Optical Treatment Handpiece Using Ultrasound for Deeper Laser Penetration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laser treatment is limited in penetrating deep into the skin due to significant scattering and attenuation in the epidermal layer, and existing devices are cumbersome for treating wide-area lesions.

Innovation Solution

A handpiece combining ultrasound and laser technology to generate bubbles or increase temperature, minimizing scattering and enhancing penetration depth while maintaining normal tissue integrity, and a compact design for wide-area treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If laser output is increased to treat deep lesions, then penetration depth is improved, but epidermal layer damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepenetration depthVSAvoidepidermal layer damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first generating bubbles in the epidermal layer before laser irradiation. These bubbles create acoustic radiation pressure that pushes the laser beam deeper into the skin, allowing effective treatment of deep lesions without increasing laser output power that would damage the epidermis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces bubbles as an intermediary medium between the laser source and the target lesion. These bubbles serve as a mediator that transmits and focuses laser energy deeper into the skin while protecting the epidermal layer from direct high-intensity laser exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of stationary object

If laser irradiation time is increased to treat deep lesions, then penetration depth is improved, but treatment time increases and epidermal damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepenetration depthVSAvoidtreatment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating bubbles before laser treatment. This preparation enables deeper laser penetration from the start, eliminating the need for prolonged irradiation time to achieve the same depth, thus reducing overall treatment time while avoiding epidermal damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If treatment device size is increased to cover wide-area lesions, then treatment coverage is improved, but device portability and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment coverageVSAvoiddevice portability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the handpiece movable and adjustable. The device includes a movable table and adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow a compact handpiece to dynamically cover wide treatment areas by repositioning, maintaining portability while achieving extensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent solves the coverage problem by adding spatial dimensions through movable tables and adjustable positioning in multiple directions. This allows a small handpiece to access and treat wide-area lesions by moving in X, Y, and Z dimensions rather than requiring a large fixed treatment area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The handpiece effectively treats deep skin lesions with increased penetration and convenience by using ultrasound to generate bubbles or raise temperature, minimizing laser scattering and device size.

Implementation Method 1

by generating bubbles from air in a living tissue to minimize scattering of laser energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic cavitation: Cavitation

Implementation Method 2

by increasing a temperature of the target lesion and surrounding skin to an appropriate temperature without affecting normal tissues surrounding lesion cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic heating: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 3

a laser irradiator that is provided inside the body and irradiates a laser to the treatment area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP4659799A1Handpiece for optical treatment, and treatment method using same
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 DAEGU GYEONGBUK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
  • EP4659799A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4659799A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4659799A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a handpiece for optical treatment. In one embodiment, the handpiece for optical treatment comprises: a cylindrical body that can be held by a user; an ultrasonic generation part provided at one end of the body so as to emit ultrasonic waves at a treatment area, thereby raising the temperature of the treatment area to a set temperature; a laser emission part which is provided within the body and which emits a laser at the treatment area; and a housing which is coupled to the front end of the ultrasonic generation part, and in which a medium for transmitting the ultrasonic waves to the treatment area is accommodated, wherein the ultrasonic generation part can include a frame, which is coupled to the top of the housing and has a through hole through which the laser passes, and an ultrasonic element coupled to the frame.