High-intensity focused ultrasound probe

Abstract

To provide a high intensive focused ultrasound probe which can prevent leakage of an ultrasonic transmission medium and which can expand a movable range of a transducer.SOLUTION: Disclosed is a high intensive focused ultrasound probe applied to a skin treatment device for noninvasively treating skin by using a high intensive focused ultrasound. The high intensive focused ultrasound probe includes: an external rotating shaft that rotates driven by a motor inside a hand piece; an internal rotating shaft which moves, while rotating, a transducer within a cartridge; and a magnet coupler which magnetically couples the external rotating shaft and the internal rotating shaft across a first side wall of the cartridge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe, and more particularly to a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) probe for non-invasively treating the skin using high-intensity focused ultrasound.

Background Art

[0002] Skin treatment using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has recently attracted attention. This is a technique for treating the skin by focusing high-intensity acoustic energy using high-intensity focused ultrasound on a local site in the body to increase the temperature, and thereby regenerating the tissue denatured by the thermal variation generated in the local site in the body, and using the effects (such as wrinkle removal and skin elasticity improvement effects) generated.

[0003] Devices for treating the skin using high-intensity focused ultrasound include a transducer. The transducer generates and outputs high-intensity ultrasonic waves from an input power source. A general high-intensity focused ultrasound device uses a circular single-element ultrasonic transducer as the transducer. That is, a method of transmitting strong ultrasonic energy to the treatment site through a circular single-element ultrasonic transducer is used.

[0004] In order to perform skin treatment or treatment on a wider site in a single treatment, it is necessary to form a plurality of points where ultrasonic energy is focused. For this reason, in a conventional ultrasonic treatment device using a single-element ultrasonic transducer method, a method of mechanically moving the single-element ultrasonic transducer is adopted so that ultrasonic treatment or treatment over a wider range can be performed in a single treatment.

[0005] An ultrasonic probe in an ultrasonic therapy device in which the ultrasonic transducer is mechanically moved generally includes a cartridge 100 and a handpiece 200, as illustrated in Figure 1. The inside of the cartridge 100 is filled with a liquid ultrasonic transmission medium, and the handpiece 200 incorporates a motor 210 to realize one-dimensional movement of the ultrasonic transducer 110 in a specific direction.

[0006] The ultrasonic transducer 110 receives power from the motor 210 via the transfer mechanism 300 and performs linear reciprocating motion in a specific direction. The transfer mechanism 300 is configured to convert the rotational motion of the output shaft of the motor 210 into linear motion and transmit it to the ultrasonic transducer 110. Conventionally, a lead screw type, as illustrated in Figure 1, is adopted as the transfer mechanism 300 that converts rotational motion into linear motion and transmits it to the ultrasonic transducer 110. As mentioned above, the inside of the cartridge 100 is filled with a liquid substance that serves as the ultrasonic transmission medium. Due to its properties, the liquid substance can leak to the outside through even small gaps. Therefore, it is necessary to seal the parts of the cartridge 100 where leakage of the ultrasonic transmission medium is expected. In particular, in a configuration like that shown in Figure 1, where the transfer shaft 310 penetrates the cartridge 100, the part H (shaft penetration hole) through which the transfer shaft 310 penetrates must be sealed.

[0007] Conventionally, a configuration has been adopted in which a flexible bellows-structured sealing member 400 is used to seal the portion through which the transfer shaft 310 passes. In this configuration, the sealing member 400 is fixed in close contact with one side wall surface of the cartridge 100 so as to surround at least a portion of the transfer shaft 310 within the cartridge and cover the shaft penetration hole H, thereby ensuring the linear movement of the transfer shaft 310 within the cartridge 100 while sealing the penetration hole H.

[0008] However, this configuration has disadvantages: it increases manufacturing costs due to the use of separate sealing components, and its structural difficulty in assembly reduces the mass productivity of the product. In particular, when the sealing component is fully folded and the transfer shaft has moved to one side to the point where there is no room for further folding, the movement of the transfer shaft is restricted by the fully folded sealing component. In other words, there is a structural problem in which the range of motion of the transducer is restricted by the bellows-structured sealing component. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Korean Published Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0140288 [Patent Document 2] Korean Published Patent No. 10-2014-0141062 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe that employs a power transmission method that is structurally simple and does not require a separate sealing member to prevent leakage of the ultrasonic transmission medium. Another object of the present invention is to provide a high-intensity focused ultrasound probe that, assuming the same volume of space, can widen the range of motion of the transducer compared to conventional configurations, and therefore enables ultrasound therapy or treatment over a wider area in a single procedure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The high-intensity focused ultrasound probe of the present invention is applied to a skin treatment device that treats the skin non-invasively using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), and comprises an external rotating shaft that rotates by a motor inside the handpiece, an internal rotating shaft that rotates inside the cartridge and moves the transducer, and a magnetic coupler that magnetically couples the external rotating shaft and the internal rotating shaft across the first side wall of the cartridge.

[0012] The magnetic coupler may consist of a first coupler that is coupled to the external rotating shaft and performs synchronous rotational motion, and a second coupler that is coupled to the internal rotating shaft and forms a magnetic coupling with the first coupler across the first side wall.

[0013] In one embodiment, one of the first coupler and the second coupler may be made of a magnetic material, and the other may be a permanent magnet.

[0014] In another embodiment, the first coupler and the second coupler are permanent magnets, and the magnetic poles of the surfaces of the first coupler and the second coupler, which are in close contact with each other across the first side wall, may be opposite to each other.

[0015] In another embodiment, a plurality of coupling magnets may be mounted on the faces of the first coupler and the second coupler, which face each other across the first side wall, at equal intervals along the rotational direction. In this case, the coupling magnets mounted on the face of the first coupler may have their poles (magnetic poles) facing the outside alternately with respect to the rotational direction, and the coupling magnets mounted on the face of the second coupler may also have their poles (magnetic poles) facing the outside alternately with respect to the rotational direction.

[0016] Multiple balls or needle pins may be provided on the surfaces of the first coupler and the second coupler that face each other across the first side wall. In this case, at least a portion of the balls or needle pins can protrude from the surfaces facing each other and contact the first side wall, thereby supporting the rotational motion of the first coupler and the second coupler.

[0017] A ring-shaped internal rotation guide may be further formed on the inner surface of the first side wall where the magnetic coupler is located. A ring-shaped external rotation guide may also be further formed on the outer surface of the first side wall corresponding to the internal rotation guide. In this case, the magnetic coupler may be arranged in an internal coupler housing and an external coupler housing, which are partitioned inside and outside the first side wall, respectively, by the internal and external rotation guides.

[0018] A first lubrication layer may be formed between the first coupler and the first side wall of the external coupler housing using a lubricant. Furthermore, a second lubrication layer may be formed between the second coupler and the first side wall of the internal coupler housing using a lubricant.

[0019] The internal rotating shaft may be a lead screw configuration with threads formed on its circumferential surface. In this case, a movable block having fastening holes that engage with the threads may be coupled to the internal rotating shaft. By connecting the transducer to such a movable block, the transducer moves together with the movable block as the internal rotating shaft rotates, allowing for skin treatment or procedures on a wider area.

[0020] The internal space of the cartridge may be divided into a first space and a second space isolated from the first space by a space dividing plate placed inside. Here, the first space may be filled with a liquid ultrasonic transmission medium, and the transducer and the internal rotation shaft may be arranged in the first space filled with the liquid ultrasonic transmission medium. And a circuit board for controlling the transducer may be arranged in the second space.

[0021] On the circuit board, at least two or more detection elements for detecting the position of the movable block may be mounted at a distance. And a detected element may be arranged on the surface of the movable block adjacent to the circuit board. Preferably, the detection element may be a Hall sensor, and the detected element may be a permanent magnet. In the first space, a shaft for guiding the one-dimensional linear motion of the movable block may be arranged. At this time, the shaft may be parallel to the internal rotation shaft and may be formed in one or more.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the high-intensity focused ultrasound probe according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first coupler and the second coupler for realizing the coupling between the shafts (the internal rotation shaft and the external rotation shaft) are not directly connected, but are indirectly connected by magnetic coupling with a side wall (the first side wall) interposed therebetween. Therefore, it is not necessary to process a hole (a hole through which the shaft penetrates) in the cartridge filled with the liquid ultrasonic transmission medium (e.g., degassed water).

[0023] In addition, since the hole (the hole through which the shaft penetrates) is eliminated, it is not necessary to consider a configuration for preventing the leakage of the ultrasonic transmission medium (e.g., a sealing member having a conventional bellows structure). That is, by adopting a power transmission method (magnetic coupling) that does not require a separate configuration for preventing the leakage of the ultrasonic transmission medium (e.g., degassed water) filled in the cartridge while being structurally simple, there are advantageous effects in improving the assembly property of the product and the mass productivity.

[0024] In addition, since the hole (the hole through which the shaft penetrates) in the cartridge is removed, there is no need to consider sealing in the product design process, so the effect of improving the design freedom can be exerted. Since the element (sealing member) that restricts the movable range is removed, compared with the conventional configuration, the movable range of the transducer is widened, and there is an advantage that ultrasonic treatment or treatment over a wider range can be performed in a single treatment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic probe according to the prior art. [Figure 2] It is a device configuration diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a skin treatment device to which the high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 3] It is a cutaway perspective view for showing the internal configuration of the high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing a state in which the cartridge is separated from the high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram showing the main configuration of the high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 <00001​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​For reference, in describing embodiments of the present invention, identical or similar components are given the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted. Furthermore, detailed descriptions of related prior art are omitted if it is determined that such descriptions may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein. Also, the suffixes “module” and “part” used for components in the following description are added or used interchangeably solely for the sake of ease of specification preparation and do not inherently have a distinguishing meaning or function from one another.

[0028] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and make it clear that they do not limit the technical ideas disclosed herein and include any modifications, equivalents, or substitutions that fall within the concept and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, in the examples, ordinal terms such as "First," "Second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but such components are not limited by such terms. Such terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0029] When it is mentioned that one component is “linked” or “connected” to another component, it may be directly linked or connected to the other component, but there may also be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is mentioned that one component is “directly linked” or “directly connected” to another component, there are no other components in between.

[0030] In describing embodiments of the present invention, terms such as “includes,” “equip,” and “have” specify the presence of features, figures, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof of the invention, but do not preemptively exclude the presence or possibility of adding one or more other features, figures, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, the statement that one component is “in front of,” “behind,” “above,” or “below” another component includes not only the case where it is positioned “in front of,” “behind,” “above,” or “below” another component in direct contact with it, unless there are special circumstances, but also the case where another component is positioned in between them.

[0031] The drawings are intended to illustrate the concept of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, it should be noted that relative thicknesses, lengths, and sizes in the drawings may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes and clarity.

[0032] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of a skin treatment device to which the high-intensity focused ultrasound probe according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Referring to this, we will briefly examine the configuration of the skin treatment device to which the high-intensity focused ultrasound probe according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0033] The skin treatment device according to the present invention is a device that treats or processes the skin non-invasively by using the effects (such as wrinkle removal, subcutaneous fat removal, and improved skin elasticity) that result from the regeneration of tissues that have been altered by thermal changes occurring in the local area of ​​the body, which is achieved by focusing high-intensity acoustic energy on a local area of ​​the body using high-intensity focused ultrasound to raise the temperature, thereby causing thermal changes in the local area of ​​the body.

[0034] Referring to Figure 2, the skin treatment device 1 includes a main unit 2 and a high-intensity focused ultrasound probe 3 (hereinafter referred to as the "ultrasound probe" for convenience of explanation). The main unit 2 controls the ultrasound probe 3. The control of the main unit 2 causes the ultrasound probe 3 to generate high-intensity focused ultrasound, which is focused through the ultrasound probe 3 into the inside of the body (e.g., the dermis) to induce thermal deformation. The main unit 2 may include an input section (not shown) for user input. The input section may include not only a mouse and keyboard, but also a user interface (such as a mechanical or electronic display with touch input capabilities) embodied in the device. Of course, it is not limited to this, and is applicable without particular limitations on its method and form as long as it is capable of receiving user commands.

[0035] The main unit 2 may include an output unit (not shown) that outputs information to the outside and transmits it to the user. The output unit may include, for example, a display, LED, speaker, etc., for showing visual, auditory, or tactile output. If the ultrasound probe 3 includes an imaging transducer element module, the output unit can display an ultrasound image of internal body structures.

[0036] The main unit 2 may further include a peripheral device interface section for data transfer with various types of external devices. For example, it may include a memory card port, an external device I / O (Input / Output) port, etc. The main unit 2 is connected to the ultrasonic probe 3 via wired or wireless means and can control the ultrasonic probe 3.

[0037] The ultrasound probe 3 may include a cartridge 4 and a handpiece 5. The cartridge 4 may be equipped with a transducer 46 (see Figures 3 to 5) that generates high-intensity focused ultrasound. The cartridge 4 equipped with the transducer 46 is detachably coupled to the handpiece 5, allowing it to be replaced with a cartridge 4 that generates high-intensity focused ultrasound suitable for the treatment purpose and treatment site.

[0038] The transducer 46 can generate and output high-intensity focused ultrasound from the input power supply. The cartridge 4, which incorporates the transducer 46, can be electrically connected to the handpiece 5, and the handpiece 5 can be connected to the main unit by wire or wireless as described above, allowing for the exchange of signals and information (for example, the drive or control signals of the transducer and the position information of the transducer).

[0039] The cartridge 4 and the handpiece 5 may be electrically and physically interconnected. The cartridge 4 and the handpiece 5 can be electrically interconnected by connecting connecting terminals (not shown) that are provided to correspond to each other when connected, and a physical connection can be made between them by a predetermined coupling structure. The coupling structure may include, for example, a bar or projection that protrudes from the front end of the handpiece 5 in the direction in which the cartridge 4 is connected.

[0040] Referring to Figures 3 to 5, we will examine the configuration of a high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 3 is a dissected perspective view showing the internal structure of a high-intensity focused ultrasound probe according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 shows the high-intensity focused ultrasound probe shown in Figure 3 with the cartridge separated. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main components of the high-intensity focused ultrasound probe according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 3.

[0042] Referring to Figures 3 to 5, the ultrasound probe 3 includes a cartridge 4 and a handpiece 5. Inside the cartridge 4 is a transducer 46, and the cartridge 4 with the transducer 46 can be detachably attached to the handpiece 5. This allows the cartridge 4 to be replaced with a new one, or with an appropriate cartridge 4 depending on the treatment purpose and treatment site.

[0043] The transducer 46 can generate and output high-intensity focused ultrasound from the input power supply. As described above, the cartridge 4, which incorporates the transducer 46, can be electrically connected to the handpiece 5. The handpiece 5 is then connected to the main unit 2 (see Figure 2) by wire or wireless connection, allowing for the exchange of signals and information (for example, the drive or control signals of the transducer and the position information of the transducer).

[0044] When the cartridge 4 and the handpiece 5 are connected, they can be electrically connected to each other by connecting corresponding electrical connection terminals (not shown) provided for each. The cartridge 4 and the handpiece 5 can also be physically connected to each other by a predetermined coupling structure. The coupling structure may include, for example, a bar or projection (not shown) that protrudes from the front end of the handpiece 5 in the direction in which the cartridge 4 is connected.

[0045] Depending on the embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 3 and handpiece 5 may be configured as an integrated unit rather than as a separate unit as shown in the drawing (Figure 4). In this case, the coupling structure (a structure for physically connecting the cartridge and the handpiece, such as a bar or projection that protrudes from the front end of the handpiece in the direction in which the cartridge is connected) can be eliminated.

[0046] The inside of the cartridge 4 may be filled with a liquid ultrasonic transmission medium (not shown). The liquid ultrasonic transmission medium may be degassed water (water from which air bubbles have been removed). A transducer 46 may be placed inside the cartridge 4 filled with the liquid ultrasonic transmission medium. The transducer 46 may be provided inside the cartridge 4 so as to be able to move in one dimension, i.e., linearly, in a specific direction (left and right direction with reference to Figure 5).

[0047] The handpiece 5 may incorporate a motor 52 for realizing the one-dimensional motion (linear motion) of the ultrasonic transducer 46 in the specific direction. The transducer 46 is mechanically connected to the motor 52 and can receive power from the motor 52. The transmitted power allows it to reciprocate linearly in the specific direction within the cartridge 4, generating high-intensity focused ultrasound that can be focused into the body.

[0048] Referring to Figure 5, the cartridge 4 may have a spatial division plate 43 inside. The spatial division plate 43 may divide the internal space of the cartridge 4 into a first space S1 and a second space S2 that are isolated from each other. The transducer 46 is placed in the first space S1 and filled with a liquid ultrasonic transmission medium, and the circuit board 48 that controls the operation of the transducer 46 from the input signal may be placed in the second space S2.

[0049] An internal rotating shaft 44 may be arranged in the first space S1 together with the transducer 46. The internal rotating shaft 44 is physically coupled to an external rotating shaft 54 ​​located inside the handpiece 5, and receives rotational force from the external rotating shaft 54. The rotation of the internal rotating shaft 44 by the external rotating shaft 54 ​​causes the transducer 46 to reciprocate linearly in the specific direction in the first space S1, thereby focusing high-intensity focused ultrasound into the body.

[0050] The external rotating shaft 54 ​​may be directly connected to the output shaft (not shown) of the motor 52 inside the handpiece 5. The motor 52 may be located inside the handpiece 5 together with the external rotating shaft 54. The motor 52 can output rotational force in the forward / reverse direction by the drive signal of the main body described above. Therefore, the external rotating shaft 54 ​​can rotate in the forward or reverse direction within a set range, and as a result, the internal rotating shaft 44 can also rotate in the same direction.

[0051] The internal rotating shaft 44 may be configured as a lead screw with threads formed along its circumferential surface. The transducer 46 may be connected to the internal rotating shaft 44 in the first space S1 through a movable block 45, and the movable block 45 may be screwed to the internal rotating shaft 44 through a fastening hole (a hole with threads formed therein). This allows the transducer 46 to move linearly in a specific direction together with the movable block 45, which moves along the internal rotating shaft 44 when the internal rotating shaft 44 rotates.

[0052] A shaft 47 may be provided in the first space S1. The shaft 47 allows the one-dimensional linear motion of the movable block 45 in the first space S1 (linear motion due to the rotation of the internal rotation axis 44) to be realized stably without shaking. The shaft 47 may be arranged in the first space S1 parallel to the internal rotation axis 44. The shaft 47 may be formed in one or more configurations parallel to the internal rotation axis 44.

[0053] A detection element 49a may be mounted on a circuit board 48 located in the second space S2. A movable block 45, which is movably located in the first space S1, may be provided with an element to be detected 49b. The detection element 49a can recognize the element to be detected 49b and generate a corresponding signal to provide to the circuit board 48, and the control circuit of the circuit board 48 can process the signal from the detection element 49a to calculate the current position (the specific directional position) of the movable block 45.

[0054] The detection element 49a may be mounted on one surface of the circuit board 48, more specifically, on the surface of the circuit board 48 facing the movable block 45. At least two or more detection elements 49a may be mounted on the aforementioned surface of the circuit board 48 at predetermined distances from each other in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the movable block 45, and the element to be detected 49b may be attached and fixed to the surface of the movable block 45 adjacent to or facing the circuit board 48.

[0055] The detection element 49a may be a Hall sensor. The element to be detected 49b may be a permanent magnet. In this case, the Hall sensor uses the Hall effect to detect the position of the permanent magnet on the movable block 45, generates a corresponding signal, and outputs it to the circuit board 48. The circuit board 48 can then recognize the position of the movable block 45 from the signal from the Hall sensor. The recognized position value can then be used to control the position of the movable block 45 using the motor 52.

[0056] The external rotating shaft 54 ​​provided on the handpiece 5 and the internal rotating shaft 44 provided on the cartridge 4 may be physically coupled and rotationally synchronized. In an embodiment of the present invention, the external rotating shaft 54 ​​and the internal rotating shaft 44 may be indirectly coupled and rotationally synchronized via a magnetic coupler 6 across the first side wall 40 of the cartridge 4. More specifically, they may be magnetically coupled via the magnetic coupler 6 across the first side wall 40.

[0057] The magnetic coupler 6 may include a pair of couplers 60a and 60b. The pair of couplers may consist of a coupler provided on the external rotating shaft 54 ​​(hereinafter referred to as the "first coupler 60a") and a coupler provided on the internal rotating shaft 44 (hereinafter referred to as the "second coupler 60b"). The first coupler 60a may be configured at the end of the external rotating shaft 54 ​​adjacent to the first side wall 40, and the second coupler 60b may be configured at the end of the internal rotating shaft 44 adjacent to the first side wall 40.

[0058] The first coupler 60a is configured to be integrated with or coupled to the end of the external rotating shaft 54, thereby enabling it to perform rotational motion integrated with the external rotating shaft 54. The second coupler 60b is configured to be integrated with or coupled to the end of the internal rotating shaft 44, and by forming a magnetic coupling with the first coupler 60a across the first side wall 40, it can perform rotational motion synchronized with the first coupler 60a.

[0059] As an example, for magnetic coupling, one of the first coupler 60a and the second coupler 60b may be a circular permanent magnet, as shown in Figure 6, and the other may be a circular magnetic material, such as an iron plate. For example, if the first coupler 60a is a permanent magnet, the second coupler 60b may be a magnetic material (see Figure 6(a)). Conversely, if the first coupler 60a is a magnetic material, the second coupler 60b may be a permanent magnet (see Figure 6(b)).

[0060] In another embodiment, magnetic coupling can also be realized by constructing both the first coupler 60a and the second coupler 60b as permanent magnets, preferably circular permanent magnets, as shown in Figure 7. In this case, the magnetic poles of the surfaces of the first coupler 60a and the second coupler 60b, which are permanent magnets that are in close contact with each other across the first side wall 40, may be opposite to each other so as to exert an attractive force between them.

[0061] In another embodiment, magnetic coupling can also be realized by a configuration in which coupling magnets 64a and 64b are mounted separately on the surface 62a of the first coupler 60a and the surface 62b of the second coupler 60b, respectively, which face each other across the first side wall 40, as shown in Figure 8. In this case, the coupling magnets 64a and 64b may be arranged on the surfaces 62a and 62b of each coupler 60a and 60b at equal intervals along the direction of rotation so as to prevent relative slip in the direction of rotation and the resulting delay in the transmission of rotational force from the first coupler 60a to the second coupler 60b.

[0062] The coupling magnet 64a mounted on the surface 62a of the first coupler 60a may have its magnetic poles on the side exposed to the outside (the side in contact with the first sidewall) arranged alternately with respect to the direction of rotation. Similarly, the coupling magnet 64b mounted on the surface 62b of the second coupler 60b may also have its magnetic poles on the side exposed to the outside (the side in contact with the first sidewall) arranged alternately with respect to the direction of rotation.

[0063] The first coupler 60a and the second coupler 60b, which provide coupling between the shafts (internal and external rotating shafts), are indirectly connected by magnetic coupling across the first side wall 40. Therefore, the portion of the first side wall 40 that comes into direct contact with each coupler during rotation may wear down.

[0064] Wear accelerates with increasing rotational speed, which can shorten the lifespan of equipment. Therefore, it is necessary to incorporate measures to suppress or slow down such wear into the design.

[0065] As an embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, a plurality of balls 66 or needle pins may be provided on the surfaces of the first coupler 60a and the second coupler 60b that face each other across the first side wall 40. At least a portion of the balls 66 or needle pins may protrude from the surfaces 62a and 62b that face each other. In this case, the protruding balls 66 or needle pins support the rotational motion of the coupler while rolling in point or line contact with the first side wall 40, thereby significantly reducing wear on the first side wall 40.

[0066] Although not shown in the figures, in another embodiment, the first and second couplers may be provided in the form of bearings. The inner rings of the first and second couplers on which the coupling magnets are mounted are formed to be narrower than the outer rings, so that even if the outer rings are fixed to the first sidewall, the inner rings may be separated from the first sidewall by a predetermined distance. In other words, since no physical contact occurs between the inner rings even when the first and second couplers rotate, wear of the first sidewall can be avoided.

[0067] As described above, the first coupler 60a and the second coupler 60b are indirectly coupled by magnetic coupling across the first side wall 40. Therefore, during the transmission of rotational force, there is a risk that the coaxiality between the two couplers may shift, resulting in a loss of rotational force. For this reason, the configuration must also incorporate measures to stably maintain the coaxiality between the two couplers.

[0068] As an example, as shown in Figure 10, a ring-shaped internal rotation guide 41 may be formed on the inner surface of the first side wall 40, and a ring-shaped external rotation guide 42 may be formed on the outer surface of the first side wall 40 corresponding to the internal rotation guide 41. In this case, the second coupler 60b and the first coupler 60a are arranged in the internal and external coupler housings, respectively, which are partitioned inside and outside the first side wall 40 by the internal rotation guide 41 and the external rotation guide 42, respectively, thereby preventing coaxial misalignment.

[0069] In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, a first lubrication layer L1 may be formed by a lubricant between the first coupler 60a and the first side wall 40-1 that separates the external coupler housing. A second lubrication layer L2 may also be formed by a lubricant between the second coupler 60b and the first side wall 40-1 that separates the internal coupler housing. The lubricant is preferably, but not limited to, a viscous, semi-solid grease.

[0070] With this configuration, the first lubrication layer L1 and the second lubrication layer L2 prevent direct contact between the pair of couplers 60a and 60b and the first side wall 40-1, and the lubrication action of these layers suppresses wear of the first side wall 40. In addition, the lubrication action of the lubrication layers L1 and L2 reduces the rotational load and thus the power consumption when the couplers rotate, thus improving the overall energy efficiency of the equipment.

[0071] In the high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the first coupler and the second coupler, which embody the coupling between the shafts (internal rotating shaft and external rotating shaft), are not directly connected, but are indirectly connected by magnetic coupling with a side wall (first side wall) in between. Therefore, there is no need to process a hole (a hole through which the shaft passes) in the cartridge filled with a liquid ultrasonic transmission medium (e.g., degassed water).

[0072] Furthermore, since the holes (through which the shaft passes) are eliminated, there is no need to consider a configuration to prevent leakage of the ultrasonic transmission medium (e.g., a sealing member in a conventional bellows structure). In other words, by adopting a power transmission method (magnetic coupling) that is structurally simple and does not require a separate configuration to prevent leakage of the ultrasonic transmission medium (e.g., deaerated water) filled in the cartridge, there are advantageous effects in improving the ease of product assembly and mass production.

[0073] Furthermore, since the hole (the hole through which the shaft passes) is eliminated from the cartridge, there is no need to consider sealing during the product design process, which improves design flexibility. Also, because elements that limit the range of motion (sealing members) are removed, the range of motion of the transducer is wider compared to conventional configurations, which has the advantage of enabling ultrasound treatment or procedures over a wider area in a single treatment.

[0074] The above description is merely illustrative of the technical concept of the present invention, and a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs can make various modifications and alterations as long as they do not deviate from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only, and not to limit, the technical concept of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope are included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 1 Skin treatment equipment 2 Main unit 3. Ultrasound probe 4 cartridges 5 Handpieces 6 Magnetic Couplers 40, 40-1 First side wall 41 Internal Rotating Guide 42 External Rotation Guide 43 Space dividing plate 44 Internal rotation axis 45 movable blocks 46. ​​Transducer 47 shaft 48 Circuit boards 49a Detection element 49b Detected element 52 motors 54 External Rotating Shaft 60a First coupler 60b Second coupler 62a Face of the first coupler 62b Face of the second coupler 64a, 64b Coupling Magnets 66 balls L1 1st lubrication layer L2 2nd lubrication layer S1 1st space S2 2nd space 100 cartridges 110 Ultrasonic Transducer 200 Handpieces 210 Motor 300 Transfer mechanism 310 Transfer axis 400 Sealing member H Through Hole

Claims

1. A high-intensity focused ultrasound probe comprising a cartridge for emitting high-intensity focused ultrasound to the skin and a handpiece to which the cartridge is coupled, An external rotating shaft that rotates inside the aforementioned handpiece by a motor, An internal rotating shaft that moves the transducer while rotating inside the cartridge, and The cartridge includes a magnetic coupler that magnetically couples the external and internal rotating shafts across the first side wall of the cartridge, The aforementioned magnetic coupler is A first coupler that is coupled to the external rotating shaft and performs synchronized rotational motion, It includes a second coupler which is coupled to the internal rotating shaft and forms a magnetic coupling with the first coupler across the first side wall, Multiple balls or needle pins are provided on the surfaces of the first coupler and the second coupler that face each other across the first side wall. A high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe characterized in that the ball or needle pin supports the rotational motion of the first coupler and the second coupler, with at least a portion of it protruding from the surfaces facing each other and in contact with the first side wall.

2. The high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the first coupler and the second coupler is a magnetic material and the other is a permanent magnet.

3. The first coupler and the second coupler are permanent magnets, The high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic poles of the surfaces of the first coupler and the second coupler, which are in close contact with each other across the first side wall, are opposite to each other.

4. The high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of coupling magnets are mounted at equal intervals along the rotational direction on the surfaces of the first coupler and the second coupler, which face each other across the first side wall.

5. The coupling magnet mounted on the surface of the first coupler has magnetic poles (Pole of magnetic) on the side exposed to the outside arranged alternately with respect to the rotational direction. The high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe according to claim 4, characterized in that the coupling magnets mounted on the surface of the second coupler also have their magnetic poles (Pole of magnetism) on the side exposed to the outside arranged alternately with respect to the rotational direction.

6. A high-intensity focused ultrasound probe comprising a cartridge for emitting high-intensity focused ultrasound to the skin and a handpiece to which the cartridge is coupled, An external rotating shaft that rotates inside the aforementioned handpiece by a motor, An internal rotating shaft that moves the transducer while rotating inside the cartridge, and The cartridge includes a magnetic coupler that magnetically couples the external and internal rotating shafts across the first side wall of the cartridge, A ring-shaped internal rotation guide is formed on the inner surface of the first side wall where the magnetic coupler is located. A ring-shaped external rotation guide is formed on the outer surface of the first side wall corresponding to the internal rotation guide. A high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe characterized in that the magnetic coupler is arranged in an internal coupler housing and an external coupler housing, which are partitioned inside and outside the first side wall by the internal and external rotating guides, respectively.

7. The aforementioned magnetic coupler is A first coupler that is coupled to the external rotating shaft and performs synchronized rotational motion, The high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, further comprising a second coupler which is coupled to the internal rotating shaft and forms a magnetic coupling with the first coupler across the first side wall.

8. A first lubricating layer is formed between the first coupler and the first side wall of the external coupler housing by a lubricant. The high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe according to claim 7, characterized in that a second lubricating layer is formed between the second coupler and the first side wall of the internal coupler housing by a lubricant.

9. Screw threads are formed on the circumferential surface of the internal rotating shaft. A movable block having fastening holes that engage with the aforementioned screw threads is connected to the internal rotating shaft. The high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that the transducer is connected to the movable block.

10. The high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe according to claim 9, characterized in that the internal space of the cartridge is divided into a first space and a second space isolated from the first space by a spatial division plate.

11. The first space is filled with a liquid ultrasonic transmission medium. The transducer and the internal rotating shaft are arranged in the first space which is filled with a liquid ultrasonic transmission medium. The high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe according to claim 10, characterized in that a circuit board for controlling the transducer is arranged in the second space.

12. At least two detection elements for detecting the position of the movable block are mounted on the circuit board at a distance from each other. The high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe according to claim 11, characterized in that the element to be detected is arranged on the surface of the movable block adjacent to the circuit board.

13. The aforementioned detection element is a Hall sensor. The high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe according to claim 12, characterized in that the element to be detected is a permanent magnet.

14. The high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe according to claim 10, characterized in that a shaft for guiding the one-dimensional linear motion of the movable block is arranged in the first space.

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