the processor generates a first lamp signal for controlling a first IR lamp corresponding to the first block among the one or more IR lamps.

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