Ultrasonic generation device comprising ultrasonic coupler

Abstract

This ultrasonic generation device comprises: a main body having a first connector; and an ultrasonic transducer which is configured to be coupled to the main body, has a second connector capable of being electrically connected to the first connector, and is configured to generate ultrasonic waves by means of electrical pulses supplied through the electrical connection of the first and second connectors. The first connector and the second connector are configured such that the ultrasonic transducer can be electrically connected thereto at different rotational positions.

Description

Ultrasonic generating device including an ultrasonic coupler

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic generating device that generates ultrasonic waves.

[0002] Ultrasound is widely used for treating wounds or for skin aesthetic purposes. A device that generates ultrasound includes an ultrasonic transducer and a power unit. The ultrasonic transducer is constructed by forming electrodes on both sides of a piezoelectric element, and the power unit generates electric pulses to drive the ultrasonic transducer. When an electric pulse is applied to the electrodes formed on the surface of the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element undergoes physical vibration, and as a result, ultrasound is generated.

[0003] Since such ultrasonic transducers cannot be operated with the electrodes formed on the surface of the piezoelectric element in direct contact with human skin, a coupler formed of metal or synthetic resin is attached to the surface where the ultrasound is irradiated. The coupler is formed from a material with good ultrasound transmission characteristics and is generally made of stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, synthetic resin, nylon, etc. Typically, the surface of such a coupler is made smooth, and the ultrasound generated from the piezoelectric element propagates to human tissue through the coupler. Registered Patent 10-1803529 discloses an ultrasonic transducer capable of focusing the generated ultrasound by forming a recess in the coupler. Considering that the coupler is configured to change the propagation pattern of the ultrasound, it can also be referred to as an acoustic lens. For example, focused ultrasound can be generated by installing a focusing acoustic lens having a concave surface capable of focusing ultrasound on a disc-shaped piezoelectric element, and multiple focused acoustic lenses can be installed to generate multiple focused ultrasounds simultaneously.

[0004] Ultrasound generating devices that produce such focused ultrasound can be used for procedures such as removing wrinkles around the eyes. In such cases, if the treatment area is symmetrical (either left-right or top-bottom), there is a problem in that the ultrasound transducers must be manufactured individually to fit the shape of each treatment site. In other words, two ultrasound generating devices are required, each equipped with two symmetrical transducers, for wrinkle removal procedures around the left and right eyes. This not only increases the cost of the ultrasound generating devices but also causes the inconvenience of having to replace the devices themselves during the procedure.

[0005] The matters described in the technical background section of this invention are written to enhance understanding of the background of the invention and may include matters that are not prior art already known in the field to which this technology belongs.

[0006] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an ultrasonic generating device configured to allow a single ultrasonic transducer to be used in different shaped parts by enabling a change in the mounting direction of the ultrasonic transducer.

[0007] The technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0008] An ultrasonic generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a main body having a first connector; and an ultrasonic transducer configured to be coupled to the main body and having a second connector that can be electrically connected to the first connector, and configured to generate ultrasonic waves by an electrical pulse supplied by the electrical connection of the first and second connectors. The first connector and the second connector are configured so that the ultrasonic transducer can be electrically connected to each other at different rotational positions.

[0009] The above ultrasonic transducer may include a piezoelectric element configured to vibrate by the electric pulse to generate ultrasound, and an ultrasonic coupler configured to be in close contact with the piezoelectric element to transmit the ultrasound.

[0010] The above ultrasonic coupler can be configured to change the acoustic propagation characteristics of the ultrasonic waves.

[0011] The above ultrasonic coupler can be configured to focus the ultrasonic waves.

[0012] Either of the first and second connectors may include a set of first terminals for supplying electric pulses to the piezoelectric element, and the other of the first and second connectors may include two sets of second terminals corresponding to each of the set of first terminals. One of the two sets of second terminals may be configured to be electrically connected to the first terminal when the ultrasonic transducer is coupled to the main body in a first rotational position, and the other of the two sets of second terminals may be configured to be electrically connected to the first terminal when the ultrasonic transducer is coupled to the main body in a second rotational position.

[0013] The first rotation position and the second rotation position may have a difference of 180 degrees.

[0014] The first connector may form an insertion space, and the second connector may include a body that is inserted into the insertion space.

[0015] When the first connector and the second connector are connected at different rotational positions, the ultrasonic coupler may be configured to be symmetrical.

[0016] According to the present invention, since the ultrasonic transducers can be coupled to the main body at different rotational positions, an ultrasonic procedure can be performed on different parts by coupling a single ultrasonic transducer to the main body at different rotational positions.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing the ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention separated from the main body.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention coupled to the main body at different rotational positions.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing the connector of the main body of an ultrasonic generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing the connector of an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the connection between the connector of the ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic generating device and the connector of the main body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating an example of an ultrasound procedure using an ultrasound generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the described embodiments.

[0028] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms “comprising” and / or “comprising” as used herein indicate the presence of the specified features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any one or all combinations of one or more items listed in association. The term “combined” indicates a physical relationship between two components where the components are directly connected to each other or indirectly connected through one or more mediating components.

[0029] In describing the components of the present invention, where it is stated that one component is "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected, coupled, or connected to the other component, but that another component may also be "connected," "coupled," or "connected" between each component.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the ultrasound generating device (1) includes an ultrasound transducer (10) and a main body (20). The ultrasound generating device (1) is configured to generate and irradiate ultrasound, and can be used, for example, as an ultrasound treatment device for wrinkle treatment. The main body (20) may be formed in the shape of a handpiece that a user can hold with their hand, and the ultrasound transducer (10) is formed to be coupled to or detached from the main body (20). When ultrasound treatment is required, the ultrasound transducer (10) is coupled to the main body (20) to generate ultrasound, and the ultrasound transducer (10) is placed in close contact with the skin of the patient to perform the ultrasound treatment. As shown in FIG. 4, the ultrasound transducer (10) is configured to be detachable from the main body (20) and is configured to be coupled to the main body (20) in different rotational positions depending on the shape of the treatment area. FIGS. 5 (a) and (b) illustrate a state in which an ultrasonic transducer (10) is coupled to a main body (20) in different rotational positions, and in FIG. 5 (b), the ultrasonic transducer (10) is coupled to the main body (20) in a state rotated 180 degrees from the state of (a). The ultrasonic generating device (1) is configured to generate ultrasonic waves in each state in which the ultrasonic transducer (10) is coupled to the main body (20) in different rotational positions.

[0031] The main body (20) includes an electric pulse generating device (21) that generates electric pulses for driving an ultrasonic transducer (10). The main body (20) includes a housing (22) having the shape of a handpiece as described above, and the electric pulse generating device (21) may be installed within the housing (22). The electric pulse generating device (21) may be formed as an electric circuit capable of generating electric pulses by receiving electricity from an external power source.

[0032] The ultrasonic transducer (10) is configured to generate ultrasonic waves by receiving an electric pulse supplied from an electric pulse generating device (21) of the main body (20). The ultrasonic transducer (10) may be configured to generate ultrasonic waves by generating mechanical vibrations using the piezoelectric phenomenon caused by the electric pulse. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the ultrasonic transducer (10) may include a piezoelectric element (11) and an ultrasonic coupler (12), i.e., an acoustic lens. The piezoelectric element (11) is configured to convert electrical energy into mechanical vibration energy by means of the piezoelectric effect. For example, the piezoelectric element (11) may be formed by forming electrodes on both sides of a piezoelectric material layer having a piezoelectric effect. The piezoelectric material layer may be formed of a material capable of converting electrical signals into mechanical vibrations, such as ceramic, composite piezoelectric material, or single-crystal quartz, and the electrodes may be formed of a metal such as silver having good electrical conductivity. The ultrasonic transducer (10) may include a case (14), and a piezoelectric element (11) and an ultrasonic coupler (12) may be installed in the case (14). When an electric pulse is applied to both electrodes of the piezoelectric element (11), the piezoelectric element (11) vibrates to generate ultrasound. The generated ultrasound is propagated to an object, for example, human tissue, through the ultrasonic coupler (12). The ultrasonic coupler (12) may be formed to convert the acoustic characteristics of the ultrasound, for example, to focus the ultrasound. The main body (20) may be equipped with an operating button (23) for generating a signal to operate the ultrasonic transducer (10). When a user presses the operating button (23), an electric pulse from the electric pulse generating device (21) is applied to the piezoelectric element (11) of the ultrasonic transducer (10) to generate ultrasound.

[0033] The ultrasonic coupler (12) is configured to cover one side of the piezoelectric element (11), the side facing the object. For example, the ultrasonic coupler (12) may be formed of a metal, synthetic resin, etc., having ultrasonic transmission characteristics, and specifically may be formed of stainless steel, nylon, etc. The shape and structure of the ultrasonic coupler (12) are configured to control the propagation and focusing of the ultrasonic waves. For example, the ultrasonic coupler (12) may include one or more acoustic elements, such as a recess (13), formed on the front side, that is, the side facing the object, and the recess (13) formed in the ultrasonic coupler (12) may focus the ultrasonic waves to form an ultrasonic focusing area within the human body. The recess (13) may have various shapes, such as a circular shape or an elliptical shape.

[0034] The main body (20) and the ultrasonic transducer (10) each include first and second connectors (41, 31) for electrical connection between the electric pulse generating device (21) and the piezoelectric element (11). For example, referring to FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 4, the first connector (41) may be provided on the top of the main body (20), and the second connector (31) may be provided on the rear side of the housing (14) of the ultrasonic transducer (10). The first and second connectors (41, 31) may be connected to each other to form an electrical connection, and the electric pulse of the electric pulse generating device (21) may be applied to the piezoelectric element (11) through the electrical connection of the first and second connectors (41, 31). The first connector (41) is electrically connected to the piezoelectric element (11) by wiring (not shown), and the second connector (31) is electrically connected to the electric pulse generating device (21) by wiring (25). When the ultrasonic transducer (10) is mechanically connected to the main body (20), the electrical connection of the first and second connectors (41, 31) may be configured to be formed simultaneously. The combination of the first and second connectors (41, 31) may be configured to form or assist the mechanical connection between the ultrasonic transducer (10) and the main body (20). For example, the first connector (41) has an insertion space (42), and the second connector (31) includes a body (32) formed to be inserted into the insertion space (42). The body (32) is configured to form a molded connection such that rotation is blocked while inserted into the insertion space (42). The body (32) can be inserted into the insertion space (42) to form a mechanical connection between the first and second connectors (41, 31) and simultaneously form an electrical connection between the first and second connectors (41, 31).

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, the first connector (41) and the second connector (31) each include connector terminals that are coupled to each other for electrical connection. As mentioned above, since the ultrasonic transducer (10) is configured to be coupled to the main body (20) at different rotational positions, the first connector (41) and the second connector (31) are configured to be coupled to each other at different positions for this purpose. To this end, one of the terminals of the first and second connectors (41, 31) is configured to include one set of terminals, and the other is configured to include two sets of terminals. In the present embodiment, the second connector (31) provided in the ultrasonic transducer (10) includes two sets of terminals (33, 34), and the first connector (41) provided in the main body (20) includes one set of terminals (43). Meanwhile, in another embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer may include one set of terminals, and the main body may include two sets of terminals corresponding to each set of terminals of the ultrasonic transducer.

[0036] The second terminal (43) of the first connector (41) provided on the main body (20) is composed of a set of a fixed number, for example, 10 terminals. The second terminals (33, 34) provided on the ultrasonic transducer (10) may each be composed of a set of 10 terminals. The 10 first terminals (33, 34) are arranged to form two rows, and as shown in the drawing, rows of 5 terminals may be arranged alternately. In addition, the 10 second terminals (43) may be arranged to form two rows. Thus, the ultrasonic transducer (10) is provided with two sets of terminals each consisting of 10 terminals, for a total of 20 terminals, and the main body (10) is provided with one set of terminals consisting of 10 terminals. At this time, the terminal (43) provided on the main body (20) may be a pin, and the terminal (33, 34) provided on the ultrasonic transducer (10) may be a pin hole. An electrical connection between the main body (20) and the ultrasonic transducer (10) is formed by the male-female coupling of the pin and the pin hole.

[0037] In FIG. 9 (a) and (b), different arrangements of the first terminals (33, 34) according to the rotational position of the ultrasonic transducer (10) are respectively illustrated. FIG. 9 (a) corresponds to FIG. 6 (a), and FIG. 9 (b) corresponds to FIG. 6 (b). In FIG. 9 (a) and (b), the second connector (31) of the ultrasonic transducer (10) on the right is flipped to the left and connected to the first connector (41) of the main body (20) located on the left. In FIG. 9 (a), the terminal (33) in the right column of the two columns of terminals (33) constituting the first set of terminals of the second connector (31) is coupled to the terminal (43) in the left column of the two columns of terminals (43) of the first connector (41), and the terminal (33) in the left column of the two columns of terminals (33) constituting the first set of terminals is coupled to the terminal (43) in the right column of the two columns of terminals (34) of the first connector (41). Likewise, in FIG. 9 (b), the terminal (34) in the right column of the two columns of terminals (34) constituting the second set of terminals of the second connector (31) is coupled to the terminal (43) in the left column of the two columns of terminals (43) of the first connector (41), and the terminal (34) in the left column of the two columns of terminals (34) constituting the second set of terminals is coupled to the terminal (43) in the right column of the two columns of terminals (34) of the first connector (41).

[0038] As illustrated in the drawing, since the terminal (43) is positioned eccentrically within the insertion space (42) of the first connector (41), misassembly of the first and second connectors (41, 31) is prevented when the body (32) of the second connector (31) is inserted into the insertion space (42) of the first connector (41). That is, in the state of (a) of FIG. 9, the terminal (34) of the second terminal set of the ultrasonic transducer (10) cannot be coupled to the terminal (43) of the main body (20), and in the state of (b) of FIG. 9, the terminal (33) of the first terminal set of the ultrasonic transducer (10) cannot be coupled to the terminal (43) of the main body (20). For better understanding, the first and second connectors (41, 31) that are coupled to each other are indicated by arrows in FIG. 9.

[0039] In this way, the ultrasonic transducer (10) is configured to be coupled to the main body (20) at different rotational positions, and accordingly, the connector (31) of the ultrasonic transducer (10) and the connector (41) of the main body (20) are configured to be coupled to each other according to different rotational positions, thereby allowing the same ultrasonic transducer (10) to be coupled to the main body (20) at different rotational positions, and thus, an ultrasonic procedure can be easily performed at an appropriate location in each coupled state. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 (a) and (b), when the ultrasonic generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used for a procedure for treating wrinkles around the eyes, the ultrasonic coupler (12) can be arranged symmetrically to match the shape of the right and left eye area by assembling the ultrasonic transducer to the main body at different rotational positions. By doing so, by assembling a single ultrasonic transducer to the main body by changing its rotational position, a procedure on multiple parts can be effectively performed by a single ultrasonic transducer.

[0040] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto and includes all changes and modifications within the scope recognized as equivalents that can be easily changed by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A main body having a first connector; and It includes an ultrasonic transducer configured to be coupled to the main body and having a second connector that can be electrically connected to the first connector, and configured to generate ultrasound by an electric pulse supplied by the electrical connection of the first and second connectors. An ultrasonic generating device in which the first connector and the second connector are configured so that the ultrasonic transducers can be electrically connected to each other at different rotational positions.

2. In Paragraph 1, The ultrasonic generating device comprises: an ultrasonic transducer configured to vibrate by the electric pulse to generate ultrasonic waves; and an ultrasonic coupler configured to be in close contact with the piezoelectric element to transmit the ultrasonic waves.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above-described ultrasonic coupler is an ultrasonic generating device configured to change the acoustic propagation characteristics of the ultrasonic waves.

4. In Paragraph 3, The above-described ultrasonic coupler is an ultrasonic generating device configured to focus the above-described ultrasonic waves.

5. In Paragraph 1, One of the first and second connectors includes a set of first terminals for supplying electric pulses to the piezoelectric element, and the other of the first and second connectors includes two sets of second terminals corresponding to each of the set of first terminals. An ultrasonic generating device in which one of the two sets of second terminals is configured to be electrically connected to the first terminal when the ultrasonic transducer is coupled to the main body in a first rotational position, and the other of the two sets of second terminals is configured to be electrically connected to the first terminal when the ultrasonic transducer is coupled to the main body in a second rotational position.

6. In Paragraph 5, An ultrasonic generating device having a difference of 180 degrees between the first rotation position and the second rotation position.

7. In Paragraph 1, An ultrasonic generating device comprising a first connector forming an insertion space and a second connector having a body inserted into the insertion space.

8. In Paragraph 1, An ultrasonic generating device in which the ultrasonic coupler is configured to be symmetrical when the first connector and the second connector are connected at different rotational positions.

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