KR102049165B1 - Handpiece used in apparatus for diagnosis of pigmented lesion - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a cylindrical body having an inner space capable of receiving a laser to output to the outside; An acoustic detector for detecting a photoacoustic wave generated when a laser is irradiated onto a target for identifying a pigmented lesion; Wherein the acoustic sensing unit is coupled to the body portion such that when the laser is irradiated to the target for diagnosing the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion, the sound sensing unit is coupled to the body portion; .

Description

Handpiece used in apparatus for diagnosis of pigmented lesion

The present invention relates to a handpiece for use in the diagnosis of pigmented lesions.

Pigmented lesions can be classified into benign lesions and malignant lesions as one of skin diseases. Benign lesions can be, for example, freckles or nevus of Ota, and malignant lesions can be such as skin cancer.

On the other hand, benign lesions are mainly removed by laser using a skin toning device or skin peeling device, and the wavelength of the laser used varies depending on the position (depth from the skin) of the benign lesions.

Conventionally, it is not easy to distinguish benign lesions from malignant lesions. Therefore, those who are engaged in the removal of pigmented lesions with a laser using a skin toning device or a skin peeling apparatus perform a procedure for pigmented lesions without accurate distinction of pigmented lesions. There are many cases. Even if diarrhea-positive and malignant lesions can be distinguished, there are inconveniences in the case of benign lesions that need to be resected in depth or measured using a separate, expensive instrument such as optical coherence tomography (OCT).

(Patent Document 001) US5135604 A
(Patent Document 002) US7039446 B2

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus and method for diagnosing pigmented lesions that can determine the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, based on the depth and / thickness of the pigmented lesion, it is possible to recommend the laser type of the wavelength to remove the benign lesion to the user, and to tell the user the progress and the critical degree of the malignant lesion An apparatus and method for diagnosing pigmented lesions is provided.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a handpiece and a handpiece detachable device that can be used in the diagnostic devices and methods of the pigmented lesion described above.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a cylindrical body having an inner space capable of receiving a laser to output to the outside;

An acoustic detector for detecting a photoacoustic wave generated when a laser is irradiated onto a target for identifying a pigmented lesion; Including;

When the handpiece is in contact with a target and irradiated with a laser for diagnosing the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion, the sound sensing unit is coupled to the body part such that it can be in contact with the target. do.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the second piece in the handpiece consisting of a first piece and a second piece that can be detachably coupled to each other, referred to as a handpiece detachment device,

A cylindrical body having an inner space capable of receiving a laser and outputting the laser to the outside;

An acoustic detector for detecting a photoacoustic wave generated when a laser is irradiated onto a target for identifying a pigmented lesion; Including;

The upper portion of the body portion is an inflow end receiving the laser from the outside, the lower portion of the body portion is an output end for outputting the incoming laser to the outside, the inflow end has a structure that can be detachably coupled with the first piece. ,

When the handpiece is in contact with a target and irradiated with a laser for diagnosing the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion, the sound sensing unit is coupled to the body part such that it can contact the target. An apparatus is provided.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there are provided apparatuses and methods for diagnosing pigmented lesions using the aforementioned handpiece.

According to the apparatus and method for diagnosing pigmented lesions according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, based on the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion, a laser type having a wavelength capable of removing benign lesions may be recommended to the user. In this case, the user may be informed of the progress of the malignant lesion. In addition, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to diagnose whether a pigmented lesion is a benign lesion or a malignant lesion and to measure the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion to remove the benign lesion if it is diagnosed as a benign lesion. The type of laser that is present is recommended and, if diagnosed as malignant lesions, the progress of malignant lesions can be indicated.

Handpieces according to one or more embodiments of the present invention may be usefully used in diagnostic devices and methods of pigmented lesions that exhibit the effects described above.

1 is a view for explaining the diagnosis of pigmented lesions according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view for explaining the diagnosis of pigmented lesions according to another embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view for explaining the diagnosis of pigmented lesions according to another embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view for explaining the principle of calculating the position of the pigmented lesion in the diagnostic device of the pigmented lesion according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 and 6 are views for explaining an example in which the diagnosis device for the pigmented lesion according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the handpiece.
7 is a view for explaining a method for measuring the thickness of the pigmented lesion according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 and 9 are views for explaining a handpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a view for explaining a handpiece according to another embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a view for explaining a handpiece according to another embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a view for explaining a handpiece according to another embodiment of the present invention.
13 and 14 are views for explaining a handpiece according to another embodiment of the present invention.
15 is a view for explaining a method for diagnosing pigmented lesions according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood through the following preferred embodiments associated with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be embodied in other forms. Rather, the embodiments introduced herein are provided so that the disclosure may be made thorough and complete, and to fully convey the spirit of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

Where the terms first, second, etc. are used herein to describe the components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. The embodiments described and illustrated herein also include complementary embodiments thereof.

In this specification, the term 'component A and / or component B' is used to mean 'at least one of component A and component B'.

In this specification, when it is mentioned that 'component A' and 'component B' are combined, it is used to mean that component A and component B are directly coupled or indirectly coupled. Here, indirect coupling means that at least one third component is placed and coupled between the component A and the component B.

As used herein, the terms “… unit”, “… unit”, “module” and the like refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software. .

As used herein, the term 'transmission', 'communication', 'transmission', 'receive', 'providing', or 'delivering' of a signal, data, or information means one component ('component' In addition to the direct transmission of signals, data, or information from a ') to another component (' component b '), it also passes to at least one other component (' component c ') to component b. Included.

In this specification, it is to be understood that the components that are 'operably related to each other' are wired and / or wirelessly connected to transmit and / or receive data with each other.

In this specification, component a outputs from component b, even if there is no explicit representation that one component ('component a') and another component ('component b') are 'operationally related' to each other. Receive the signal, data, or information to perform the operation of itself (component a), or the component b receives the signal, data, or information output from component a to perform the operation of itself (component b). If so, it should be understood that component a and component b are 'operatively related'.

In the present specification, the 'laser generating device' means a device for generating a cosmetic or medical laser, the 'beauty or medical laser handpiece' has a shape that can be held by the user hand and the laser generated by the laser generating device Means a device configured to receive the inflow and outflow to the target.

In the present specification, the term 'laser' means a pulsed laser or continuous light laser. In addition, the frequency band of the 'laser' may have any frequency band, for example, may have a UV (ultra violet) band, a visible light band, or an IR-infrared band.

In the present specification, the term 'generating light' is meant to include all light generated when a laser is irradiated to a target (eg, body tissue). Thus, 'generated light' may mean, for example, plasma light, reflected light, scattered light, and / or fluorescent light.

In the present specification, the term 'wavelength' may mean a specific numerical value as well as a specific range of numerical values (ie, wavelength bands).

In the present specification, a "handpiece" may be composed of one piece, two pieces, or more pieces. In the present specification, when the handpiece consists of two pieces, one of them is referred to as the first piece and the other as the second piece, where the second piece is detachably coupled with the first piece and the second piece is Sometimes referred to as a 'handpiece detachable device'.

In the present specification, the 'optical path' means a path through which the laser can be moved, and the 'optical path' is a space or a wire or fiber made of a material which is easy to move. It may be the same.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase. As used herein, the words 'comprises' and / or 'comprising' do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the specific embodiments below, various specific details are set forth in order to explain the invention more specifically and to help understand. However, those skilled in the art can understand that the present invention can be used without these various specific details. In some cases, it is mentioned in advance that parts of the invention which are commonly known in the description of the invention and which are not highly related to the invention are not described in order to prevent confusion in explaining the invention without cause.

1 is a view for explaining the diagnosis of pigmented lesions according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a diagnosis system for pigmented lesions according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a laser generating device 1, a cosmetic or medical laser handpiece (hereinafter referred to as a handpiece) 3, and a pigmented lesion. The diagnostic device (hereinafter referred to as 'diagnostic device') 10, the diagnostic device 10 includes a sound sensing unit 5 and the diagnostic unit (7).

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the diagnosis apparatus 10 may further include circuit means (not shown) for providing the diagnosis unit 7 with a sound detection result of the sound detection unit 5. Here, the circuit means (not shown) is configured to provide the detection result to the diagnosis unit 7 by wire or wirelessly.

For example, the handpiece 3 may be provided with a wired cable (not shown) for providing the diagnosis unit 7 with the detection result detected by the acoustic detector 5, and one of the wired cables may be provided. The end may be configured to be connected to the acoustic sensing unit 5, and the other end of the wired cable may be configured to be connected to the diagnostic unit 7. This wired cable may be equally applicable to other embodiments described later.

In the present specification, the term "acoustic sensing result" is used to mean "a sound sensing time" or "data capable of calculating the sound sensing time".

In the present embodiment, the sound detector 5 may detect sound generated when the laser is irradiated to a target (for example, skin) to check the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion. For example, the acoustic sensing unit 5 may include a transducer (not shown) for converting sound into an electrical signal and an amplifier for amplifying the electrical signal converted by the transducer. Not shown).

When the handpiece 3 is in contact with the target and irradiated with a laser for diagnosing the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion, the acoustic sensing unit 5 is in the body part of the handpiece 3 so that it can contact the target. Are combined. As will be described later, when the handpiece 3 is composed of two pieces, the acoustic sensing unit 5 is coupled to the lower part of the body of the second piece.

When the laser generated by the laser generator 1 is irradiated to the target through the handpiece 3, the pigmented lesion present in the target absorbs the laser and generates sound. Such a phenomenon is called a photoacoustic, and sound generated by the photoacoustic phenomenon is referred to herein as a 'photoacoustic wave'.

In the present embodiment, the diagnosis unit 7 may calculate the depth of the pigmented lesion based on the time when the photoacoustic wave is detected by the sound sensing unit 5 ('sound detection time') and the laser irradiation time information. have.

In the present specification, the term 'laser irradiation visual information'

 i) Laser generation time generated by the laser generating device for the laser irradiated to the target

 ii) the time the laser hits the surface of the target

iii) the time at which the laser light is emitted to the target and then detects the generated light emitted from the surface of the target;

iv) any time between the laser generation time and the time when the generated light is detected.

It is used to mean containing at least one of.

The sound sensor 5 detects the photoacoustic wave generated from the target, and the sound detection result is provided to the diagnosis unit 7.

The acoustic detector 5 detects one or more photoacoustic waves, and the diagnostic unit 7 calculates the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion using the acoustic detection time and the laser irradiation time information.

In the present embodiment, the diagnostic unit 7 receives the laser generation time from the laser generating device 1 and receives the sound detection result from the acoustic detection unit 5 to calculate the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion. .

The sound detector 5 may detect at least two photoacoustic waves.

In the present specification, for the purposes of the present description, a first photoacoustic wave that is first detected in time and a second photoacoustic wave that is detected next are referred to as a first photoacoustic wave and a second photoacoustic wave. When the stick wave satisfies the following condition, it is called a 'photoacoustic wave couple'.

Condition

After the laser is irradiated onto the target, the first photoacoustic wave and the second photoacoustic wave are detected, and the time when the first photoacoustic wave is detected and the time when the second photoacoustic wave is detected are different from each other. The first photoacoustic wave is generated when the laser is absorbed by the upper surface of the pigmented lesion (surface close to the surface of the target), and the second photoacoustic wave is generated on the lower surface of the pigmented lesion (surface far from the surface of the target). If it is believed that it occurred when the laser was absorbed.

The diagnosis unit 7 may calculate the thickness of the pigmented lesion from the detection result of the photoacoustic wave couple.

 When the pigmented lesion is a benign lesion, the diagnosis unit 7 performs an operation of selecting one or more laser types capable of treating the pigmented lesion with reference to the laser type DB (not shown). In the present specification, the term 'laser type' means data defining the laser, and means data defining the laser by at least one of wavelength, power, pulse width, and product name.

In detail, the diagnosis unit 7 selects at least one laser type corresponding to the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion in the laser type DB (not shown).

For example, the diagnosis unit 7 may select at least one laser type in consideration of the depth of the pigmented lesion, or at least one laser type in consideration of both the depth and thickness of the pigmented lesion.

This is because, depending on the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion, the wavelength, power, and duration of the laser that can remove or alleviate the pigmented lesion vary. Although not shown, the laser type DB-data defining the laser type according to the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion-is prepared, and the diagnostic unit 70 refers to such laser type DB to determine the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion. Select the laser type according to the

The diagnosis unit 7 may also determine the development state of the malignant lesion with reference to the pigment lesion DB (not shown) when the pigmented lesion is a malignant lesion. Here, the malignant lesion may be, for example, skin cancer, and the pigmented lesion DB (not shown) is data defining a progression state according to the depth and / or thickness of the malignant lesion.

When the pigmented lesion is a malignant lesion, the diagnosis unit 7 may determine the progress state according to the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion by referring to the pigmented lesion DB (not shown) as described above. For example, the diagnosis unit 7 may determine the progress state according to the thickness of the pigmented lesion, or may determine the progress state in consideration of both the depth and the thickness of the pigmented lesion.

"Data defining progression status" may be, for example, the stage of development (first stage, second stage, third stage, fourth stage) of cancer.

The pigmented lesion DB and the laser type DB described above may be included in the diagnostic apparatus 10 or separately stored in an external storage device accessible by the diagnostic unit 7 by wire or wirelessly. When the pigmented lesion DB and the laser type DB are stored in the external storage device, the diagnostic apparatus 10 may access and refer to the pigmented lesion DB and the laser type DB stored in the external storage device.

Although not shown, an operation result of the diagnosis unit 7 may be displayed through a display unit such as a monitor. For example, the laser type selected by the diagnostic unit 7 or the progress state of the pigmented lesion may be displayed on the display unit (not shown).

In the above-described embodiment, the diagnosis unit 7 has been described as performing an operation of selecting a laser type when the pigmented lesion is a positive lesion and determining an advanced state when the pigmented lesion is a malignant lesion. On the other hand, as an alternative embodiment, the diagnostic unit 7 may be configured to perform both operations regardless of the type of pigmented lesion. That is, as an alternative embodiment, the diagnosis unit 7 may determine the laser type and the progress state based on the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion, regardless of the type of the pigmented lesion.

In the above-described embodiment, there is no mention of a device for determining the type of pigmented lesion, but a device for determining the type of pigmented lesion is prepared separately, or the diagnostic unit 7 additionally adds a function of determining the type of pigmented lesion. It can be configured to include. For example, a device for determining the type of pigmented lesion (not shown) may be configured to determine whether the pigmented lesion is a malignant lesion by analyzing a spectrum of light generated from the pigmented lesion when the laser is irradiated to the pigmented lesion. Can be. As another example of an apparatus (not shown) for determining the type of pigmented lesion, the spectrum of the generated light generated from the pigmented lesion and the image of the pigmented lesion may be analyzed to determine whether the pigmented lesion is a malignant lesion. . Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1640202 (July 11, 2016) discloses a technique for determining whether or not a malignant lesion by analyzing the spectrum of the light generated from the pigmented lesion and / or the image of the pigmented lesion. All of the technical contents described in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1640202 (July 11, 2016) are incorporated as part of the present specification.

4 is a view for explaining the principle of calculating the depth (or position) of the pigmented lesion in the diagnostic device of the pigmented lesion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a method of calculating the depth (or position) of a pigmented lesion by the diagnostic unit 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4.

In the present specification, for the purpose of describing the invention, the depth (or position) of the pigmented lesion is determined from the surface of the target to the pigmented lesion (eg, the surface (top, bottom, or side) of the pigmented lesion or the interior of the pigmented lesion. Position), defined as the distance h (see FIG. 4A). On the other hand, in Figure 4 (a), the depth (h) of the pigmented lesion is shown as the distance to the center of the pigmented lesion is exemplary.

The diagnostic part 7 can calculate the depth of a pigmented lesion, for example by following Formula (1).

<Equation 1>

Depth of pigmented lesion (h) = photoacoustic wave velocity ⅹ (sound detection time-laser irradiation time)

Meanwhile, the laser irradiation time included in Equation 1

i) Laser generation time generated by the laser generating device for the laser irradiated to the target

 ii) the time the laser hits the surface of the target

iii) the time at which the laser light is emitted to the target and then detects the generated light emitted from the surface of the target;

iv) any time between the laser generation time and the time when the generated light is detected.

It means any one of.

Here, the acoustic detection time is a time when the photoacoustic wave generated from the pigmented lesion is detected. On the other hand, when the pulse laser is irradiated to the pigmented lesion, a photoacoustic wave having a peak relatively higher than the surroundings may be generated from the pigmented lesion, as shown in (b) of FIG.

In addition, the diagnostic part 7 can calculate the thickness of a pigment | dye lesion, for example by following formula (2).

<Formula 2>

Thickness of pigmented lesion (d) = photoacoustic wave velocity ⅹ (second photoacoustic wave detection time-first photoacoustic wave detection time)

 Here, the first photoacoustic wave and the second photoacoustic wave are photoacoustic wave couples.

In this embodiment, all or part of the components included in the diagnosis device 10 of the pigmented lesion may be configured to be coupled to the handpiece 3.

In the present embodiment, the handpiece 3 may be configured to have a cylindrical body portion which has an internal space capable of receiving a laser and outputs it to the outside and is easily held by a person by hand.

In this embodiment the handpiece 3 may consist of one piece, two pieces, or three or more pieces.

When the handpiece 3 is composed of one piece, the handpiece 3 is configured to include a cylindrical body portion having an internal space capable of receiving a laser and outputting it to the outside, and the body portion The upper part is an inlet end that can receive the laser from the outside, and the lower part of the body part is an output end that outputs the input laser to the outside (target). When the handpiece 3 consists of one piece, the acoustic sensing section 5 is located outside or inside such a body section. For example, the sound sensing unit 5 may be coupled to the output terminal. Specifically, when diagnosing a pigmented lesion, the acoustic sensing unit 5 is coupled to the output end so as to contact the target. An exemplary embodiment when the handpiece 3 consists of one piece refers to the description of the other figures (e.g. FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12) which will be described below. I hope.

On the other hand, when the handpiece 3 is composed of two pieces, one of them is the first piece and the other is the second piece, where the second piece is detachably coupled to the first piece.

The first piece is configured to include a cylindrical body portion-a first body portion-having an inner space capable of receiving the laser and outputting it to the outside, and the second piece also has an interior capable of outputting the laser and outputting it to the outside. It can be configured to include a cylindrical body portion having a space-the second body portion, the first body portion and the second body portion has a structure that can be detachably coupled to each other.

On the other hand, the upper portion of the first body portion is an inflow end that can receive the laser from the outside, the lower portion of the first body portion is an output end for outputting the laser introduced through the inlet end. In addition, an upper portion of the second body portion is an inflow end that is detachably coupled to a lower portion of the first body portion to receive a laser output from the first body portion, and a lower portion of the second body portion outputs the input laser to the outside (target). Is the output stage.

When the handpiece 3 is composed of two pieces, the acoustic sensing unit 5 is located outside or inside the second piece (ie the handpiece detachment device). For example, the sound sensing unit 5 may be coupled to the output end of the second piece. Specifically, when diagnosing a pigmented lesion, the acoustic sensing unit 5 is coupled to the output end of the second piece so as to contact the target. An exemplary embodiment when the handpiece 3 consists of two pieces is shown in other figures (for example FIGS. 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14). See the description of).

 The above configuration for the handpiece 3 applies equally to the embodiments to be described below.

2 is a view for explaining the diagnosis of pigmented lesions according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, a diagnosis system for pigmented lesions according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a laser generating device 201, a handpiece 203, and a diagnosis apparatus 210 for pigmented lesions according to an embodiment of the present invention. The diagnostic apparatus 210 includes a detector 206 and a diagnostic unit 207.

Among the components of the embodiment of FIG. 2 and the components of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar functions. Therefore, hereinafter, the embodiment of FIG. 2 will be described based on differences from the embodiment of FIG. 1.

In the present embodiment, the sensing unit 206 may detect a photoacoustic wave and a laser. To this end, the detector 206 includes a sound detector 205 and a light detector 209.

The sound detector 205 may detect a photoacoustic wave generated when the laser is irradiated to a target (for example, skin) to check the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion.

When the handpiece 203 is in contact with the target and irradiated with a laser for diagnosing the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion, the acoustic sensing unit 205 is placed in the body portion of the handpiece 203 so that it can contact the target. Are combined. When the handpiece 203 is composed of two pieces, the acoustic sensing unit 205 is coupled to the lower part of the body of the second piece.

The light detector 209 may detect the generated light generated from the target after the laser is irradiated to the target or the laser irradiated to the target through the handpiece 203.

The light sensing unit 209 may be implemented by a device such as, for example, a photodiode. The light detector 209 detects a laser moving through the inside of the handpiece 203, detects a laser flowing out of the handpiece 203, and moves to a target, or detects a generated light generated from the target. It can be configured to.

For example, when the light detector 209 is configured to detect a laser moving through the inside of the handpiece 203, the light detector 209 may be formed inside the handpiece 203 or the handpiece 203. ) May be located outside. In this case, an optical element (not shown in FIG. 2) for branching at least a portion of the laser moving inside the handpiece 203 to the light sensing unit 209 is located inside the handpiece 203.

When the light detector 209 is configured to detect a laser flowing out of the handpiece 203 and moved to the target, or to detect the generated light generated from the target, the light detector 209 may be a specific portion of the handpiece 203. It may be located adjacent to (part in contact with the target) or in a handpiece detachable device (not shown in FIG. 2) detachably coupled to the handpiece 203.

The diagnosis unit 207 may calculate the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion based on the time at which the photoacoustic wave is detected by the sound detector 205 and the laser detection result by the light detector 209. . Here, the 'laser detection result' includes 'laser irradiation time information'.

In addition, the diagnosis unit 207 may select the laser type and / or the progress state based on the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion.

 Although not shown in FIG. 2, the diagnosis apparatus 210 may further include circuit means (not shown) for providing a detection result of the detection unit 209 to the diagnosis unit 207. Here, the circuit means (not shown) is configured to provide the detection result to the diagnosis unit 207 by wire or wirelessly.

For example, a wired cable (not shown) may be provided in the handpiece 203 to provide the detection result detected by the detector 206 to the diagnostic unit 207, and one end of the wired cable may be provided. Is configured to be connected to the sensing unit 206, the other end of the wired cable may be configured to be connected to the diagnostic unit (207).

 The diagnosis unit 207 may receive the acoustic detection result and the laser detection result from the detection unit 206, and calculate the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion based on the detection results.

For example, the diagnosis unit 207 may calculate the depth h of the pigmented lesion using the above-described <Equation 1>, and calculate the thickness d of the pigmented lesion using the above-mentioned <Equation 2>. .

The diagnosis unit 207 may determine the type of laser according to the depth h and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion, for example. Although not shown, a laser type according to the depth (h) and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion may be displayed through a display unit such as a monitor (not shown) connected to the diagnosis unit 207 by wire or wirelessly. On the other hand, the laser type is data defined by at least one of the wavelength, power, pulse width, and product name as described above.

In this embodiment, all or part of the components included in the diagnosis device 210 of the pigmented lesion may be configured to be detachably coupled to the handpiece 203. For example, the detection unit 206 is detachably coupled to the handpiece 203, and the diagnosis unit 207 is connected to the detection unit 205 by wire or wirelessly to provide an acoustic detection result and a laser detection result. .

In this embodiment, the handpiece 203 has an inner space capable of receiving the laser and outputs it to the outside, and may be composed of a cylindrical body that can be held by hand. It may consist of two pieces, or three or more pieces.

In this embodiment, the handpiece 203 may be configured to include a cylindrical body having an internal space capable of receiving a laser and outputting the laser to the outside.

In this embodiment, the handpiece 203 may be composed of one piece, two pieces, or three or more pieces.

When the handpiece 203 is composed of one piece, the handpiece 203 is configured to include a single cylindrical body having an inner space capable of receiving a laser and outputting the outside to the outside. Is located in. For an exemplary embodiment when the handpiece 3 consists of one piece, see the description of the other figures (eg FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12).

On the other hand, when the handpiece 203 is composed of two pieces, the sensing unit 206 is located outside or inside the second piece (ie, the handpiece detachment device). An exemplary embodiment when the handpiece 3 consists of two pieces describes the description of the other figures (eg FIGS. 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14). Please see.

3 is a view for explaining the diagnosis of the pigmented lesion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a diagnosis system for pigmented lesions according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a laser generator 301, a laser controller 302, a handpiece 303, and a pigmented lesion according to an embodiment of the present invention. The diagnosis apparatus 310 may include a diagnosis apparatus 310. The diagnosis apparatus 310 may be the diagnosis apparatus 10 of the pigmented lesion described with reference to FIG. 1 or the diagnosis apparatus 210 of the pigmented lesion described with reference to FIG. 2.

The diagnosis apparatus 310 for pigmented lesions according to the present exemplary embodiment performs the same or similar function as the diagnosis apparatus 10 for the pigmented lesions described with reference to FIG. 1 or the diagnosis apparatus 210 for the pigmented lesions described with reference to FIG. 2. do. Therefore, hereinafter, the embodiment of FIG. 3 will be described based on differences from the embodiments described with reference to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

In the present embodiment, when the laser generated by the laser generating device 301 is irradiated to the target to identify the pigmented lesion, the diagnostic apparatus 310 detects a photoacoustic wave generated when the laser is irradiated onto the pigmented lesion, The laser type for treating the pigmented lesion is selected based on the detected photoacoustic wave, and the laser controller 302 controls the operation of the laser generator 301 to match the laser type selected by the diagnostic apparatus 310. That is, the laser controller 301 controls the laser generating device 301 to generate a laser having a laser wavelength, power, and / or pulse width defined by the laser type provided by the diagnostic device 310.

The diagnosis device 310 of the pigmented lesion calculates the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion on the basis of the acoustic detection time and the laser irradiation time information, and selects a laser type capable of treating the pigmented lesion having the depth and / or the thickness. You can choose.

The diagnosis apparatus 310 for the pigmented lesion informs the laser controller 302 of the selected laser type as described above.

The laser controller 302 controls the operation of the laser generator 301 to generate a laser having a wavelength, power, and / or pulse width defined by the type of laser provided from the diagnosis apparatus 310 for pigmented lesion.

The laser generator 301 generates a laser according to the wavelength, power, and / or pulse width under the control of the laser controller 302.

In this embodiment, all or some of the components included in the diagnosis device 310 of the pigmented lesion may be configured to be detachably coupled to the handpiece 303.

In this embodiment, the handpiece 303 may have the same configuration as the handpiece described with reference to FIG. 1 or 2.

5 and 6 are views for explaining an example in which the diagnosis device for the pigmented lesion according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the handpiece.

5 and 6, the apparatus for diagnosing pigmented lesions according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an acoustic sensing unit 405, a light sensing unit 409, and a diagnostic unit 407. In this embodiment, the sound sensing unit 405 and the light sensing unit 409 are located in the handpiece 403.

In this embodiment, the handpiece 403 is configured to include a two piece, ie, a first piece 433 and a second piece 443, and the second piece 443 is detachably attached to the first piece 433. Can be combined.

In the present embodiment, the first piece 433 is composed of a cylindrical body part-a first body part-having an internal space capable of receiving a laser and outputting it to the outside, and the second piece 443 is the first piece. A cylindrical body portion 418-a second body portion-having an inner space capable of receiving the laser flowing out from the 433 and outputting it to the target. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the first piece 433 is itself a first body portion 433, the first piece 433 and the first body portion 433 will be used interchangeably without being distinguished.

In this embodiment, the second piece 443, that is, the handpiece detachable device 443, may be detachably coupled to the first piece 433. In this embodiment, the sound sensing unit 405 and the light sensing unit 409 are respectively coupled to the lower portion of the body portion 418 of the handpiece detachable device 443.

In the present embodiment, the functions of the sound sensing unit 405 and the diagnostic unit 407 are the same as or similar to those of the sound sensing unit and the diagnostic unit described with reference to FIG. 1, 2, or 3, respectively. Since the function of the 409 is the same as the function of the light detector described with reference to FIG. 2 or 3, a detailed description of the sound detector 405, the diagnostic unit 407, or the light detector 409 is omitted. Shall be.

Although not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a circuit means (not shown) for providing the diagnosis unit 407 with the detection result of the acoustic detector 405 may be further included. Here, the circuit means (not shown) is configured to provide the detection result to the diagnosis unit 407 by wire or wirelessly.

For example, a wired cable (not shown) may be provided in the detachable device 443 for providing the detection result sensed by the acoustic detector 405 to the diagnostic unit 407, and one end of the wired cable may be provided. Is configured to be connected to the sound sensing unit 405, the other end of the wired cable may be configured to be connected to the diagnostic unit 407.

Therefore, hereinafter, the embodiment of FIG. 5 will be described based on differences from the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3.

Handpiece detachment device 443 is removably coupled to first piece 433.

In this embodiment, the handpiece detachment device 443 includes a second body portion 418, a guide portion 422, a light sensing module 414, and a sensing module 416.

In this embodiment, the light sensing module 414 is coupled to the second body portion 418, and the sensing module 416 is coupled to the guide portion 422.

The second body portion 418 has a structure that is detachably coupled to the first piece 433. That is, the second body portion 418 may be coupled to the first piece 433 by the force of a person, and the engagement state is maintained as long as there is no external force. The coupled state of the second body portion 418 and the first piece 433 may be separated again when an external force is applied.

The second body portion 418 may be configured in a cylindrical shape having a space through which the laser can pass. According to the present embodiment, the second body portion 418 is a cylindrical shape having a space in which the laser can move, and the end (hereinafter referred to as 'inlet') and the laser receiving the laser from the handpiece 433 and the laser therein. It has an end (hereinafter, referred to as an 'output end') that flows out to the target. Here, the inlet end has a structure that is detachably coupled to the first piece 433, the output end is coupled to the guide portion 422.

In the present embodiment, the light sensing module 414 is attached to the outside of the second body portion 418 to sense the laser irradiated from the target, the sound sensing module 416 to sense the sound generated from the pigmented lesion It is attached to the guide portion 422. In this embodiment, the acoustic sensing module 416 is equally in contact with the end of the guide portion 422 (part in contact with the target) as shown in FIG. 6. That is, the end (part in contact with the target) of the acoustic sensing module 416 and the end (part in contact with the target) of the guide part 422 are aligned. This is configured to allow the sound sensing unit 405 included in the negative sensing module 416 to directly contact the target when the guide unit 422 is in contact with the target to diagnose the pigmented lesion in the target.

The light sensing module 414 includes a light sensing unit 409. The light detector 409 detects the laser beam irradiated onto the target, and provides the laser detection result to the diagnosis unit 407.

The sound sensing module 416 includes a sound sensing unit 405. The sound detector 405 detects a photoacoustic wave generated from the pigmented lesion and provides a sound detection result to the diagnosis unit 407.

The diagnosis unit 407 may calculate the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion based on the acoustic detection result and the laser detection result. The diagnosis unit 407 may calculate the depth h of the pigmented lesion using, for example, Equation 1 described above, and calculate the thickness d of the pigmented lesion using Equation 2 described above. .

The diagnostic unit 407 may also select the laser type according to the depth h and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion. As described above, the laser type DB defines the laser wavelength, laser power, laser width, and / or laser product name according to the depth (h) and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion, and the diagnostic unit 407 determines such a laser. By referring to the type DB, the laser type can be selected according to the depth h and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion.

The wavelength of the laser that treats pigmented lesions depends on the location of the pigmented lesion, for example, Q-switched Ruby lasers (694 nm) and Q-switched Alexandrite lasers (755nm) can treat pigmented lesions on the upper epidermis. And Q-switched Nd: YAG laser (532 nm) can treat pigmented lesions present in the epidermis and Q-switched Nd: YAG laser (1064 nm) can treat pigmented lesions present in the dermis.

Also in this embodiment, the laser type according to the depth (h) and / or thickness (d) of the pigmented lesion may be displayed by a display unit such as a monitor connected to the diagnosis unit 407 by wire or wirelessly. It's easy to see what kind of laser to treat pigmented lesions.

Although the handpiece 403 consists of two pieces in the embodiment of FIG. 5, it is also possible to consist of one piece. For example, the first piece 433 and the second piece 443 may be configured to be fixedly coupled.

FIG. 7 illustrates that photoacoustic wave couples are generated when the lasers L1 and L2 spaced a predetermined distance s are irradiated onto the pigment lesion of the target.

A first photoacoustic wave is generated when the laser is absorbed to the top surface hs of the pigmented lesion, a second photoacoustic wave is generated when the laser is absorbed to the bottom surface Ls of the pigmented lesion, and these photoacoustic waves When the stick waves are in a photoacoustic wave couple relationship, the thickness d of the pigmented lesion can be calculated.

In order for the second photoacoustic wave to be generated when the laser is absorbed by the lower surface Ls of the pigmented lesion, it is preferable that the laser is irradiated around the pigmented lesion, rather than being irradiated to the center of the pigmented lesion. As one method of irradiating a laser around the pigmented lesion (preferably surrounding the pigmented lesion), there is a method of irradiating the laser to the target in the form of a ring as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11.

In the present specification, the 'ring form' laser means having any form irradiated to surround all or part of the pigmented lesion rather than being directly irradiated to the pigmented lesion.

8 and 9 are views for explaining a handpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 and 9, the handpiece 903 according to an embodiment of the present invention may irradiate an annular laser. That is, the handpiece 903 may receive an arbitrary type of laser (not shown) and irradiate an annular laser surrounding the pigmented lesion.

In this embodiment, the handpiece 903 may be composed of one piece, two pieces, or three or more pieces. When the handpiece 903 consists of two pieces, the second piece is detachably joined with the first piece.

 The handpiece 903 includes a sound sensing unit 916, and the position and function of the sound sensing unit 916 may be referred to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5 and the description of these drawings.

In addition, the handpiece 903 may further include a light sensing unit 914, and the position and function of the light sensing unit 914 may be referred to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 and the description of these drawings. .

In addition, the light detector 914 and the sound detector 916 may be connected to a diagnosis unit (not shown), and the function of the diagnosis unit may be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5 and the description of these drawings. Please.

According to the present embodiment, the handpiece 903 may output a ring-shaped laser surrounding the pigmented lesion, and exemplary configurations thereof will be described later with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14.

10 is a view for explaining a handpiece according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the handpiece 1003 according to an embodiment of the present invention may irradiate an annular laser. That is, the handpiece 1003 may receive an arbitrary type of laser (not shown) and irradiate the received laser in a ring shape surrounding the pigmented lesion.

According to this embodiment, the handpiece 1003 includes at least two or more optical elements, which are optically coupled to each other to irradiate an annular laser.

In this embodiment, the handpiece 1003 may be composed of one piece, two pieces, or three or more pieces. When the handpiece 1003 consists of two pieces, the second piece is detachably joined with the first piece.

Referring to FIG. 10, at least two or more optical elements included in the handpiece 1003 are a cone-shaped first optical element 1044 and a second optical element 1064. The first optical element 1044 and the second optical element 1064 each include a cone portion and a planar portion.

In the present embodiment, the first optical element 1044 and the second optical element 1064, the laser is introduced into the body portion of the handpiece 1003 to the first optical element 1044 and the second optical element 1064. It is arranged so as to pass sequentially.

For example, the laser flowing into the body portion of the handpiece 1003 is incident on the planar portion of the first optical element 1044 and is emitted to the cone portion. In addition, the laser emitted to the cone portion of the first optical element 1044 is incident to the cone portion of the second optical element 1064, and is emitted to the planar portion of the second optical element 1064. That is, the first optical element 1044 and the second optical element 1064 are optically coupled to irradiate a ring laser.

On the other hand, for the purpose of description, components such as the light sensing unit, the acoustic sensing unit, and the guide unit are not shown in FIG. 10, but these components may be included in the handpiece 1003.

That is, the handpiece 1003 includes a sound sensing unit (the sound sensing unit described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, or 5), and the position and function of the sound sensing unit are illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. See 3, and FIG. 5 and the description of these figures.

In addition, the handpiece 1003 may further include a light sensing unit (the light sensing unit described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, or 5), and the position and function of the light sensing unit may be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and See FIG. 5 and the description of these figures.

In addition, the handpiece 1003 may be connected to a diagnosis unit (a sound sensing unit described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, or 5), and the function of the diagnosis unit may include FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and See FIG. 5 and the description of these figures.

11 is a view for explaining a handpiece according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 11, the handpiece 503 according to an embodiment of the present invention can irradiate a ring-shaped laser. That is, the handpiece 503 may receive an arbitrary type of laser from the laser generating device 501 and irradiate the received laser in the form of a ring surrounding the pigmented lesion.

The handpiece 503 according to the present embodiment is composed of one piece.

The handpiece 503 is composed of a cylindrical body that can be grasped by a hand having an internal space capable of receiving the laser from the outside and outputting it to the outside. The body portion includes a first end portion 528 and a second end portion 534. , And light path 526.

The second distal end 534 is a portion in contact with the target. In the present embodiment, the second distal end 534 is configured such that the central part is drawn out.

An inflow end 532 is formed in one region of the first end portion 528 to receive the laser from the laser generating device, and in one region of the second end portion 534, the laser is moved out through the optical path to the target. An output terminal 536 is formed.

The optical path 526 is formed inside the tubular shape, and has a configuration of guiding the laser so that the laser introduced through the input terminal 532 flows out through the output terminal 536.

According to the present embodiment, the light path 526 includes a first light path 526a, a light branch 526b, and a second light path 526c. The first optical path 526a is a path for guiding the laser input through the input terminal 532, and the optical branch 526b branches the laser in the direction of the second optical path 526c.

The second optical path 526c is formed so that the laser can be irradiated to the target in the form of a circular ring. In order to irradiate the laser in the form of a circular ring, the optical branch 526b is introduced through the input terminal 532 and moves the laser that has traveled through the first optical path 526a to the outer edge 538 of the second distal end 534. Direction), the output end 536 is located along the outer edge of the second distal end.

That is, in the present embodiment, the optical path 526 is configured such that the laser input in a straight form is irradiated in a circular ring form.

The illustration of the optical path 526 shown in FIG. 11 is exemplary and differs from that of FIG. 11 in that the light is irradiated so that there are two or more branches or the laser is irradiated in a ring shape (for example, an elliptic ring shape or a semicircular ring shape). It is also possible for path 526 to be configured.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the first optical path 526a and the light branch 526b are directly connected, and the light branch 526b and the second light path 526c are directly connected. This may be configured differently by way of example.

For another example of configuration, there may be one or more other optical paths between the first optical path 526a and the optical branch 526b, wherein the one or more optical paths are laser guided to the first optical path 526a. To guide the light to the light splitter 526b.

The handpiece 503 may also be configured to further include an acoustic sensing unit 516 capable of sensing a photoacoustic wave and an optical sensing unit 509 capable of sensing a laser.

The acoustic sensing unit under the body portion of the second piece such that the acoustic sensing unit 516 contacts the target when the handpiece 503 contacts the target and the laser is irradiated for diagnosis of the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion. 516 is combined.

In the present embodiment, the acoustic sensing unit 516 is located in one region of the second distal end portion 534 (a position not overlapping with the output end), as shown in FIG. 11. In this embodiment, the area of the sound detection unit 516 and the output terminal 536 is determined so that the laser does not pass to the area where the sound detection unit 516 is located, the output terminal 536 is the sound detection unit 516 ) Is enclosed (ie in the form of a ring).

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the light detector 509 is positioned at one region of the second end portion 534 (a position not overlapping with the output terminal 536 or the sound detector 516). In the present embodiment, the area of the light detector 509 and the output terminal 536 is determined so that the laser does not pass to the area where the light detector 509 is located, and the output terminal 536 is the light detector 509. ) Is enclosed (ie in the form of a ring).

As such, since the laser is configured to be output to the target in a ring form, the photoacoustic wave couple can be effectively generated.

12 is a view for explaining a handpiece according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, the handpiece according to another embodiment of the present invention may be used as some component of the above-described diagnosis apparatus for pigmented lesion.

Referring to FIG. 12, the handpiece 603 may radiate an annular laser. That is, the handpiece 603 may receive an arbitrary type of laser from the laser generating device 601 and irradiate the received laser in a ring shape surrounding the pigmented lesion.

The handpiece 603 according to the present embodiment is composed of one piece.

The handpiece 603 is composed of a cylindrical body that can be grasped by a hand having an internal space capable of receiving the laser from the outside and outputting it to the outside. The body portion includes a first end portion 628 and a second end portion 634. , And light path 626.

Among the components of the embodiment of FIG. 12 and the components of the embodiment of FIG. 11, the components denoted by the same reference numerals function the same or similar to each other. Therefore, hereinafter, the embodiment of FIG. 12 will be described based on differences from the embodiment of FIG. 11.

With continued reference to FIG. 12, the handpiece 603 is configured to include a cylindrical body portion that can be held by hand, the cylindrical body portion having a first end portion 628, a second end portion 634, and a light. Path 626.

The first end portion 628 and the second end portion 634 are each a portion of a cylindrical shape. In the present embodiment, the second end portion 634 is a portion in contact with the target, and is configured such that the center portion is derived.

An inlet end 632 is formed in one region of the first distal end 628 to receive the laser from the laser generator 601, and a target of the laser that is moved through the optical path in one region of the second distal end 634. An output end 636 which flows out to the air is formed.

The optical path 626 is formed inside the tubular shape, and has a configuration of guiding the laser so that the laser introduced through the inflow end 632 flows out through the output end 636.

According to the present embodiment, the light path 626 includes a first light path 626a, a light branch 626b, and a second light path 626c. The first optical path 626a is a path for guiding the laser input through the inlet end 632, and the optical branching part 626b branches the laser to the second optical path 626c.

The second optical path 626c is formed so that the laser can be irradiated to the target in the form of a circular ring. In order to irradiate the laser in the form of a circular ring, the optical branching portion 626b enters the outer edge portion of the second distal end portion 634 of the laser that is introduced through the inlet end 632 and travels through the first optical path 626a. Branching in the direction of 638, the output end is located along the outer edge 638 of the second distal end 634.

The handpiece 603 according to the present exemplary embodiment further includes an acoustic detector 616 capable of sensing a photoacoustic wave and an optical detector 609 capable of sensing a laser.

When the handpiece 603 is in contact with the target and the laser is irradiated for the diagnosis of the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion, the acoustic sensing unit 616 is provided at the bottom of the body part such that the acoustic sensing unit 616 contacts the target. Combined.

The light detector 609 is configured and positioned to receive a portion of the laser that has traveled through the optical path inside the handpiece 603. To this end, the handpiece 603 further includes an optical element 642 for branching a portion of the laser traveling through the light path 626 inside the handpiece 603 to the light sensing unit 609.

In the present embodiment, the light detector 609 detects a part of the laser guided by the first light path 626a, but this is exemplary and is diverged by other paths, for example, the light branch 626b. It may be arranged to sense a portion of the laser or to detect a laser guided by the second light path 626c.

13 and 14 are views for explaining a handpiece according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to these drawings, the diagnosis apparatus for pigmented lesions according to the present embodiment includes an acoustic sensing module 716, a light sensing module 714, and a diagnosis unit (not shown). In this embodiment, the acoustic sensing module 716 and the light sensing module 714 are each located in the handpiece 703. The sound sensing module 716 includes a sound sensing unit, the light sensing module 714 includes a light sensing unit, and the functions of the sound sensing unit and the light sensing unit are illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 11. See the description of these figures.

The embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 is a modified embodiment of the embodiment of FIG. 5. That is, in the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, there is no guide portion 422, and is configured to irradiate the pigmented lesion with a ring-shaped laser.

Hereinafter, the differences from the embodiment of FIG. 5 will be mainly described.

The handpiece 703 may irradiate an annular laser. That is, the handpiece 703 may receive an arbitrary type of laser from a laser generator (not shown) and irradiate the received laser in a ring shape surrounding the pigmented lesion.

In this embodiment, the handpiece 703 is configured to include a two piece, ie a first piece 733 and a second piece 743, the second piece 743 detachably attached to the first piece 733. Can be combined.

In this embodiment, the first piece 733 is composed of a cylindrical body portion-a first body portion-having an inner space capable of receiving a laser and outputting the laser to the outside, and the second piece 743 is the first piece. It is composed of a cylindrical body portion 718-the second body portion having an internal space that can receive the laser flowing out from the 733 and output to the target. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the first piece 733 itself is the first body portion, the first piece 733 and the first body portion will not be distinguished and mixed.

In this embodiment, the second piece 743, that is, the handpiece detachable device 743, may be detachably coupled to the first piece 733.

The handpiece detachment device 743 is configured to include a second body portion 718, the second body portion 718 having a first end portion 728, a second end portion 734, and an optical path 726. It includes.

The first end portion 728 and the second end portion 734 are each a portion of a cylindrical shape. In the present embodiment, the second end portion 734 is a portion in contact with the target, and is configured such that the center portion is derived.

An inflow end 732 is formed in one region of the first end portion 728 to receive the laser from the laser generator, and in one region of the second end portion 734, the laser is moved out through the optical path to the target. The output end 736 is formed.

The optical path 726 is formed inside the cylindrical shape, and has a configuration of guiding the laser so that the laser introduced through the inflow end 732 flows out through the output end 736.

According to the present embodiment, the light path 726 includes a first light path 726a, a light branch 726b, and a second light path 726c. The first optical path 726a is a path for guiding the laser input through the inflow end 732, and the optical branch 726b branches the laser to the second optical path 726c.

On the other hand, the optical path 726 is further disposed with an optical element 742 for branching a portion of the laser to the light sensing module 714, the laser branched by the optical element 742 is the optical path 744 Is provided to the light sensing module 714 through.

The second optical path 726c is formed so that the laser can be irradiated to the target in the form of a circular ring. In order to irradiate the laser in the form of a circular ring, the light splitting part 726b is directed through the inlet end 732 and moves the laser that has traveled through the first optical path 726a toward the outer edge of the second end part 734. Branching, the output end 736 is located along the outer edge of the second distal end 734.

That is, in the present embodiment, the optical path 726 is configured to irradiate the laser input in a linear form in the form of a circular ring.

The illustration of the optical path 726 shown in FIG. 14 is illustrative and, unlike that of FIG. 14, has two or more branching points, or the light is irradiated in a ring form (for example, an elliptic ring or semi-circular ring shape). It is also possible for path 726 to be configured.

In this embodiment, when the handpiece 703 contacts the target and the laser is irradiated for diagnosing the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion, the acoustic sensing module 716 including the acoustic sensing unit contacts the target. The acoustic sensing module 716 including the acoustic sensing unit is coupled to the lower portion of the two body parts 718.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the acoustic sensing module 716 including the acoustic sensing unit is located at one region of the second distal end 734 (a position not overlapping with the output terminal). In this embodiment, the area of the sound detection module 716 and the output terminal 736 is determined so that the laser does not pass to the area where the sound detection module 716 is located, the sound detection module 716 is connected to the output terminal ( 736 is configured in an enclosed form (ie, in the form of a ring).

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 14, the light sensing module 714 including the light sensing unit is coupled to an outer surface of the second body 718 so as to receive a laser beam moving through the light path 744.

15 is a view for explaining a method for diagnosing pigmented lesions according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15, in the method for diagnosing a pigmented lesion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, irradiating a laser to a target for checking the depth of the pigmented lesion (S11), a photoacoustic wave generated from the target to which the laser is irradiated Detecting the depth (S13), and calculating the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion on the basis of the laser irradiation time information and the detected sound detection time (S15), and the depth of the pigmented lesion calculated in the S15 stage. And / or selecting the type of laser based on the thickness, determining the stage based on the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion (S17), and displaying the type and / or stage of the laser determined in S17. It includes a step (S19).

In step S15, for example, the depth of the pigmented lesion may be calculated using the above-described <Equation 1>, and the depth of the pigmented lesion may be calculated using the <Equation 2>.

Meanwhile, the method for diagnosing pigmented lesions described with reference to FIG. 15 may be implemented by the above-described apparatus for diagnosing pigmented lesions.

For example, the sensing of the photoacoustic wave (S13) may be performed by the sound sensing unit. In detail, the detecting of the sound (S13) may be performed by the sound sensing unit coupled to the handpiece that receives the laser and flows out to the target.

The present embodiment may further include a light sensing step of detecting a laser emitted to the target. For example, the light sensing step may be performed by a light sensing unit that detects a laser irradiated onto the target.

In operation S15, the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion may be calculated based on the sound detection time by the sound detection unit and the light detection time by the light detection unit.

The embodiment may further include controlling the wavelength, power, and / or pulse width of the laser generating device that generates the laser irradiated onto the target. For example, the controlling may be performed by a controller for controlling the laser generating device to generate a laser having a wavelength, power, and / or pulse width corresponding to the depth of the pigmented lesion.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications or other embodiments falling within the scope equivalent to the present invention are possible by those skilled in the art.

1, 201, 301 401: laser
3, 203, 303: handpiece
5 205, 405: sound sensor
7, 207, 407: diagnostic unit
206: detection unit
209 and 409: light detector
302: laser control unit
433, 733: first piece
443, 743: Second piece or handpiece detachable device
418: second body part
414: light sensing module
416: sound detection module
422: guide part

Claims (18)

A cylindrical body having an inner space capable of receiving a laser and outputting the laser to the outside;
Acoustic sensing unit for detecting the photoacoustic wave generated when the laser is irradiated to the target to identify the pigmented lesion; And
It includes; a light sensing unit for detecting a laser irradiated to the target,
When the laser is irradiated to the target for diagnosing the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion, the acoustic sensing portion is coupled to the body portion to be in contact with the target,
The light sensing unit is coupled to the body portion.
delete The method of claim 1,
It further includes a wired cable for providing a detection result detected by the sound detection unit to the diagnostic unit,
One end of the wired cable is configured to be connected to the sound sensing unit, and the other end of the wired cable is configured to be connected to the diagnosis unit,
The diagnostic unit calculates the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion based on the time when the photoacoustic wave is detected and the laser irradiation time information for the laser irradiated to the target. . The method of claim 1,
The body portion is composed of two pieces, the two piece includes a first piece and a second piece, the first piece and the second piece can be detachably coupled,
The first piece is configured in the shape of a cylinder having an internal path capable of receiving the laser from the outside and flowing out to the second piece,
The second piece has a cylindrical shape having an internal path capable of receiving the laser flowing out of the first piece and flowing out to the target,
The sound piece is coupled to the second piece, handpiece. The method of claim 4, wherein
And the light sensing portion is coupled to the second piece. The method of claim 4, wherein
The second piece includes a guide portion in contact with the target when the laser is irradiated to the target,
When the laser is irradiated, the sound sensing unit is coupled to the guide unit such that it can contact the target. The method of claim 1,
The body portion is configured to be able to irradiate the ring-shaped laser, handpiece. The method of claim 7, wherein
The body portion includes a first optical element and a second optical element,
The first optical element is configured to include a cone portion and a planar portion,
The second optical element is configured to include a cone portion and a planar portion,
The first optical element and the second optical element are arranged such that the laser flowing into the body portion sequentially passes through the first optical element and the second optical element.
The arrangement is
The laser flowing into the body portion is incident on the planar portion of the first optical element and exits to the cone portion of the first optical element, and the laser emitted from the cone portion of the first optical element is incident on the cone portion of the second optical element. Handed to be emitted to the planar portion of the second optical element. The method of claim 1,
In the inner space of the body portion
A first light path, a light branch, and a second light path,
The first optical path is a path for guiding a laser input from the outside.
The optical splitter guides the laser guided by the first optical path to the second optical path,
The second optical path is configured so that the laser is irradiated to the outside in the form of a ring received from the optical branching portion,
Wherein the sound sensing unit is located at a lower portion of the body portion-a portion in contact with a target, and wherein the second light path is configured to surround the sound sensing unit. The method of claim 9
Further comprising: a light detecting unit for detecting a laser irradiated to the target,
And the light sensing unit is coupled to the body portion to sense a laser guided by a first light path, a laser branched by the light branch, or a laser guided by a second light path. The method of claim 4, wherein
In the second piece
A first light path, a light branch, and a second light path,
The first optical path is a path for guiding a laser input from the first piece,
The optical splitter guides the laser guided by the first optical path to the second optical path,
The second optical path is configured so that the laser is irradiated to the outside in the form of a ring received from the optical branching portion,
Wherein the sound sensing unit is located at a lower portion of the body portion-a portion in contact with a target, and wherein the second light path is configured to surround the sound sensing unit. The method of claim 11,
Further comprising: a light detecting unit for detecting a laser irradiated to the target,
And the light sensing portion is coupled to the second piece to sense a laser guided by a first light path, a laser branched by the light splitter, or a laser guided by a second light path. In the second piece in the handpiece consisting of a first piece and a second piece that can be detachably coupled to each other, referred to as a handpiece detachment device,
A cylindrical body having an inner space capable of receiving a laser and outputting the laser to the outside;
Acoustic sensing unit for detecting the photoacoustic wave generated when the laser is irradiated to the target to identify the pigmented lesion; And
It includes; a light sensing unit for detecting a laser irradiated to the target,
The upper portion of the body portion is an inflow end receiving the laser from the outside, the lower portion of the body portion is an output end for outputting the incoming laser to the outside, the inflow end has a structure that can be detachably coupled with the first piece. ,
When the laser is irradiated to the target for diagnosing the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion, the acoustic sensing portion is coupled to the body portion to be in contact with the target,
And the light sensing unit is coupled to the body portion.
delete The method of claim 13,
It further includes a wired cable for providing a detection result detected by the sound detection unit to the diagnostic unit,
One end of the wired cable is configured to be connected to the sound sensing unit, and the other end of the wired cable is configured to be connected to the diagnosis unit,
The diagnostic unit calculates the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion based on the time when the photoacoustic wave is detected and the laser irradiation time information for the laser irradiated to the target. Detachable device. The method of claim 13,
And a guide part in contact with the target when the laser is irradiated onto the target.
The guide portion is coupled to the output end,
And, when the laser is irradiated, the sound sensing unit is coupled to the guide unit such that the acoustic sensing unit can contact the target. The method of claim 13,
The body portion
A first light path, a light branch, and a second light path,
The first optical path is a path for guiding a laser input from the first piece,
The optical splitter guides the laser guided by the first optical path to the second optical path,
The second optical path is configured so that the laser is irradiated to the outside in the form of a ring received from the optical branching portion,
The sound sensing unit is located below the body portion, and the second optical path is configured to surround the sound sensing unit, handpiece detachable device. The method of claim 13,
And the light sensing unit is coupled to the body portion to sense a laser guided by a first light path, a laser branched by a light branch, or a laser guided by a second light path.

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