Skin contact-sensitive high-frequency treatment apparatus

Abstract

A skin contact-sensitive high-frequency treatment apparatus of the present invention comprises: a cartridge including a main body that generates an output signal for high-frequency output, an electrode unit that is in contact with the skin and outputs high-frequency waves to the contacted skin through the output signal, and a detection unit that detects the occurrence of displacement in an area of the electrode unit according to pressure applied to the electrode unit; and a handpiece to which the cartridge is coupled and which electrically connects the electrode unit and the detection unit to the main body, wherein, only when a detection result of the detection unit confirms that the electrode unit is in close contact with the skin, the main body provides the output signal for high-frequency output to the electrode unit through the handpiece.

Description

Skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device

[0001] The present invention relates to a high-frequency treatment device that detects a state of close contact with the skin.

[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 with the high frequency output area in close contact with the skin so that high frequency is evenly supplied to the target tissue, and gel is sometimes applied to the treatment area to improve adhesion.

[0006] However, since the prior art does not have a means for determining whether there is an abnormality in contact between the high-frequency output electrode and the skin, there is a problem that high-frequency may be output even when the high-frequency output electrode is not in proper contact with the skin, and thus, burns may occur on the skin due to high-frequency output when the output electrode is not in proper contact with the skin.

[0007]

[0008] The present invention aims to solve the above-described problem by providing a skin-contact detection type high-frequency treatment device capable of determining whether there is an abnormality in contact between a high-frequency output electrode and the skin.

[0009]

[0010] A skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a main body that generates an output signal for high-frequency output; a cartridge that comes into contact with the skin and includes an electrode part that outputs high-frequency to the contacted skin through an output signal, and a detection part that detects displacement of a region of the electrode part according to pressure applied to the electrode part; and a handpiece that is coupled to the cartridge and electrically connects the electrode part and the detection part to the main body; wherein the main body is characterized in that it provides an output signal for high-frequency output to the electrode part through the handpiece only when it is determined through a detection result of the detection part that the electrode part is in close contact with the skin.

[0011] Here, the electrode part is characterized in that it is provided as a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) having a copper pattern in the central area.

[0012] At this time, the electrode portion is characterized in that the edge area of ​​the high-frequency output surface is fixed to the cartridge so that the central area recedes by a predetermined depth due to the pressure applied to the high-frequency output surface while the high-frequency output surface is exposed to the outside of the cartridge.

[0013] In addition, the detection unit is characterized in that it is provided with a coil inductor that is fixedly placed inside the handpiece at a predetermined distance from the center of the rear surface of the electrode unit.

[0014] And, the main body part is characterized by including a signal generation part that generates an output signal for a high-frequency output of the electrode part; and a control part that supplies current to the detection part to generate a magnetic field in a rear region of the electrode part facing the detection part, checks a change in inductance of the detection part due to displacement of the electrode part in the generated magnetic field region, and controls the provision of an output signal to the electrode part through the signal generation part according to the check result.

[0015] In addition, the control unit determines that the electrode unit is in close contact with the skin only when the degree of decrease in the inductance of the sensing unit due to the eddy current generated when the copper pattern retreats into the magnetic field area due to the skin contacting the electrode unit is below a reference value, and provides an output signal for high-frequency output to the electrode unit through the handpiece.

[0016] Meanwhile, the cartridge is characterized in that it further includes a non-metallic support member that elastically supports the central region of the electrode member in the direction of high-frequency output.

[0017]

[0018] The skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device according to the present invention has an effect of preventing skin burns caused by high-frequency output when the electrode part is not properly in contact with the skin by determining whether skin contact is made through a change in inductance of the detection part according to displacement of a copper plate pattern of an electrode part to which pressure is applied, and controlling the high-frequency output of the electrode part only when contact is determined to be made.

[0019] In addition, the skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device according to the present invention has the effect of enabling the practitioner to check whether the electrode part is in contact with the skin of the subject of the treatment by having the control part output the result of the determination of skin contact in the form of visualized information through the display part, and also helping to quickly determine whether the cause of the high-frequency non-output state is an abnormality in the contact between the electrode part and the skin or an abnormality in the operation of the device.

[0020]

[0021] Figure 1 illustrates a skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figures 2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating examples of skin contact detection of a skin contact detection type high-frequency treatment device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a partial diagram illustrating a cartridge of a skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a partial view of a cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025]

[0026] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0027] 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.

[0028]

[0029] Figure 1 illustrates a skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, a skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device (10) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may include a main body (100) that generates an output signal for high-frequency output, a cartridge (200) that outputs high-frequency through an output signal generated from the main body (100), and a handpiece (300) that is electrically connected to the main body (100) and to which the cartridge (200) is detachably coupled to electrically connect the main body (100) and the cartridge (200).

[0031]

[0032] *The main body (100) can generate an output signal for high-frequency output, and may include a signal generation unit (110) that generates an output signal for high-frequency output, a control unit (120) that determines whether skin adhesion is achieved through a sensing value of a cartridge (200) to be described later, and controls the signal generation unit (110) according to the determination result to provide the generated output signal to the cartridge (200) through the handpiece (300), and a display unit (130) that outputs the determination result of the control unit (120) in the form of visualized information.

[0033] The handpiece (300) is fixedly connected to the cartridge (200) and is connected to the main body (100) via a cable, and can electrically connect the cartridge (200) and the main body (100). Here, the handpiece (300) can receive an output signal for high-frequency output of the cartridge (200) provided from the main body from the main body (100) via the cable and transmit it to the combined cartridge (200), and similarly, can provide the sensing value of the cartridge (200) to the main body (100). In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the handpiece (300) can receive refrigerant provided from a refrigerant supply means (not shown) from the main body (100) via a conveying pipe provided inside the cable, and can spray the refrigerant into the internal area of ​​the combined cartridge (200) according to the control of the main body (100), thereby dissipating heat generation of the cartridge (200) caused by high-frequency output.

[0034]

[0035] FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating examples of skin contact detection of a skin contact-sensing high-frequency treatment device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 partially illustrates a cartridge of a skin contact-sensing high-frequency treatment device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the cartridge (200) is detachably coupled to a handpiece (300) to be described later, and provides a pressure detection result by contact with the skin to the main body (100) through the handpiece (300), and can receive an output signal from the main body (100) to output high frequency, and may include an electrode unit (210) and a detection unit (220).

[0037] The electrode unit (210) is provided as a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) having a copper pattern (C) in the central region, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, and the high-frequency output surface is exposed to the outside of the cartridge, and the edge region of the high-frequency output surface is fixed to the cartridge (200) so that the central region recedes by a predetermined depth due to pressure applied to the high-frequency output surface, and the high-frequency output surface can receive an output signal generated from the signal generation unit (110) through the handpiece (300) in a state where it is in contact with the surface of the skin (S) of the treatment target (O) to output high-frequency.

[0038] The detection unit (220) is positioned and fixed inside the handpiece (200) at a predetermined distance from the center of the rear surface of the electrode unit (210), as shown in (a) of FIG. 4, and is provided as a coil inductor having a coil wound inside, as shown in (b) of FIG. 4, and receives current from the control unit (120) through the handpiece (300), and forms a magnetic field in the rear surface area of ​​the electrode unit (210), as shown in FIG. 2, and provides an inductance value to the control unit (120).

[0039] Here, when a conductor is positioned in the magnetic field area formed in the sensing unit (220), an eddy current is generated in the conductor, causing a decrease in the inductance of the sensing unit (220). The control unit (120) uses this eddy current phenomenon to detect the retreat of the electrode unit (210) due to pressure, thereby determining whether it is in contact with the skin (S). Referring to FIG. 3, when the high-frequency output surface of the electrode part (210) comes into contact with the skin (S) of the treatment subject (O), and the central region of the electrode part (210) retreats into the magnetic field region formed by the detection part (220) due to the pressure applied, an eddy current is generated in the copper pattern (C), causing a decrease in the inductance of the detection part (220), and the control part (120) can determine whether the electrode part (210) is in strong contact with the skin (S), that is, whether the high-frequency output surface of the electrode part (210) is in close contact with the skin (S), through the degree of decrease in the inductance of the detection part (220).

[0040] Thereafter, the control unit (120) determines that the electrode unit (210) is in close contact with the skin only when the degree of inductance reduction of the detection unit (220) is below a reference value, that is, only when the inductance reduction range of the detection unit (220) is above a set level, and provides an output signal for high-frequency output generated from the signal generation unit (110) to the electrode unit (210). After the control unit (120) provides the high-frequency signal through the signal generation unit (110), when the contact state between the electrode unit (210) and the skin (S) is released, the control unit (120) can measure the inductance of the detection unit (220) at that point in time and set the corresponding inductance value as an initial value. In more detail, the skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device (10) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides high-frequency output to the skin (S) of the treatment target (O) through the electrode unit (210), and in order to suppress the temperature rise of the electrode unit (210) whose temperature has increased due to the high-frequency output, the control unit (120) additionally transmits the coolant supplied from the main body (100) to the coolant supply pipe (P) of the cartridge (200) through the handpiece (300), and at this time, the coolant supply can be controlled so that the coolant supplied from the coolant supply pipe (P) through the cooling block (B) located at the rear of the electrode unit (210) is evenly sprayed to the rear of the electrode unit (210), and the control unit (120) measures the inductance of the detection unit (220) after a predetermined time after the cooling of the electrode unit (210) and sets the highest measured inductance of the detection unit (220) to the initial value, thereby preventing the temperature from changing during the sensing process using the eddy current. It is possible to minimize the occurrence of errors.

[0041] At this time, the judgment result of the control unit (120) can be output through the display unit (130), so that the practitioner can visually check the judgment result of the control unit (120) output in the form of visualized information through the display unit (130), thereby confirming whether the electrode unit (210) is in close contact with the skin (S) of the treatment subject (O), and can quickly determine whether the cause of the high-frequency non-output state is an abnormality in the contact between the electrode unit (210) and the skin (S) or an abnormality in the operation of the device.

[0042] In addition, the detection unit (220) can be placed within the cartridge (200) in a limited manner by the arrangement of the cooling block (B) that evenly sprays the refrigerant to multiple areas on the rear side of the electrode unit (210) and the refrigerant supply pipe (P) that supplies the refrigerant to the cooling block (B), and as in FIG. 4, the detection unit (220) of the cartridge (200) according to a preferred embodiment can be placed in the center facing the refrigerant spraying direction of the cooling block (B) that sprays the refrigerant in the direction of the edge.

[0043]

[0044] FIG. 5 is a partial view of a cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 5, the detection unit (220′) of the cartridge (200′) according to another embodiment may be located at the rear of the cooling block (B′). At this time, since the detection unit (220′) is provided in a form in which a coil is wound in an area excluding the central area, the detection unit (220′) may have a circularly deleted area in the center corresponding to the diameter of the refrigerant supply pipe (P′) so that the refrigerant supply pipe (P′) passes through the center where the coil is not wound and is connected to the cooling block (B′).

[0046] Meanwhile, since the electrode part (210) is made of FPCB, it cannot be expected that it will always return to the same position even if the pressure applied to the high-frequency output surface is released. Therefore, the cartridge (200) of the skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device (10) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may further include a non-metallic, non-magnetic support member (230) that is arranged in the region between the electrode unit (210) and the detection unit (220) and elastically supports the rear central region of the electrode unit (210) in the high-frequency output direction, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the support member (230) contracts along with the retreat of the central region of the electrode unit (210) due to the pressure applied to the high-frequency output surface of the electrode unit (210), and when the pressure of the electrode unit (210) is released, the support member (230) returns the central region of the electrode unit (210) back to the high-frequency output surface direction by the elastic restoring force, thereby maintaining a constant distance between the detection unit (220) and the electrode unit (210) when the pressure of the electrode unit (210) is released. Since it is made of non-metallic, non-magnetic material, the distance between the detection unit (220) and the electrode unit (210) can be maintained. It has little effect on displacement sensing according to the pressure applied to the electrode part (210).

[0047]

[0048] That is, the skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device according to the present invention has an effect of preventing skin burns caused by high-frequency output from the electrode part only when the control part determines whether skin contact is made through a change in inductance of the detection part according to displacement of the copper plate pattern of the electrode part to which pressure is applied, and controls the high-frequency output from the electrode part only when contact is determined to be made.

[0049] In addition, the skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device according to the present invention has the effect of enabling the practitioner to check whether the electrode part is in contact with the skin of the subject of the treatment by having the control part output the result of the determination of skin contact in the form of visualized information through the display part, and also helping to quickly determine whether the cause of the high-frequency non-output state is an abnormality in the contact between the electrode part and the skin or an abnormality in the operation of the device.

[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 generates an output signal for high-frequency output; A cartridge comprising an electrode part that comes into contact with the skin and outputs high frequency to the contacted skin through an output signal, and a detection part that detects displacement of a region of the electrode part according to pressure applied to the electrode part; The above cartridge is combined and includes a handpiece that electrically connects the electrode part and the detection part to the main body; A skin contact detection type high frequency treatment device characterized in that the main body provides an output signal for high frequency output to the electrode part through the handpiece only when the electrode part is determined to be in close contact with the skin through the detection result of the detection part.

2. In paragraph 1, A skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device characterized in that the electrode part is formed of a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) having a copper pattern in the central area.

3. In paragraph 2, A skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device characterized in that the electrode part is fixed to the cartridge so that the high-frequency output surface is exposed to the outside of the cartridge and the central area recedes to a predetermined depth by pressure applied to the high-frequency output surface.

4. In paragraph 3, A skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device characterized in that the detection unit is provided with a coil inductor that is fixedly placed inside the handpiece at a predetermined distance from the center of the rear surface of the electrode unit.

5. In paragraph 4, The above main body part, A signal generating unit that generates an output signal for high-frequency output of the above electrode unit; and A skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device characterized by comprising: a control unit that supplies current to the detection unit to generate a magnetic field in a rear region of the electrode unit facing the detection unit, checks a change in inductance of the detection unit due to displacement of the electrode unit in the generated magnetic field region, and controls the provision of an output signal to the electrode unit through a signal generation unit according to the check result.

6. In paragraph 5, A skin contact detection high-frequency treatment device characterized in that the control unit determines that the electrode part is in contact with the skin only when the degree of inductance reduction of the detection part due to the eddy current generated when the copper pattern retreats into the magnetic field area when the skin comes into contact with the electrode part is below a reference value, and provides an output signal for high-frequency output to the electrode part through the handpiece.

7. In paragraph 3, A skin-contact detection high-frequency treatment device, characterized in that the cartridge further includes a non-metallic support member that elastically supports the central area of ​​the electrode member in the direction of high-frequency output.

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