Bipolar RF energy generation device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bipolar RF energy generation device. According to one embodiment, the bipolar RF energy generation device comprises: a cartridge housing unit having one side that comes in contact with the skin; and at least three RF electrode units positioned on one surface of the cartridge housing unit so as to be spaced apart from one another, thereby coming in contact with the skin, wherein an electric power source is applied to the two RF electrode units, each of the interval of the RF electrode units to which the electric power source is applied and the frequency of RF energy are adjusted such that the skin depth to which the RF energy is transmitted can be variously adjusted, and uniform energy is transmitted for each skin depth so that, in a bipolar method, a procedure effect can be enhanced and a procedure type can be diversified.

Description

Bipolar RF energy generator

[0001] The present invention relates to a bipolar RF energy generating device, and more specifically, to a bipolar RF energy generating device that controls the spacing between RF electrodes and transmits uniform energy according to skin depth using multiple frequencies.

[0002] RF energy generators, which are generally used for skin beauty purposes, are devices that heat the skin and underlying tissues using RF electrodes (radio frequency).

[0003] RF energy generators are used for skin recovery by raising the temperature of the skin after cryolipolysis treatment by contacting the RF electrode with the skin and delivering RF energy to the skin, and for skin treatment that heats the skin and underlying tissues to cause collagen contraction or induce a wound healing response.

[0004] Recently, with the increasing interest in skin beauty, bipolar RF energy generators are being used in various ways, such as skin remodeling / resurfacing through contraction or wound healing of collagen in the lower dermis, wrinkle removal, and treatment of sebaceous glands, hair follicles, fatty tissue, and spider veins.

[0005] RF energy generators are mainly used in the monopolar type, which has one electrode in contact with the skin, and the bipolar type, which has two electrodes in contact with the skin.

[0006] A bipolar RF energy generator uses a pair of RF electrodes that come into contact with the skin. One RF electrode becomes the (+) electrode, and the other becomes the (-) electrode. RF energy emitted from the (+) electrode, that is, high-frequency energy, flows into the (-) electrode, transmitting RF energy into the skin.

[0007] Conventional bipolar RF energy generating devices have a fixed spacing between a pair of RF electrodes that touch the skin, so the depth of RF energy transmission within the skin can only be controlled by adjusting the frequency of the RF energy, which has the problem of limiting the depth of RF energy transmission within the skin.

[0008] In addition, conventional bipolar RF energy generators have a problem in that they cannot penetrate high-frequency RF energy deep into the skin because they only control the depth of RF energy transmission by controlling the frequency of the RF energy.

[0009] In other words, the conventional bipolar RF energy generating device has a limitation in the depth of RF energy transmission within the skin, and cannot penetrate high-frequency RF energy deep into the skin, which limits the treatment effect during treatment and makes it difficult to apply to various treatments.

[0010] A prior patent related to the present invention is Republic of Korea No. 0993491, ‘High Frequency Output Device’ (registered on November 4, 2010).

[0011] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a bipolar RF energy generating device that can control the spacing between RF electrodes, deliver uniform energy to different skin depths using multiple frequencies, and variously control the skin depth to which RF energy is delivered.

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of a bipolar RF energy generating device according to the present invention is characterized by including a cartridge housing part having one surface in contact with the skin, at least three RF electrode parts positioned spaced apart from one surface of the cartridge housing part and in contact with the skin, and a power control part that applies electric power to two of the RF electrode parts, but applies electric power at different intervals between the two RF electrode parts, thereby controlling the depth of RF energy transmitted into the skin.

[0013] In the present invention, the power control unit can apply electric power to two of the three RF electrode units spaced apart by a first distance, or apply electric power to two of the three RF electrode units spaced apart by a second distance longer than the first distance.

[0014] In the present invention, at least three of the RF electrode sections include a reference RF electrode section and a plurality of select RF electrode sections spaced apart from the reference RF electrode section at different distances, and the power control section constantly applies electric power to the reference RF electrode section when applying electric power to two electrodes, and can connect any one of the plurality of select RF electrode sections to a power supply line with a power application switch section to apply electric power to the connected select RF electrode section.

[0015] In the present invention, three or more RF electrode units may be arranged spaced apart in a row.

[0016] In the present invention, at least three RF electrode units include a first RF electrode unit, a second RF electrode unit, a third RF electrode unit, and a fourth RF electrode unit positioned in a row, and the power control unit can apply electric power to the first RF electrode unit and the fourth RF electrode unit positioned at both ends, or apply electric power to the second RF electrode unit and the third RF electrode unit positioned between the first RF electrode unit and the fourth RF electrode unit.

[0017] In the present invention, at least three RF electrode units are positioned spaced apart from each other at different intervals, and the power control unit can select two RF electrode units among the three RF electrode units and apply electric power to them.

[0018] In the present invention, the RF electrode units are provided in an even number of at least four units spaced apart from each other, and the power control unit can simultaneously apply electric power to at least two pairs of the RF electrode units.

[0019] In the present invention, the power control unit can apply a different voltage of electric power to one pair of the RF electrode units and a different voltage of electric power to another pair of the RF electrode units.

[0020] In the present invention, at least three of the RF electrode parts include at least one fixed electrode part fixed to one surface of the cartridge housing part and a plurality of movable electrode parts movably positioned on one side of the fixed electrode part, and the plurality of movable electrode parts can be moved in one direction of the fixed electrode part by an electrode moving part provided in the cartridge housing part.

[0021] In the present invention, the fixed electrode part may include a first fixed electrode part and a second fixed electrode part positioned spaced apart from one side of the first fixed electrode part, and the movable electrode part may include a first movable electrode part and a second movable electrode part positioned movably between the first fixed electrode part and the second fixed electrode part.

[0022] In the present invention, the electrode moving part may include a moving screw that is rotatably positioned in the cartridge housing part and is screw-connected through the first moving electrode part and the second moving electrode part, but is screw-connected in opposite directions, and a screw rotation motor that rotates the moving screw.

[0023] In the present invention, the cartridge housing portion may be provided with an electrode mounting protrusion having the first fixed electrode portion and the second fixed electrode portion on one surface, and an electrode movement space may be provided between the electrode mounting protrusions in which the first movable electrode portion and the second movable electrode portion are movably positioned.

[0024] The present invention selectively applies electric power to two RF electrodes among at least three RF electrodes, thereby controlling the spacing between the RF electrodes to which electric power is applied and the frequency of RF energy, thereby allowing various adjustments to the skin depth to which RF energy is delivered, and by delivering uniform energy to each skin depth, it is possible to improve the treatment effect in the bipolar method and diversify the types of treatment.

[0025] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are schematic diagrams showing one embodiment of a bipolar RF energy generating device according to the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a bipolar RF energy generating device according to the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating another embodiment of a bipolar RF energy generating device according to the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a bipolar RF energy generating device according to the present invention.

[0029] *Explanation of major symbols in the drawing

[0030] 10: Skin

[0031] 100: Cartridge housing part 110: Electrode mounting protrusion

[0032] 120: Electrode movement space 200: Reference RF electrode section

[0033] 201: Selective RF electrode section 210: First RF electrode section

[0034] 220: 2nd RF electrode section 230: 3rd RF electrode section

[0035] 240: 4th RF electrode section 250: 1st fixed electrode section

[0036] 260: Second fixed electrode part 270: First moving electrode part

[0037] 280: Second moving electrode section 300: Power control section

[0038] 310: Power supply switch 320: Impedance detection unit

[0039] 400: Electrode moving part 410: Moving screw

[0040] 420: Screw rotation motor

[0041] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be embodied in other forms. Rather, the embodiments introduced herein are provided to ensure that the disclosed content is thorough and complete and to sufficiently convey the spirit of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0042] In this specification, when a component is referred to as being on another component, it means that it can be formed directly on the other component, or a third component can be interposed between them. Furthermore, in the drawings, the shapes and thicknesses of regions are exaggerated for the purpose of effectively explaining the technical content.

[0043] Additionally, although terms such as first, second, and third have been used to describe various components in various embodiments of this specification, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Thus, what is referred to as a first component in one embodiment may be referred to as a second component in another embodiment. Each embodiment described and illustrated herein also includes its complementary embodiments. Additionally, the term "and / or" has been used herein to mean including at least one of the components listed before and after.

[0044] In the specification, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, component, or combination thereof described in the specification, and should not be construed as excluding the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, components, or combinations thereof. In addition, in the present specification, "connection" is used to mean both indirectly connecting a plurality of components and directly connecting them.

[0045] In addition, when describing the present invention below, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a bipolar RF energy generating device according to the present invention, and with reference to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a bipolar RF energy generating device according to the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0047] One embodiment of a bipolar RF energy generating device according to the present invention includes a cartridge housing (100) having one side in contact with the skin (10) and a plurality of RF electrode parts (210, 220, 230) that contact the skin (10) and transmit RF energy to the skin (10).

[0048] The RF electrode part (210, 220, 230) has a preset number of uses, and when the number of uses of the RF electrode part (210, 220, 230) is reached, that is, when its lifespan ends, it is replaced with a new, unused cartridge housing part (100).

[0049] The cartridge housing part (100) is connected to a control body part (not shown) that controls the operation of the RF electrode part in an RF skin beauty device used for skin treatment, although not shown, and has a structure that is detachably mounted on a handpiece that is held by the operator's hand.

[0050] The cartridge housing part (100) can be implemented in various ways by being modified into a cartridge coupling structure that is detachably coupled to the handpiece in a known RF skin beauty device, and thus a more detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0051] One side of the cartridge housing (100) includes at least three RF electrode parts (210, 220, 230) positioned spaced apart from each other.

[0052] Three RF electrode units (210, 220, 230) are connected to a power control unit (300) and selectively receive electric power while in contact with the patient's skin (10) to generate RF energy.

[0053] The power control unit (300) can transmit RF energy to the skin (10) by applying electric power to two RF electrode units among three RF electrode units (210, 220, 230) that are in contact with the skin (10).

[0054] In addition, the power control unit (300) controls the depth of RF energy transmitted into the skin (10) by varying the spacing between two RF electrode units to which electric power is applied among the three RF electrode units (210, 220, 230).

[0055] When RF energy is generated in a bipolar manner, the depth at which RF energy is transmitted in the skin (10) varies depending on the distance between the two RF electrodes to which power is applied.

[0056] The closer the distance between the two RF electrode parts (210, 220), the shallower the penetration depth of the RF energy transmitted into the skin (10), and the wider the distance between the two RF electrode parts (220, 230), the deeper the penetration depth of the RF energy transmitted into the skin (10).

[0057] In addition, when RF energy is generated in a bipolar manner, the depth at which RF energy is transmitted in the skin (10) varies depending on the frequency of the RF energy applied to the two RF electrodes.

[0058] The higher the frequency of the RF energy applied to the two RF electrodes, the shallower the penetration depth of the RF energy transmitted into the skin (10), and the lower the frequency of the RF energy applied to the two RF electrodes, the deeper the penetration depth of the RF energy transmitted into the skin (10).

[0059] The power control unit (300) can apply electric power to two RF electrode units (210, 220) spaced apart by a first distance among three RF electrode units (210, 220, 230) or can apply electric power to two RF electrode units (220, 230) spaced apart by a second distance longer than the first distance among three RF electrode units (210, 220, 230).

[0060] The power control unit (300) can apply electric power to two RF electrode units (210, 220) spaced apart by a first distance to make the penetration depth of RF energy shallow, and can apply electric power to two RF electrode units (220, 230) spaced apart by a second distance to make the penetration depth of RF energy deep.

[0061] As an example, three or more RF electrode units (210, 220, 230) include a first RF electrode unit (210), a second RF electrode unit (220), and a third RF electrode unit (230) that are arranged in a row and spaced apart from each other.

[0062] The first RF electrode unit (210), the second RF electrode unit (220), and the third RF electrode unit (230) are each exposed on a plane and come into contact with the skin (10) simultaneously during the procedure.

[0063] The first RF electrode part (210), the second RF electrode part (220), and the third RF electrode part (230) are arranged in a row on one side of the cartridge housing part (100), and are arranged spaced apart from each other in the order of the first RF electrode part (210), the second RF electrode part (220), and the third RF electrode part (230) from the left.

[0064] That is, the second RF electrode unit (220) is positioned to be spaced apart from one side of the first RF electrode unit (210), and the third RF electrode unit (230) is positioned to be spaced apart from one side of the second RF electrode unit (220).

[0065] The power control unit (300) can control the penetration depth of RF energy by constantly applying electric power to the first RF electrode unit (210) when applying electric power to two RF electrode units among the first RF electrode unit (210), the second RF electrode unit (220), and the third RF electrode unit (230), and applying electric power to one of the second RF electrode unit (220) and the third RF electrode unit (230).

[0066] The power control unit (300) includes a power supply switch unit (310) that applies electric power to either the second RF electrode unit (220) or the third RF electrode unit (230), and can connect either the second RF electrode unit (220) or the third RF electrode unit (230) to a power supply line.

[0067] The power control unit (300) can apply electric power to the first RF electrode unit (210) and the second RF electrode unit (220) to transmit RF energy to a first depth within the skin (10), or apply electric power to the first RF electrode unit (210) and the third RF electrode unit (230) to transmit RF energy to a second depth deeper than the first depth within the skin (10), thereby controlling the penetration depth of the RF energy to the first depth or the second depth.

[0068] In addition, an impedance detection unit (320) that receives impedance feedback from the first RF electrode unit (210) is positioned on the power line connecting the power control unit (300) and the first RF electrode unit (210), and the power control unit (300) receives impedance feedback from the first RF electrode unit (210) and applies electric power to one of the second RF electrode unit (220) and the third RF electrode unit (230) to control the penetration depth of RF energy.

[0069] The power control unit (300) continuously applies electric power to the first RF electrode unit (210), applies electric power to either the second RF electrode unit (220) or the third RF electrode unit (230), and controls the intensity of the RF energy transmitted from the two RF electrode units, i.e., the electric field, thereby enabling more detailed and diverse control of the depth at which the RF energy is transmitted into the skin (10).

[0070]

[0071] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a bipolar RF energy generator according to the present invention, which includes four RF electrode parts (210, 220, 230, 240), and is an example of a first RF electrode part (210), a second RF electrode part (220), a third RF electrode part (230), and a fourth RF electrode part (240) positioned in a row.

[0072] The first RF electrode unit (210), the second RF electrode unit (220), the third RF electrode unit (230), and the fourth RF electrode unit (240) are arranged in a row on one side of the cartridge housing unit (100), and are arranged spaced apart from each other in the following order from the left: the first RF electrode unit (210), the second RF electrode unit (220), the third RF electrode unit (230), and the fourth RF electrode unit (240).

[0073] The power control unit (300) continuously applies electric power to the first RF electrode unit (210) when applying electric power to two RF electrode units among the first RF electrode unit (210), the second RF electrode unit (220), the third RF electrode unit (230), and the fourth RF electrode unit (240), and can control the penetration depth of RF energy by applying electric power to any one of the second RF electrode unit (220), the third RF electrode unit (230), and the fourth RF electrode unit (240).

[0074] The power control unit (300) includes a power supply switch unit (310) that applies electric power to one of the second RF electrode unit (220), the third RF electrode unit (230), and the fourth RF electrode unit (240), and can connect one of the second RF electrode unit (220), the third RF electrode unit (230), and the fourth RF electrode unit (240) to a power supply line.

[0075] The power control unit (300) applies electric power to the first RF electrode unit (210) and the second RF electrode unit (220) to transmit RF energy to a first depth within the skin (10), or applies electric power to the first RF electrode unit (210) and the third RF electrode unit (230) to transmit RF energy to a second depth deeper than the first depth within the skin (10), or applies electric power to the first RF electrode unit (210) and the third RF electrode unit (230) to transmit RF energy to a third depth deeper than the second depth within the skin (10).

[0076] An impedance detection unit (320) that receives impedance feedback from the first RF electrode unit (210) is positioned on the power line connecting the power control unit (300) and the first RF electrode unit (210), and the power control unit (300) receives impedance feedback from the first RF electrode unit (210) and applies electric power to one of the second RF electrode unit (220), the third RF electrode unit (230), and the fourth RF electrode unit (240) to control the penetration depth of RF energy.

[0077] The power control unit (300) continuously applies electric power to the first RF electrode unit (210), applies electric power to one of the second RF electrode unit (220), the third RF electrode unit (230), and the fourth RF electrode unit (240), and controls the intensity of the RF energy transmitted from the two RF electrode units, i.e., the electric field, thereby enabling more detailed and diverse control of the depth at which the RF energy is transmitted into the skin (10).

[0078]

[0079] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, at least three RF electrode units (210, 220, 230, 240) include a reference RF electrode unit (200), and a plurality of selective RF electrode units (201) (201) spaced apart from the reference RF electrode unit (200) at different distances, and a power control unit (300) constantly applies electric power to the reference RF electrode unit (200) when electric power is applied to two RF electrode units, and a power application switch unit (310) connects one of the plurality of selective RF electrode units (201) to a power supply line and applies electric power to the connected selective RF electrode unit (201), thereby controlling the gap between two RF electrode units to which electric power is applied, and the narrower the gap between two RF electrode units to which electric power is applied, the more shallowly RF energy is transmitted into the skin (10), and the wider the gap between two RF electrode units, the more deeply RF energy is transmitted into the skin (10).

[0080] And, an impedance detection unit (320) that receives impedance feedback from the reference RF electrode unit (200) is positioned on the power line connecting the power control unit (300) and the reference RF electrode unit (200), so that the power control unit (300) receives impedance feedback from the reference RF electrode unit (200) and applies electric power to one of a plurality of selected RF electrode units (201) to control the penetration depth of RF energy.

[0081] In addition, the power control unit (300) constantly applies electric power to the reference RF electrode unit (200) when electric power is applied to the two RF electrode units, and applies electric power to one of the plurality of selected RF electrode units (201) to adjust the gap between the two RF electrode units, and by controlling the intensity of the RF energy, i.e., the electric field transmitted from the two RF electrode units, the depth at which the RF energy is transmitted into the skin (10) can be controlled in a more detailed and diverse manner.

[0082]

[0083] Meanwhile, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a bipolar RF energy generating device according to the present invention, and referring to FIG. 3, at least three RF electrode units (210, 220, 230, 240) include a first RF electrode unit (210), a second RF electrode unit (220), a third RF electrode unit (230), and a fourth RF electrode unit (240) positioned in a row, and a power control unit (300) can control the depth at which RF energy is transmitted into the skin (10) by applying electric power to the first RF electrode unit (210) and the fourth RF electrode unit (240) positioned at both ends, or by applying electric power to the second RF electrode unit (220) and the third RF electrode unit (230) positioned between the first RF electrode unit (210) and the fourth RF electrode unit (240).

[0084] The power control unit (300) can apply electric power to the first RF electrode unit (210) and the fourth RF electrode unit (240) located at both ends to deeply transmit RF energy into the skin (10), or apply electric power to the second RF electrode unit (220) and the third RF electrode unit (230) located in the middle to shallowly transmit RF energy into the skin (10).

[0085] The power control unit (300) applies electric power to the first RF electrode unit (210) and the fourth RF electrode unit (240) located at both ends, and applies electric power to the second RF electrode unit (220) and the third RF electrode unit (230), thereby simultaneously transmitting two RF energies having different depths to the skin (10).

[0086] That is, the power control unit (300) can apply electric power simultaneously or individually to the first RF electrode unit (210), the fourth RF electrode unit (240), the second RF electrode unit (220), and the third RF electrode unit (230).

[0087] In addition, when the power control unit (300) simultaneously applies electric power to the first RF electrode unit (210) and the fourth RF electrode unit (240) and the second RF electrode unit (220) and the third RF electrode unit (230), the voltage of the electric power applied to the first RF electrode unit (210) and the fourth RF electrode unit (240) can be different from the voltage of the electric power applied to the second RF electrode unit (220) and the third RF electrode unit (230).

[0088] For example, the voltage of the electric power applied to the first RF electrode unit (210) and the fourth RF electrode unit (240) may be greater than the voltage of the electric power applied to the second RF electrode unit (220) and the third RF electrode unit (230). Alternatively, the voltage of the electric power applied to the first RF electrode unit (210) and the fourth RF electrode unit (240) may be less than the voltage of the electric power applied to the second RF electrode unit (220) and the third RF electrode unit (230).

[0089] Accordingly, the difference in the depth of RF energy transmitted to the skin through the first RF electrode unit (210) and the fourth RF electrode unit (240) and the depth of RF energy transmitted to the skin through the second RF electrode unit (220) and the third RF electrode unit (230) can be more precisely controlled, enabling treatment under various conditions.

[0090]

[0091] Meanwhile, FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating another embodiment of a bipolar RF energy generating device according to the present invention, and is a plan view illustrating one side of a cartridge housing portion (100) where at least three RF electrode portions are positioned in the cartridge housing.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 4, one side of the cartridge housing may include four RF electrode parts (210, 220, 230, 240) spaced at different intervals, that is, a first RF electrode part (210), a second RF electrode part (220), a third RF electrode part (230), and a fourth RF electrode part (240).

[0093] The first RF electrode unit (210), the second RF electrode unit (220), the third RF electrode unit (230), and the fourth RF electrode unit (240) are positioned in a row spaced apart from each other, but are positioned so as to have different intervals from each other.

[0094] The spacing between the first RF electrode unit (210) and the second RF electrode unit (220), the spacing between the second RF electrode unit (220) and the third RF electrode unit (230), and the spacing between the fourth RF electrode unit (240) and the fifth RF electrode unit are different from each other.

[0095] Accordingly, the first RF electrode part (210) is spaced apart from the second RF electrode part (220) by a first interval (d1), spaced apart from the third RF electrode part (230) by a second interval (d2), and spaced apart from the fourth RF electrode part (240) by a third interval (d3). The second RF electrode part (220) is positioned to be spaced apart from the third RF electrode part (230) by a fourth interval (d4), spaced apart from the fourth RF electrode part (240) by a fifth interval (d5), and the third RF electrode part (230) is spaced apart from the fourth RF electrode part (240) by a sixth interval (d6).

[0096] The power control unit (300) selects two RF electrode units having one of the first interval (d1) to the sixth interval (d6) among the first RF electrode unit (210), the second RF electrode unit (220), the third RF electrode unit (230) and the fourth RF electrode unit (240) and applies electric power to them, thereby controlling the depth of RF energy transmitted to the skin (10) in six stages.

[0097] In addition, the power control unit (300) can simultaneously apply electric power to two pairs of RF electrodes among the first RF electrode unit (210), the second RF electrode unit (220), the third RF electrode unit (230), and the fourth RF electrode unit (240) to simultaneously transmit two RF energies to different depths within the skin (10).

[0098] That is, at least three RF electrode units (210, 220, 230, 240) are positioned spaced apart from each other at different intervals, and the power control unit (300) controls the depth of RF energy transmitted to the skin (10) by selecting two RF electrode units among the at least three RF electrode units (210, 220, 230, 240) and applying electric power thereto, and furthermore, by controlling the intensity of the RF energy transmitted from the two RF electrode units, i.e., the electric field, the depth at which RF energy is transmitted into the skin (10) can be controlled in more detail and in various ways.

[0099] In addition, at least three RF electrode units (210, 220, 230, 240) are provided spaced apart from each other by at least four or more even numbers, and the power control unit (300) can simultaneously apply electric power to at least two pairs of RF electrode units in the RF electrode units (210, 220, 230, 240) provided by at least four or more even numbers, thereby simultaneously transmitting multiple RF energies to different depths, and by controlling the intensity of the RF energy transmitted from the two RF electrode units, i.e., the electric field, the depth at which each RF energy is transmitted into the skin (10) can be controlled more precisely and diversely.

[0100]

[0101] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a bipolar RF energy generating device according to the present invention, and referring to FIG. 5, at least three RF electrode parts include at least one fixed electrode part (250, 260) fixed to one surface of a cartridge housing part (100) and a plurality of movable electrode parts (270, 280) positioned movably on one side of the fixed electrode part, and another embodiment of a bipolar RF energy generating device according to the present invention may further include an electrode moving part (400) that moves a plurality of movable electrode parts (270, 280) toward one side of the fixed electrode part (250, 260) to adjust the spacing between the electrodes.

[0102] The electrode moving unit (400) can adjust the gap between the fixed electrode units (250, 260) and the moving electrode units (270, 280) by moving a plurality of moving electrode units (270, 280) in a direction away from the fixed electrode units (250, 260), and the power control unit (300) can adjust the depth at which RF energy is transmitted into the skin (10) by applying electric power to one of the moving electrode units (270, 280) while applying electric power to the fixed electrode units (250, 260).

[0103] More specifically, another embodiment of a bipolar RF energy generator according to the present invention includes a first fixed electrode part (250), a second fixed electrode part (260) positioned spaced apart from one side of the first fixed electrode part (250), and a first movable electrode part (270) and a second movable electrode part (280) positioned movably between the first fixed electrode part (250) and the second fixed electrode part (260).

[0104] In addition, the electrode moving unit (400) can move the first moving electrode unit (270) and the second moving electrode unit (280) inward to narrow the gap, or move them outward to widen the gap.

[0105] The electrode moving part (400) may be rotatably positioned in the cartridge housing part (100), and may include a moving screw (410) that penetrates the first moving electrode part (270) and the second moving electrode part (280) and is screw-connected in opposite directions, and a screw rotation motor (420) that rotates the moving screw (410).

[0106] The cartridge housing part (100) is provided with an electrode mounting protrusion (110) having a first fixed electrode part (250) and a second fixed electrode part (260) on one side thereof, and an electrode movement space (120) is provided between the electrode mounting protrusions (110) in which a first movable electrode part (270) and a second movable electrode part (280) are movably positioned.

[0107] The moving screw (410) is positioned so as to be rotatable across the electrode moving space (120), and the screw rotation motor (420) is mounted within the electrode mounting protrusion (110) to rotate the moving screw (410), as an example.

[0108] As an example, the moving screw (410) is screwed in a left-hand thread direction to the first moving electrode part (270) and in a right-hand thread direction to the second moving electrode part (280), but it should be noted that the opposite direction may also be used.

[0109] The first moving electrode part (270) and the second moving electrode part (280) are each screw-coupled in opposite directions to the moving screw (410) and can be moved inward or outward by the rotation of the moving screw (410) to narrow or widen the gap.

[0110] The first movable electrode part (270) and the second movable electrode part (280) can move inward or outward between the first fixed electrode part (250) and the second fixed electrode part (260), and the gap between them can be adjusted, and the gap between the first fixed electrode part (250) and the gap between the second fixed electrode part (260) can be adjusted simultaneously.

[0111] The power control unit (300) controls the operation of the electrode moving unit (400) to adjust the distance between two RF electrodes to which power is applied, thereby controlling the depth of RF energy transmitted to the skin (10). In addition, by controlling the intensity of the RF energy transmitted from the two RF electrodes, i.e., the electric field, the depth at which RF energy is transmitted into the skin (10) can be controlled in more detail and in a variety of ways.

[0112]

[0113] The present invention selectively applies electric power to two RF electrodes among at least three RF electrodes, thereby controlling the spacing between the RF electrodes to which electric power is applied and the frequency of RF energy, thereby allowing the depth of the skin (10) to which RF energy is delivered to be varied, and by delivering uniform energy to each skin (10) depth, the treatment effect in the bipolar method can be improved and the types of treatment can be diversified.

[0114]

[0115] While the present invention has been described in detail using preferred embodiments, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and should be interpreted in accordance with the appended claims. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Cartridge housing portion with one side in contact with the skin; At least three RF electrode sections positioned spaced apart from one surface of the cartridge housing section and in contact with the skin; A bipolar RF energy generating device characterized by including a power control unit that applies electric power to two RF electrode units while varying the interval between the two RF electrode units to control the depth of RF energy transmitted into the skin.

2. In claim 1, A bipolar RF energy generating device, characterized in that the power control unit applies electric power to two of the three RF electrode units spaced apart by a first distance, or applies electric power to two of the three RF electrode units spaced apart by a second distance longer than the first distance.

3. In claim 1, At least three of the above RF electrode sections, Reference RF electrode section; and It comprises a plurality of selected RF electrodes spaced at different distances from the above reference RF electrode, A bipolar RF energy generating device characterized in that the power control unit constantly applies electric power to a reference RF electrode unit when applying electric power to two electrodes, and connects one of the plurality of selected RF electrode units to a power supply line using a power application switch unit to apply electric power to the connected selected RF electrode unit.

4. In claim 2 or claim 3, A bipolar RF energy generating device characterized in that three or more of the above RF electrode sections are arranged spaced apart in a row.

5. In claim 1, At least three of the RF electrode sections include a first RF electrode section, a second RF electrode section, a third RF electrode section and a fourth RF electrode section positioned in a row, A bipolar RF energy generating device characterized in that the power control unit applies electric power to the first RF electrode unit and the fourth RF electrode unit located at both ends, or applies electric power to the second RF electrode unit and the third RF electrode unit located between the first RF electrode unit and the fourth RF electrode unit.

6. In claim 1, A bipolar RF energy generating device characterized in that at least three RF electrode sections are positioned spaced apart from each other at different intervals, and the power control section selects two RF electrode sections among the three RF electrode sections and applies electric power to them.

7. In claim 1, The above RF electrode parts are provided in at least four even numbers spaced apart from each other, A bipolar RF energy generating device characterized in that the power control unit simultaneously applies electric power to at least two pairs of the RF electrode units.

8. In claim 7, A bipolar RF energy generating device characterized in that the power control unit applies a different voltage of electric power to one pair of the RF electrode units and a different voltage of electric power to another pair of the RF electrode units.

9. In claim 1, At least three of the above RF electrode sections, At least one fixed electrode portion fixed to one surface of the cartridge housing portion; and It comprises a plurality of movable electrode parts that are movably positioned on one side of the fixed electrode part, A bipolar RF energy generating device characterized in that a plurality of moving electrode sections are moved in one direction of the fixed electrode section by electrode moving sections provided in the cartridge housing section.

10. In claim 9, The above fixed electrode part includes a first fixed electrode part and a second fixed electrode part positioned spaced apart from one side of the first fixed electrode part, A bipolar RF energy generating device, characterized in that the above movable electrode part includes a first movable electrode part and a second movable electrode part that are positioned so as to be movable between the first fixed electrode part and the second fixed electrode part.

11. In claim 10, The above electrode moving part, A moving screw rotatably positioned in the cartridge housing portion and threaded through the first moving electrode portion and the second moving electrode portion, but screwed in opposite directions; and A bipolar RF energy generating device characterized by including a screw rotation motor that rotates the above-mentioned moving screw.

12. In claim 11, The above cartridge housing portion is provided with an electrode mounting protrusion having the first fixed electrode portion and the second fixed electrode portion on one side, A bipolar RF energy generating device characterized in that an electrode movement space is provided between the electrode mounting protrusions, in which the first movable electrode part and the second movable electrode part are movably positioned.

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