Ultrasound device for managing skin problems

Abstract

The ultrasound device for skin treatment according to the present invention comprises an external part and a mechanical part. The external part consists of the device body (2), which includes a light (3) that indicates the device's operating status and a switch (4) for turning the device on and off in the center. The mechanical part consists of a circuit control panel (7) that includes an energy source (6), a short-circuit detection circuit (8), a Bluetooth and / or Wi-Fi receiver and transmitter (9), and a skin temperature monitoring circuit (10). The circuit control panel (7) supplies current to the ultrasound transducers (1), which include an electromagnetic wave electrode (11), an electromyographic stimulation electrode (12), and two ultrasound transducers (17) that emit waves at a deeper focal length and a shallower focal length. Both transducers consist of electrodes that supply electricity to piezoelectric materials and solid or semi-solid materials (such as polymers, metals, or gels) that are permeable to ultrasound, enhancing the ultrasound waves and transmitting them to the target skin layer. Near the ultrasonic transducer (1) is a temperature monitoring probe (21) connected to a temperature monitoring circuit (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to biomedical engineering and electrical engineering, and particularly to skin treatment techniques using ultrasonic waves.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, non-invasive skin lifting treatments have attracted attention. The principle is to stimulate the lower layer of the skin, thereby inducing the generation of new collagen and new fibroblasts. As a prior art, there is phonophoresis, which generates low-output ultrasonic waves by converting electricity into low-output ultrasonic waves using a piezoelectric material. Another technique is iontophoresis, which directly supplies a weak current to the skin. However, all of these techniques concentrate ultrasonic waves or weak currents on the skin surface and cannot generate heat to the depth required for the generation of new collagen and new fibroblasts, and thus only limited results can be obtained.

[0003] Subsequently, HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) was developed and applied to non-surgical skin laxity treatment in dermatology. This technology converts electricity into ultrasound and focuses the ultrasound into a point-like wave (dot-type HIFU) to increase its intensity. The intensity depends on the supplied energy and the design of the curved piezoelectric material. According to basic research, the focal energy can reach 1 to 3 times that of conventional non-focused devices. Based on this principle, the emitted ultrasound generates heat in the deep layers of the skin, and its focal length can be specified. The focal length is the region where the ultrasound is most focused by the curved piezoelectric material. A longer radius of curvature is required for deeper focal lengths, and a shorter radius of curvature is required for shallower focal lengths. As a result, the skin temperature at the focal point reaches 60-70°C, inducing protein denaturation, stimulating inflammation and wound healing processes, and inducing the production of new collagen and new fibers. However, focused ultrasound transmits energy in a point-like manner, and because the ultrasound transducer is moved along a motor-driven axis, the treatment takes time. Furthermore, high energy at the focal point causes severe pain during and after use. This principle is applied to a device called Ultherapy (Ultherapy®: US20200100762A1), which offers excellent results but has the drawbacks of severe pain due to high energy and a long treatment time.

[0004] Based on search results, a dot-type HIFU device branded as Ultracel Q+, manufactured by Jeisys, has been launched as a new technology. The ultrasonic transducer moves along a motor-driven axis, continuously emitting point-like ultrasound waves to generate linear focal energy. However, no device exists that delivers truly linear focal energy or that simultaneously delivers at least one frequency and two focal points. When the user switches between frequencies or focal lengths, the transducer needs to be replaced. Furthermore, many conventional devices use liquids such as water as the ultrasonic medium, and because the water is heated, boils, and evaporates due to the emission of ultrasound, it is necessary to leave air in the transducer chamber, and a membrane is also required to prevent water leakage from the transducer chamber. These conditions affect the operation of the device and the treatment results. In particular, if the device is inverted, the air in the transducer chamber floats beneath the membrane, changing the refraction of the ultrasound, causing fluctuations in focal length and energy, which can lead to adverse effects such as skin burns. Therefore, the present invention provides a device that reduces pain by decreasing the energy at the focal point and solves the above problems. [Overview of the project]

[0005] The ultrasonic device for skin treatment according to the present invention consists of two main parts: an external part and a mechanical part. The external part consists of the main body (2) of the device, which is shaped like a cylindrical square bar, with the mechanical part housed at its end. In the center of the main body (2) of the device are a light (3) that emits the operating status of the device and a switch (4) that turns the device on and off. The mechanical part consists of an energy source (6), a circuit control panel (7) including a short circuit detection circuit (8), an electromagnetic wave electrode (11), a muscle electrical stimulation electrode (12), and an ultrasonic transducer (1). The ultrasonic transducer (1) consists of an ultrasonic transducer (17) that emits a deeper focal length and an ultrasonic transducer (13) that emits a shallower focal length, both of which generate ultrasound and transmit it as a small linear cylindrical wave. The ultrasonic transducer (1) consists of electrodes (14, 18) that supply electricity to a piezoelectric material (15, 19) and a solid or semi-solid material (16, 20) (such as a polymer, metal, or gel) that is permeable to ultrasound. The solid or semi-solid material (16, 20) is cubic in shape and guides, focuses, and enhances the ultrasound to the desired depth of skin. The ultrasonic transducer (1) is fixed to the end of the main body (2) of the device and does not move. Near the ultrasonic transducer (1) is a temperature monitoring probe (21) connected to a temperature monitoring circuit (10) located on a circuit control panel (7).

[0006] The objective of this invention is to provide a skin treatment ultrasound device capable of simultaneously transmitting at least one frequency and two focal points, shallower focal lengths and deeper focal lengths, targeting the major skin layers (SMAS and dermis) to stimulate neocollagen and fibrosis in all important skin layers. Furthermore, the device can transmit electromagnetic waves for extended indications of skin problem management, such as excess subcutaneous fat management, synergistically stimulating neocollagen and fibrosis in conjunction with focused ultrasound. The device can also emit low currents to enhance muscle toning. These technologies are integrated into a single device to address skin problems simultaneously. Conventional technologies use a single frequency and single focal point, causing significant pain and wasting time. Treating different skin depths requires changing transducers and uses very high energy, making it only operable by specialists. This invention changes the ultrasound medium from a liquid to a solid or semi-solid material (such as a cubic polymer, metal, or gel) so that the position of the transducer does not affect the refraction, focal length, and energy of the ultrasound. This allows the user to move the device freely on the skin without affecting the refraction of ultrasound. Conventional technology uses a liquid as the ultrasonic medium, and as ultrasound passes through the liquid, it boils and evaporates, requiring an air gap to be left in the transducer chamber, which can cause the transducer to explode. Furthermore, the transducer needs to be fitted with a membrane to prevent water leakage. If the transducer is inverted, the air rises upward and is positioned between the membrane and the water, affecting the refraction of the waves, focal energy, and focal length.

[0007] This invention was created to solve the problems of the prior art of focusing ultrasound to a single frequency and focal point, and using liquid as the ultrasonic medium. While the transducers of the prior art move along a designated axis driven by a motor, producing point-like linear ultrasonic waves, this invention spreads the ultrasound into a truly small linear shape, covering a wider area and reducing treatment time. The position of the transducer does not affect the operation of the focused ultrasound, which is transmitted stably. The device can transmit at least one frequency and two focal points simultaneously without changing the ultrasonic transducer. It can be used by anyone, not just medical professionals. Most importantly, the device causes little to no pain during or after use. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the exterior. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the mechanism and connections. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the ultrasound focal point. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the internal mechanism. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The ultrasound device for skin treatment has the following components:

[0010] Figure 1 shows the external components, which consist of the main body (2) of the device, which is shaped like a cylindrical square bar, and houses a mechanism at one end that generates focused ultrasound and transmits it to the target skin layer. In the center of the main body (2) are a light (3) that emits the operating status of the device and a switch (4) that turns the device on and off. At the other end of the main body (2) is an opening channel (5) for connecting to an energy source (6).

[0011] Figure 2 shows the mechanical components and connections, where an energy source (6) supplies electricity to all systems of the device and is then connected to a circuit control panel (7). The circuit control panel (7) regulates the electricity and turns the device on or off via a connected switch (4). The circuit control panel (7) consists of a short-circuit detection circuit (8) that cuts off the electricity and temporarily suspends the operation of the device if a short circuit occurs. The circuit control panel (7) also includes a Bluetooth and / or Wi-Fi receiver and transmitter (9) for receiving and transmitting device operation data and for connecting with other devices. Furthermore, the circuit control panel (7) is connected to an ultrasonic transducer (1) consisting of an electromagnetic wave electrode (11), a myoelectric stimulation electrode (12), and an ultrasonic transducer (13) that emits a shallower focal length and an ultrasonic transducer (17) that emits a deeper focal length. Each ultrasonic transducer consists of a curved piezoelectric material (15, 19), whose convex side is fixed with anode and cathode electrodes to supply electricity to the piezoelectric material (15, 19). The concave side is fixed in a solid or semi-solid cubic shape with an ultrasonic-transmitting solid or semi-solid material (16, 20) (such as a polymer, metal, or gel). The upper surface of the solid or semi-solid material (16, 20) is curved and fixed to the concave side of the curved piezoelectric material (15, 19). The opposite side is flat or slightly curved. The transducer (1) is fixed to the end of the body (2) of the device and does not move.

[0012] Next to the ultrasonic transducer (1) is a temperature monitoring probe (21) that measures skin temperature during device operation, and if the temperature exceeds the set temperature, the temperature monitoring circuit (10) cuts off the electricity to the ultrasonic transducer (1). In the event of a short circuit, a short-circuit detection circuit (8) completely cuts off the electricity in the device for safety. Next to the ultrasonic transducer (1) are an electromagnetic electrode (11) that emits electromagnetic waves for the management of excess subcutaneous fat, and an electromyography electrode (12) that transmits a low current to strengthen and tonen muscles, synergistically stimulating neofibrosis and neocollagen formation with focused ultrasound.

[0013] The ultrasonic transducer (17) that emits a deeper focal length generates and enhances linear cylindrical ultrasound of 0.1–20 megahertz (MHz) and 2.5–30 millimeters (mm), primarily targeting the SMAS layer (deep layer). The ultrasonic transducer (17) that emits a deeper focal length consists of a curved piezoelectric material (19), the concave side of which is fixed by electrodes (18) that supply electricity from a circuit control panel (7) to the piezoelectric material (19). The piezoelectric material (19) then converts the electricity into ultrasound. A solid or semi-solid material (20) (such as a polymer, metal, or gel) that is permeable to ultrasound is fixed to the concave side of the piezoelectric material (19). The solid or semi-solid material (20) is cubic in shape, with the upper side curved and the opposite side flat or slightly curved. The curved side of a solid or semi-solid material (20) is connected to a piezoelectric material (19) whose radius of curvature matches that of the piezoelectric material (19), thereby guiding the ultrasound waves and enhancing them into smaller wave beams for transmission to the desired depth in the skin layer.

[0014] A shallower focal length emitting ultrasonic transducer (13) generates and enhances linear cylindrical ultrasound waves of 1–25 MHz and 1–25 mm, primarily targeting the dermis (superficial layer). The shallower focal length emitting ultrasonic transducer consists of a piezoelectric material (15), the concave side of which is fixed by electrodes (14) that supply electricity from a circuit control panel (7) to the piezoelectric material (15). The piezoelectric material (15) then converts the electricity into ultrasound. On the concave side of the piezoelectric material (15), a solid or semi-solid material (16) (such as a polymer, metal, or gel) that is permeable to ultrasound is fixed. The solid or semi-solid material is cubic in shape, with the upper side curved and the opposite side flat or slightly curved. The curved side of a solid or semi-solid material (16) is connected to a piezoelectric material (15) whose radius of curvature matches the curvature of the piezoelectric material (15), and guides the ultrasonic waves converted from electricity, strengthens them into smaller wave beams, and transmits them to the desired depth in the skin layer.

[0015] The operation of the skin therapy ultrasound device begins with receiving a signal from the switch (4), followed by the illumination of the light (3) to indicate the device's operating status. The circuit control panel (7) consists of a skin temperature monitoring circuit (10) that receives temperature data from a temperature monitoring probe (21) located near the ultrasound transducer (1) and measures skin temperature. When the temperature exceeds a set value, the temperature monitoring circuit (10) on the circuit control panel (7) cuts off the power to the ultrasound transducer (1). Next to the ultrasound transducer (1) are an electromagnetic electrode (11) and a muscle electrical stimulation electrode (12). This skin therapy ultrasound device can be fitted with additional ultrasound transducers (13, 17) that emit at least one frequency and at least two focal lengths to expand the indications for treatment.

[0016] The advantage of the ultrasonic transducer of the present invention is that it transmits truly linear, cylindrical, enhanced ultrasound along the length of an ultrasonic-transmitting solid or semi-solid material (20, 16) (such as a polymer, metal, or gel). The ultrasonic energy spreads evenly and enhances the ultrasound, which can still raise the skin temperature to 40-55°C, rather than being focused into a point as in the prior art. This temperature level is below the optimal temperature for neocollagen and neofibrosis, but not as high as 60-70°C, it can still stimulate the synthesis of new collagen and fibers. The heat passing through the epidermis is low, making it suitable for preventing skin burns, while the ultrasound is enhanced in the subepidermal skin layer. This device can simultaneously treat many skin problems, such as skin laxity, excess subcutaneous fat, or poor muscle toning. In the prior art, many devices were required to solve these problems. Therefore, the inventor has created a device that solves many problems in one. [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0017] As disclosed in the section on the disclosure of the invention.

Claims

1. An ultrasound device for skin treatment, consisting of two main parts: an external part and a mechanical part, The aforementioned external portion consists of the main body (2) of a device that houses the mechanical part at its end. In the center of the main body (2) of the aforementioned device, there is a light (3) that emits an indication of the operating status of the device and a switch (4) that switches the device on and off. The other end of the main body (2) of the aforementioned device has a portion for connecting to an energy source (6). The aforementioned mechanism consists of an energy source (6) that supplies electricity to the entire system and a circuit control panel (7) connected to the switch (4) that turns the device on and off. The circuit control panel (7) is connected to the energy source (6) and supplies current to the ultrasonic transducer (1). The ultrasonic transducer (1) consists of an ultrasonic transducer (13) that emits a shallower focal length and an ultrasonic transducer (17) that emits a deeper focal length. The ultrasonic transducer (1) is fixed to the end of the main body (2) of the device and does not move. The ultrasonic transducer (13) that emits a shallower focal length than described above consists of an electrode (14) to which current is supplied from a circuit control panel (7), and the electrode (14) is fixed to the convex side of a curved piezoelectric material (15). The concave side of the piezoelectric material (15) is connected to a cubic solid or semi-solid material (16) that can transmit ultrasonic waves. The upper side of the solid or semi-solid material (16) is curved, and its radius of curvature coincides with the concave side of the piezoelectric material (15), while the opposite side is flat or slightly curved. The ultrasonic transducer (17) that emits a deeper focal length than described above consists of an electrode (18) to which current is supplied from a circuit control panel (7), and the electrode (18) is fixed to the convex side of a curved piezoelectric material (19). The concave side of the piezoelectric material (19) is connected to a cubic solid or semi-solid material (20) that can transmit ultrasonic waves. An ultrasonic device for skin treatment, characterized in that the upper side of the solid or semi-solid material (20) is curved, the radius of curvature of which coincides with the concave side of the piezoelectric material (19), and the opposite side is flat or slightly curved.

2. An ultrasonic device for skin treatment according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of ultrasonic transducers (1) is at least two transducers having at least one frequency and two focal points.

3. An ultrasonic device for skin treatment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an ultrasonic transducer (13) that emits a shallower focal length generates ultrasound at a focal length of 1 to 30 MHz and 1 to 25 mm.

4. An ultrasonic device for skin treatment according to claim 1, characterized in that an ultrasonic transducer (17) that emits a deeper focal length generates ultrasound at a focal length of 0.1 to 20 MHz and 2.5 to 120 mm.

5. An ultrasonic device for skin treatment according to claim 1, characterized in that a temperature monitoring probe (21) is provided on the side of the ultrasonic transducer (1), and the temperature monitoring probe (21) is connected to a temperature monitoring circuit (10).

6. An ultrasonic device for skin treatment according to claim 1, characterized in that an electromagnetic wave electrode (11) is provided on the side of the ultrasonic transducer (1).

7. An ultrasonic device for skin treatment according to claim 1, characterized in that an electromyography electrode (12) is provided on the side of the ultrasonic transducer (1).

8. An ultrasonic device for skin treatment according to claim 1, characterized in that the circuit control panel (7) consists of a short-circuit detection circuit (8).

9. An ultrasonic device for skin treatment according to claim 1, characterized in that the circuit control panel (7) consists of a Wi-Fi and / or Bluetooth receiver and transmitter (9).

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