Treatment device using RF energy, handpiece thereof, and tip module thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a treatment device using RF energy, a handpiece thereof, and a tip module thereof, and provides a treatment device using RF energy, a handpiece thereof, and a tip module thereof, the treatment device comprising: an electrode for transmitting RF energy to tissues; a plurality of branched channels provided at the rear side of the electrode and through which a refrigerant is transmitted; and a cooling module including a plurality of nozzles, which are provided at the end of each of the channels, through which the refrigerant is discharged, wherein the branched channels increase in diameter, along the direction of flow of the refrigerant, in a section adjacent to the nozzles.

Description

Treatment device using RF energy, its handpiece and its tip module

[0001] The present invention relates to a treatment device using RF energy, a handpiece thereof, and a tip module thereof.

[0002] Techniques for treating tissue lesions by delivering RF energy to the tissue have been developed in various ways. In particular, recent technologies have been developed that treat tissue without damaging the skin surface by cooling the skin with electrodes placed on the skin surface and delivering RF energy. These RF energy-based treatment techniques are disclosed in Korean Patent No. 0706115, among others.

[0003] When using this RF energy for treatment, a cooling structure is provided to cool the electrode during treatment to prevent it from overheating. However, conventional cooling structures have difficulty in uniformly cooling the electrode.

[0004] The present invention provides a treatment device using RF energy, a handpiece thereof, and a tip module thereof, which can uniformly cool an electrode by considering the heat generation characteristics of each position of the electrode when cooling the electrode, when treating tissue using RF energy.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-described object of the present invention, the present invention provides a treatment device using RF energy, including a cooling module including an electrode for transmitting RF energy to a tissue, a plurality of branched channels provided at the rear side of the electrode and through which a coolant is transmitted, and a plurality of injection ports provided at the ends of each of the channels and through which the coolant is discharged, wherein the branched channels have a shape in which a diameter increases along a direction of travel of the coolant in a section adjacent to the injection ports.

[0006] Among the branched channels, the section adjacent to the nozzle forms an inner wall that is inclined outward based on the central axis of the channel.

[0007] The inclined inner wall has an inclination angle ranging from 10 to 80 degrees with respect to the central axis of the above-mentioned euro.

[0008] The cross-sectional area of ​​the nozzle may be at least 1.2 times the cross-sectional area of ​​the passage before the section where the diameter increases among the branched passages.

[0009] A plurality of nozzles are provided on one surface of the cooling module, and the plurality of nozzles are symmetrically arranged on one surface of the cooling module. For example, at least four nozzles may be provided on one surface of the cooling module. The plurality of branched channels are formed to have the same length.

[0010] A plurality of nozzles are arranged at positions spaced apart from the center of one face of the cooling module in a radial direction by a predetermined distance, and the spaced distance may be at least half the distance from the center of one face of the cooling module to the outer edge.

[0011] Meanwhile, the branched flow path has a widening section formed so that the diameter increases along the direction of travel of the refrigerant at a position adjacent to the injection port, and the inner walls forming the one widening section can be formed to have different inclination angles.

[0012] Here, among the inner walls forming one expansion section, the inner wall closer to the center of one side of the cooling module may have a greater inclination angle than the inner wall further from the center of one side of the cooling module.

[0013] Alternatively, it is also possible to further include a dispersing member disposed between the electrode and the cooling module to disperse the refrigerant discharged through the nozzle.

[0014] Meanwhile, the purpose of the present invention as described above can also be achieved by a handpiece or tip module of a treatment device using RF energy, which includes an electrode for transmitting RF energy to a tissue, a cooling module provided on the rear side of the electrode and including a plurality of branched channels through which a coolant passes, and a nozzle provided at an end of each of the channels through which the coolant is discharged, wherein the branched channels have a shape in which the diameter increases along the direction of travel of the coolant in a section adjacent to the nozzle.

[0015] According to the present invention, even if cooling is performed by spraying a coolant centered on the outer side of the electrode, sufficient cooling is achieved even to the central part of the electrode, thereby uniformly cooling the electrode and preventing skin damage during treatment.

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a treatment device using RF energy according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the treatment device according to Figure 1;

[0018] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the handpiece of Figure 1;

[0019] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the main configuration of the tip module of Fig. 3;

[0020] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the tip module of Fig. 3;

[0021] Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the cooling module of Figure 4;

[0022] Figure 7 is a plan view showing the front of the cooling module;

[0023] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of a cooling module according to one embodiment;

[0024] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of a cooling module according to another embodiment;

[0025] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of a cooling module according to another embodiment;

[0026] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of a cooling module according to another embodiment;

[0027] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of a cooling module according to another embodiment.

[0028] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a treatment device utilizing RF energy, its handpiece, and its tip module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In the following description, the positional relationship of each component is explained in principle based on the drawings. In addition, the drawings may simplify the structure of the invention or, if necessary, exaggerate it for convenience of explanation. Therefore, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various devices can be added, modified, or omitted in addition to these.

[0029] Hereinafter, the term "treatment device using RF energy" includes all devices for treating mammals, including humans. The treatment device may include various devices that transmit RF energy for the purpose of improving the condition of a lesion or tissue. The following embodiment focuses on a device for treating skin lesions. For example, it may mean that RF energy is used to locally heat skin tissue to improve wrinkles, tone and textural changes, scars and acne scarring, sagging mucosa, overall rejuvenation, hyperhidrosis, laxity, lifting, tightening, fat reduction, etc. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be applied to various devices that transmit RF energy to various affected areas, including devices for surgically treating lesions of internal organs.

[0030] Hereinafter, "tissue" refers to the collection of cells that make up the various bodily organs of animals, including humans. This includes the skin tissue of the face, neck, arms, legs, and torso, as well as various tissues that make up various organs within the body.

[0031] Hereinafter, a treatment device using RF energy according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a treatment device using RF energy according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a treatment device using RF energy according to the present embodiment includes a main body (10), a handpiece (20) connected to the main body (10), and a return electrode pad (30).

[0034] The main body (10) is equipped with various components for operating the treatment device of the present embodiment. The exterior of the main body (10) is equipped with various switches and display units for setting / manipulating the operation of the treatment device. In addition, components such as an RF energy generating unit (50) and a refrigerant receiving unit may be equipped inside the main body (10).

[0035] The handpiece (20) is a component that performs treatment at a treatment location and is provided in a form that a user can hold in their hand and use. An electrode (60) that contacts the patient's skin surface and transmits RF energy is provided at one end of the handpiece (20). Various operating parts for manipulating the treatment motion may be provided on the outer surface of the handpiece (20), and a conductive path for transmitting RF energy to the electrode (60) and a cooling channel for cooling the electrode are provided on the inside of the handpiece (20).

[0036] The return electrode pad (30) includes a return electrode. The return electrode is composed of a conductive material and is positioned so as to contact a location on the patient's body opposite the treatment location during treatment. Therefore, when RF energy is applied, the return electrode, together with the electrode of the handpiece, forms a path through which RF energy is transmitted to the patient's body.

[0037] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the handpiece (20) and the return electrode pad (30) are each connected to the main body by a connecting portion. The connecting portion may be formed of a cable or the like, and each is electrically connected to the main body to form an RF transmission path and is configured to transmit or receive various signals.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the electrode (60) of the handpiece is configured as a monopolar type having one polarity and includes a separate return electrode pad, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As another example, if the electrode of the handpiece is configured as a bipolar type having different polarities, the handpiece may be implemented without including the aforementioned return electrode pad.

[0039] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the treatment device according to Figure 1.

[0040] The RF energy generating unit (50) generates RF energy used for treatment. The RF energy generating unit (50) generates RF pulses having various parameters depending on the patient's constitution, treatment purpose, treatment area, etc. The parameters may be at least one of output, pulse duration, pulse interval, and frequency. The RF energy generated by the RF energy generating unit (50) is transmitted to the electrode (60) of the handpiece through the connecting unit and is applied to the skin surface in contact with the electrode (60).

[0041] The RF energy generating unit (50) of the present embodiment generates RF energy having at least two different frequencies. That is, the RF energy generating unit (50) can selectively generate RF energy having a first frequency and RF energy having a second frequency. Here, when the frequency range is divided into a first range (2 to 6 MHz), a second range (6 to 10 MHz), and a third range (10 to 30 MHz), the first frequency may be a frequency within the first range, and the second frequency may be a frequency within the second range. Alternatively, the first frequency may be a frequency within the first range, and the second frequency may be a frequency within the third range. Alternatively, the first frequency may be a frequency within the second range, and the second frequency may be a frequency within the third range. In the case where the RF energy generating unit (50) can generate RF energy having three different frequencies, the first frequency may be a frequency within the first range, the second frequency may be a frequency within the second range, and the third frequency may be a frequency within the third range.

[0042] The RF energy generating unit (50) can be controlled to generate RF energy having a selected frequency or RF energy combining RF pulses of multiple frequencies, depending on the progress of the selected treatment mode or treatment process, but with the ratio of the frequencies being different.

[0043] The cooling unit (70) is configured to cool the electrode (60) of the handpiece. The cooling unit (70) may be configured in various cooling methods. As an example, the cooling unit (70) of the present embodiment is configured to cool the electrode (60) by delivering a coolant to the rear surface of the electrode. Accordingly, since the electrode (60) in contact with the skin during treatment is cooled, thermal damage to the skin surface can be prevented while RF energy is delivered.

[0044] Specifically, the cooling unit (70) includes a refrigerant receiving portion that receives refrigerant, a cooling channel forming a path through which the refrigerant received in the refrigerant receiving portion is delivered, and a cooling module (150) that sprays the refrigerant delivered through the cooling channel toward the rear surface of the electrode (60) of the handpiece. The refrigerant receiving portion is provided in the main body or at a separate location. The cooling channel is connected from the refrigerant receiving portion to the cooling module, and at least a portion of the cooling channel is provided inside the handpiece (20). In addition, a valve for controlling the amount of refrigerant delivered is provided on the path through which the refrigerant is delivered, and the on / off operation or the opening / closing amount of the valve can be controlled by the control unit (40).

[0045] The cooling unit (70) may be configured to continuously spray refrigerant onto the rear surface of the electrode, or may be configured to spray refrigerant pulses at a predetermined interval by controlling a valve or the like. The cooling performance of the cooling unit (70) may be controlled by the amount of refrigerant delivered per unit time to the rear surface of the electrode. This cooling performance may be controlled by controlling the pressure of the refrigerant receiving portion, the valve on / off cycle, or the valve opening / closing amount.

[0046] The sensing unit (80) is a component that senses various information necessary for the operation of the treatment device during, before, or after treatment. For example, the sensing unit (80) may be at least one of an impedance sensor that measures the impedance of a tissue, a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of an electrode or skin, a contact sensor that detects whether the electrode of the handpiece is in contact with the skin surface, and a movement sensor that detects the movement speed of the handpiece. As an example, in the present embodiment, the temperature sensor and the contact sensor may be positioned adjacent to the electrode of the handpiece.

[0047] The storage unit (90) is configured to store various information required for treatment and includes a memory element. The storage unit (90) is provided in the main body (10) and may additionally be provided in the handpiece (20) or the tip module (100). The storage unit (90) can store parameter information for each treatment mode, patient-related information, control information according to sensed conditions, etc. In addition, the storage unit can update and record information sensed during treatment and information input by the user. In addition, the memory provided in the handpiece (20) or the tip module (100) can be configured to store identification information for the handpiece or the tip module.

[0048] The control unit (40) is a component that controls the operation of various components of the treatment device, such as the RF energy generation unit (50) and the cooling unit (70). For example, the control unit (40) controls various components using the contents set by the user through the setting unit or the control information stored in the storage unit. The control unit receives sensed information from the sensing unit (80) and controls various components using the sensed information. For example, the control unit (40) receives a temperature value sensed by a temperature sensor and controls the parameters of the RF energy and the cooling performance for the electrode based on the temperature value. Here, the control unit (40) is configured to include a calculation unit, and can calculate real-time control values ​​from the sensed values ​​using a preset algorithm and control various components based on the calculated control values.

[0049] Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the handpiece of Fig. 1. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the handpiece (20) comprises a main body (21) and a tip module (100). One end of the main body (21) is connected to a connecting portion, and various components for performing a treatment operation, such as an RF transmission circuit and a cooling path, are provided inside. An operation portion and a display portion, such as a display, may be provided on the outer surface of the main body (21). The tip module (100) is provided with an electrode (60) for transmitting RF energy by contacting the skin, and is detachably coupled to one end of the main body (21). The tip module (100) is provided with a circuit for transmitting RF energy to the electrode and a cooling structure for cooling the electrode. Hereinafter, the structure of the tip module will be described in more detail with reference to Figs. 4 and 5.

[0050] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the main configuration of the tip module of Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the main configuration of the tip module of Fig. 3. Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the tip module is configured to include a tip housing (110), an electrode module (140), a cooling module (150), an internal case (120), and a rear cover (130).

[0051] The tip housing (110) and the inner case (120) are coupled to each other to support the electrode module (140). A cooling module (150) is arranged inside the inner case (120). The rear cover (130) is coupled to the rear of the tip housing (110) while the electrode module (140), the inner case (120), and the cooling module (150) are arranged inside the tip housing (110). The tip housing (110) or the rear cover (130) is provided with a coupling structure for being fastened to the end of the main body (21) of the handpiece.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the electrode module (140) is configured as a flexible substrate that is foldable, and an electrical element and a circuit for electrically forming the same are formed therein. The electrode (60) is arranged at the front of the electrode module (based on the state in which the electrode module is folded) and is exposed through an opening of the tip housing (110) to come into contact with the skin surface. The electrode (60) is configured to include a conductive layer formed on the flexible substrate, and the conductive layer is configured to be covered by a dielectric layer. Therefore, during treatment, the conductive layer of the electrode comes into contact with the skin through the dielectric layer, and when RF energy is applied to the electrode, the electrode transmits the RF energy to the skin tissue while being capacitively coupled with the skin tissue by the dielectric layer.

[0053] Meanwhile, as described above, the temperature sensor and the contact sensor of the sensing unit are provided at a position adjacent to the electrode (60) in the electrode module (140) to measure the temperature of the electrode or the skin surface and detect whether the electrode is in contact with the skin. In addition, the electrode module (140) further includes a memory, and the memory can store information of the tip module, such as the type of electrode, the size of the electrode, the pattern of the electrode, the size of the cooling space, etc. The electrode module (140) is provided with a conductive lead that extends rearward and is connected to the electrode, each sensor, and the memory described above. A terminal formed at the end of the conductive lead is exposed rearward when the rear cover (130) is coupled, and is electrically connected to the RF circuit on the main body (21) side of the handpiece when the tip module (100) is coupled.

[0054] And, as described above, the cooling module (150) is configured to inject the refrigerant delivered from the refrigerant receiving portion along the cooling path to the rear of the electrode (60). A conduit (210) having a cooling path formed therein is provided on the rear side of the cooling module (200), and a plurality of injection holes (220b) are provided on the front side of the cooling module (200). The rear end of the conduit (210) is exposed to the rear side of the rear cover (130) when the tip module (100) is assembled. Therefore, when the tip module (100) is coupled to the main body (21) of the handpiece, the cooling path (220c) of the conduit is coupled with the cooling path on the main body (21) side to form a path through which the refrigerant provided from the refrigerant receiving portion is delivered. The structure of this cooling module (200) will be described in more detail below with reference to a separate drawing.

[0055] The tip module (100) having such a structure is detachably coupled to the main body end of the handpiece as described above. When the tip module (100) is coupled, the control unit (40) receives information about the tip module from the memory of the tip module (100), and in consideration of the information, controls the RF energy generation unit (50) and the cooling unit (70) to transmit RF energy to the electrode of the tip module (100) and perform a process of cooling the electrode. In addition, the tip module (100) may be configured as a consumable, and may be replaced with a new tip module (100) when treating a new patient or exceeding the allowed number of uses.

[0056] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the cooling module will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12.

[0057] Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the cooling module of Fig. 4. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the cooling module (200) is configured to include the aforementioned conduit (210) and cooling flow path block (220).

[0058] As described above, the conduit (210) is provided on the rear side of the cooling module (200), and a single flow path (220c) through which refrigerant is delivered is formed therein (see Fig. 5). The end of the conduit (210) is connected to the cooling flow path of the main body (21) when the tip module is connected, and forms a path through which refrigerant is supplied from the refrigerant receiving portion.

[0059] The cooling flow path block (220) includes a first block (222) and a second block (221). The first block (222) is positioned at the front (in the electrode direction), and the second block (221) is positioned at the rear (in the handpiece main body direction when the tip module is connected), and the two blocks are coupled to each other. A conduit (210) extends from the center of the rear side of the second block (221). An opening is formed at the center of the second block (221) to communicate with the cooling flow path (220c) of the conduit (210), and a groove is formed at the front side of the second block (221) to extend radially from the opening. The groove forms a plurality of branch flow paths (220a) when coupled with the rear side of the first block (222). The rear side of the first block (222) may be formed as a flat surface, or a groove having a shape corresponding to the groove of the second block (221) may be formed. In addition, the first block (222) has a through hole formed at a position corresponding to the outer end of the groove of the second block (221). Accordingly, the branched flow path (220a) forms a curved flow path along the through hole, and each injection port (220b) is formed at the end of the flow path (220a).

[0060] The refrigerant delivered through the cooling channel (220c) of the pipe (210) is branched along a plurality of branch channels (220a) and discharged through the injection port (220b). The plurality of branch channels (220a) are all formed to have the same length, so that a constant amount of refrigerant is uniformly sprayed at a constant pressure through each injection port (220b).

[0061] Fig. 7 is a plan view illustrating the front of the cooling module. As illustrated in Fig. 7, a plurality of nozzles (220b) are arranged radially based on the center of the front surface (222a) of the cooling module (200), but are provided at positions symmetrical to each other. As an example, the plurality of nozzles (220b) are arranged at equal intervals (d2) from the center of the front surface (222a), and may be arranged at equal angles to each other. However, this is an example in which the front surface of the electrode or cooling module has a structure corresponding to a circle or a square, and in the case of a structure corresponding to an oval or a rectangle, the plurality of nozzles may be arranged symmetrically, but in different ways.

[0062] Meanwhile, each nozzle (220b) is arranged to be offset from the center toward the outside on the front side of the cooling module (200). Generally, when RF energy is applied to skin tissue through an electrode, an edge effect phenomenon occurs in which the current density is concentrated at the edge of the electrode compared to the center, so that the area around the electrode is relatively overheated. Therefore, when each nozzle (220b) is arranged to be offset from the outside edge, skin damage caused by the edge effect can be prevented. As an example, it is preferable that the distance (d2) at which each nozzle (220b) is arranged to be spaced apart from the center of the front side is more than half of the distance (d1) from the center of the front side to the outside edge passing through the corresponding nozzle.

[0063] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross-section of a cooling module according to one embodiment. Hereinafter, the flow path structure of the cooling module will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 8.

[0064] The cooling method according to the present embodiment is a method of cooling an electrode or a skin surface by using the heat of vaporization of a refrigerant. The refrigerant delivered from the cooling receiver is provided in a liquid state through a cooling channel, and after being discharged through a nozzle, it vaporizes and cools the back surface of the electrode. Therefore, the cooling channel is designed in consideration of the pressure and velocity of the refrigerant passing therethrough so that the refrigerant can remain in a liquid state until it is discharged through the nozzle (220b). The cross-section (A1) of the cooling channel (220c) of the conduit of the present embodiment and the cross-section (A2) of the branch channel (220a) branching therefrom are designed in consideration of these conditions. In particular, the cross-section (A2) of the branched channel (220a) is configured to have a relatively smaller cross-section area than the cross-section area (A1) of the cooling channel so that the required pressure and velocity can be maintained even when flowing by branching from one cooling channel (220c). As an example, the sum of the cross-sectional areas (A2) of the multiple branch channels may correspond to the cross-sectional area (A1) of the cooling channel of the pipe.

[0065] However, if the cross-sectional area of ​​the nozzle is formed narrowly like a branched channel, the refrigerant is discharged at a high speed in a straight line, and thus only the positions corresponding to the plurality of nozzles on the back of the electrode can be locally cooled. To overcome this limitation, the cooling module (200) of the present embodiment is configured to form a widening section (W) at a position adjacent to the nozzle among each branched channel (220a). The widening section (W) is a section in which the cross-sectional area and the diameter of the channel gradually increase along the direction in which the refrigerant travels. In addition, the nozzle (220b) is formed at the end of the widening section (W), and thus the nozzle (220b) is formed to have a cross-sectional area (A3) corresponding to the end cross-sectional area of ​​the widening section. As the refrigerant passes through the widening section (W), the speed and pressure are relatively reduced, and thus the refrigerant discharged through the nozzle (220b) has various directional components other than the straight direction. Therefore, compared to a structure without an expansion section where the refrigerant is concentratedly sprayed on a local area of ​​the electrode, by providing an expansion section (W), it is possible to spray the refrigerant more widely on the rear surface of the electrode.

[0066] Specifically, the expansion section (W) is formed at a position adjacent to the injection port on the bent channel provided in the first block (222) among the branch channels (220a). The inner wall of the expansion section (W) forms an inclined surface that is inclined outward along the direction of refrigerant flow based on the central axis of the channel. For example, the inner wall has a structure corresponding to the side shape of a truncated cone, and the inner wall has an inclination angle of a constant size based on the central axis of the channel (the central axis of the bent channel among the branched channels, or the vertical axis of the front of the cooling module) (Θ1 and Θ2 are the same). Here, the inclination angles (Θ1, Θ2) may be one value in the range of 10 degrees to 80 degrees. Specifically, the inclination angles (Θ1, Θ2) may be one value in the range of 20 degrees to 50 degrees. Due to the expansion section (W), the cross-sectional area (A3) of the nozzle (220b) increases compared to the cross-sectional area (A2) of the passage before the expansion section. As an example, the cross-sectional area (A3) of the nozzle may be at least 1.2 times larger than the cross-sectional area (A2) of the passage before the expansion section, and more specifically, may be at least twice larger.

[0067] In this case, compared to the conventional case, the refrigerant is sprayed in various directions through the injection holes (220b), but the amount of refrigerant that reaches the position corresponding to the injection holes (220b) on the electrode (60) is relatively large, and the amount of refrigerant that reaches decreases as the distance from the position increases. However, since the refrigerant sprayed through different injection holes (220b) overlaps and reaches the center of the electrode (60) even if the distance increases, cooling can be relatively uniformly performed up to the center of the electrode (60) even if the injection holes (220b) are positioned to the outside of the electrode (60).

[0068] Meanwhile, a cooling module having an expansion section can be implemented by changing the structure in various ways other than the structure illustrated in FIG. 8. Hereinafter, various embodiments of a cooling module having an expansion structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12.

[0069] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cooling module according to another embodiment. In the embodiment of Fig. 8, a structure is provided in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path gradually increases throughout the entire expansion section. In contrast, as in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9, it is also possible to configure the flow path diameter to gradually increase in some sections of the expansion section (W) and to maintain a constant diameter in the remaining sections adjacent to the injection port.

[0070] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross-section of a cooling module according to another embodiment. In the embodiment of Fig. 8, the inner wall of the expansion section (W) forms an inclined surface having the same inclination angle with respect to the central axis of the flow path. In contrast, as in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 10, the inner wall of the flow path of the expansion section (W) may be configured to have different inclination angles along the perimeter.

[0071] As illustrated in Fig. 10, the inner wall of the expansion section (W) may be configured in the shape of a slanted truncated cone side. Accordingly, among the inner walls of the expansion section (W), the inner wall adjacent to the center of the front surface of the cooling module (200) forms a relatively large slope, and the inner wall adjacent to the outer direction forms a relatively small slope (Θ3<Θ4). In this case, while the amount of refrigerant sprayed outward and the directionality toward the outward are relatively limited, the amount of refrigerant sprayed toward the center and the directionality toward the center can be increased. As described above, considering that the plurality of injection holes (220b) are arranged to be biased toward the outside of the electrode (60), the present embodiment has the advantage of being able to cool more uniformly to the center of the electrode while sufficiently cooling the periphery of the electrode to compensate for the edge effect.

[0072] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling module according to another embodiment. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 10, the inclination of the inner wall of the expansion section is configured to relatively restrict the outward flow of refrigerant. In contrast, as illustrated in Figure 11, a similar objective can be achieved by adjusting the distance from the electrode along the perimeter of the nozzle.

[0073] In contrast to the previous embodiment, where the front surface of the cooling module in which the nozzles are formed is formed as a flat surface, the front surface of the cooling module (200) according to the present embodiment may be formed as a concave curved surface or a stepped surface concave in the center direction. In addition, each nozzle (220b) is provided on this curved surface or stepped surface. Therefore, even if the inner wall of the expansion section (W) has a constant inclination angle with respect to the central axis of the flow path, the path length of the expansion section is formed differently along the perimeter of each nozzle (220b). Specifically, in the expansion section (W), the inner wall in the center direction of the front surface forms a relatively short path compared to the outer direction, and the gap between the nozzle (220b) and the electrode (60) is formed to be further apart in the center direction of the electrode than in the outer direction of the electrode. Therefore, since the refrigerant is discharged inwardly rather than outwardly through the nozzles, it is possible to restrict the refrigerant from being sprayed in the outer direction of the electrode and induce it to be sprayed relatively in the center direction.

[0074] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross-section of a cooling module according to another embodiment. The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 12, compared to the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 8 to 11, further includes a dispersing member (230) for uniformly distributing the refrigerant throughout the electrode (60). The dispersing member may be configured as a mesh member disposed in the cooling space between the rear surface of the cooling module (200) and the electrode (60). In this way, when the dispersing member (230) is further provided, the refrigerants sprayed through the plurality of injection holes (220b) are dispersed while passing through the dispersing member, thereby allowing the electrode (60) to be cooled more uniformly.

[0075] While the embodiments described above focus on the treatment field using monopolar electrodes, the present invention is not limited thereto and can also be applied to the treatment field using bipolar electrodes. Furthermore, the aforementioned method can be applied to the treatment of skin tissues in various areas, such as the face, neck, abdomen, and thighs, using RF energy.

[0076] While one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. It should be understood that those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the technical features defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electrode that delivers RF energy to the tissue; A cooling module is provided on the rear side of the electrode and includes a plurality of branched channels through which refrigerant is delivered and a plurality of injection holes provided at the end of each channel through which refrigerant is discharged; The above-mentioned branched path is a treatment device using RF energy having a shape in which the cross-sectional area increases along the direction of travel of the refrigerant in the section adjacent to the injection port.

2. In paragraph 1, A treatment device using RF energy, wherein the section adjacent to the nozzle among the above-mentioned branched channels forms an inner wall that is inclined in an outward direction based on the central axis of the channel.

3. In paragraph 2, A treatment device using RF energy, wherein the inclined inner wall has an inclination angle of 10 to 80 degrees based on the central axis of the euro.

4. In paragraph 1, A treatment device using RF energy, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the above nozzle is 1.2 times or more greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the path before the section where the cross-sectional area of ​​the branched path increases.

5. In paragraph 1, A treatment device using RF energy, wherein the above nozzles are provided in multiple numbers on one surface of the above cooling module, and the multiple nozzles are symmetrically arranged on one surface of the above cooling module.

6. In paragraph 5, A treatment device using RF energy, wherein at least four nozzles are provided on one surface of the cooling module.

7. In paragraph 1, A treatment device using RF energy, characterized in that the plurality of nozzles are arranged at positions spaced apart from the center of one side of the cooling module in a radial direction by a predetermined distance, and the spaced distance is at least half of the distance from the center of one side of the cooling module to the outer edge.

8. In paragraph 1, A treatment device using RF energy, wherein the above-mentioned multiple branched channels have the same length.

9. In paragraph 2, The above branched path has a widening section formed so that the diameter increases along the direction of travel of the refrigerant at a location adjacent to the injection port, A treatment device using RF energy, wherein the inner walls forming the above-mentioned one expansion section are formed to have different inclination angles.

10. In paragraph 9, A treatment device using RF energy, characterized in that among the inner walls forming the above-mentioned one expansion section, the inner wall closer to the center of one side of the cooling module has a greater inclination angle than the inner wall farther from the center of one side of the cooling module.

11. In paragraph 1, The above nozzle is provided on a curved or stepped surface on the front side of the cooling module, and the distance from the rear side of the electrode is provided differently along the circumference of the nozzle. A treatment device using RF energy, wherein a portion of the circumference of the nozzle located toward the center of the electrode has a greater distance from the rear surface of the electrode than a portion located toward the outside of the electrode.

12. In paragraph 1, A treatment device using RF energy, further comprising a dispersing member disposed between the electrode and the cooling module to disperse the refrigerant discharged through the nozzle.

13. Electrodes that deliver RF energy to tissue; A cooling module is provided on the rear side of the electrode and includes a plurality of branched channels through which the refrigerant passes and an injection port provided at the end of each channel through which the refrigerant is discharged; A handpiece of a treatment device using RF energy, wherein the branched path has a shape in which the diameter increases along the direction of travel of the refrigerant in a section adjacent to the nozzle.

14. Electrodes that deliver RF energy to tissue; A cooling module is provided on the rear side of the electrode and includes a plurality of branched channels through which the refrigerant passes and an injection port provided at the end of each channel through which the refrigerant is discharged; The above-mentioned branched path is a tip module of a treatment device using RF energy having a shape in which the diameter increases along the direction of travel of the refrigerant in a section adjacent to the injection port.

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