High-frequency treatment device for detecting condition of treatment site

Abstract

A high-frequency treatment device for detecting the condition of a treatment site, of the present invention, comprises: a body for controlling the supply of electrical signals; a handpiece which is stick-shaped so as to be electrically connected to the body through a cable; and a cartridge which is detachably coupled to the handpiece so that an output electrode for outputting a high frequency by an electrical signal supplied from the body through the handpiece is arranged at one outer surface thereof, and which has, on the inside of the output electrode arrangement surface, a transmission electrode and a reception electrode spaced apart from each other, wherein the body applies an electrical signal to the transmission electrode through the handpiece for a unit time so as to form an electric force line from the transmission electrode to the reception electrode, detects the current value of the reception electrode having the electric force line, so as to determine whether there is contact between the output electrode and a treatment site to which a high-frequency output using the output electrode is provided and whether the amount of gel applied to the corresponding treatment site is appropriate, and supplies an electrical signal for the high-frequency output to the output electrode of the cartridge through the handpiece according to the determination result.

Description

High-frequency treatment device that detects the condition of the treatment area

[0001] The present invention relates to a high-frequency treatment device that detects the condition of a treatment area.

[0002]

[0003] Recently, technologies for treating skin by modifying the tissue condition or improving tissue characteristics by providing energy to the skin using various energy sources have been widely applied.

[0004] Among these, in the case of a skin treatment device using RF high frequency, high frequency energy is provided to the skin surface, and whenever the direction of the high frequency current changes, molecules constituting the skin tissue vibrate and rub against each other, and the temperature of the skin tissue is increased through deep heat generated by rotational motion, twisting, or collisional motion, thereby reorganizing the collagen layer, thereby improving wrinkles and changing skin elasticity. This RF high frequency skin treatment technology has been disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1451960 (application date: May 9, 2013, announcement date: November 3, 2014, hereinafter referred to as “prior art”).

[0005] This skin treatment technology using RF high frequency is performed by applying gel to the treatment area so that the high frequency output area can be in close contact with the skin so that high frequency is evenly supplied to the target tissue.

[0006] However, since the conventional technology does not have any means of providing information on the gel application status of the treatment area, the operator must perform the treatment while directly checking the gel application status with the naked eye, and thus, the treatment results may differ depending on the operator's proficiency in the treatment, and there is a problem in that it is difficult to prevent burns that may occur due to high frequency being applied to an unintended treatment area when the gel application is not smooth.

[0007]

[0008] The present invention aims to solve the above-described problem by providing a treatment site condition detection type high-frequency treatment device that provides information on the gel application status of the treatment site.

[0009]

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a high-frequency treatment device for detecting the state of a treatment area comprises: a main body for controlling the supply of an electric signal; a handpiece provided in a stick shape and electrically connected to the main body via a cable; and a cartridge detachably coupled to the handpiece, having an output electrode disposed on an outer surface thereof for outputting a high frequency by an electric signal supplied from the main body via the handpiece, and having a transmitting electrode and a receiving electrode disposed spaced apart on an inner surface of the output electrode arrangement surface; wherein the main body applies an electric signal to the transmitting electrode for a unit time through the handpiece to form an electric force line from the transmitting electrode to the receiving electrode, detects a current value of the receiving electrode on which the electric force line is formed, determines whether there is contact between the output electrode and the treatment area to which the high-frequency output is provided through the output electrode and whether the amount of gel applied to the corresponding treatment area is appropriate, and supplies an electric signal for high-frequency output to the output electrode of the cartridge via the handpiece according to the determination result.

[0011] Here, the main body includes a signal generating unit that generates an electric signal for outputting a high frequency to the output electrode of the cartridge; and a control unit that controls the signal generating unit, applies an electric signal to the transmitting electrode for a unit time, and detects a value of a current flowing to the receiving electrode for a unit time; wherein the control unit determines whether the current value flowing to the receiving electrode falls within a range among a plurality of preset current range values, thereby determining whether there is contact between the output electrode and a treatment site to which a high frequency output is provided through the output electrode, and whether the amount of gel applied to the treatment site is appropriate.

[0012] In addition, the main body is characterized by further including a display unit that outputs, in the form of visualized information, at least one judgment result among whether there is contact between the output electrode and the treatment site or whether the amount of gel applied to the treatment site is appropriate, according to a range corresponding to the value of the current flowing in the receiving electrode detected by the control unit under the control of the control unit.

[0013] In addition, the control unit is characterized in that, only when the value of the current flowing to the receiving electrode for a unit time is included in a preset first current range value, the output electrode of the cartridge is judged to be in contact with the treatment site and the gel application state of the treatment site is good, and supplies an electric signal for high-frequency output to the output electrode of the cartridge.

[0014] In addition, the first current range value is characterized in that it is a current range value that includes a current value that is lower than the value of the current flowing to the receiving electrode in a state where the output electrode is not in contact with the treatment site during the unit time while some of the electric force lines formed from the transmitting electrode to the receiving electrode during the unit time are directed toward the treatment site where the gel is applied and in contact with the output electrode.

[0015]

[0016] The high-frequency treatment device for detecting the state of a treatment area according to the present invention controls the output of high frequency to the treatment area only when a current value corresponding to a set range is detected when a control unit applies an electric signal to generate magnetic force lines at a transmitting electrode and a receiving electrode of a cartridge, and a part of the magnetic force lines at the receiving electrode is directed toward the skin of the treatment area where an appropriate amount of gel has been applied and contacts the output electrode from which high frequency is output, thereby enabling the practitioner to perform the treatment without having to directly check the state of gel application at the treatment area with the naked eye, and preventing high frequency from being applied to an unintended treatment area when the gel has not been applied smoothly, thereby enabling even a practitioner who is not skilled in high frequency treatment to perform a high-level high frequency treatment.

[0017] In addition, the high-frequency treatment device for detecting the condition of the treatment area according to the present invention has a control unit that checks which current range value among a plurality of preset current range values ​​corresponds to the range of the current value flowing in the receiving electrode, notifies the practitioner of an abnormal condition through the display unit, and outputs an improvement method such as the need for improving contact with the treatment area for correct high-frequency treatment, the need for applying or additionally applying gel, etc., thereby helping the practitioner respond quickly by checking the output information, thereby preventing a delay in the treatment time.

[0018]

[0019] Figure 1 illustrates a high-frequency treatment device that detects the condition of a treatment site according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a partial diagram illustrating a cartridge and a main body of a high-frequency treatment device for detecting the condition of a treatment site according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of detection of the treatment site state of a high-frequency treatment device that detects a change in the treatment area according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0022]

[0023] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a high-frequency treatment device for detecting the condition of a treatment site of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0024] The same reference numerals in each drawing represent the same components. In addition, specific structural and functional descriptions of embodiments of the present invention are merely illustrative for the purpose of explaining embodiments according to the present invention, and unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant technology, and are preferably not interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0025]

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a high-frequency treatment device for detecting the state of a treatment area according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 partially illustrates a cartridge and a main body of a high-frequency treatment device for detecting the state of a treatment area according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of detection of the state of a treatment area by a high-frequency treatment device for detecting a change in a treatment area according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0027]

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a high-frequency treatment device (10) for detecting the condition of a treatment area according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may include a main body (100), a handpiece (200) electrically connected to the main body (100) via a cable, and a cartridge (300) detachably coupled to the handpiece (200) to receive an electric signal from the main body (100) via the handpiece (200) and output high-frequency waves to the treatment area.

[0029] The main body (100) includes a plurality of hardware for receiving external power and generating and supplying high-frequency output to the cartridge (300) and an electric signal for detecting the status of the treatment area, as well as software and a housing for controlling the same, and may include a signal generation unit (110), a control unit (120), and a display unit (130).

[0030] The signal generation unit (110) can generate an electric signal for outputting a high frequency to the output electrode (310) of the cartridge (300) to be described later, and can provide the electric signal generated by the control of the control unit (120) to the output electrode (310).

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the control unit (120) controls the generation of an electric signal by the signal generation unit (110) and the supply of the generated electric signal, and applies an electric signal to the transmitting electrode (320) among the transmitting electrodes (320) and receiving electrodes (330) spaced apart from each other of the cartridge (300) to be described later for a unit time, thereby generating an electric field in the transmitting electrode (320) to form an electric force line from the transmitting electrode (320) to the receiving electrode (330), and detects the value of the current flowing in the receiving electrode (330) where the electric force line is formed.

[0032] Here, the control unit (120) may be provided with a plurality of current range values ​​in a preset form, and the plurality of current range values ​​preset in the control unit (120) include a first current range value, which is a range with a predetermined margin for the current value when the output electrode (310) arrangement surface of the cartridge (300) comes into contact with the skin (S) surface of the treatment area to which an appropriate amount of gel (G, Gel) has been applied, and some of the electric force lines formed from the transmitting electrode (320) to the receiving electrode (330) are directed toward the skin (S) surface of the treatment area to which an appropriate amount of gel (G) has been applied, and the value of the current flowing to the receiving electrode (330) decreases; a second current range value, which is a range with a predetermined margin for the current value when the output electrode (310) arrangement surface comes into contact with the skin (S) surface of the treatment area to which no gel (G) has been applied, or to which less than an appropriate amount of gel (G) has been applied, and some of the electric force lines formed from the transmitting electrode (320) to the receiving electrode (330) are directed toward the skin (S) surface of the treatment area to which It may include a second current range value, which is a range with a predetermined margin for the current value when the value of the current flowing in the receiving electrode (330) decreases, and a third current range value, which is a range with a predetermined margin for the current value flowing in the receiving electrode (330) when nothing is in contact with the surface on which the output electrode (310) is placed, or when a small amount of gel (G) is applied without being in contact with anything.

[0033] The first, second, and third current range values ​​preset in the control unit (120) are measured multiple times by measuring the current value flowing through the receiving electrode (330) in the following states: when the output electrode (310) arrangement surface of the cartridge (300) is in close contact with the skin (S) surface of the treatment area to which an appropriate amount of gel (G) has been applied; when the output electrode (310) arrangement surface of the cartridge (300) is in close contact with the skin (S) surface of the treatment area to which no gel (G) has been applied or to which less than an appropriate amount of gel (G) has been applied; when the output electrode (310) arrangement surface of the cartridge (300) is in close contact with the skin (S) surface of the treatment area to which no gel (G) has been applied or to which less than an appropriate amount of gel (G) has been applied; when the output electrode (310) arrangement surface of the cartridge (300) is in close contact with the skin (S) surface of the treatment area to which no gel (G) has been applied or to which less than an appropriate amount of gel (G) has been applied; when the output electrode (310) arrangement surface of the cartridge (300) is in close contact with the skin (S) surface of the treatment area to which no gel (G) has been applied or to which no ...

[0034] In other words, the control unit (120) forms an electric field line from the transmitting electrode (320) to the receiving electrode (330) for a unit time through preset first, second, and third current range values, and through the current value flowing in the receiving electrode (330) detected for a unit time, it is possible to determine whether the output electrode (310) of the cartridge and the surface of the treatment site are in close contact and whether an appropriate amount of gel (G) has been applied to the skin (S) of the treatment site.

[0035] At this time, the control unit (120) controls the signal generation unit (110) to supply an electric signal for high-frequency output to the output electrode (310) of the cartridge (300) only when the current value flowing through the receiving electrode (330) detected for a unit time corresponds to the first current range value, so that high-frequency can be output to the treatment area only when an appropriate amount of gel (G) is applied to the skin (S) surface of the treatment area, thereby preventing problems such as a decrease in high-frequency treatment capability due to insufficient gel (G) application amount, or the occurrence of burns in the treatment area.

[0036] The display unit (130) can, under the control of the control unit (120), output at least one of the judgment results of whether there is contact between the output electrode and the treatment site or whether the amount of gel (G) applied to the treatment site is appropriate in the form of visualized information, according to the current range value corresponding to the value of the current flowing in the receiving electrode (330) detected by the control unit (120) among the first, second or third current range values ​​as described above.

[0037] At this time, the control unit (120) may store guidance messages corresponding to the preset first, second, and third current range values. For example, when the value of the current detected from the receiving electrode (330) corresponds to the first current range value, a guidance message such as 'Gel has been well applied to the treatment area' may be stored. When the value corresponds to the second current range value, a guidance message such as 'Gel needs to be supplemented to the treatment area' may be stored. When the value corresponds to the third current range value, a guidance message such as 'Please contact the cartridge to the treatment area' may be stored.

[0038] Accordingly, an appropriate guidance message is output on the display unit (130) according to the current detection result of the receiving electrode (330) of the control unit (120), so that the practitioner can check the status of the treatment area simply by checking the guidance message output on the display unit (130).

[0039] Meanwhile, in addition to outputting a visual information guidance message, the display unit (130) may include a speaker that outputs a notification sound to audibly inform the user when a guidance message corresponding to the second current range value or the third current range value is output by the control unit (120), so that the user can first hear the notification sound output from the display unit (130) and then check the guidance message output with the naked eye, thereby accurately recognizing the situation in which high frequency is not currently being supplied to the treatment area and the reason for it.

[0040] The handpiece (200) is provided in a stick shape and is electrically connected to the main body (100) via a cable. The handpiece may include a stick-shaped body (210) to which a cartridge (300) is detachably coupled to electrically connect the main body (100) and the cartridge (300), and an operating unit (220) for requesting high-frequency output to the control unit (120) of the main body (100).

[0041] The body (210) is provided in a stick shape with a cartridge (300) coupled to one end and electrically connected to the main body (100) via a cable at the other end, so that it can transmit an electric signal received from a signal generating unit (110) and a control unit (120) to the cartridge (300) coupled to one end, and transmit a current flowing in the receiving electrode (330) of the cartridge (300) to the control unit (120).

[0042] The operating unit (220) is arranged in the body (210), and is located in an outer peripheral area of ​​the body (210) that is held by the practitioner's hand, and is operated by pressure applied by the practitioner's hand while holding the body (210), or is located in a joining area of ​​the cartridge (300), and is operated by pressure applied toward the body (210) when the output electrode (310) placement surface of the cartridge (300) is in contact with the skin. When the practitioner operates the operating unit (220), an electric signal is initially supplied to the transmitting electrode (320) through the control unit (120), and the state of the treatment site is determined by detecting the current value at the receiving electrode (330).

[0043] The cartridge (300) may be detachably coupled to the handpiece (200), and may be provided with an output electrode (310) that outputs high frequency by an electric signal supplied from the main body (100) through the handpiece (200) on one outer surface thereof, and a transmitting electrode (320) and a receiving electrode (330) spaced apart from each other on the inner surface of the output electrode arrangement surface.

[0044] The output electrode (310) is arranged on one outer surface of the cartridge (300) facing the treatment area, and can output high frequency through an electric signal supplied from the signal supply unit (110) by making contact with the treatment area. At this time, the output electrode (310) can be provided in a form coupled to the cartridge (300) such that the high frequency output surface formed on a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) faces the outer direction of the cartridge (300).

[0045] The transmitting electrode (320) and the receiving electrode (330) are provided as plate-shaped conductors that are electrically connected to the control unit (120) of the main body (100), and can be arranged in a mutually spaced manner on the inside of the cartridge (300) adjacent to the output electrode (310) arrangement area. At this time, the transmitting electrode (320) and the receiving electrode (330) form an electric field in the transmitting electrode (320) by an electric signal supplied from the control unit (120), and electric force lines are formed in the direction from the transmitting electrode (320) to the receiving electrode (330), but the direction of formation of the electric force lines is toward the output electrode, and the transmitting electrode (320) and the receiving electrode (330) can be provided in a form in which the area except for the surface facing the output electrode is insulated.

[0046] Accordingly, when the control unit (120) applies an electric signal to the transmitting electrode (320), a magnetic field is formed in the transmitting electrode (320), and an electric force line forming a convex parabola in the direction of the output electrode (310) can be formed from one side of the transmitting electrode (320) facing the output electrode (310) to one side of the receiving electrode (330), so that when the output electrode (310) comes into contact with the skin surface (S) of the treatment site, a part of the electric force line faces the direction of the skin (S) of the treatment site, and the value of the current flowing in the receiving electrode (330) becomes significantly lower than the value of the current flowing in the receiving electrode (330) when the output electrode (310) does not come into contact with the treatment site.

[0047]

[0048] That is, the high-frequency treatment device for detecting the state of a treatment area according to the present invention controls the output of high frequency to the treatment area only when a control unit applies an electric signal to generate magnetic force lines at the transmitting electrode and receiving electrode of the cartridge, and detects that a current value corresponding to a set range flows when a part of the magnetic force lines at the receiving electrode is directed toward the skin of the treatment area where an appropriate amount of gel has been applied and contacts the output electrode where high frequency is output, thereby enabling the practitioner to perform the treatment without having to directly check the state of gel application at the treatment area with the naked eye, and preventing high frequency from being applied to an unintended treatment area when the gel application is not smooth, thereby enabling even a practitioner who is not skilled in high frequency treatment to perform a high-level high frequency treatment.

[0049] In addition, the high-frequency treatment device for detecting the condition of the treatment area according to the present invention has a control unit that checks which current range value among a plurality of preset current range values ​​corresponds to the range of the current value flowing in the receiving electrode, notifies the practitioner of an abnormal condition through the display unit, and outputs an improvement method such as the need for improving contact with the treatment area for correct high-frequency treatment, the need for applying or additionally applying gel, etc., thereby helping the practitioner respond quickly by checking the output information, thereby preventing a delay in the treatment time.

[0050]

[0051] The above-described embodiments of the present invention are disclosed for the purpose of illustration, and those skilled in the art with ordinary knowledge of the present invention will be able to make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes, and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the following patent claims.

Claims

1. A main body that controls the supply of electric signals; A handpiece provided in a stick shape and electrically connected to the main body through a cable; and A cartridge is provided, which is detachably connected to the handpiece, and has an output electrode arranged on an outer surface thereof to output high frequency by an electric signal supplied from the main body through the handpiece, and a transmitting electrode and a receiving electrode arranged spaced apart on the inner surface of the output electrode arrangement surface; The above-mentioned main body forms an electric force line from the above-mentioned transmitting electrode to the receiving electrode by applying an electric signal through the above-mentioned handpiece for a unit time, detects the current value of the receiving electrode where the electric force line is formed, determines whether there is contact between the output electrode and the treatment area to which high-frequency output is provided through the output electrode and whether the amount of gel applied to the treatment area is appropriate, and supplies an electric signal for high-frequency output to the output electrode of the cartridge through the above-mentioned handpiece according to the determination result. A treatment area state detection type high-frequency treatment device.

2. In paragraph 1, The above body, A signal generating unit that generates an electric signal for outputting a high frequency to the output electrode of the cartridge; and It includes a control unit that controls the signal generation unit, applies an electric signal to the transmitting electrode for a unit time, and detects the value of the current flowing to the receiving electrode; A radiofrequency treatment device for detecting the condition of a treatment site, characterized in that the control unit determines whether the current value flowing to the receiving electrode falls within a range among a plurality of preset current range values, thereby determining whether there is contact between the output electrode and the treatment site to which high-frequency output is provided through the output electrode, and whether the amount of gel applied to the treatment site is appropriate.

3. In paragraph 2, A radiofrequency treatment device for detecting the status of a treatment site, characterized in that the main body further includes a display unit that outputs, in the form of visualized information, at least one judgment result of whether there is contact between the output electrode and the treatment site or whether the amount of gel applied to the treatment site is appropriate, according to a range value corresponding to the value of the current flowing in the receiving electrode detected by the control unit under the control of the control unit.

4. In paragraph 2, A high-frequency treatment device for detecting the status of a treatment site, characterized in that the control unit determines that the output electrode of the cartridge is in contact with the treatment site and that the gel application state of the treatment site is good only when the value of the current flowing to the receiving electrode for a unit time is within a preset first current range value, and supplies an electric signal for high-frequency output to the output electrode of the cartridge.

5. In paragraph 4, A radiofrequency treatment device for detecting the status of a treatment site, characterized in that the first current range value is a current range value that includes a current value lower than the value of the current flowing to the receiving electrode in a state where the output electrode does not contact the treatment site during a unit time, while some of the electric force lines formed from the transmitting electrode to the receiving electrode during a unit time are directed toward the treatment site where the gel is applied and in contact with the output electrode.

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