KR20130124598A - High intensity focused ultrasound generating device and method for the deduction of fat tissue - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for generating high intensity focused ultrasound and a device for generating high intensity focused ultrasound. The method for generating high intensity focused ultrasound widens focal area in which thermal effect is generated by rapid temperature increase caused by forming inner surface of a transducer into an aspherical surface, controls not only wide area in X and Y directions by swing function but depth by Z-axis movement, and drastically expands surgical area when the device for generating high intensity focused ultrasound is closely attached to the surgical area. The device for generating high intensity focused ultrasound comprises an applicator which transfers image ultrasound and a transducer for ultrasound operation to desired spots in shaft directions; and a transducer height control device which controls focal depth in order to control focal position of high intensity focused ultrasound, irradiated from the transducer for ultrasound operation, to be suitable for subcutaneous fat layer. [Reference numerals] (40) Applicator;(52) Ultrasonic procedure;(53) Adjust focal depth;(54) Adjust the position of an A-axis and a Y-axis;(55) Ultrasonic image;(56) RF high frequency generation;(57) Vacuum suction, vacuum;(58) Controller;(59) Monitor

Description

Ultrasonic focusing method and high-intensity focused ultrasonic generator for reducing subcutaneous fat layer {HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND GENERATING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE DEDUCTION OF FAT TISSUE}

The present invention emits ultrasonic waves only in the subcutaneous fat layer in a non-invasive way to generate heat by focusing the ultrasonic wave on a specific fat layer, causing a rapid temperature rise in the treatment site and reducing the target subcutaneous fat layer through this warming function. A focused ultrasound generating apparatus.

      As many people begin to care about beauty, interest in skin beauty is increasing day by day. The desire for healthy skin is not only limited to the beauty field, but also affects the growth of the medical field to protect the health of the skin from ultraviolet rays and various pollutions, which are intensified by the destruction of the ozone layer.

       Below the dermis and epidermis of the skin is a layer of adipose tissue. Cellulite is likely to occur in the subcutaneous fat layer, which is unique compared to other fat layers because the subcutaneous fat can be organized into specific chambers surrounded by strands of connected tissue. Excess fat tissue can cause obesity, cellulite, sagging skin and wrinkles.

       Subcutaneous fat, which accounts for most of the adipose tissue, is divided into a shallow fat layer and a deep fat layer. Deep fat is between the subcutaneous and fascia in the abdominal lumbar and thigh and forms a deep fat compartment. These deep fat layers tend to accumulate in local areas. The local fat accumulation produced with age becomes thinner and bulkier within the confined space due to thinning and deficiency of the fibrous septum. Therefore, there is a tendency to bulge below the waist.

      Local condensation of excess fat convexly swells the skin and undesirable skin contours can improve the appearance of the outer layer of skin by removing lipid-rich fat layers.

       As a non-invasive method of reducing the subcutaneous fat layer or fat tissue, there are various methods of applying heat to the region of the subcutaneous lipid-rich cells by various methods such as radio frequency (RF) and light rays.

      Ultrasound refers to a wave having a frequency of 20 KHz or more, and is widely used for diagnosing and treating lesions in the medical field, as well as for skin beauty.

In particular, a form in which ultrasonic waves are focused at high intensity is called high intensity focused ultrasound, and a device for generating the high intensity focused ultrasound is called a high intensity focused ultrasound generator.

A general high intensity focused ultrasound generator includes a transducer that emits ultrasound, but focuses the emitted ultrasound at a specific point (called "focus") to generate heat, causing a rapid temperature rise at the site. Let's do it. Through such a heat function, a desired medical procedure is performed without leaving side effects on various affected areas.

       As a non-invasive method for reducing the conventional subcutaneous fat layer or adipose tissue, heat has been applied to the region of the subcutaneous lipid-rich cells by various methods such as high frequency and light rays, but in terms of effectiveness, the effect has been insignificant.

It is difficult to reach the existing high frequency or light depth from the skin surface to the subcutaneous fat layer. However, other adverse effects such as excessive current and temperature rise on the skin surface have to be considered to raise the power infinitely to reach the depth.

       An object of the present invention is to induce a rapid temperature rise in the treatment area by generating heat in a specific fat layer by emitting ultrasonic waves generated by the high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device without any side effects other than the skin surface as well as the target site in a non-invasive manner. It is to provide a high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device for inducing and reducing the target subcutaneous fat layer through this heat function.

When a hemispherical piezoelectric element is used as a transducer to emit ultrasonic waves to the subcutaneous fat layer, the area generating heat in the subcutaneous fat layer is limited and affected by the heating function, even if the transducer size is applied. In order to widen the problem, the transducer needs to be increased in size and output power increased.

         According to one idea of the present invention for solving the above technical problem,

An applicator having a socket shape having an empty space therein; And

Transducer for generating ultrasonic waves in the empty space inside the probe, the transducer vertical height adjustment device for adjusting the depth of focus of the high-intensity focused ultrasound emitted from the transducer: And

Attach the transducer to a device that transfers it to the desired point in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and if it comes into contact with the skin surface of the area to be treated, it adjusts the focal point of the high-intensity focused ultrasound in the X- and Y-axis directions according to the subcutaneous fat layer. Ultrasonic irradiation while moving the transducer to obtain the thermal effect of the temperature rise in a wide area.

In addition, when RF frequency voltage is applied between two electrodes, RF current flows to generate heat. In general, the conductivity of the epidermis is about 0.4 s / m, whereas the conductivity of adipose tissue is about 0.04 s / m. Since most of the epidermal layer flows, the fat layer in the deep position has less effect of fat reduction by RF. Complementary to this, there is a need to adsorb the target site by vacuum pressure so that adipose tissue is present between the RF electrodes.

According to the present invention, by inducing non-invasive method, the skin surface as well as the target site without any side effects, by causing the ultrasonic wave to focus on specific target fat layer to generate heat, causing a rapid temperature rise in the treatment site and additionally RF In parallel with the high temperature rise, the target subcutaneous fat layer is decomposed and the decomposed fat tissue is discharged out of the body by the lymphatic system. Removal of adipose tissue from the subcutaneous tissue layer improves weight loss, cellulite reduction, sagging skin improvement, deep wrinkle reduction and body contouring.

1 is a view illustrating a state in which ultrasonic waves radiated from a transducer of a conventional high intensity focused ultrasound generator are focused.
Figure 2 is a view showing the focal area and the focal area in the hemispherical piezoelectric transducer having an inner curved portion consisting of an aspherical surface in accordance with the present invention (a) in the horizontal direction, and (b) shows the appearance of the focus in the vertical direction (C) is a diagram showing a state in which the radius of focus is made concentrically from the center of the hemispherical piezoelectric element.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a curved panel shaped transducer having a curved structure to form a focus linearly according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 (a) is a cross-sectional configuration showing a state of operation with the handpiece (applicator) according to the present invention, (b) is a view in which the vacuum suction and RF high frequency function is added.
5 is a configuration example of a block diagram according to the present invention.
6 is a view showing an embodiment of the ultrasonic focusing depth adjusting apparatus according to the present invention.
7 shows an embodiment of an apparatus for conveying the focal point of a transducer according to the invention.
8 is a view showing an embodiment of the device for the depth adjustment and the swing in the axial direction of the transducer according to the present invention.
Figure 9 (a) is an illustration of an apparatus for swinging in the axial direction with a curved panel-shaped transducer according to the present invention, (b) is to irradiate high-intensity focused ultrasound to a certain area during the procedure using this device To show the effect of obtaining a thermal effect.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments disclosed below but may be embodied in various different forms.

       The embodiments to be described herein are provided so that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and that those skilled in the art will fully understand the scope of the present invention.

       In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

       First, the characteristics of the ultrasound procedure that can be used in the medical field or the cosmetic field will be briefly described.

      First, ultrasonic waves have transmission and reflection properties. According to this property, the ultrasound irradiated to a specific part of the human body is used as a means of visualizing the time and intensity reflected while passing through the corresponding organ to obtain the cross-sectional image.

     Second, the ultrasonic wave has a mechanical function of exerting an ultrasonic vibration on a surgical knife and the like, thereby exerting an effect such as cutting.

      Third, the sound pressure of the ultrasonic wave generates fine bubbles in the fluid as it passes through the fluid. In this case, the generated bubbles are implemented in the form of shockwaves having a high pressure as they expand and rupture. This action involves a strong shear force.

      Fourth, ultrasonic waves are converted into thermal energy while being absorbed by the tissue. Ultrasound with sufficient energy can cause a rapid temperature rise in the tissue, which is called the thermal effect of ultrasound.

The high intensity focused ultrasound generation device in the present invention corresponds to a medical device using the thermal effect of such an ultrasound. Among them, high intensity focused ultrasound is a form in which an ultrasonic wave generated by an ultrasonic transducer is focused at a constant focusing point (ie, focus) to enhance intensity. The high-intensity focused ultrasound irradiated into the tissue treats various cancers by the thermal method using the thermal effect generated at the focus, and does not leave a wound or side effects on the human body. In particular, there is an advantage that does not involve pain.

      Referring to the configuration of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the applicator 40 is in close contact with the surgical site, the image ultrasound 55 and the transducers 42 and 43 connected to the ultrasound procedure in the X-axis, Y-axis directions, etc. The device 54 for transporting to the desired point by using a transducer, and the transducer's upper and lower height (Z axis) to adjust the depth of focus to adjust the focus position of the high-intensity focused ultrasound emitted from the ultrasound surgical transducer to fit the subcutaneous fat layer. Adjusting device 53, vacuum suction device 57 to suck the treatment site, high frequency generator 56 to apply RF high frequency, the adjustable controller 58 and the user interface adjustment Monitor (59) )

       1 is a view showing the focused ultrasound emitted from the hemispherical transducer of the conventional high intensity focused ultrasound generator, the inner surface of the ultrasonic transducer 11 is composed of a single radius (d) to focus at the point F Is formed and point F rises. The size of the formed focal point is approximately 1.0Φ or less. The intensity P of the ultrasonic energy radiated from the transducer increases as it approaches the F point.

      Referring to the aspherical surface of the transducer of the high-intensity focused ultrasound generator in detail, Figure 2 (a) is a portion of the ultrasonic transducer 21, the ultrasonic wave emitted from the part 21a is separated by the distance d, that is, F1 point At which the focal point is formed and emitted from another part 21b is separated by a distance d ', that is, the focal point is formed at the point F2 and emitted from another part 21c is separated by a distance of d' ', i.e., F3. Focus is formed on the point. When the interior is formed in a multifocal point, the temperature heated at the individual focal point is slightly lowered, but the effect of heating a large area 22 is obtained. 2 (b) shows another example in which a focal area is formed by widening a focal point formed in a vertical direction, and FIG. 2 (c) shows an aspherical surface having concentric circles such as R1, R2, and R3 in a hemispherical transducer. Shown,

The focal area where the focus is formed and the thermal effect occurs is generally about 5 to 30 mm, more preferably 10 to 20 mm, at a depth corresponding to the subcutaneous fat layer. In addition, the size of the focal area is 2 ~ 30Φ more preferably 5 ~ 10Φ range.

       FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a concave plate-shaped ultrasonic transducer in which a focal area portion in which an ultrasonic wave is focused and a sudden temperature rise is linear.

The applicator provided with this curved plate-shaped transducer is a linear focal in which ultrasonic waves are focused by the transducer when the drive device 60 having a swing function moves in one axial direction as shown in FIG. The area 92 is swinged by the length corresponding to d, and sequentially from the skin region X of Fig. 9 (b) (X-axis length: a, Y-axis length: b) from X-1 → X-2 → The focal area is examined from X-3 → ... → Xn. At this time, the size of the treatment region is in the range of 10 to 80 mm, more preferably in the range of 30 to 60 mm in the X and Y axes.

       Figure 4 is an embodiment of the applicator according to the present invention in the socket-shaped applicator 40 having an empty space therein the inner space of the applicator is provided with a transducer for generating ultrasound during the procedure for fat reduction, The drive unit 60 for moving the transducer is incorporated.

       The moving distance of the driving device 60 for moving the transducer provided inside the socket-shaped applicator 40 is in the range of 5 to 50 mm and more preferably in the range of 10 to 40 mm.

       In more detail, the ultrasonic transducers 42 and 43 attached to one side of the Z-axis of the three-axis robot transfer device 60 as shown in FIG. 7 may be used to reduce the focal position of the irradiated high-intensity focused ultrasound to the subcutaneous fat layer. Transducer vertical height (Z-axis) adjuster (73) to adjust the depth of focus to fit: and

In the structure 71, 72 for transferring the transducer to the desired point in the X-axis, Y-axis direction

When the high-intensity focused ultrasound is radiated to the subcutaneous fat layer while the applicator (handpiece) is in close contact with the skin surface of the area to be treated, the transducer moves in the X- and Y-axis directions while irradiating the ultrasound to a wide range. The thermal effect of temperature rise at the site is to be obtained.

       During the ultrasound procedure, the ultrasound is performed with the transducer 42 while checking the image of the treatment site with the ultrasound image 43 to focus on the point F of FIG. 4 corresponding to the focal area area in FIG. And this warming effect is realizing the purpose of fat reduction.

      Figure 4 (b) is to suck the target site with a vacuum pump during the procedure, and ultrasound imaging with the transducer 42 while checking the image of the surgical site with the image ultrasound 43 to focus the high intensity focused ultrasound at the point F . At this time, the internal curved surface of the transducer is used as an aspherical surface to realize the purpose of fat reduction by the thermal effect in the focal area area as shown in FIG. You can also apply a method to reduce the effective subcutaneous fat layer. In parallel with the ultrasound can be irradiated with the RF high-frequency, it can also reduce the fat by operating separately only by ultrasonic or RF.

      In another embodiment as a method of adjusting the depth of focus

One side of the shaft 65 is geared as shown in gear 4 65 of FIG. 6, and the driving device is gears 3 (64), 2 (63) and 1 (62) which mesh with the gear 4 (65). Connected to 61, the rotational movement is shifted from the gear 4 to the vertical movement through the gears 1 62, 2 63 and 3 64 by the rotation of the drive device.

The gear 3 64 has a larger number of teeth than the gear 2 63 and is fixed to one body to reduce the rotation speed of the drive device 61 and to reduce the speed of the gear 3 64. Rotational movement This allows the gear 4 of the shaft with this transducer to be adjusted precisely with reduced vertical motion.

The other side of the shaft 65 is provided with an integrated or separate image ultrasonic wave 23 and the ultrasonic surgical transducer 42 is moved up and down by the rotation of the focusing device 60 for adjusting the depth of focus and subcutaneous fat ( 50) to adjust the depth of the focal area for dissolution / decomposition.

The vertical depth variable range by rotation of the focal depth adjustment feeder 60 is in the range of 5 to 30 mm, more preferably in the range of 10 to 20 mm.

      The image ultrasound 43 and the ultrasound surgical transducer 42 are housed inside the cartridge 41 and the ultrasound loss such as water so that the ultrasound emitted from the image ultrasound 23 and the ultrasound surgical transducer 42 is not lost. A low modulus medium 44 is embedded and the radiating portion consists of a window 45.

The foregoing embodiments are to be understood in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the following claims rather than the foregoing description, and the meaning and scope of the claims and All changes or modifications derived from the equivalent concept should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

11: Ultrasonic Transducer with Single Radius (R)
21: Ultrasonic Transducer with Compound Radius (R) or Aspherical Inner Diameter
22: Focal Area with expected heat effect
31: Internal surface of the ultrasonic transducer in the shape of a curved pannel
40: Applicator according to the present invention
41: cartridge 42: ultrasound transducer
43: Ultrasound 44: Medium with low ultrasonic loss
45: Windows
46: Slide Bush or Oilless Metal Bearings
47a, 47b: RF high frequency electrode
48: epidermis 49: dermis
50: subcutaneous fat 52: ultrasonic generator (for surgery)
53: Focus depth control 54: X, Y axis coordinate transfer control
55: ultrasound (image) generator 56: RF high frequency generator
57: vacuum suction Vacuum 58: controller
59: Monitor 60: Feeding device for focus depth / position
61: drive 62: gear 1
63: gear 2 64: gear 3
65: shaft in which the transducer is fixed on one side and the gear 4 for up and down feed is processed on the other side
71: X axis travel 72: Y axis travel
73: Feed in Z direction (focal depth)
81: Holder for fixing slide bushes or oilless metal bearings
91: ultrasonic transducer in the shape of a curved pannel
92: Focal Area with Ultrasonic Focusing
93: Focal Area formed in the subcutaneous fat layer of the skin during the procedure in close contact with the applicator

Claims (9)

A method of reducing fat with a thermal effect that causes rapid temperature rise in subcutaneous adipose tissue using high intensity focused ultrasound; In this case,
Aspheric method for the inner surface of the transducer so that the focal area of the hemispherical focused ultrasound transducer can be increased to 5 ~ 10 Φ wider to obtain a thermal effect.
It is equipped with a driving device and a plurality of gears inside the applicator to reduce the rapid rotational speed of the motor, which is the driving device, and to convert the rotational motion of the motor to the vertical motion. Focused ultrasonic generator that can be controlled within.
The applicator of the high intensity focused ultrasound generator moves inside the X, Y and Z axes:
Cartridges fixed on one side of this drive:
Is provided, the cartridge is built in a hemispherical transducer for generating an ultrasonic wave, the transducer can be moved in the range of 10 ~ 80mm range in the X-axis, Y-axis, respectively, the Z-axis the focus generating portion of the transducer Focused ultrasound generator to control the depth within the 5 ~ 30mm depth range.
The method of claim 3, wherein
Image ultrasound and high-intensity focused ultrasound transducers are provided in one piece or separately.
An ultrasound focusing apparatus for reducing adipose tissue, which is provided to perform a high-intensity focused ultrasound after confirming a treatment site, that is, an inhaled target site with an ultrasound image or by viewing an image.
The method of claim 3, wherein
The feeding distance in the X-axis and Y-axis directions is more preferably in the range of 30-60 mm in each of the X-axis and the Y-axis.
The method of claim 3, wherein
The focal area depth from the focal generating portion of the transducer, ie the epidermis, is more preferably in the range of 30 to 60 mm.
An applicator (probe) having a socket shape having an empty space therein; And
A vacuum suction unit for adsorbing a target site in a vacuum pressure inside the applicator; To
≪ / RTI &
The part where the applicator is in close contact with the skin is provided with two or more RF high frequency electrodes, and a high-intensity focused ultrasound generator for fat reduction with added thermal effect by RF high frequency.
An applicator having a socket shape having an empty space therein; And
A curved plate-shaped transducer installed in the empty space: And
Drive device for vertical depth adjustment and swing function of the concave plate-shaped transducer:
Focused ultrasound generator having a.
The method of claim 8,
The linear focal area irradiated by the transducer and focused on the ultrasound is swinged by the length corresponding to d, and the focal area is irradiated to the skin treatment area. At this time, the size of the treatment region is in the range of 10 to 80 mm, more preferably in the range of 30 to 60 mm in the X and Y axes.

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