Detachable Needle Tip With Motion-Trackable Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skin treatment devices using micro-needles for transferring radio frequency energy to dermal tissues are not designed for multiple patient use, as the tip module must be discarded after use, and there is no mechanism for ensuring the authenticity and usage limit of the needle tips.
Innovation Solution
A skin treatment device with a detachable needle tip and a motion trackable connector that maintains electrical connection during needle extension and retraction, includes a tip data storage for authentication and shot count, allowing only genuine tips to be used and tracking the number of shots for timely replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tip module is made detachable for multiple patient use, then hygiene and reusability are improved, but maintaining stable electrical connection during needle extension and retraction becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible printed circuit board (FPC) is introduced as an intermediary component between the detachable tip module and the handpiece. The FPC maintains electrical connection stability through its flexibility that accommodates needle movement while preserving continuous electrical contact, thus resolving the contradiction between detachable design for hygiene and stable electrical connection requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tip module is made detachable for multiple patient use, then reusability is improved, but ensuring authenticity and usage limit tracking becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
An authentication system is integrated into the detachable tip module itself, with the tip containing identification information and the handpiece automatically verifying authenticity and tracking usage limits. This self-service approach enables reusability across multiple patients while managing authentication and usage tracking without requiring complex external verification systems.
3Ease of operation
If a solenoid drive is used to extend and retract micro-needles, then needle extension and retraction are achieved, but the electrical connection must remain stable during motion
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible printed circuit board (FPC) is used to maintain electrical connection during needle motion. The FPC's flexibility allows it to accommodate the dynamic movement of needles extended by the solenoid drive while maintaining stable electrical contact, thus enabling ease of operation without compromising electrical connection stability.
4Reliability
If the tip module is designed for single patient use only, then hygiene is ensured, but cost increases due to discarding after one use
Solution Approach 1:
The tip module is designed with reusable components that can be sterilized and reused across multiple patients, rather than being discarded after single use. This copying approach allows the same physical tip module to serve multiple patients through sterilization cycles, reducing waste while maintaining hygiene standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip module is designed to be detached and subjected to sterilization processes between patient uses, allowing recovery and reuse of the same component. This discarding and recovering approach enables the tip module to be temporarily discarded for sterilization purposes and then recovered for subsequent use, reducing waste while ensuring hygiene.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables stable electrical connection and ensures only certified needle tips are used, extending their lifespan by tracking usage, thus improving treatment efficacy and hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a handpiece 100 configured to include a motor 120 to move a driving shaft 130 linearly therein
Implementation Method 2
The motion trackable connector 230 is provided between the connecting board 210 and the needle module 240 so as to electrically connect between the connecting board and the needle module while tracking a motion of the needle module
Implementation Method 3
applying radio frequency energy to the dermal tissue, forms coagulation regions in a specific area of the dermal tissue
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a skin treatment device including a handpiece and a needle tip enabling to be coupled to the handpiece, wherein as the needle tip is mounted on the distal end of the handpiece, electrical connection with the handpiece can be made stably, and even if the needle module built in the needle tip performs linear reciprocating motions of extension and retraction by the driving device provided in the handpiece, the motion trackable connector provided in the needle tip can stably keep the electrical connection between the handpiece and the needle tip.