KR102263445B1 - Focused ultrasound operating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A focused ultrasound treatment apparatus is disclosed. According to an aspect of the present invention, a housing, an ultrasonic wave generating unit installed in the housing to generate focused ultrasonic waves, a medium accommodated in the housing for transmitting ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic generating unit, and measuring the water level of the medium in the housing A focused ultrasound treatment device including a water level measuring sensor is provided.

Description

Focused ultrasound treatment device {FOCUSED ULTRASOUND OPERATING APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to a focused ultrasound treatment apparatus, and more particularly, to a focused ultrasound treatment apparatus capable of measuring the level of a medium accommodated in the focused ultrasound treatment apparatus.

Recently, interest in skin beauty and obesity treatment is increasing day by day, and various medical devices for skin beauty and obesity treatment are being developed. For example, various skin care medical devices for patients who wish to perform face lifting or skin tightening procedures are being developed. Among them, the high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment device has the effect of improving skin wrinkles and is in the spotlight as an alternative to invasive face lift treatment.

In order to deliver high-intensity ultrasonic energy, a liquid medium such as di water (deionized water) may be filled inside the ultrasonic generator. Such a liquid medium may act as a medium for the ultrasound generated from the ultrasound generator to be delivered to the inside of the treatment site. In addition, it may play a role of cooling the heat generated by the ultrasonic generator to an appropriate level.

However, when the medium is filled in the ultrasonic generator, the medium may evaporate when used for a long time, and when the medium evaporates, an air layer is formed, and the ultrasonic reflectance or refractive index at the interface between the air layer and the liquid medium is different, A decrease in ultrasound output or a change in depth may occur, thereby reducing the effect of the procedure.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1675547 (2016.11.14. Announcement)

An object of the present invention is to provide a focused ultrasound treatment apparatus capable of measuring the level of a medium accommodated in a housing using a water level measuring sensor.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a housing, an ultrasonic wave generating unit installed in the housing to generate focused ultrasonic waves, a medium accommodated in the housing for transmitting ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic generating unit, and measuring the water level of the medium in the housing A focused ultrasound treatment device including a water level measuring sensor is provided.

The focused ultrasound treatment apparatus may further include a control unit for controlling the ultrasound generating unit and the water level measuring sensor.

The control unit may deactivate the ultrasonic wave generating unit when the measured value of the water level measuring sensor is lower than a preset water level.

The focused ultrasound treatment apparatus may further include a notification unit notifying the operator of the state of the housing, and the control unit may operate the notification unit when the measured value of the water level sensor is lower than a preset water level.

The focused ultrasound treatment apparatus may further include a medium replenishment unit for replenishing the housing with a medium.

The control unit may operate the medium replenishment unit to replenish the medium inside the housing when the measured value of the water level sensor is lower than the preset water level.

The medium replenishment unit includes a medium storage unit forming a space for storing a medium therein, a conveying line interposed between the medium storage unit and the inside of the housing to provide a passage for the medium, and conveying the medium stored in the medium storage unit into the housing. It may include a pump that makes

The focused ultrasound treatment apparatus may further include a main body supplying electricity to the ultrasonic wave generating unit, and the medium storage unit may be installed in the main body.

The medium storage unit may be installed on the lower side of the body.

The housing may have a structure in which the first direction is longer than the second direction on a plan view, and the water level measuring sensor may be installed to face both sides of the housing along the first direction.

The water level measuring sensor may include a first water level measuring sensor installed on an inner side surface of the housing in a vertical direction, and a second water level measuring sensor installed on an inner side of the housing to face the first water level measuring sensor.

The control unit calculates the slope of the surface of the medium inside the housing according to the water level measured by the first water level sensor and the second water level sensor, respectively, and when the slope of the medium exceeds a preset reference value, the first water level measurement sensor and The amount of the medium is calculated using the water level measured by each of the second water level sensors, and when the slope of the medium is less than or equal to a preset reference value, the smaller of the water levels measured by the first water level sensor and the second water level sensor, respectively It can be determined by the level of the medium.

The control unit excludes the data when the amount of change in the water level per unit time of the medium measured by the water level measurement sensor exceeds a preset amount of change, the focused ultrasound treatment device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a housing, an ultrasonic wave generating unit installed in the housing to generate focused ultrasonic waves, a medium accommodated in the housing for delivery of ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic generating unit, is installed on the inner side of the housing in the vertical direction A method of controlling a focused ultrasound treatment apparatus including a first water level measuring sensor and a second water level measuring sensor installed on an inner side surface of a housing to face the first water level measuring sensor, the first water level measuring sensor and the second water level measuring sensor Measuring the water level of the medium using each of the steps, calculating the slope of the surface of the medium inside the housing by using the water levels respectively measured by the first water level measurement sensor and the second water level measurement sensor, the slope of the medium is preset When the reference value is exceeded, calculating the amount of the medium by using the water level measured by the first water level sensor and the second water level measurement sensor, respectively, and when the amount of the medium is less than or equal to a preset reference amount, the ultrasonic generating unit is deactivated There is provided a method of controlling a focused ultrasound treatment apparatus comprising the steps of:

In the method of controlling the focused ultrasound treatment apparatus, after calculating the slope of the surface of the medium inside the housing, when the slope of the medium is less than or equal to a preset reference value, the first water level measuring sensor and the second water level measuring sensor measure more The method may further include deactivating the ultrasound generating unit when the low value is less than or equal to the preset reference value.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the water level of the medium accommodated in the housing may be measured using a water level sensor.

1 is a view showing a focused ultrasound treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 and 3 are views showing a focused ultrasound treatment apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a housing of a focused ultrasound treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 to 7 are cross-sectional views illustrating changes in the water level of the focused ultrasound treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a view showing a method of controlling a focused ultrasound treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Since the present invention can apply various transformations and can have various embodiments, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

The terms used in the present application are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to designate that a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification exists, but one or more other features It should be understood that this does not preclude the existence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

In addition, in the contact relationship between each component, the term "coupling" does not mean only the case where each component is in direct physical contact with each other, but another component is interposed between each component, so that the component is in the other component. It should be used as a concept that encompasses even the cases in which each is in contact.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the focused ultrasound treatment apparatus 100 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding components are given the same reference numbers, A redundant description thereof will be omitted.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the housing 110 , the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 installed in the housing 110 to generate focused ultrasonic waves, and the housing 110 for transmitting the ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 . ) A medium 130 accommodated therein, and a focused ultrasound treatment apparatus 100 including a water level measurement sensor 140 for measuring the water level of the medium 130 inside the housing 110 is provided.

In this embodiment, the water level of the medium 130 accommodated in the housing 110 may be measured by using the water level measuring sensor 140 installed inside the housing 110 . Here, the medium 130 may serve to transmit the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 and simultaneously cool the heat generated by the ultrasonic wave generating unit. Accordingly, the operator can check whether a sufficient amount of the medium 130 is accommodated in the housing 110 by measuring the water level of the medium 130 through the water level measurement sensor 140 .

Hereinafter, each configuration of the focused ultrasound treatment apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 , the housing 110 has a space that can accommodate the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 , the medium 130 and the water level measurement sensor 140 therein, and generates ultrasonic waves on one side. A window may be installed so that ultrasonic waves generated from the unit 120 can be transmitted to the outside.

The housing 110 may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped, that is, a structure in which the first direction is longer than the second direction on a plane, where the first direction and the second direction may refer to two directions on the plane except for the height.

More specifically, the housing 110 may refer to the body of the cartridge detachably coupled to the handpiece, and when integrated with the handpiece, may represent the body of the handpiece.

Also, as an example, the housing 110 is formed of a transparent material, for example, a transparent PC (Polycarbonate) material, so that one side or the whole can see the inside from the outside, and the operator is accommodated in the housing 110 inside the medium 130 ) can be directly observed.

1 to 7 , the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 may be installed in the housing 110 to generate focused ultrasonic waves. More specifically, the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 may include a transducer that receives electrical energy and generates vibration having a frequency in the ultrasonic region, and collects ultrasonic energy into one focus to generate focused ultrasonic waves.

1 to 7 , the medium 130 may be accommodated in the housing 110 for delivery of the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 .

The medium 130 may include di water (deionized water; deionized water) from which ions are removed using an ion exchange resin, and as the ultrasonic wave generated from the ultrasonic wave generating device proceeds to the outside of the housing 110, the output of the ultrasonic wave is reduced. Or you can prevent the depth from being changed.

The medium 130 may be accommodated in the housing 110 to the extent that the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 is submerged, and the ultrasonic wave generated by the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 may be disposed in the direction of the ultrasonic wave so that the ultrasonic wave is stably transmitted to the treatment site. can

In addition, the medium 130 may primarily cool the heat generated while the ultrasound generating unit 120 generates the focused ultrasound, where the heat generated by the ultrasound generating unit 120 is to evaporate the medium 130 . can Accordingly, the medium 130 may indirectly increase durability of the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 by cooling the heat generated by the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 .

1 to 7 , the water level measuring sensor 140 may measure the water level of the medium 130 inside the housing 110 . The water level measuring sensor 140 may include an illuminance sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and the like, and may be installed to face both sides of the housing 110 along the first direction of the housing 110 .

More specifically, the water level measuring sensor 140 faces the first water level measuring sensor 142 installed on the inner side of the housing 110 in the vertical direction, and the first water level measuring sensor 142 on the inner side of the housing 110 . It may include a second water level measurement sensor 144 that is installed to do so.

A plurality of first water level measuring sensors 142 and second water level measuring sensors 144 may be installed along the first direction of the housing 110 , and a plurality of first water level measuring sensors 142 and second water level measuring sensors The sensors 144 may be installed to face each other.

In addition, the water level measurement sensor 140 may measure the water level of the medium 130 immediately before the ultrasonic wave is irradiated by the power of the focused ultrasound treatment apparatus 100 of this embodiment being turned on or the ultrasound generating unit 120 operating, and , when the power is connected depending on the situation, it may be operated at all times to continuously measure the water level of the medium 130 .

1 and 2 , the control unit 150 may control the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 and the water level measuring sensor 140 , and may also control the notification unit 160 to be described later.

The control unit 150 may deactivate the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 when the measured value of the water level measuring sensor 140 is lower than a preset water level. Here, the preset water level refers to the water level shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 , and may be viewed as a water level at which the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 is submerged. Also, the control unit 150 may deactivate the ultrasound generating unit 120 and simultaneously operate the notification unit 160 to notify the operator that the medium 130 is insufficient.

In addition, the control unit 150 may operate the medium replenishment unit 170 to be described later to replenish the medium 130 inside the housing 110 when the measured value of the water level measurement sensor 140 is lower than the preset water level. .

The control unit 150 may calculate the inclination of the surface of the medium 130 inside the housing 110 according to the water levels measured by the first water level measuring sensor 142 and the second water level measuring sensor 144, respectively, and the medium When the slope of 130 exceeds a preset reference value, the amount of the medium 130 is calculated using the water level measured by the first water level measuring sensor 142 and the second water level measuring sensor 144, respectively, and When the slope of 130 is equal to or less than the preset reference value, the smaller water level among the water levels measured by the first water level measuring sensor 142 and the second water level measuring sensor 144 may be determined as the water level of the medium 130 .

Here, the slope of the surface of the medium 130 and the amount of the medium 130 are the slope of the medium 130 through the water level of the medium 130 when it is difficult to determine the amount of the medium 130 only with the water level of the medium 130 . Alternatively, the reference amount of the medium 130 may be determined by calculating the amount of the medium 130 .

In addition, when the amount of change in the water level per unit time of the medium 130 measured by the water level measuring sensor 140 exceeds a preset amount of change, the control unit 150 may remove the noise from the data by excluding the corresponding data.

A more specific method of controlling the focused ultrasound treatment apparatus 100 of the present embodiment through the control unit 150 will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the notification unit 160 may notify the operator of the state of the housing 110 , and the state of the housing 110 using any one or more of light, sound, vibration, and a display. can inform More specifically, the notification unit 160 may notify the operator of the state of the housing 110 , ie, the water level of the medium 130 , to the operator when the water level of the medium 130 of the present embodiment is less than or equal to a certain amount.

1 to 3, the medium replenishment unit 170 can replenish the medium 130 in the housing 110, and more specifically, to form a space for storing the medium 130 therein. Medium storage unit 172, a transfer line 174 interposed between the medium storage unit 172 and the inside of the housing 110 to provide a movement path of the medium 130, and the medium stored in the medium storage unit 172 ( A pump 176 for transferring the 130 into the housing 110 may be included.

The medium storage unit 172 may store the medium 130 for replenishing the housing 110 , and may seal the inner space so that the medium 130 stored in the medium storage unit 172 does not leak to the outside. In addition, the medium storage unit 172 may be installed in the main body 180 to be described later, and more specifically, it is installed on the lower side of the main body 180 and is installed inside the main body 180 due to leakage of the medium 130. Protect and prevent electrical accidents.

1 to 3, the pump 176 may transfer the medium 130 in the medium storage unit 172 into the housing 110 through the transfer line 174, and the control unit ( 150), the operation can be controlled. More specifically, the control unit 150 operates the pump 176 when the water level of the medium 130 measured by the water level measurement sensor 140 is lower than the preset water level to operate the medium in the medium storage unit 172 ( 130 ) may be transferred into the housing 110 .

In addition, the operator may manually operate the medium replenishment unit 170 to replenish the medium 130 inside the housing 110 .

On the other hand, a water level measurement sensor 140 for measuring the water level of the medium 130 stored in the medium storage unit 172 may be installed inside the medium storage unit 172, and through this, the medium storage unit 172 to the operator may be installed. The amount of the stored medium 130 may be informed.

1 to 3, the transfer line 174 is from the medium storage unit 172 installed in the body 180 to the housing 110, and from the medium storage unit 172 installed inside the handpiece to the cartridge. can be extended Accordingly, the transfer line 174 may have a structure that is coupled with the coupling connector between the body 180 and the housing 110, the handpiece and the cartridge, and can be coupled and separated more conveniently.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the main body 180 may supply electricity to the ultrasound generating unit 120 , and a display that visually provides information on the state and operation of the ultrasound generating unit 120 to the operator may be installed. have.

More specifically, the focused ultrasound generator 100 shown in FIG. 3 represents another embodiment of the present invention, and the body 180 is connected to the handpiece shown in FIG. 2 and is generally used in a dermatology or beauty care shop. can be used

Contrary to this, the focused ultrasound treatment apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 may be used for personal use and may have a portable shape.

Next, a method of controlling the focused ultrasound treatment apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8 .

The method of controlling the focused ultrasound treatment apparatus 100 is a method of controlling the focused ultrasound treatment apparatus 100 of the above-described embodiment, and is installed in the housing 110 and the housing 110 to generate a focused ultrasound unit ( 120), the medium 130 accommodated in the housing 110 for the delivery of the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120, the housing 110, the first water level measurement sensor 142 installed in the vertical direction on the inner side , and a method of controlling the focused ultrasound treatment apparatus 100 including a second water level measuring sensor 144 installed on the inner side of the housing 110 to face the first water level measuring sensor 142 .

As shown in FIG. 8 , the method of controlling the focused ultrasound treatment apparatus 100 is to measure the water level of the medium 130 by using the first water level measuring sensor 142 and the second water level measuring sensor 144 , respectively. Step, using the water level measured by the first water level measuring sensor 142 and the second water level measuring sensor 144, respectively, calculating the slope of the surface of the medium 130 inside the housing 110, the medium 130 Calculating the amount of the medium 130 by using the water level measured by the first water level measurement sensor 142 and the second water level measurement sensor 144, respectively, when the slope of the value exceeds a preset reference value, and the medium ( When the amount of 130 ) is less than or equal to a preset reference amount, the method may include deactivating the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 .

6 and 7 show a state in which the medium 130 is inclined inside the housing 110, and the first water level measuring sensor 142 and the second water level measuring sensor 144 are shown in the state where the medium 130 is inclined. The inclination of the surface of the medium 130 may be calculated by measuring the water level of both sides of the housing 110 through the

The case of FIG. 6 shows a case in which the slope of the medium 130 exceeds a preset reference value as described above, and in this case, according to the amount of the medium 130 calculated through the slope of the medium 130, the ultrasonic generating unit ( 120) can be activated or not.

In addition, after calculating the slope of the surface of the medium 130 inside the housing 110, when the slope of the medium 130 is less than or equal to a preset reference value, the first water level measuring sensor 142 and the second water level measuring sensor ( The method may further include deactivating the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 when a lower value among the water levels measured by 144 is equal to or less than a preset reference value.

In other words, in the case of FIG. 7 , the slope of the medium 130 is less than or equal to a preset reference value. In this case, the lower value among the water levels measured by the first water level measuring sensor 142 and the second water level measuring sensor 144 , respectively Whether to activate the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 may be adjusted based on .

The slope of the medium 130 will be an index for determining whether to evaluate the amount of the medium 130 for stably operating the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 through which data among the water level of the medium 130 and the amount of the medium 130 . Also, when the slope value is changed to exceed a predetermined value for a unit time, the ultrasound generating unit 120 may be deactivated without calculating the amount of the medium 130 .

The slope of the medium 130 will be an index for determining whether to evaluate the amount of the medium 130 for stably operating the ultrasonic wave generating unit 120 through which data among the water level of the medium 130 and the amount of the medium 130 . Also, when the slope value is changed to exceed a predetermined value for a unit time, the ultrasound generating unit 120 may be deactivated without calculating the amount of the medium 130 .

Above, an embodiment of the present invention has been described, but those of ordinary skill in the art can add, change, delete or add components within the scope that does not depart from the spirit of the present invention described in the claims. It will be said that various modifications and changes of the present invention can be made by, and this is also included within the scope of the present invention.

100: focused ultrasound treatment device
110: housing
120: ultrasonic generating unit
130: medium
140: water level measurement sensor
142: first water level measurement sensor
144: second water level measurement sensor
150: control unit
160: notification unit
170: medium replenishment unit
172: medium storage unit
174: transfer line
176: pump
180: body

Claims (15)

housing;
an ultrasonic wave generating unit installed in the housing to generate focused ultrasonic waves;
a medium accommodated in the housing for transmitting the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic wave generating unit;
a focused ultrasound treatment device including a water level measuring sensor for measuring the level of the medium inside the housing;
a medium replenishment unit replenishing the medium to the housing; and
a control unit for controlling the ultrasonic generating unit, the water level measuring sensor, and the medium replenishing unit,
The water level measuring sensor includes a first water level measuring sensor disposed vertically on the inner side surface of the housing, and a second water level measuring sensor disposed to face the first water level measuring sensor,
The control unit calculates the slope of the medium surface inside the housing according to the water level measured by the first water level sensor and the second water level measurement sensor, respectively, and replenishes the ultrasonic wave generating unit and the medium according to the calculated slope control the unit,
The control unit generates the ultrasonic wave based on a lower value among the water levels measured by the first water level measuring sensor and the second water level measuring sensor, respectively, when the surface slope of the medium measured by the water level measuring sensor is less than or equal to a preset reference value Controls whether the unit is activated,
When the surface slope of the medium measured by the water level sensor exceeds a preset reference value, the amount of the medium is calculated and calculated by using the water level measured by the first water level sensor and the second water level sensor, respectively A focused ultrasound treatment apparatus for controlling whether the ultrasound generating unit is activated according to the amount of the medium.
delete According to claim 1,
The control unit deactivates the ultrasonic wave generating unit when a lower value among measured water level values is lower than a preset water level when the surface slope of the medium measured by the water level measurement sensor is less than or equal to a preset reference value.
According to claim 1,
Further comprising a notification unit notifying the operator of the state of the housing,
The control unit operates the notification unit when a lower value among measured water level values is lower than a preset water level when the surface slope of the medium measured by the water level measurement sensor is less than or equal to a preset reference value.
delete According to claim 1,
The control unit operates the medium replenishment unit when the surface slope of the medium measured by the water level measurement sensor is less than or equal to a preset reference value, and when the lower value of the measured water level values is lower than the preset water level, the medium is supplied inside the housing Supplemental, focused ultrasound treatment device.
According to claim 1,
The medium replenishment unit,
a medium storage unit forming a space for storing the medium therein;
a transfer line interposed between the medium storage unit and the inside of the housing to provide a passage for the medium; and
A focused ultrasound treatment apparatus comprising a pump for transferring the medium stored in the medium storage unit into the housing.
8. The method of claim 7,
Further comprising a main body for supplying electricity to the ultrasonic generating unit,
The medium storage unit is installed in the main body, focused ultrasound treatment apparatus.
9. The method of claim 8,
The medium storage unit is installed on the lower side of the main body, focused ultrasound treatment apparatus.
delete delete delete According to claim 1,
The control unit excludes the data when the amount of change in the water level per unit time of the medium measured by the water level measurement sensor exceeds a preset amount of change, the focused ultrasound treatment apparatus.
delete delete

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