KR102357266B1 - Ultrasonic therapy apparatus including micro-machined ultrasonic transducer array - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a micro-machined ultrasound transducer (Micro-) comprising a lower cover in contact with the skin and a first module and a second module that are disposed on the lower cover and apply a low frequency or a high frequency depending on the depth of application inside the skin. Machined Ultrasonic Transducer) relates to an ultrasonic therapy device formed of an array.

Description

ULTRASONIC THERAPY APPARATUS INCLUDING MICRO-MACHINED ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER ARRAY

The present invention relates to an ultrasound therapy apparatus including a micro-machined ultrasound transducer array, and more particularly, to a micro-machined ultrasound transducer that applies a low frequency or high frequency depending on the depth of application inside the skin (Micro-machined Ultrasonic Transducer) It relates to an ultrasound therapy device formed in an array.

In recent years, many devices have been proposed and released using high frequency or low frequency to expect skin beauty or massage effects. As such, as life is improved along with industrial development, interest in skin beauty, health, or body care is increasing, and various therapy devices reflecting these needs are being released.

Existing ultrasound therapy devices can be largely divided into household and hospital use.

For home use, two types of low-frequency ultrasound are mainly 1MHz or 3MHz, and since a single-channel ultrasound beam is used, the effect is limited for users at home.

On the other hand, hospital use mainly uses low-frequency (1 MHz or 3 MHz) and high-frequency (10 MHz) ultrasound, and uses multiple channels of ultrasound beams, so there is an advantage of controlling the focus of the beam customized to the skin depth of each user. However, a so-called HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasonic, HIFU), which is mainly used for hospitals, is expensive and the user has the inconvenience of having to visit a hospital for treatment.

Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0133177 (Applied on October 13, 2017)

An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasound therapy device for focusing a high-frequency or low-frequency ultrasound beam to an application depth inside the skin using a plurality of modules formed as a multi-channel micro-machined ultrasound transducer array want to

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasound therapy apparatus capable of personalized treatment for home use by focusing high or low frequencies in a user-customized manner using a plurality of modules formed on a single chip at a low price.

Ultrasonic therapy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed on the lower cover and the lower cover in contact with the skin, the micro-microphone including a first module and a second module for applying a low frequency or a high frequency depending on the depth of application inside the skin It is formed from an array of micro-machined ultrasonic transducers.

The ultrasound therapy apparatus may include the micromachined ultrasound transducer array formed of a plurality of independent channels, each of which is arranged in a circular or linear shape.

In the micromachined ultrasound transducer array, the first module and the second module having different resonant frequencies are different from each other in each of the independent channels, and different types of the first module and the second module corresponding to the low frequency or the high frequency, respectively.

The first module and the second module apply low or high frequencies of different resonant frequencies, and may have different thin film sizes, diameters, and widths.

In addition, the ultrasound therapy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a control unit for controlling the first module and the second module formed of the micro-machined ultrasound transducer array so that a low frequency or high frequency is applied to the inside of the skin. have.

The controller may control the transmission time of the ultrasound beam applied from the first module and the second module to focus the ultrasound beam to the application depth inside the skin.

The controller may simultaneously apply one or more of a microcurrent and an LED into the skin through at least one of the first module and the second module forming the micromachined ultrasound transducer array, together with the ultrasound beam.

The control unit may apply a low frequency of 5 MHz or less to at least one of the first module and the second module formed of the micromachined ultrasonic transducer array, and apply a high frequency of 5 MHz or more to the other module.

The ultrasound therapy apparatus may use a PZT, an ALN piezoelectric element, or a capacitance as an active element of the micromachined ultrasonic transducer array.

The lower cover may be coated with at least one of Room Temperature Vulcanizing (RTV), Parylene, and Poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) for skin contact.

The ultrasonic therapy device may alleviate hair loss, nasolabial folds or V-shaped wrinkles.

In addition, the ultrasound therapy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a communication unit that communicates with an external mobile device by wire/wireless.

The micro-machined ultrasound transducer array according to an embodiment of the present invention is formed of a plurality of independent channels on the lower cover in contact with the skin, and each of the independent channels is arranged in a circular or straight shape, and is applied to the depth of application inside the skin. It includes a first module and a second module for applying a low frequency or a high frequency according to the.

By applying low or high frequencies of different resonant frequencies, the thin films may have different sizes, diameters, and widths.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a high-frequency or low-frequency ultrasound beam can be focused to an application depth inside the skin using a plurality of modules formed as a multi-channel micro-machined ultrasound transducer array. .

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, by focusing a high frequency or low frequency in a user-customized manner using a plurality of modules formed on a single chip at a low price, personalized treatment may be possible for home use.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, personalized treatment according to personal skin information is possible by linking the ultrasound therapy apparatus and a mobile device, and it can be used for a long time at home without visiting a hospital.

1 is a perspective view of an ultrasound therapy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 to 6 show examples of micromachined ultrasound transducer arrays according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating an example of focusing an ultrasound beam using an ultrasound therapy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a mobile device interworking with an ultrasound therapy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited or limited by the examples. Also, like reference numerals in each figure denote like members.

In addition, terms used in this specification are terms used to properly express preferred embodiments of the present invention, which may vary depending on the intention of a viewer or operator or customs in the field to which the present invention belongs. Accordingly, definitions of these terms should be made based on the content throughout this specification.

Embodiments of the present invention, by forming two modules with different thin film sizes as a multi-channel, that is, a multi-channel micro-machined ultrasonic transducer array, high frequency or low frequency to the depth of application inside the skin It features an ultrasonic therapy device for home use that focuses an ultrasonic beam of

The ultrasound therapy apparatus according to the present invention enables focus control by depth according to electronic time delay using a micro-machined ultrasound transducer array including a plurality of independent channels arranged in a circle or a straight line on a single chip, and By focusing a high-frequency or low-frequency ultrasound beam to an application depth, it provides an effect of alleviating hair loss, nasolabial folds, or V-shaped wrinkles.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 .

1 is a perspective view of an ultrasound therapy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the ultrasound therapy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is formed of a micro-machined ultrasound transducer (Micro-machined Ultrasonic Transducer) array that applies a low frequency or high frequency depending on the depth of application inside the skin.

To this end, the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lower cover 120 and a micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 .

Referring to Figure 1, the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is assembled to the upper cover 110 and the upper cover 110, which are easy for the user to carry and attach by hand, and contact the skin, and the center It includes a main body made of a lower cover 120 in which the micro-machined ultrasonic transducer array 200 is formed. In this case, the lower cover 120 may be coated with at least one of Room Temperature Vulcanizing (RTV), Parylene, and Poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) for skin contact.

According to an embodiment, in the main body of the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a power supply unit that turns on/off the operation of the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100, a low-frequency or It may include at least any one or more of a receiving unit for changing a high frequency or adjusting a therapy time, an output unit for outputting an LED color corresponding to a low frequency or high frequency applied to the skin, and a display unit for displaying the remaining time for therapy.

Micro-machined Ultrasonic Transducer Array (200) of the ultrasonic therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed on the lower cover 120 in contact with the skin, application inside the skin It includes a first module and a second module for applying a low frequency or a high frequency according to the depth.

The ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may use a PZT, an ALN piezoelectric element, or a capacitance as an active element of the micromachined ultrasonic transducer array 200 . For example, the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 may be a piezoelectric MUT (pMUT) including a plurality of first and second modules of the array.

The ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a multi-channel formed of a plurality of independent channels, and each of the independent channels includes a micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 arranged in a circular or straight shape. can do. The micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 may have different resonant frequencies in each independent channel, and may be in a form in which different types of first and second modules corresponding to low or high frequencies are disposed. In this case, the first module and the second module apply low or high frequencies of different resonant frequencies, and have different thin film sizes, diameters, and widths.

More specifically, the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 may be formed in a plurality of independent channels in which a plurality of first modules and a plurality of second modules are arranged in a circular or linear shape. For example, the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 may be formed of three different independent channels, and each of the three independent channels includes a plurality of first and second modules disposed at the same time or alternately sequentially. It may be in an arranged form.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first module and the second module may have a circular, triangular, quadrangular or polygonal shape, and may have different sizes, diameters and widths of thin films according to low or high frequency applications. For example, if it is assumed that the first module applies a low frequency of 3 MHz and the second module applies a high frequency of 10 MHz, the diameter of the thin film of the first module is greater than the diameter of the thin film of the second module, or the The size and width may be greater than the size and width of the second module. That is, the diameter of the transmission source of the first module may be larger than the diameter of the transmission source of the second module.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention controls a first module and a second module formed of a micro-machined ultrasound transducer array 200 so that a low frequency or high frequency is applied to the inside of the skin. It may include a control unit 130 that

The control unit 130 is located inside the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100, and the first module and the second module according to the change of the low frequency or high frequency received according to the user's selection input through the receiving unit (not shown) or the user-customized therapy mode. operation can be controlled. For example, the control unit 130 applies a low frequency of 5 MHz or less to at least one of the first module and the second module formed of the micro-machined ultrasonic transducer array 200 of different arrangement types, and the other By applying a high frequency of 5 MHz or more modulo, and controlling the transmission time of the ultrasound beam applied from the first module and the second module, it is possible to focus the ultrasound beam to an application depth inside the skin. The ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention uses a micro-machined ultrasound transducer array 200 including a plurality of first and second modules, and includes a low-frequency or high-frequency ultrasound beam and an ultrasound beam. It is characterized in that the ultrasound beam is focused on the dermis or fat layer inside the skin by controlling the transmission time.

In addition, the control unit 130 may simultaneously apply one or more of a microcurrent and an LED into the skin through at least one of the first module and the second module forming the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 with the ultrasound beam. can For example, the controller 130 not only applies a low-frequency or high-frequency ultrasound beam through the first module and the second module, but also applies at least one or more of microcurrent and LED simultaneously with the ultrasound beam to provide more effective therapy performance. can provide

In addition, the control unit 130 is a therapy mode, for example, a basic mode, a hair loss mode, a nasolabial wrinkle mode or a V-shaped wrinkle mode through a plurality of first and second modules formed in a multi-channel, low-frequency or high-frequency differently from each other By applying a microcurrent and an LED at the same time with a low frequency or a high frequency, it is suitable for the mode, and it is possible to provide efficient therapy performance. Furthermore, the controller 130 may control the ultrasound beam focused to the dermis or fat layer inside the skin according to the mode, and may control the focus to the dermis or fat layer by depth.

For example, when the first module applies a low frequency and the second module applies a high frequency, in the micro-machined ultrasound transducer array 200 formed in multi-channels, the controller 130 controls only the first modules to apply a low frequency. It is also possible to control to apply, or only the second modules to apply the high frequency, and to operate the first module and the second module at the same time to control so that the low frequency and the high frequency are applied at the same time. Accordingly, the controller 130 may focus the ultrasound beam into the skin by controlling the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 formed as a multi-channel.

2 to 6 show examples of micromachined ultrasound transducer arrays according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 including a plurality of first and second modules on the lower cover 120 .

Hereinafter, in FIGS. 2 to 6 , a plurality of first modules and a plurality of second modules in different shapes will be described with respect to the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 of various embodiments in which they are disposed and formed differently.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 according to the first embodiment is formed of a plurality of independent channels, and each of the channels 1, 2 and 3 shown in FIG. 2 is a circular independent channel. characterized by being. Each of the independent channels is arranged in a circular shape, and the diameter of the circle is reduced in the order of Channel 1, Channel 2, and Channel 3, and the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 may include a plurality of independent channels having different diameters. can Accordingly, the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may use a different frequency band in each channel by using the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 formed of different independent channels.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the micromachined ultrasonic transducer array 200 according to the first embodiment is formed of a plurality of independent channels, and has a circular shape of a first module 210 and a second module 220 . It may be of a form simultaneously disposed on each independent channel. In the first embodiment, one first module 210 and two second modules may be alternately disposed on each of channel 1, channel 2, and channel 3 at the same time. For this reason, the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a micro first module 210 for applying a low frequency of 3 MHz and a second module 220 for applying a high frequency of 10 MHz to the same channel are disposed at the same time. It may include a machined ultrasound transducer array 200 .

In the first embodiment, the first module 210 and the second module 220 may have a circular shape, and may be formed with a predetermined distance therebetween. At this time, the first module 210 that applies a low frequency of 3 MHz is characterized in that it has a larger thin film size, diameter and width than the second module 220 that applies a high frequency of 10 MHz, and the first module 210 ) and the second module 220 may apply different frequencies due to different thin film sizes, diameters, and widths.

That is, the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is formed of a plurality of independent channels, and the first module 210 and the second module 220 for each channel of the heterogeneous frequency cells are arranged at the same time. It may include a micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 .

Referring to FIG. 3 , the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 according to the second embodiment is formed of a plurality of independent channels, as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , and includes a channel 1, a channel 2 and a channel. 3 Each is characterized as a circular independent channel.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the micromachined ultrasonic transducer array 200 according to the second embodiment is formed of a plurality of independent channels, and has a circular shape of a first module 210 and a second module 220 . These may be alternately arranged in different independent channels. In the second embodiment, only a plurality of first modules 210 are disposed in channel 1, only a plurality of second modules 220 are disposed in channel 2, and only a plurality of first modules 210 are disposed in channel 3 can be For this reason, the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has an independent channel formed only with the first module 210 that applies a low frequency of 3 MHz and an independent channel formed only with the second module 220 that applies a high frequency of 10 MHz. may include a micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 of However, in the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 according to the second embodiment, only the second module 220 is disposed in the channels 1 and 3, and only the first module 210 is disposed in the channel 2 according to the embodiment. It may be in an arranged form.

In the second embodiment, the first module 210 and the second module 220 have a circular shape, and may be formed with an interval of a predetermined distance therebetween. At this time, the first module 210 that applies a low frequency of 3 MHz is characterized in that it has a larger thin film size, diameter and width than the second module 220 that applies a high frequency of 10 MHz, and the first module 210 ) and the second module 220 may apply different frequencies due to different thin film sizes, diameters, and widths.

That is, the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is formed of a plurality of independent channels, and heterogeneous frequency cells in which the first module 210 or the second module 220 are alternately arranged in different channels. may include a micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 of

Referring to FIG. 4 , the micromachined ultrasonic transducer array 200 according to the third embodiment is formed of a plurality of independent channels in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , , each of channel 1, channel 2 and channel 3 is a circular independent channel.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 according to the third embodiment is formed of a plurality of independent channels, and has an annular first module 210 and a second module 220 . These may be alternately arranged in different independent channels. In this case, the first module 210 and the second module 220 in the third embodiment are characterized in that they are arranged in a non-circular, non-circular cell in the second embodiment. For example, in the third embodiment, the first module 210 is annularly arranged in the channel 1, the second module 220 is arranged in an annular shape in the channel 2, and the first module 210 is annularly arranged in the channel 3 It may be in a form arranged as For this reason, the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a first module 210 for applying a low frequency of 3 MHz and a second module 220 for applying a high frequency of 10 MHz, respectively, in an annular shape. It may include micromachined ultrasound transducer arrays 200 alternately disposed in the channel. However, in the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 according to the third embodiment, the second module 220 is disposed in channels 1 and 3, and the first module 210 is disposed in the channel 2 according to the embodiment. It may be in an arranged form.

In the third embodiment, the first module 210 and the second module 220 are in the form of an annular shape. At this time, the first module 210 that applies a low frequency of 3 MHz is characterized in that it has a larger thin film size, diameter and width than the second module 220 that applies a high frequency of 10 MHz, and the first module 210 ) and the second module 220 may apply different frequencies due to different thin film sizes, diameters, and widths.

That is, the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is formed of a plurality of independent channels, and the annular first module 210 or the second module 220 is alternately arranged in different channels. It may include a micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 of heterogeneous frequency cells.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 according to the fourth embodiment is formed of a plurality of independent channels, and each of the channels 1, 2, and 3 shown in FIG. 5 is a linear independent channel. characterized by being. Each of the independent channels is arranged in a linear shape, and the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 may include a plurality of independent channels sequentially arranged in the order of Channel 1, Channel 2, and Channel 3 from the right. Accordingly, the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may use a different frequency band in each channel by using the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 formed of different independent channels.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 according to the fourth embodiment is formed of a plurality of independent channels, and a first module 210 and a second module 220 in a circular shape. It may be arranged alternately in series on each of the independent channels. In the fourth embodiment, a plurality of first modules 210 and second modules 220 may be alternately arranged in series on each of channel 1, channel 2, and channel 3, respectively. For this reason, the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an independent channel in which the first module 210 for applying a low frequency of 3 MHz and the second module 220 for applying a high frequency of 10 MHz are alternately arranged in series. It may include a micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 . However, in the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 according to the fourth embodiment, the left/right positions of the first module 210 and the second module 220 arranged in series may be changed depending on the embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, the first module 210 and the second module 220 may have a circular shape, and may be formed with a predetermined distance between them on a straight line. At this time, the first module 210 that applies a low frequency of 3 MHz is characterized in that it has a larger thin film size, diameter and width than the second module 220 that applies a high frequency of 10 MHz, and the first module 210 ) and the second module 220 may apply different frequencies due to different thin film sizes, diameters, and widths.

That is, the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is formed of a plurality of independent channels, and the first module 210 or the second module 220 for each channel is alternately arranged in series. It may include a micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 of frequency cells. In the fourth embodiment, one-dimensional (1D) beam focusing may be possible only in the horizontal direction.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 according to the fifth embodiment is formed of a plurality of independent channels, and each of the channels 1, 2, and 3 shown in FIG. 6 is a linear independent channel. characterized by being. Each of the independent channels is arranged in a linear shape, and the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 may include a plurality of independent channels sequentially arranged in the order of Channel 1, Channel 2, and Channel 3 from the right. Accordingly, the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may use a different frequency band in each channel by using the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 formed of different independent channels.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 according to the fifth embodiment is formed of a plurality of independent channels, and a first module 210 and a second module 220 in the form of a rectangle. It may be arranged alternately in series on each of the independent channels. In the fifth embodiment, the first module 210 and the second module 220 having a rectangular shape may be alternately arranged in series on each of the channels 1, 2, and 3, respectively. For this reason, the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an independent channel in which the first module 210 for applying a low frequency of 3 MHz and the second module 220 for applying a high frequency of 10 MHz are alternately arranged in series. It may include a micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 . However, in the micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 according to the fifth embodiment, the left/right positions of the first module 210 and the second module 220 arranged in series may be changed depending on the embodiment. Furthermore, the fifth embodiment is characterized in that it exhibits a continuous linear shape, rather than the first module 210 and the second module 220 in the form of an independent square similar to the third embodiment.

In the fifth embodiment, the first module 210 and the second module 220 may have a rectangular linear shape, and may be formed in a straight line. At this time, the first module 210 that applies a low frequency of 3 MHz is characterized in that it has a larger thin film size, diameter and width than the second module 220 that applies a high frequency of 10 MHz, and the first module 210 ) and the second module 220 may apply different frequencies due to different thin film sizes, diameters, and widths. The first module 210 and the second module 220 in the fifth embodiment may be in the form of a square or a rectangle.

That is, the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is formed of a plurality of independent channels, and heterogeneous frequencies in which the first module 210 or the second module 220 are alternately arranged in series for each channel. It may include a micromachined ultrasound transducer array 200 of cells. In the fifth embodiment, one-dimensional (1D) beam focusing may be possible only in the horizontal direction.

7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating an example of focusing an ultrasound beam using an ultrasound therapy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

More specifically, FIG. 7 shows an example of an ultrasound beam focused inside the skin using a conventional bulk PZT, and FIG. 8 is an ultrasound beam focused inside the skin using an ultrasound therapy device according to an embodiment of the present invention. An example of an ultrasound beam is shown.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the conventional bulk lead zirconate titanate (PZT) requires an acoustic impedance matching layer, so a separate thickness is required when the frequencies are different, and it is difficult to integrate different frequencies. Due to this, the existing bulk PZT has a limitation in that it is difficult to apply a high frequency due to low thickness processing precision. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7( a ), a single-channel bulk PZT has no focus, and a lens is required to form a focus, as shown in FIG. 7( b ). However, when a lens is included in the existing bulk PZT, there is a limitation that only a fixed single focus is possible.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention uses a piezo micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) to control the phase difference of the applied voltage to the inside of the skin. . That is, the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention uses a multi-channel micro-machined ultrasound transducer array including a first module 210 and a second module 220 to a low-frequency or high-frequency voltage. By enabling the phase difference application, it is possible to focus the ultrasound beam into a short-range focus or a long-range focus into the dermis or fat layer depending on the depth of application inside the skin.

9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a mobile device interworking with an ultrasound therapy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may transmit/receive data or control commands to and from a mobile device 300 possessed by a user through a network.

The user may input personal skin information through the mobile device 300 . For example, skin information of at least any one of dry, oily, or combination skin type information, age information, dermatology management history information, and cosmetic use history information may be input. Accordingly, the mobile device 300 may suggest a user-customized therapy mode based on personal skin information and at least one or more measurement information of drying stage information and wrinkle depth information measured through the mobile device 300 . Accordingly, the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 may provide therapy performance according to a user-customized therapy mode received from the mobile device 300 .

In addition, the mobile device 300 can monitor the process and results of skin therapy in real time through the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100, and based on the user's skin information, a user-customized therapy mode according to the provided therapy performance and You can build a database by accumulating the results of therapy. Furthermore, the mobile device 300 may share data built in the database with an external server that produces and manages the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 .

In addition, the mobile device 300 may push a notification for therapy management to the user for each cycle according to the user-customized therapy mode, and compare the results according to the user's skin improvement for each cycle to obtain numerical values, values, and percentages. , at least one of an image, a picture, a graph, a message, and an audio may be displayed.

Also, the mobile device 300 may control the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 based on a control command input from the user. For example, the mobile device 300 generates a control command including at least any one or more of power (On/Off), mode change, time control, cycle control, and intensity control of the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 to perform ultrasound therapy. may be transmitted to the device 100 .

The mobile device 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention is possessed by a user or an administrator, and may be at least any one of a terminal, a smartphone, a tablet PC, and a PC licensed for use in conjunction with the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 , , the type of device is not limited. Furthermore, the mobile device 300 may include an application processor for transmitting and receiving data to and from the ultrasound therapy 100 , and generating and providing a control command, and the ultrasound therapy apparatus directly through an application related to the ultrasound therapy apparatus 100 . Control of (100) may be possible.

The device described above may be implemented as a hardware component, a software component, and/or a combination of the hardware component and the software component. For example, devices and components described in the embodiments may include, for example, a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable array (FPA), It may be implemented using one or more general purpose or special purpose computers, such as a programmable logic unit (PLU), microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing and responding to instructions. The processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications executed on the operating system. A processing device may also access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to execution of the software. For convenience of understanding, although one processing device is sometimes described as being used, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the processing device includes a plurality of processing elements and/or a plurality of types of processing elements. It can be seen that can include For example, the processing device may include a plurality of processors or one processor and one controller. Other processing configurations are also possible, such as parallel processors.

Software may comprise a computer program, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more thereof, which configures a processing device to operate as desired or is independently or collectively processed You can command the device. The software and/or data may be any kind of machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage medium or apparatus, to be interpreted by or to provide instructions or data to the processing device. , or may be permanently or temporarily embody in a transmitted signal wave. The software may be distributed over networked computer systems and stored or executed in a distributed manner. Software and data may be stored in one or more computer-readable recording media.

The method according to the embodiment may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded in a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. alone or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the medium may be specially designed and configured for the embodiment, or may be known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and magnetic such as floppy disks. - includes magneto-optical media, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language codes such as those generated by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the embodiments, and vice versa.

As described above, although the embodiments have been described with reference to the limited embodiments and drawings, various modifications and variations are possible from the above description by those skilled in the art. For example, the described techniques are performed in an order different from the described method, and/or the described components of the system, structure, apparatus, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or other components Or substituted or substituted by equivalents may achieve an appropriate result.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims are also within the scope of the following claims.

100: ultrasound therapy device
110: upper cover
120: lower cover
200: micromachined ultrasonic transducer array
210: first module
220: second module
300: mobile device

Claims (14)

In the ultrasonic therapy apparatus,
a lower cover in contact with the skin; and
It is disposed on the lower cover, the micro-machined ultrasound transducer including a first module for applying a low frequency of 5 MHz or less and a second module for applying a high frequency of 5 MHz or more according to the depth of application inside the skin (Micro-machined Ultrasonic Transducer) ) array
including,
The ultrasound therapy device is
It is formed of a plurality of independent channels, and each of the independent channels comprises the micromachined ultrasound transducer array arranged in a circular shape,
The diameter of the transmission source of the first module is greater than the diameter of the transmission source of the second module,
A control unit for controlling the first module and the second module formed of the micro-machined ultrasonic transducer array so that a low frequency or a high frequency is applied to the inside of the skin
further comprising,
the control unit
Controlling the transmission time of the ultrasound beam applied from the first module and the second module, characterized in that focusing the ultrasound beam to the application depth inside the skin, ultrasound therapy apparatus. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete According to claim 1,
The ultrasound therapy device is
Using a PZT, ALN piezoelectric element or an electrostatic type (Capacitance) as an active element of the micromachined ultrasonic transducer array, ultrasonic therapy apparatus. According to claim 1,
the lower cover
An ultrasonic therapy device, characterized in that it is coated with at least one of RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanizing), Parylene, and PDMS (Poly (dimethylsiloxane), polydimethylsiloxane) for skin contact.

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