Needle assembly for laser treatment

Abstract

This needle assembly for a laser treatment directly radiates laser into skin by using a needle having an optical fiber inserted therein, and thus may effectively improve various skin problems such as elasticity, wrinkles, inflammation, and acne. In addition, local regional treatment is enabled so that side-effects resulting from the laser irradiation may be minimized and the pain of a subject being treated may be reduced. The needle assembly for a laser treatment comprises: a needle part comprising a hollow needle and a needle support part having one end portion of the needle passing therethrough and fixed therein; an optical fiber positioned inside the needle along the length direction such that one end of the optical fiber is not exposed to the outside of the tip portion of the needle; an optical fiber support part connected to the other end of the one end of the optical fiber; and a guide component positioned between the needle support part and the optical fiber support part so as to guide the insertion of the optical fiber into the hollow of the needle.

Description

Needle assembly for laser treatment

[0001] The present invention relates to a needle assembly for laser treatment, and more specifically, to a needle assembly for laser treatment that can be used to effectively improve various skin problems such as elasticity, wrinkles, inflammation, and acne, or to remove or reduce masses such as cysts or tumors, by directly irradiating the skin with a laser using a needle with an optical fiber inserted therein.

[0002] As interest in one's appearance, such as the face and body, increases, the demand for beauty products to improve skin condition and complement one's appearance is also increasing.

[0003] Various laser treatment techniques are being developed to treat skin diseases or improve skin appearance by irradiating the skin with laser beams. Medical laser devices for utilizing these techniques are also actively being researched. Laser beam irradiation is known to increase collagen synthesis in the skin, promoting skin regeneration and restoring elasticity, thereby improving wrinkles and scars.

[0004] Typically, laser beam-based skincare treatments utilize a mechanism that involves thermally damaging the treatment area, activating the surrounding tissues, and promoting skin regeneration. While laser beams can effectively regenerate the entire treatment area by delivering light energy from the epidermis to the dermis, the high energy delivered can cause severe pain in the treatment area, and post-treatment redness or swelling can be a side effect. Furthermore, if the practitioner makes a mistake and applies the laser beam too deeply, the regeneration process can be completely disrupted, leaving deep scars. This, in turn, can lead to side effects such as erythema, edema, hyperpigmentation, and hypopigmentation.

[0005] To address these issues, a method of irradiating laser beams in a spot form is being utilized. This involves using a microlens array or laser scanner to form multiple laser beam spots (microlaser beams). This laser beam spot-based treatment method creates a microscopic treatment area while delivering energy to a specific penetration depth, thereby improving aftereffects.

[0006] However, despite improvements in laser treatment equipment and techniques, side effects still occur. Therefore, the development of new medical devices to minimize the side effects of laser treatment is urgently needed.

[0007] Accordingly, the technical problem of the present invention is conceived from this point, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a needle assembly for laser treatment that can effectively improve various skin problems such as elasticity, wrinkles, inflammation, and acne, or can be used for mass removal or reduction treatment such as cysts or tumors, by directly irradiating the skin with a laser using a needle with an optical fiber inserted therein.

[0008] In addition, the present invention provides a needle assembly for laser treatment that enables local treatment to minimize side effects from laser irradiation and reduce pain for the patient.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above-described object, a needle assembly for laser treatment is provided, including a needle part including a hollow needle and a needle support part through which one end of the needle penetrates and is fixed; an optical fiber positioned along the length direction inside the needle but having one end not exposed outside the attachment of the needle; an optical fiber support part connected to the other end of the one end of the optical fiber; and a guide part positioned between the needle support part and the optical fiber support part and guiding the optical fiber to be inserted into the hollow portion of the needle.

[0010] The above guide component includes a support portion, an extension portion extending from the support portion, and an attachment portion connected to the extension portion, wherein the support portion supports one end of the needle support portion, an outer surface of the extension portion is formed in a shape corresponding to a portion of an inner surface of the needle support portion, and an inner surface of the extension portion forms a hollow portion whose diameter decreases from the optical fiber support portion toward the needle support portion, and the attachment may have an outer diameter and an inner diameter that both decrease from the optical fiber support portion toward the needle support portion.

[0011] The diameter of the optical fiber may be smaller than the inner diameter of the attachment of the guide component and smaller than the inner diameter of the needle.

[0012] The inner diameter of the attachment of the above guide part may be smaller than the inner diameter of the above needle.

[0013] The needle part and the optical fiber part may be inserted inward from one end so that one end of the needle protrudes in the other direction, and may include a needle cap that fits into a concave portion formed in the optical fiber support part.

[0014] The needle cap may include a first convex portion, a stepped portion, and a second convex portion, wherein the first convex portion is formed at a position corresponding to a concave portion of the optical fiber support portion, the stepped portion is formed in a step shape protruding outward to at least partially surround the support portion and one end of the needle support portion, and the second convex portion may be formed protruding on an outer surface at a position spaced apart from the stepped portion by a predetermined distance in the direction of attachment of the needle.

[0015] The second convex portion may be arranged to contact the third convex portion in the longitudinal direction, but may be arranged closer to the optical fiber support portion than the second convex portion, and may further include a cover that protects the needle.

[0016] The outer diameter of the above needle may be 300 μm or less.

[0017] The length of the above needle may be less than 7 cm.

[0018] According to embodiments of the present invention, a needle assembly for laser treatment can be used to effectively improve various skin problems such as elasticity, wrinkles, inflammation, and acne, or to remove or reduce masses such as cysts or tumors, by directly irradiating the skin with a laser using a needle with an optical fiber inserted therein.

[0019] Additionally, local treatment is possible to minimize side effects from laser irradiation and reduce pain for the patient.

[0020] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above effects, and may be expanded in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a needle assembly for laser treatment according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 is a combination diagram of a needle assembly for laser treatment according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a needle assembly for laser treatment according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of a needle assembly for laser treatment according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0026] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and takes various forms. Specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail herein. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific disclosed forms, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0027]

[0028] An exploded perspective view of a needle assembly for laser treatment according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a combination view, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of a needle assembly for laser treatment according to one embodiment.

[0029] Hereinafter, a needle assembly for laser treatment according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0030] The above-described needle assembly for laser treatment includes a needle part (30) including a hollow needle (32) and a needle support part (31) through which one end of the needle (32) penetrates and is fixed; an optical fiber (13) positioned along the length direction inside the needle (32) but having one end not exposed outside the attachment of the needle (32); an optical fiber support part (11) connected to the other end of the one end of the optical fiber (13); and a guide part (20) positioned between the needle support part (31) and the optical fiber support part (11) and guiding the optical fiber (13) to be inserted into the hollow part of the needle (32).

[0031] The needle portion (30) is fixed with both ends of the needle (32) protruding from the needle support portion (31). Referring to Fig. 4, it can be seen that one end of the needle (32) is fixed to the needle support portion (31) with a slight protrusion toward the optical fiber portion (10). This is a common feature of general needles available on the market.

[0032] As described above, since one end of the needle (32) protrudes slightly toward the optical fiber portion (10), it may be very difficult to guide the optical fiber (13) to be inserted into the hollow portion of the needle (32). If an attempt is made to insert the end of the optical fiber (13) into the hollow portion of a needle (32) with a small inner diameter for skin treatment, the end of the optical fiber (13) may get caught on the protruding end of the needle (32) and the insertion may fail. In addition, if repeated attempts are made, the end of the optical fiber (13) may be worn out by colliding with the one end of the hard needle (32), or in severe cases, the optical fiber (13) may break. The powder from the worn-out optical fiber (13) is very harmful to the human body.

[0033] To prevent this, the needle assembly of the present invention may include a guide part (20) between the needle support part (31) and the optical fiber support part (11) to guide the optical fiber (13) to be easily inserted into the hollow of the needle (32).

[0034] The guide part (20) may include a support part (21), an extension part (22) extending from the support part (21), and an attachment part (23) connected to the extension part (22).

[0035] The support member (21) can support one end of the needle support member (31). Specifically, it is located between the needle support member (31) and the optical fiber support member (11), so that the support member (21) is supported by the optical fiber support member (11), and the support member (21) can support the needle support member (31).

[0036] The outer surface of the extension (22) is formed in a shape corresponding to a part of the inner surface of the needle support (31), and the inner surface of the extension (22) forms a hollow portion whose diameter decreases from the optical fiber support (11) toward the needle support (31), and the attachment (23) may have both an outer diameter and an inner diameter that decrease from the optical fiber support (11) toward the needle support (31).

[0037] That is, the outer surface of the extension (22) is formed to correspond to the inner surface of the needle support (31), so that the guide part (20) can be stably fitted into the needle support (31), and the center of the attachment (23) and the center of the needle (32) can be positioned to coincide.

[0038] The inner surface of the extension portion (22) forms a hollow whose diameter decreases from the optical fiber support portion (11) toward the needle support portion (31). Preferably, a hollow having a truncated cone shape can be formed, but is not necessarily limited thereto. In addition, the attachment portion (23) extended from the extension portion (22) has both an outer diameter and an inner diameter that decrease from the optical fiber support portion (11) toward the needle support portion (31). The hollow formed by the extension portion (22) and the attachment portion (23), particularly the hollow formed by the attachment portion (23), will be specifically examined as follows.

[0039] Referring to the enlarged cross-sectional view of Fig. 4, it can be confirmed that the hollow part has a large diameter (d2_a) on the optical fiber support part (11) side and a small diameter (d2_b) on the needle support part (31) side. Even if the optical fiber (13) is not inserted exactly along the central axis of the hollow part of the needle (32), it is guided into the hollow part of the needle (32) along the inner surface of the guide part (20). The material of the guide part (20) can be any material that does not cause wear even when the optical fiber (13) collides with it, and a hard material with high hardness is not preferred. A general needle commercially available as the guide part (20) can be applied to the present invention, and a needle with a small diameter used in dermatology can also be easily applied.

[0040] The optical fiber (13) can be easily inserted if it is smaller than the inner diameter (d2_b) of the attachment (23) of the guide part (20) and smaller than the inner diameter (d3) of the needle (31). The inner diameter (d2_b) of the attachment (23) of the guide part (20) must also be smaller than the inner diameter (d3) of the needle (31) so that the optical fiber (13) does not collide with the one end of the needle (31). The inner diameter (d2_b) of the attachment (23) of the guide part (20) and the inner diameter (d3) of the needle (31) form a gap t1 to guide the optical fiber (13) to be easily inserted into the hollow of the needle (31).

[0041] The needle (32) is inserted into the skin of the area requiring treatment, but if the tip of the optical fiber (13) protrudes further than the tip of the needle (32) that is inserted by making an incision in the skin, the optical fiber (13) will come into contact with the skin before the needle (32). The optical fiber (13) is usually made of glass or plastic, and may wear out or break when rubbed against the skin. Therefore, it is important to position the tip of the optical fiber (13) so that it does not protrude further than the tip of the needle (32) in the direction of insertion into the body. However, if the step between the tip of the optical fiber (13) and the tip of the needle (32) is excessive, blood, skin cells, etc. may enter the hollow part of the needle (32) and interfere with the laser irradiation, which may reduce the treatment effect. Therefore, it is preferable to position the tip of the optical fiber (13) and the tip of the needle (32) equally without a step as much as possible.

[0042] The needle part (30) and the optical fiber part (10) are inserted inward from one end so that one end of the needle (32) protrudes in the other direction, and a needle cap (40) that fits into a concave part (12) formed in the optical fiber support part (11) may be included.

[0043] By the above combination, the needle part (30), the guide part (20), and the optical fiber part (10) can be integrated and fixed, and the needle (32) and the optical fiber (13) can be prevented from being separated during laser treatment, a step being formed between the end of the optical fiber (13) and the end of the needle (32), or the end of the optical fiber (13) protruding beyond the end of the needle (32).

[0044] Specifically, the needle cap (40) includes a first convex portion (41), a step portion (42), and a second convex portion (43), wherein the first convex portion (41) is formed at a position corresponding to the concave portion (12) of the optical fiber support portion (11), so that the first block portion (41) and the concave portion (12) can be fitted together.

[0045] The step portion (42) is formed in a stepped shape protruding outward and at least partially surrounds one end of the support portion (21) and the needle support portion (31). As a result, the needle cap (40) contributes to improving the bonding strength between the guide component (20) and the needle support portion (31).

[0046] The second convex portion (43) is formed to protrude on the outer surface at a position spaced apart from the step portion (42) in the direction of attachment of the needle (32), and is formed to contact the third convex portion (51) described later, so that the combined state of the cover (50) and the needle cap (40) can be fixed.

[0047] The cover (50) is formed to protect the needle (32) by inserting the needle cap (40) inwardly, and the cover (50) is arranged to be in contact with the second convex portion (43) in the longitudinal direction, and may include a third convex portion (51) arranged closer to the optical fiber support portion (11) and the second convex portion (43).

[0048] When the needle cap (40) is inserted into the inside of the cover (50), the second convex portion (43) and / or the third convex portion (51) may be inserted while being pressed by the pressure and slightly contracted, and after the third convex portion (51) passes the second convex portion (43), the contraction may return to the original position and the hook may be maintained.

[0049] The needle (32) may be formed with a sharp tip so that it can be inserted by making an incision in the skin, and the outer diameter of the needle (32) may be 300 μm (micrometers) or less. A needle (32) with a diameter exceeding 25 G may cause unnecessary pain during laser treatment and is therefore not desirable. The smaller the diameter of the needle (32), the less pain the recipient may experience; however, a needle (32) with a diameter so small that the laser irradiation effect is physically negligible may not be used. The length of the needle (32) may be 7 cm or less, and a needle (32) with a length greater than the thickness of the skin is unnecessary. The needle (32) may be formed of a material having a hardness sufficient to allow it to be inserted by making an incision in the skin.

[0050] The above-described laser treatment needle assembly is connected to a handpiece (not shown) and receives laser energy through the handpiece, enabling it to be directly applied to the treatment area within the skin. Accordingly, one end of the optical fiber support (11) can be releasably connected to the handpiece, and preferably, can be screw-assembled.

[0051]

[0052] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below.

[0053]

[0054] 10: Optical fiber section 11: Optical fiber support section

[0055] 12: Recessed area 13: Optical fiber

[0056] 20: Guide part 21: Support part

[0057] 22: Extension 23: Attachment

[0058] 30: Needle part 31: Needle support part

[0059] 32: Needle 40: Needle cap

[0060] 41: First convex part 42: Step part

[0061] 43: Second convex portion 50: Cover

[0062] 51: Third convex part

Claims

1. A needle part including a hollow needle and a needle support part through which one end of the needle penetrates and is fixed; An optical fiber positioned along the length direction within the needle, but having one end not exposed outside the attachment of the needle; An optical fiber support connected to the other end of the above-mentioned optical fiber; and A needle assembly for laser treatment, comprising a guide part positioned between the needle support part and the optical fiber support part and guiding the optical fiber to be inserted into the hollow of the needle.

2. In paragraph 1, The above guide part includes a support portion, an extension portion extending from the support portion, and an attachment connected to the extension portion, The above support portion supports one end of the above needle support portion, The outer surface of the extension portion is formed in a shape corresponding to a part of the inner surface of the needle support portion, and the inner surface of the extension portion forms a hollow portion whose diameter decreases from the optical fiber support portion toward the needle support portion. The above attachment is a needle assembly for laser treatment, characterized in that both the outer diameter and the inner diameter decrease from the optical fiber support toward the needle support.

3. In paragraph 2, A needle assembly for laser treatment, characterized in that the diameter of the optical fiber is smaller than the inner diameter of the attachment of the guide component and smaller than the inner diameter of the needle.

4. In paragraph 3, A needle assembly for laser treatment, characterized in that the inner diameter of the attachment of the above guide component is smaller than the inner diameter of the above needle.

5. In paragraph 2, A needle assembly for laser treatment, characterized in that the needle part and the optical fiber part are inserted inward from one end so that one end of the needle protrudes in the other direction, and further includes a needle cap that fits into a concave portion formed in the optical fiber support portion.

6. In paragraph 5, The above needle cap includes a first convex portion, a step portion, and a second convex portion, The first convex portion is formed at a position corresponding to the concave portion of the optical fiber support, The above-mentioned step portion is formed in a stepped shape protruding outward to at least partially surround one end of the support portion and the needle support portion, A needle assembly for laser treatment, characterized in that the second convex portion is formed protrudingly on the outer surface at a position spaced apart from the step portion by a predetermined distance in the direction of attachment of the needle.

7. In paragraph 6, A third convex portion is disposed to be in contact with the second convex portion in the longitudinal direction, but is disposed closer to the optical fiber support portion than the second convex portion. A needle assembly for laser treatment, characterized in that it additionally includes a cover for protecting the needle.

8. In paragraph 1, A needle assembly for laser treatment, characterized in that the outer diameter of the needle is 300 μm or less.

9. In paragraph 8, A needle assembly characterized in that the length of the needle is 7 cm or less.

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