KR101585487B1

KR101585487B1 - High-intensity focused ultrasound probe containing the pressure buffer device

Info

Publication number: KR101585487B1
Application number: KR1020150042823A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 김동수
Original assignee: 김동수
Priority date: 2015-03-26
Filing date: 2015-03-26
Publication date: 2016-01-14
Also published as: WO2016153324A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a high strength focused ultrasound probe comprising a pressure absorbing device. More specifically, the high strength focused ultrasound probe of the present invention comprises: a cartridge which can be separated and replaced; and a hand piece coupled to an upper part of the cartridge. By comprising the pressure absorbing device inside the cartridge for the variation in pressure due to expansion of inner liquid due to height or heat, leakage of the internal materials due to expanded pressure in the cartridge can be prevented.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a high intensity focused ultrasound probe,

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe, and more particularly, to a high intensity focused ultrasonic probe including a pressure buffer.

Ultrasonic waves refer to waves having a frequency of 20 kHz or more, and are widely used in diagnosis and treatment using medical images and skin care in the medical field. In particular, a type of high-intensity focusing of ultrasound is called high intensity focused ultrasound. Based on the same principle as that of conventional ultrasound, such high-intensity focused ultrasound waves propagate without any harm to living tissues passing through it And it is in the spotlight in the field of medical treatment.

Such a high-intensity focused ultrasonic wave is concentrated at a specific site and generates heat, thereby causing a rapid temperature rise. That is, when a high-intensity focused ultrasound is applied to the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS), which is a part of the skin muscle layer, a thermal damage zone of less than 1 mm is generated, Heat is generated, and the heat coagulation site is regenerated to catch up the skin tissue and promote the collagen regeneration of the dermal layer, thereby exhibiting the effect of improving skin elasticity and wrinkles.

However, in the case of a high-intensity focused ultrasonic device, there is a risk that defective products such as leakage of material inside the cartridge may occur due to a pressure change due to altitude during transport or internal fluid expansion due to heat, There is an inconvenience that a lot of ultrasonic waves are generated due to the reflection and attenuation phenomenon due to the difference in acoustic speed when the acoustic impedance passes through a substance having a large difference in the impedance. Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1446782 and Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1463210 disclose prior art documents for a high intensity focused ultrasound generating apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the previously proposed methods, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a damping device inside the cartridge for pressure change due to expansion of internal liquid by high or heat, Which can prevent leakage of internal matter caused by a high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe.

Further, the present invention provides a high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including a pressure buffering device that can prevent the loss of ultrasonic waves by using a seat cover similar in acoustic impedance to a human body tissue when ultrasonic waves are injected into the skin It is another purpose.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a high intensity focused ultrasound probe including a pressure buffering device,

A detachable and replaceable cartridge; And a pressure buffer configured by a handpiece coupled to the upper portion of the cartridge so as to be detachable and replaceable, the high intensity focused ultrasonic probe comprising:

Wherein,

An operation unit for generating ultrasonic waves to scan the surface of the object to be inspected with ultrasonic waves;

A control unit coupled to an upper portion of the operation unit and having a circuit unit for controlling generation of ultrasonic waves; And

And a cartridge housing portion surrounding the operation portion and the control portion,

Wherein,

An ultrasonic generator positioned inside the actuating part to generate ultrasonic waves;

A cartridge motion driving unit positioned above the operation unit and coupled to the upper surface of the ultrasonic generator to move the ultrasonic generator;

An upper opening-type bellows-shaped shock absorber portion located at a side of the cartridge motion driving portion and passing through the lower portion of the control portion and the upper portion of the operation portion so as to function as a buffer against the internal pressure of the operation portion;

A matching layer portion filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium in the operation portion; And

And an acoustic cover portion having a sheet-like cover attached to an open portion of the lower portion of the actuating portion for scanning ultrasonic waves transmitted through the matching layer portion on the surface of the subject.

Preferably, the cartridge motion drive unit includes:

A bogie driver directly coupled to the ultrasonic wave generator to move the ultrasonic wave generator;

And a cylinder-shaped three-axis rail connected to both ends of the bogie driving unit in a direction perpendicular to the ultrasonic wave generating unit for easy movement of the bogie driving unit and connected to the lower end of the bogie driving unit for anti- ; And

And a balancing drive shaft connected to the handpiece in the same direction as the rail at the center of the balancing drive unit.

More preferably, the rails connected to both of the balancing drive shaft and the balancing drive portion,

And may be wrapped with a corrugated hose to protect the ultrasonic transmission medium and facilitate the movement of the bogie driving part.

Preferably, the shock absorber portion includes:

When the expanded pressure pushes the closed lower portion of the shock absorber portion as the pressure inside the actuating portion increases, the shock absorber shrinks and the air of the shock absorber portion escapes through the upper portion opened toward the control portion, It is possible to buffer the inflated pressure inside the part.

Preferably, the matching layer unit comprises:

It can be filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium of 1.0 ~ 2.0 Mrayl which has similar physical properties to human soft tissue and similar to acoustic impedance of human soft tissue.

Preferably, the acoustic cover portion includes:

It can be composed of a sheet-like cover of 1.0 ~ 3.0 Mrayl which has similar physical properties to the human soft tissue and similar to the acoustic impedance of the human soft tissue.

Preferably, the handpiece comprises:

A body motion driving unit incorporated in the handpiece and connected to the cartridge motion driving unit to move the ultrasonic wave generating unit;

A sensor unit coupled to one side of the body motion drive unit in the direction of the cartridge motion drive unit and sensing an initial start position of the body motion drive unit;

A main circuit unit connected to the circuit unit for inputting a sensed signal of the sensor unit and outputting a control signal of the main body motion driving unit to operate the main body motion driving unit and transmit and receive various signals between the cartridge and the handpiece; And

And a body housing part surrounding the body motion driving part, the sensor part, and the main circuit part.

More preferably, the main body motion driving unit includes:

And a stepping motor that rotates at a predetermined angle according to a signal sensed by the sensor unit and operated to accurately and accurately operate the ultrasonic generator.

More preferably, the main body housing comprises:

An operation button connected to the main circuit unit and projecting to the outside of the main body housing; And

And an operation indicator mounted on an upper surface of the main body housing to confirm whether the main body is operating.

According to the high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe including the pressure buffer device proposed in the present invention, by including the buffer device inside the cartridge against the pressure change due to the expansion of the internal liquid due to the elevation or heat, It is possible to prevent leakage of the material.

According to the present invention, loss of ultrasonic waves can be prevented by using a seat cover having acoustic impedance similar to that of the human body tissue when ultrasonic waves are injected into the skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a combination of a cartridge and a handpiece of a high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including a pressure buffering device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a housing and internal components of a cartridge of a high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including a pressure buffering device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
3 is a vertical sectional view and a plan view showing a specific configuration of a cartridge motion driving unit of a high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including a pressure buffering device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an operation of a pressure buffering device of a high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including a pressure buffering device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a housing and internal components of a handpiece of a high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe including a pressure buffering device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
6 is a vertical sectional view showing the overall configuration of a high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including a pressure buffering device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in order that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. In the drawings, like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings.

In addition, in the entire specification, when a part is referred to as being 'connected' to another part, it may be referred to as 'indirectly connected' not only with 'directly connected' . Also, to "include" an element means that it may include other elements, rather than excluding other elements, unless specifically stated otherwise.

Before describing the high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including the pressure buffering device according to the present invention, ultrasound procedures used in various fields such as medical care or skin care will be briefly described. First, since ultrasound has permeation and reflection properties, the irradiated ultrasound is used as a means for acquiring a sectional image by visualizing the time and intensity of reflected light while transmitting the organs of the human body. Second, the ultrasonic wave has a mechanical effect of applying an ultrasonic vibration for a surgical knife and the like. Third, the sound pressure of ultrasonic waves generates fine bubbles in the fluid as they pass through the fluid. As the bubbles expand and rupture, the shock waves of the high pressure type are realized, which involves strong transmission force. Fourth, ultrasound can be transferred into tissues and absorbed and converted into heat energy, which can cause a rapid temperature rise in the tissue. This is called the heat effect of ultrasonic waves.

The high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe including the pressure buffering device according to the present invention corresponds to a medical device that utilizes the thermal effect of such ultrasonic waves. Among them, high-intensity focused ultrasound is a type in which the intensity of the ultrasound generated by the ultrasound generator 111 is focused at a specific point. These high-intensity focused ultrasound procedures have recently been spotlighted in medical treatments, especially for the improvement of skin wrinkles. However, high-intensity focused ultrasound does not act directly on the epidermal layer of the skin. It does not directly affect the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) As well as inducing the action, heat transfer to the deep part of the dermal layer, wrinkle removal, as well as the effect of improving skin elasticity.

However, in the case of a high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic transmission medium may leak due to the expansion of the internal pressure of the cartridge 100, or ultrasonic loss may occur due to the difference in acoustic impedance.

The high intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including the pressure buffering device described below is an apparatus for eliminating the above-mentioned inconvenience, and corresponds to a device for buffering pressure inside the cartridge 100 and preventing ultrasonic loss.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a cartridge 100 and a handpiece 200 of a high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including a pressure buffering device according to an embodiment of the present invention are combined. 1, a high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including a pressure buffering device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cartridge 100 that can be separated and replaced, and a detachable and replaceable upper portion of the cartridge 100 The handpiece 200 may be configured to include a handpiece 200 coupled thereto.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a housing and internal components of a cartridge 100 of a high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including a pressure buffering device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2, a cartridge 100 of a high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including a pressure buffering device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an actuating part 110, a control part 120, and a cartridge housing part 130, . &Lt; / RTI >

The operation unit 110 generates ultrasonic waves and scans the surface of the test object with ultrasound waves. The operation unit 110 may be coupled to the control unit 120 and may be opened to directly contact the test object. More specifically, it may include an ultrasonic wave generating unit 111, a cartridge motion driving unit 112, a shock absorber unit 113, a matching layer unit 114, and an acoustic cover unit 115.

The ultrasonic wave generating unit 111 is located inside the operating unit 110 to generate ultrasonic waves and can be moved by the operation of the cartridge motion driving unit 112.

The cartridge motion driving unit 112 is located at an upper portion of the operation unit 110 and is connected to the handpiece 200 and is coupled with the upper surface of the ultrasonic wave generator 111 to move the ultrasonic wave generator 111. The detailed structure of the cartridge motion driving unit 112 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

The shock absorber unit 113 is disposed on the side of the cartridge motion drive unit 112 and supports the lower portion of the control unit 120 and the upper portion of the operation unit 110 so as to buffer the internal pressure of the operation unit 110 And is formed in an upper open-ended bellows shape. Details of the operation of the shock absorber 113 will be described in detail later with reference to Fig.

The matching layer unit 114 is an intermediate material that transmits ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic wave generator 111 to the acoustic cover unit 115. According to an embodiment of the present invention, Lt; / RTI > More specifically, it can be filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium having a physical property similar to that of the human soft tissue and having a sound impedance of 1.0 to 2.0 Mrayl similar to the acoustic impedance of the human soft tissue, so that the acoustic impedance difference is not large when the ultrasonic waves pass.

The acoustic cover portion 115 may be a cover in the form of a sheet attached to an open portion under the operation portion 110 to scan the surface of the subject with ultrasound transmitted through the matching layer portion 114. More specifically, in order to prevent the ultrasonic wave loss when the ultrasonic wave is scanned on the surface of the object, it is composed of a sheet-like cover having a property similar to that of the human soft tissue and having a 1.0 to 3.0 Mrayl shape similar to the acoustic impedance of the human soft tissue .

2, the control unit 120 may control the generation of ultrasonic waves in the operation unit 110 and may be coupled to the upper portion of the operation unit 110, The circuit unit 121 may be provided to control the generation of ultrasonic waves.

Further, the cartridge housing part 130 refers to a box-shaped frame for protecting internal parts of the cartridge 100, and may surround the operation part 110 and the control part 120.

3 is a vertical cross-sectional view and a plan view showing a specific configuration of a cartridge motion driving unit 112 of a high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including a pressure damping device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3, the cartridge motion driving unit 112 of the high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including the pressure buffer according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a bogie driving unit 112a, a rail 112b, and a balancing drive shaft 112c ).

The bogie driving part 112a can be directly coupled to the upper part of the ultrasonic wave generator 111 to move the ultrasonic wave generator 111. The rail 112b can transmit ultrasound waves to the bogie driving part 112a, May be connected to both of the bogie driving unit 112a in the vertical direction to the generating unit 111 and may be connected to the lower end of the bogie driving unit 112a for preventing the ultrasonic wave generator 111 from shaking and for precise control, Specifically, it may be a cylinder-shaped three-axis rail. The balancing drive shaft 112c may be connected to the handpiece 200 by being coupled to the center of the balancing drive unit 112a in the same direction as the ultrasonic wave generating unit 111 and the rail 112b in the vertical direction.

The rails 112b connected to both the balancing drive shaft 112c and the balancing drive portion 112a may be enclosed by a corrugated hose 112d to protect the balancing drive shaft 112c and the balancing drive portion 112a from the ultrasonic transmission medium and facilitate the movement of the balancing drive portion 112a.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an operation of a pressure buffering device of a high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including a pressure buffering device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4, the shock absorber portion 113 of the high-intensity focused ultrasonic probe including the pressure shock absorber according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured such that as the pressure inside the actuating portion 110 increases, When the closed lower portion of the shock absorber 113 is pushed, the shock absorber 113 contracts and the air in the shock absorber 113 escapes through the opened upper portion in the direction of the controller 120, ) Can be buffered.

The increase in the internal pressure of the cartridge 100 may be caused by a change in the altitude of the cartridge 100 or the thermal expansion of the inside of the cartridge 100 or the thermal expansion of the cartridge 100 when the cart drive portion 112a is moved toward the cushioning portion 113, Can be caused by the volume reduction of the inside of the cartridge 100 due to the expansion of the pleated hose 112d. At this time, as the shock absorber unit 113 shrinks while discharging air to the control unit 120 by the bellows structure, the internal volume of the cartridge 100 increases again, and conversely, the pressure decreases and the expanded pressure can be buffered have.

5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the housing and internal components of the handpiece 200 of the high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including the pressure buffering device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5, a handpiece 200 of a high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including a pressure buffering device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body motion driving unit 210, a sensor unit 220, a main circuit unit 230 and a body housing part 240. [

The main body motion driving unit 210 may be connected to the cartridge motion driving unit 112 so that the main body motion driving unit 210 is built in the handpiece 200 and moves the ultrasonic wave generating unit 111. More specifically, it may include a stepping motor that rotates at a predetermined angle according to a signal sensed by the sensor unit 220 and operated to accurately and accurately operate the ultrasonic wave generator 111.

The sensor unit 220 may be coupled to one side of the body motion drive unit 210 in the direction of the cartridge motion drive unit 112 to sense an initial start position of the body motion drive unit 210.

The main circuit unit 230 is connected to the circuit unit 121 to receive a sensed signal from the sensor unit 220 and outputs a control signal of the main body motion driving unit 210 to operate the main body motion driving unit 210, And the handpiece 200 can be transmitted and received. The main circuit unit 230 is connected to the circuit unit 121 of the control unit 120 of the cartridge 100 and is located above the main body motion drive unit 210 of the handpiece 200 to control the overall operation can do.

The body housing part 240 may surround the body motion driving part 210, the sensor part 220, and the main circuit part 230. More specifically, it includes an operation button 241 connected to the main circuit unit 230 and protruding to the outside of the main body housing, and an operation indicator 242 mounted on the upper surface of the main body housing to check whether the main body 230 is in operation . That is, when the operation button 241 protruding to the outside of the main housing part 240 is pressed, a signal is transmitted to the main circuit part 230 to start the operation, and the operation can be confirmed through the operation indicator 242.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including a pressure buffering device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6, a high-intensity focusing ultrasonic probe including a pressure buffering device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a replaceable cartridge 100 that generates ultrasonic waves and directly scans ultrasonic waves on a surface of a subject, And a handpiece 200 for controlling the overall operation of the probe.

The present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics and scope of the invention.

100: cartridge 110:
111: Ultrasonic wave generator 112: Cartridge motion driver
112a: Balance drive part 112b: Rail
112c: Balance drive shaft 112d: Wrinkle hose
113: buffer unit 114: matching layer unit
115: Acoustic cover part 120:
121: circuit part 130: cartridge housing part
200: handpiece 210: main body motion drive unit
220: sensor part 230: main circuit part
240: main body housing part 241: operation button
242: Operation indicator

Claims

A detachable and replaceable cartridge 100; And a handpiece (200) coupled to the upper portion of the cartridge (100) so as to be detachable and replaceable, the high intensity focused ultrasonic probe
The cartridge (100)
An operation unit 110 for generating ultrasonic waves to scan the surface of the object to be examined with ultrasonic waves;
A control unit 120 coupled to an upper portion of the operation unit 110 and having a circuit unit 121 for controlling generation of ultrasonic waves; And
And a cartridge housing part (130) surrounding the actuating part (110) and the control part (120)
The operation unit 110 includes:
An ultrasonic wave generator 111 positioned inside the actuating part 110 to generate ultrasonic waves;
A cartridge motion driving unit 112 positioned above the operation unit 110 and coupled to the upper surface of the ultrasonic wave generator 111 to move the ultrasonic wave generator 111;
And an upper open end of the upper part of the operation part 110 which penetrates the lower part of the control part 120 and the upper part of the operation part 110 so as to buffer the internal pressure of the operation part 110, A shock absorber portion 113 of a bellows shape;
A matching layer part 114 filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium in the operation part 110; And
And an acoustic cover part (115) having a cover in the form of a sheet attached to an open part under the operation part (110) for scanning ultrasonic waves transmitted through the matching layer part (114) on the surface of the subject,
The cartridge motion driving unit 112,
A bogie driving part 112a directly coupled to the ultrasonic wave generator 111 to move the ultrasonic wave generator 111;
The ultrasonic generator 111 is connected to both of the bogie driving part 112a and the bogie driving part 112a in a direction perpendicular to the ultrasonic wave generator 111 for easy movement of the bogie driving part 112a, A three-axis rail 112b in the form of a cylinder connected to the lower end of the bogie driving portion 112a; And
And a balancing drive shaft 112c connected to the handpiece 200 in the same direction as the rail 112b at the center of the balancing drive unit 112a,
The shock absorber unit 113,
When the expanded pressure pushes the closed lower portion of the shock absorber 113 as the pressure inside the actuating portion 110 increases, the shock absorber 113 contracts and opens toward the controller 120 The air in the shock absorber 113 is allowed to escape through the upper portion to buffer the expanded pressure inside the actuating portion 110,
The acoustic cover portion 115,
Characterized in that it comprises a cover in the form of a sheet of 1.0 to 3.0 Mrayl which has similar physical properties to the human soft tissue and similar to the acoustic impedance of the human soft tissues.

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The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rail (112b) connected to both of the balancing drive shaft (112c) and the balancing drive portion (112a)
Wherein the ultrasonic transducer is enclosed by a corrugated hose (112d) so as to be protected from the ultrasonic transmission medium and to facilitate movement of the bogie driving part (112a).

delete

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the matching layer unit (114)
Characterized in that it is filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium of 1.0 ~ 2.0 Mrayl which has similar physical properties to the human soft tissue and similar to the acoustic impedance of the human soft tissues.

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The handpiece (200) according to claim 1, wherein the handpiece (200)
A body motion driving unit 210 incorporated in the handpiece 200 and connected to the motion driving unit of the cartridge 100 to move the ultrasonic wave generating unit 111;
A sensor unit 220 coupled to one side of the main body motion driving unit 210 in the direction of the cartridge motion driving unit 112 and sensing an initial start position of the main body motion driving unit 210;
The main body motion driving unit 210 is connected to the circuit unit 121 to receive a sensed signal from the sensor unit 220 and outputs a control signal of the main body motion driving unit 210 to operate the main body motion driving unit 210, A main circuit unit 230 for transmitting and receiving various signals between the handpieces 200; And
And a main body housing part (240) surrounding the main body motion driving part (210), the sensor part (220) and the main circuit part (230).

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the main body motion driver (210)
And a stepping motor rotating at a predetermined angle in accordance with a signal sensed by the sensor unit 220 and operated to precisely and accurately operate the ultrasonic wave generator 111. [ High intensity focused ultrasound probe.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the body housing comprises:
An operation button 241 connected to the main circuit unit 230 and protruding from the main body housing; And
And an operation indicator (242) mounted on an upper surface of the outside of the main body housing and capable of confirming whether or not the operation is performed.