Skin care device capable of applying high-frequency power and microcurrent

Abstract

Disclosed is a skin care device capable of simultaneously applying high-frequency power and a microcurrent. The skin care device (10) comprises: a high-frequency power generation unit (300) for generating a high-frequency power signal; a microcurrent generation unit (400) for generating a microcurrent; an electrode unit (200) including electrodes (210, 220) to which the high-frequency power signal generated by the high-frequency power generation unit (300) and the microcurrent generated by the microcurrent generation unit (400) are supplied, the electrodes coming into contact with the skin of a user to apply the high-frequency power signal and the microcurrent to the skin of the user; and a control unit (500) for controlling the high-frequency power generation unit (300) to adjust the output of the high-frequency power signal.

Description

Skin care device capable of applying high-frequency power and microcurrent

[0001] The present invention relates to a skin care device, and more particularly, to a skin care device capable of simultaneously applying high-frequency power and microcurrent.

[0002] In skin care devices using electrical stimulation, the depth at which electrical energy penetrates varies depending on the type and application method of electrical stimulation, and the mechanism by which the cosmetic effect is produced also varies.

[0003] Electrical energy can be applied to skin tissue to achieve a variety of effects. For example, when a radiofrequency (RF) power (electrical power or energy) signal of 20 kHz or higher, preferably 1 MHz or higher, is applied to the skin, the dielectric molecules of the dielectric (insulator) within the skin vigorously invert, generating heat. This is called dielectric heating. Typically, dielectric heating heats the skin more rapidly than resistive heating (Joule heating) caused by electrical energy stimulation with a frequency of 1 MHz or lower.

[0004] When high-frequency power signals are applied to the human body, the body's sensory organs do not perceive the current flow as electricity, but instead perceive a sensation of heat. This is commonly referred to as deep heat. Deep heat occurs within the skin and is known to be effective in treating vascular diseases and pain by affecting the dermis layer. Furthermore, high-frequency heat promotes blood circulation, effectively penetrating micro-sized nutrients into the skin. It also promotes the regeneration of collagen and elastin fibers, resulting in skin regeneration, elasticity, and wrinkle improvement.

[0005] Meanwhile, microcurrent signals are frequency-free direct current electrical energy, typically ranging from 100 μA to 1 mA, similar to the current flowing through the human body. When microcurrent is applied to the body, the repulsive force of negative ions temporarily destroys the stratum corneum, which acts as an electrical barrier, thereby facilitating the absorption of toner into the dermis. Furthermore, microcurrent signals can also aid in the functioning of nerves located near the skin's surface, making them useful for treating neuralgia. Furthermore, microcurrent is known to be effective in treating diseases caused by improper blood flow, as it promotes signal transmission between cells, stimulates muscles, aids in the regeneration of damaged cells, and promotes smooth blood flow.

[0006] Because microcurrent is based on direct current, traditional microcurrent technology has been met with resistance due to its strong skin irritation and pain. Therefore, technologies that alleviate pain and discomfort are needed.

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a skin care device capable of simultaneously applying high-frequency power and microcurrent.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a skin care device that can reduce discomfort that may occur when applying microcurrent to the skin by simultaneously applying high-frequency power and microcurrent to the skin.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a skin care device including: a high-frequency power generation unit for generating a high-frequency power signal; a microcurrent generation unit for generating a microcurrent; an electrode unit for supplying the high-frequency power signal generated by the high-frequency power generation unit and the microcurrent generated by the microcurrent generation unit, and including an electrode that comes into contact with the skin of a user and applies the high-frequency power signal and the microcurrent to the skin of the user; and a control unit for controlling the high-frequency power generation unit to adjust the output of the high-frequency power signal.

[0010] Here, the control unit controls the microcurrent generator to supply microcurrent to the electrode, or when the high-frequency power generator is driven, the microcurrent generator is also automatically driven so that microcurrent can be supplied to the electrode.

[0011] The above high-frequency power generation unit may include an RF oscillator that generates an oscillation signal in a high-frequency (RF) region, an RF amplifier that amplifies the high-frequency oscillation signal generated by the RF oscillator to generate a high-frequency power signal of a predetermined amplitude, and a power source that supplies power to the RF amplifier.

[0012] The above microcurrent generating unit may include a power supply unit for supplying current to the electrode and a resistor for controlling the intensity of the current supplied to the electrode.

[0013] The skin care device according to the present invention can reduce discomfort that may occur when applying microcurrent to the skin by simultaneously applying high-frequency power and microcurrent to the skin.

[0014] Figures 1 and 2 are drawings showing the appearance and configuration of a skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention, respectively.

[0015] Figure 3 is a drawing for explaining a state in which electrical stimulation is applied to the skin in a unipolar manner and a bipolar manner.

[0016] Figure 4 is a drawing showing the structure of an electrode part that can be used in a skin care device according to the present invention.

[0017] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0018] FIGS. 1 and 2 are drawings showing the external appearance and configuration of a skin care device according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a skin care device (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a high-frequency power generation unit (300), a microcurrent generation unit (400), an electrode unit (200), and a control unit (500), which may be accommodated inside a body (100). The body (100) forms a case (housing) and an external appearance of the skin care device (10), and may be formed to be held and used by a user's hand. The skin care device (10) according to the present invention may be usefully used as a home skin care device, particularly as a facial skin care device.

[0019] A radiofrequency electric power signal is generated in the above-described high-frequency power generation unit (300). The high-frequency power generation unit (300) is installed inside the body (100) so as to be electrically connected to the electrode unit (200). The high-frequency power generation unit (300) is a conventional device for generating a high-frequency electric power signal, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, may include an RF oscillator (310) for generating oscillating signals in a high-frequency (RF) region, an RF amplifier (320) for amplifying the high-frequency oscillating signal generated by the RF oscillator (310) to generate a high-frequency electric power signal of a predetermined amplitude, and a power source (330) for supplying power to the RF amplifier (320). The RF amplifier (320) may be formed of a transistor for amplifying power. The frequency of the high-frequency power signal generated from the high-frequency power generation unit (300) may be 200 kHz to 400 MHz, for example, 40.68 MHz.

[0020] The microcurrent generating unit (400) generates a microcurrent, and the generated microcurrent is applied to the electrodes (210, 220) of the electrode unit (200). The microcurrent generating unit (400) is installed inside the body (100) so as to be electrically connected to the electrode unit (200). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the microcurrent generating unit (400) includes a power supply for supplying current to the electrodes (210, 220) and a resistor (410) for controlling the intensity of the current supplied to the electrodes (210, 220). A separate power supply may be used as the power supply of the microcurrent generating unit (400), but as illustrated in FIG. 2, the power supply (330) of the high-frequency power generating unit (300) may be commonly used. In this case, since the high-frequency power signal and the microcurrent signal are generated together, the high-frequency power signal and the microcurrent signal can be used simultaneously. The above resistor (410) adjusts the intensity of the current applied to the electrodes (210, 220) to a desired level according to the voltage of the direct current supplied from the power supply unit. If necessary, the microcurrent generating unit (400) may further include a diode (420) that prevents the generation of reverse voltage (rectifying action). The diode (420) is connected in series with the resistor (410).

[0021] The microcurrent generated by the above microcurrent generator (400) is direct current (DC) electrical energy that flows from the output electrode (210) through the skin to the ground electrode (220). If necessary, the microcurrent may be a biphasic unbalanced asymmetrical microcurrent (BUA-MC) having an asymmetrical pulse shape of a middle frequency, rather than a complete DC current. By using a pulse-shaped microcurrent like this, the effect of the DC current can be maintained while reducing the stinging sensation.

[0022] The intensity of the microcurrent applied from the above microcurrent generating unit (400) is 100 μA to 1 mA, for example, 200 μA to 0.95 mA, and has a similar magnitude to the bioelectric current. The microcurrent can stimulate skin tissue by supplying low-output energy in units of μA to cells, thereby inducing restoration and healing of skin cells. For example, the microcurrent can help skin regeneration by increasing intracellular ATP and protein production, thereby suppressing wrinkles and restoring skin elasticity, and can obtain improvement effects in all areas of the skin, such as wrinkles around the eyes, pores, dermal density, nasolabial folds, and lifting. In addition, the microcurrent can stimulate the skin and promote the production of collagen and elastin in the skin.

[0023] The electrode unit (200) is supplied with a high-frequency power signal generated from the high-frequency power generating unit (300) and a microcurrent generated from the microcurrent generating unit (400), and includes at least one, preferably at least two, more preferably 4 to 8, for example, 6 electrodes (210, 220) as shown in FIG. 1, which contact the user's skin and apply the high-frequency power signal, i.e., high-frequency energy (RF energy) and microcurrent, to the user's skin. The electrode unit (200) is installed at one end of the body (100) so as to apply the high-frequency power signal to the skin, and the electrodes (210, 220) may be made of a typical conductive material.

[0024] The above electrodes (210, 220) can output electric energy in a unipolar manner or a bipolar manner. Fig. 3 is a drawing for explaining a state of applying electric stimulation to the skin in a unipolar manner and a bipolar manner. As shown in Fig. 3, the unipolar manner is a method in which one type, for example, one electrode (210) is brought into contact with the skin (5) so that electric energy is circulated to the ground (ground electrode) through the entire body (Fig. 3A), and the bipolar manner is a method in which two electrodes (210, 220) are brought into contact with the skin (5) so that electric energy applied to one electrode (210, output electrode) is circulated to the other electrode (220, ground electrode) arranged side by side (Fig. 3B).

[0025] The unipolar method has the advantage of allowing deep penetration by forming a wide electric field between the electrodes in a way that a single positive electrode (210) in contact with the target area conducts current to another part of the body, but it is not suitable for application to the skin of precise, localized, or sensitive areas. On the other hand, in the bipolar method, the high-frequency power signal applied to the skin from the output electrode (210) is refluxed to the ground electrode (220) and discharged, and the electric energy does not reflux to the area other than between the two electrodes (210, 220), so it does not affect other tissues other than the treatment area, prevents unnecessary tissue damage, and can be efficiently applied to sensitive, thin skin. In the bipolar method of electrical stimulation, the range of electric field formation varies depending on the distance between the two electrodes (210, 220), and thus the depth to which the electric energy is transmitted varies. Using this principle, the penetration depth of the electrical stimulation can be controlled by adjusting the distance between the electrodes (210, 220).

[0026] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode unit (200) may include an output electrode (210) that applies the high-frequency power signal to the skin and a ground electrode (220) through which the high-frequency power signal applied to the skin is refluxed and discharged. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the structure of an electrode unit that can be used in a skin care device according to another embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, in the skin care device according to another embodiment of the present invention, the electrode unit (200) may include six electrodes (210, 220) consisting of one or more pairs, for example, three pairs of bipolar electrodes, that is, three output electrodes (210: 211, 212, 213) and three ground electrodes (220: 221, 222, 223). The high-frequency power signal output from the three output electrodes (211, 212, 213) is refluxed to the three adjacent ground electrodes (221, 222, 223) through the user's skin. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the electrodes (210, 220) are formed to protrude from one end of the body (100), so that by rubbing the skin while moving the electrodes (210, 220) in contact with the skin (rubbing mode), a thermal stimulus can be applied to the inside of the skin.

[0027] The high-frequency power signal applied from the above electrodes (210, 220), i.e., high-frequency electric energy (RF electric energy), is converted into thermal energy by the resistance (approximately 500 ohm) inside the skin. The thermal energy generated inside the skin can achieve effects such as a contraction reaction through collagen denaturation, skin rejuvenation or skin lifting effect through new collagen synthesis, improvement of wrinkles around the eyes, lower face, neck, etc., improvement of acne, and improvement of cellulite. The high-frequency electric energy can induce collagen production by rotating water molecules inside the dermis to generate heat.

[0028] In the present invention, since high-frequency energy and microcurrent are not separated and transmitted separately to the electrodes (210, 220) of the electrode unit (200), but high-frequency energy and microcurrent are simultaneously applied, that is, Simultaneous microcurrent-mixed RF (SMMR) is applied, skin pain or skin irritation caused by the microcurrent can be alleviated by deep heat generated by the high-frequency energy. In addition, when a microcurrent signal and a high-frequency power signal are simultaneously applied to the electrodes (210, 220), the microcurrent stimulates the muscles softened by the high-frequency power signal, thereby having the effect of improving skin elasticity. In addition, according to the present invention, double (dual) lifting of the skin can be induced by the high-frequency power signal and the microcurrent.

[0029] The control unit (500) controls the high-frequency power generation unit (300) to adjust the output of the high-frequency power signal. The control unit (500) can adjust the operating cycle (period, cycle), operating duty (%, the ratio of high-frequency electric energy applied among the entire operating cycle), amplitude, etc. of the high-frequency electric energy according to the purpose of use of the skin care device (10), the user's preference, etc., thereby adjusting the intensity of the high-frequency electric energy into a number of steps, for example, 1 to 5 steps (level 1 to level 5).

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit (500) operates the RF oscillator (310) of the high-frequency power generation unit (300) at a predetermined time interval (operation cycle), and can control the intensity of the high-frequency electrical energy by controlling the operation duty, that is, the ratio (%) of the applied high-frequency electrical energy during the entire operation cycle. For example, when the operation cycle of the RF oscillator (310) is 50 ms and the intensity of the high-frequency electrical energy is controlled to be high, for example, in the case of level 5, the RF oscillator (310) is operated for 45 ms during the entire 50 ms operation cycle, thereby generating high-intensity high-frequency electrical energy. On the other hand, when the intensity of the high-frequency electrical energy is controlled to be low, for example, in the case of level 1, the RF oscillator (310) is operated for 5 ms during the entire 50 ms operation cycle, thereby generating low-intensity high-frequency electrical energy. In the same way, the intensity of high-frequency electrical energy can be controlled by operating the RF oscillator (310) for 15 ms for level 2, 25 ms for level 3, and 35 ms for level 4.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit (500) can control the microcurrent generation unit (400) to supply microcurrent to the electrodes (210, 220). In another embodiment of the present invention, when the high-frequency power generation unit (300) is driven, the microcurrent generation unit (400) can also be automatically driven to supply microcurrent to the electrodes (210, 220). When the high-frequency power generation unit (300) and the microcurrent generation unit (400) share the power source (330), simultaneous driving of the high-frequency power generation unit (300) and the microcurrent generation unit (400) can be performed automatically. In the present invention, the intensity of the high-frequency energy applied to the electrodes (210, 220) can be varied as needed, but it is preferable that the intensity of the microcurrent applied to the electrodes (210, 220) be maintained constant.

[0032] While the present invention has been described with reference to the attached drawings and exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the contents illustrated in the drawings and the embodiments described above. While drawing reference numerals are used in the claims below to aid understanding, the scope of the claims below is not limited to the drawing reference numerals and the contents illustrated in the drawings, but should be interpreted to encompass all modifications of the exemplary embodiments, equivalent structures, and functions.

Claims

1. A high-frequency power generation unit (300) in which a high-frequency power signal is generated; A microcurrent generating unit (400) where microcurrent is generated; An electrode unit (200) including electrodes (210, 220) that are supplied with a high-frequency power signal generated from the high-frequency power generating unit (300) and a microcurrent generated from the microcurrent generating unit (400), and that come into contact with the user's skin to apply the high-frequency power signal and microcurrent to the user's skin; and A skin care device (10) including a control unit (500) that controls the high-frequency power generation unit (300) to adjust the output of a high-frequency power signal.

2. In the first paragraph, the control unit (500) controls the microcurrent generating unit (400) to supply microcurrent to the electrodes (210, 220), a skin care device (10).

3. In the first paragraph, when the high-frequency power generating unit (300) is driven, the microcurrent generating unit (400) is also automatically driven so that microcurrent is supplied to the electrodes (210, 220), a skin care device (10).

4. In the first paragraph, the high-frequency power generation unit (300) comprises an RF oscillator (310) that generates an oscillation signal in a high-frequency (RF) region, an RF amplifier (320) that amplifies the high-frequency oscillation signal generated by the RF oscillator (310) to generate a high-frequency power signal of a predetermined amplitude, and a power source (330) that supplies power to the RF amplifier (320).

5. In the first paragraph, the microcurrent generating unit (400) includes a power supply unit for supplying current to the electrode (210, 220) and a resistor (410) for controlling the intensity of the current supplied to the electrode (210, 220), a skin care device (10).

6. In the first paragraph, the skin care device (10) wherein the high-frequency power generation unit (300) and the microcurrent generation unit (400) use a common power source (330).

7. In the first paragraph, the electrode unit (200) includes an output electrode (210) that applies the high-frequency power signal to the skin and a ground electrode (220) through which the high-frequency power signal applied to the skin is circulated and discharged, a skin care device (10).

8. A skin care device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of the high-frequency power signal is 200 kHz to 400 MHz, and the intensity of the microcurrent is 100 ㎂ to 1 mA.

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