KR20180014930A - Medical apparatus using ultrasound and radiofrequency wave - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medical device using ultrasonic waves and high frequency waves. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the medical device using the ultrasonic waves and the high frequency waves comprises an ultrasonic wave generating unit, a high frequency wave generating unit, and a main controller. The ultrasonic wave generating unit converts vibration current into the ultrasonic waves. The high frequency wave generating unit outputs the high frequency waves to a diseased part. The main controller controls output of the ultrasonic wave generating unit and the high frequency wave generating unit. The ultrasonic wave generating unit and the high frequency wave generating unit output the ultrasonic waves and the high frequency waves to the same diseased part. Since a transducer for irradiating high-intensity focused ultrasonic waves, and a pair of electrode for generating the high frequency waves are operated as one module for increasing the temperature of a focus which is a treatment part, the transducer increases the temperature of the focus, which is the treatment part, to the temperature for treatment with the high frequency waves without irradiation of the ultrasonic waves having high energy.

Description

[0001] MEDICAL APPARATUS USING ULTRASOUND AND RADIOFREQUENCY WAVE [0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medical apparatus using ultrasonic waves and high frequencies, and more particularly, to a medical apparatus that performs treatment by using an electromagnetic RF and a high-intensity focusing type ultrasonic wave sequentially or simultaneously.

Ultrasonic wave is a wave having a frequency of 20 KHz or more and has a property of transmitting water, and is widely used in medical fields such as an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus.

Ultrasonic imaging devices using the transmission and reflection properties of ultrasound are the most typical applications of ultrasound in the medical field. For example, there is an apparatus for obtaining a cross-sectional image in a human body by visualizing the time and intensity of reflection while transmitting the ultrasonic waves through the human body and passing through each organ.

In addition, a device for burning certain subcutaneous tissues such as tumors in the skin using heat generated by high-intensity focused ultrasound, or inducing denaturation and regeneration of skin tissue to cause skin cosmetic or skin molding effects such as wrinkle improvement have.

Conventionally, a high frequency energy of a specific intensity has to be provided for a specific time or more in order to provide the treatment point at a specific temperature or higher in a high frequency treatment. At this time, high frequency energy should be provided in areas other than the desired treatment point, which may result in inconvenience that the patient feels during treatment. In addition, there has also been a problem of providing the body with a higher energy than the energy to be provided at the treatment point.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a medical device that increases the temperature of a desired treatment point by using a high-intensity focused type ultrasound to focus high-frequency energy to a treatment point to enhance a high-frequency treatment effect.

It is also intended to provide a medical device that performs a desired therapeutic range or therapeutic purpose by adjusting the temperature of the treatment point, the size of the treatment point, and the time interval during which high-intensity focused ultrasound waves and high frequencies are applied to the treatment point.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems which are not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

A medical device using high frequency and ultrasonic waves according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an ultrasonic wave generator for converting a vibration current into an ultrasonic wave; A high frequency generator for outputting high frequency waves to the affected part; And a main controller for controlling outputs of the ultrasonic wave generator and the high frequency wave generator, wherein the ultrasonic wave generator and the high frequency wave generator generate ultrasonic waves and high frequency waves in the same affected area.

In addition, after the ultrasonic wave is supplied to the affected part by the ultrasonic wave generating part, high frequency of the high frequency generating part is performed.

The main controller may further include a temperature measuring unit for measuring the temperature of the surface of the affected part, wherein the main controller determines whether the high frequency generator outputs high frequency based on the measured value of the temperature measuring unit.

According to the present invention, a transducer for irradiating a high-intensity focused ultrasonic wave and a pair of electrodes for generating a high-frequency wave act as one module for increasing the temperature of a focal point of a treatment region. It is possible to raise the temperature of the focal point of the treatment region by the temperature for the treatment by the high frequency.

Since the transducer does not irradiate high-energy ultrasonic waves, the service life of the treatment section where the transducer is installed is prolonged, which is economical.

1 is a block diagram of a medical device using ultrasonic waves according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention, and the manner of achieving them, will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. To fully disclose the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein may be used in a sense commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Also, commonly used predefined terms are not ideally or excessively interpreted unless explicitly defined otherwise.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of illustrating embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. In the present specification, the singular form includes plural forms unless otherwise specified in the specification. The terms " comprises "and / or" comprising "used in the specification do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements in addition to the stated element.

1 is a block diagram of a medical device 1 according to various embodiments of the present invention.

The medical device 1 according to various embodiments of the present invention can be roughly composed of a main body 10 and a treatment portion 20 and the main body portion 10 and the treatment portion 20 can be connected. For example, the treatment section 20 may be connected to the main body section 10 of the medical device 1 using ultrasonic waves through a cable.

The main body 10 can transmit a control signal to the cartridge 250 through the handpiece 210 of the treatment unit 20. [

The main body 10 includes a main controller 110 for controlling the entire system, a memory 120, a high frequency oscillator 130, an input / output interface 140, a display 150, and an imaging circuit 160 . In some embodiments, the ultrasound-based medical device 1 may omit at least one of the components, or may additionally include other components.

The main controller 110 may include one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), or a communication processor (CP). The main controller 110 may perform calculations and data processing relating to the control and / or communication of at least one other component of the medical device 1 using, for example, ultrasound. That is, the main controller 110 may generate a command for controlling the ultrasound generating unit, the high frequency generating unit, the skin measuring unit, and the like of the treatment unit 20 to be described later and provide the generated command to the handpiece 210 . Hereinafter, the main controller 110 may be represented by the controller 110. [

Memory 120 may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory. The memory 120 may store instructions or data related to at least one other component of the medical device 1 using, for example, ultrasound. According to one embodiment, the memory 120 may store software and / or programs. In addition, the memory 120 may store data on the motion pattern of the transducer 221, the intensity of the frequency, and the like. In this way, the memory 120 can store the travel path, speed of movement, signal strength, etc. of the transducer 221 in the cartridge housing in a programmed specific treatment mode.

The high-frequency oscillator 130 may include a half-coupled oscillator, a negative resistance oscillator, and a crystal oscillator. The high frequency oscillator 130 emits a continuous oscillating current into the cartridge 250 of the medical device 1 using ultrasonic waves so that the transducer 221 inside the cartridge 250 changes into ultrasonic waves of the same frequency .

The input / output interface 140 may serve as an interface by which commands or data input from, for example, a user or another external device can be transmitted to another component (s) of the medical device 1 using ultrasonic waves.

In one embodiment, the input / output interface 140 may include a wireless communication unit 141. The wireless communication unit 141 may receive data from an external device and transmit the data to the control unit 110. For example, the wireless communication unit 141 may receive the measured value or the skin condition information from the skin condition measuring device corresponding to the external device. The medical device 1 may receive the skin condition information for the patient and determine the appropriate treatment mode (or treatment program) for the user.

In another embodiment, the input / output interface 140 may include a button portion or a touch screen. Through the button portion or the touch screen, the user can select the treatment mode of the medical device 1. [ For convenience of the user, the button unit may be provided in a handpiece, which will be described later, so that an input value can be transmitted to the medical device 1 via a cable.

Display 150 may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a lightemitting diode (LED) display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) have. The display 150 may include a touch screen, for example, an electronic pen or a touch input using a portion of the user's body.

Further, it may further include a power supply unit. The high frequency generating section of the treatment section 20 can perform a function of supplying power so as to output a high frequency.

In addition, the main body 10 may further include an imaging circuit 160. The imaging circuit 150 can image the skin structure information output by the main controller 110 using the skin structure information. That is, the imaging circuit 160 receives the analysis result from the main controller 110 and converts it into an image when the main controller 110 analyzes the time and intensity of the reflected ultrasonic wave received by the transducer 221 Can be performed. The imaging circuit 150 may be omitted when the structure information of the skin tissue is not outputted as an image as a necessary component only when the structure information of the skin tissue is outputted as an image.

The treatment unit 20 may include a handpiece 210, an ultrasound generating unit 220, a high frequency generating unit 230, a skin measuring unit 240, and the like. The ultrasonic wave generator 220 may be provided inside the cartridge 250. When the high frequency generator 230 or the skin measurement unit 240 is used simultaneously or sequentially with the ultrasonic wave generator 220, May be provided on the surface. The handpiece 210 connects the main body 10 with the ultrasonic wave generator 220, the high frequency generator 230, and the skin measurement unit 240.

The ultrasonic wave generator 220 generates ultrasonic waves for treatment and provides ultrasonic waves to the affected area. The ultrasonic wave generator 220 may be disposed inside the cartridge 250 and may include a transducer 221. The cartridge 250 may include a housing and a transducer 221.

The transducer 221 can receive a high-frequency pulse from the main body 10 and convert it into an ultrasonic wave (for example, a high-intensity focused ultrasonic wave). The transducer 221 may be removable and attachable to the handpiece 210.

The transducer 221 can be formed and arranged such that ultrasonic waves are radiated toward one focal point. The cross-sectional structure of the transducer 221 has a concave shape (for example, hemispherical shape), so that the ultrasonic waves generated in the ultrasonic transducer 221 are converged to the concave center point of the transducer 221 . Thus, at the concave center point of the transducer 221, the focal point of ultrasonic waves can be formed. It is also arranged so as to have an output surface aligned with the acoustic window.

The transducer 221 can be formed so that the depth of the focal point is different at the position on the same Z axis according to the curvature. In addition, the transducer 221 can adjust the intensity of energy applied per unit area of the skin surface at the same energy transfer to the focal point depending on the size of the piezo.

The transducer 221 in the cartridge 250 can be controlled by connecting the main body 10 and the cartridge 250 through the handpiece 210. [

A transducer 221 may be installed inside the housing. Further, the inner space of the housing can be an empty space and can be filled with acoustic liquid. The acoustic liquid acts as a medium for transferring the ultrasonic waves generated from the transducer 221 into the skin tissue of the subject to be treated and at the same time can cool the heat generated in the transducer 221. The acoustic liquid is preferably deaerated water.

In order to prevent the loss of the acoustic liquid in the cartridge 250 when the acoustic liquid is filled in the housing, the cartridge 250 may be formed so that the inside and the outside are completely closed.

Further, when the acoustic liquid is filled in the housing, the housing may be formed with an inlet hole and an outlet hole so as to allow the acoustic liquid to pass therethrough. The inlet hole and the outlet hole are connected to an acoustic liquid supply pump so that the acoustic liquid can flow between the internal space and the liquid supply. By circulating the liquid filling the inside of the housing, it is possible to lower the temperature of the portion contacting the skin (i.e., to provide a cooling effect).

The cartridge 250 may further include a sound wave transmitting portion formed on one side of the housing (i.e., the cartridge) to contact the skin side of the patient and transmit ultrasonic waves generated in the transducer 221 to the patient. The sound wave transmitting portion may be a transparent window such as a film or the like which is sealed to the lower portion of the cartridge housing.

Cartridge 250 may further include an image probe. The image probe may be an ultrasound transducer for imaging to obtain structural information of the tissue of the subject to be treated. When an image probe is installed, the skin tissue at the focus region to be irradiated with ultrasound can be imaged to observe the thermal coagulation state of the skin tissue region.

The image probe is designed to sense and accept weak signals from the ultrasound reflected from the body. The image probe is disposed vertically above the focal point of the therapeutic ultrasound transducer 221 and has a structure capable of effectively converging the irradiated ultrasonic waves without any ambient interference.

In the case of further including an image probe, the transducer 221 (i.e., therapeutic ultrasound transducer) may take various forms. In one embodiment, the therapeutic ultrasound transducer 221 may be provided in the image probe at a vertically above the focal point with a concave shape (e.g., hemispherical shape). Accordingly, since the image probe is disposed in the central region of the therapeutic ultrasound transducer 221, ultrasonic waves can not be provided, and ultrasonic waves can be generated and supplied from the piezo of the transducer 221 disposed at the center of the image probe .

In addition, the therapeutic ultrasound transducer 221 may be implemented in a plane without a hemispherical shape due to the image probe. At this time, in order to focus the ultrasonic waves, an acoustic lens may be provided below the therapeutic ultrasonic transducer 221 so that a high-intensity focused ultrasonic wave can form a focal point. On the other hand, an acoustic lens may not be installed because it does not require a focal point under the image probe.

The high-frequency generating unit 230 transmits high-frequency energy to the affected part as it contacts or comes into contact with the epidermis of the affected part, thereby generating a deep heat. The high frequency generating unit 230 may include a high frequency oscillating unit 231, a high frequency output unit 232, and an electrode unit 233. The high-frequency oscillating unit 231 may output a high-frequency signal in response to a pulse oscillation signal output from the controller 110. [ Thereafter, the high frequency output unit 232 receives the output of the high frequency oscillation unit 121 and receives the control signal of the control unit 110 to perform a high-frequency low-current type high-frequency output. The electrode unit 233 can transmit the high frequency energy generated by the high frequency output unit 232 to the surface of the affected part. Here, the high frequency waveform may be configured to have various waveforms such as a square wave, a triangle wave, a sine wave, and a step wave.

The skin measurement unit 240 may sense information related to the skin. That is, the control unit 110 may apply an appropriate mode based on the information sensed and calculated by the skin measurement unit 240. The control unit 110 can control the skin measurement unit to sense information related to the skin contacted with any skin. The skin measurement unit emits light to the skin that is contacted and can sense information related to the skin that has been contacted based on light reflected from the skin that has been contacted.

The information related to a specific skin area includes at least one of a surface reflectance of the skin area, a skin thickness of the skin area, a light attenuation rate at the skin of the skin area, a light attenuation rate at the skin of the skin, And the average light attenuation rate of the light.

The control unit 110 may determine a treatment mode based on information related to a specific skin area acquired by the skin measurement unit. Since the skin measurement unit is provided on the handpiece 210 in the same manner as the cartridge 250 performing the treatment, the user can easily perform the treatment after measuring the skin condition of the patient through the skin measurement unit.

The high frequency generating portion 230 and the ultrasonic wave generating portion 220 may be formed in one configuration (for example, the cartridge 250). For example, the electrode 233 of the high frequency generator 230 and the therapeutic transducer 221 of the ultrasonic generator 220 may be disposed together and simultaneously or sequentially output to the same treatment point. As a result, the effect of the high-frequency treatment can be enhanced by the generation of the ultrasonic waves. The high intensity focused ultrasonic waves are first irradiated using the characteristic that the impedance is lowered due to the high frequency characteristic and the impedance is lowered when the temperature is high. Then, the temperature of the treated part of the affected part is increased, To maximize the therapeutic effect. That is, it uses the principle that the high-frequency temperature is transmitted to the higher side and is intended to further improve the treatment efficiency.

For example, when the fat in the subcutaneous fat layer is decomposed using the medical device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature of the treated region should be raised to about 50 degrees Celsius. Type ultrasound elevates the temperature of the treated region by 39 to 40 degrees Celsius and the temperature of the focal point of the treatment region is increased by about 10 degrees Celsius as the high frequency energy is converted into heat energy by the high frequency generated from the high frequency electrode do.

In one embodiment, the electrode of the high frequency output section may be disposed in the central portion of the transducer. For example, a high-frequency electrode 233 may be disposed at the center of the ring-shaped portion to be in contact with or spaced from the surface of the ring-shaped portion, and one or more transducers 221 may be disposed around the electrode of the high-frequency output portion. In the case of a hemispherical piezo, the high-frequency electrode 233 may be arranged vertically above the focusing point of the therapeutic ultrasonic transducer 221, and ultrasonic waves may not be generated in the region where the high-frequency electrode is disposed. Further, for example, a plurality of piezos having the same focusing point around the high-frequency electrode 233 can be arranged.

In another embodiment, the therapeutic ultrasound transducer 221 may be disposed at the center, and the high-frequency electrode 233 may be disposed around the transducer 221. For example, a pair of electrodes 233 disposed below the transducer 221 and generating high-frequency waves may be disposed. As described later, if the temperature of the specific region is increased by the ultrasonic waves provided by the piezo of the therapeutic ultrasonic transducer 221, the high frequency region provided to the lesion portion is concentrated as the impedance is low, The ultrasonic transducer 221 is arranged at the center and the high-frequency electrode 233 is disposed at the periphery, the same effects as those of the other embodiments can be provided.

In another embodiment, the therapeutic ultrasound transducer 221 and the high-frequency output section 233 may be continuously arranged with a specific distance therebetween. For example, as will be described later, when at least one electrode 233 of the transducer 221 and the high frequency generating unit 230 moves within the cartridge by the driving unit of the handpiece, the therapeutic ultrasound transducer 221, And the high frequency electrode 233 moves along the path. Accordingly, as the transducer 221 passes, a high-intensity focused ultrasonic wave is provided, and as the high-frequency electrode 233 passes the point where the temperature rises, a high frequency can be provided to further increase the temperature.

However, the structure in which the ultrasonic wave generator 220 and the high frequency generator 230 are disposed together is not limited to this, and various structures that can be simultaneously or sequentially provided to the same affected area can be applied. In addition, the arrangement of the therapeutic ultrasonic transducer 221 and the arrangement of the high frequency output section 232 / the high frequency electrode 233 can be adjusted / changed.

The distal end portion of the handpiece 210 or the cartridge 250 connected to the handpiece 210 may be connected to the distal end of the handpiece 210 and the distal end of the handpiece 210, A second step of detecting ultrasonic vibration of the affected part after ultrasonic vibration through contact with the skin of the affected part, a second step of detecting whether the internal temperature of the affected part is higher than a set temperature by detecting the surface temperature of the affected part, And a third step of continuously applying the ultrasonic wave output if the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature and applying a high frequency current by the high frequency generating unit 230 for a predetermined time when the temperature inside the affected part is higher than the set temperature.

When the therapeutic ultrasound transducer 221 and the high-frequency electrode 233 are provided together in the cartridge 250, movement may be individually controlled by the driving unit 211 described later. For example, the therapeutic ultrasound transducer and the high-frequency electrode may move separately in the Z-axis direction.

The treatment unit 20 (or the cartridge) further includes a temperature measurement unit for measuring the surface temperature of the affected part to provide ultrasonic waves to the affected area through the ultrasonic wave generator 230 and then provide a high frequency at a specific temperature . That is, by measuring the temperature of the surface of the affected part by indirectly detecting the internal temperature of the affected part through the temperature of the surface of the affected part, the radio frequency electric energy can be secondly irradiated when the internal temperature of the affected part reaches the proper temperature range have.

The handpiece 210 may include a driving unit 211. The driving unit 211 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include one or more motors. Each motor can be configured in various ways using a solenoid, a step motor, and a linear motor. According to some embodiments, one or more motors may be omitted and other components may be used to provide similar motor power to the motor.

The transducer 221, which will be described later, may be configured to be physically connected to one or more motors of the driving unit 211. Also, one or more motors of the drive may be moved in physical connection with the cartridge 250 itself.

In one embodiment, when the drive includes one motor, the transducer can be moved in a linear fashion. Further, the driving unit can realize various movements of the transducer through the control of the rotation of the motor and the rotation speed. For example, the medical device 1 using ultrasonic waves can realize a moving mode in which the transducer moves linearly through rotation at a constant speed of the motor in the driving unit. Further, for example, the medical device 1 using ultrasonic waves can implement a mode of moving ultrasonic waves at specific distances and stopping the ultrasonic waves for a specific time period to provide ultrasound waves at specific positions.

In another embodiment, when the driving unit includes two motors, it may include an X-axis moving motor and a Y-axis moving motor. For example, the driving unit 211 has a first track (i.e., an X-axis moving track) and a second track (i.e., a Y-axis moving track) The transducer can be moved in the X-axis and Y-axis directions by driving a motor (i.e., a Y-axis moving motor).

The pair of first tracks each have a bar shape of a predetermined length and can be arranged in parallel with the area of the hand piece 210 where the cartridge 250 is detachable. The second track has a bar shape of a predetermined length, is disposed at right angles to the first track, and can be movably connected on the pair of first tracks. Therefore, the transducer is movable on the second track, and the transducer is moved in the Y-axis direction by moving the bar corresponding to the second track on the first track, and the transducer is moved on the X- And can be moved in the axial direction. Accordingly, the driving unit 211 can realize the motion of the transducer 221 on the two-dimensional plane.

In another embodiment, when the driving unit includes three motors, it may include an X-axis moving motor, a Y-axis moving motor, and a Z-axis moving motor. The motors mounted on the respective shafts can provide power for performing linear reciprocating motion within a certain range of the transducers 221. [ For example, the Z-axis motor adjusts the vertical height of the transducer 221 so that the depth of the focal point of the transducer 221 can be adjusted, and the X-axis motor and the Y- The movement of the ducer 221 can be controlled. For example, the first track may further include a third track disposed parallel to the first track so as to allow the first track to move up and down, and the third motor (i.e., the Z-axis moving motor) The track and the second track can be moved in parallel. Each motor can be configured to control the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis movement of the transducer 221.

In addition, the handpiece 210 may include a handpiece controller 212. The handpiece controller 212 receives a signal from the main controller 110 and can control the driving unit 211 of the handpiece 120 and can serve as a hub for signals between the main body 110 and the connecting unit .

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, You will understand. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive.

1: Medical device
10: main body part 20:
110: main controller 120: memory
130: high frequency oscillator 140: input / output interface
150: display 160: imaging circuit
210: handpiece 211:
212: Handpiece controller
220: Ultrasonic wave generator 221: Transducer
230: a high frequency generator 231: a high frequency oscillator
232: high-frequency output unit 232: high-frequency electrode
240: Skin measurement part

Claims (3)

In a medical device using ultrasonic waves,
An ultrasonic wave generator for converting a vibration current into an ultrasonic wave;
A high frequency generator for outputting high frequency waves to the affected part; And
And a main controller for controlling outputs of the ultrasonic wave generator and the high frequency generator,
The ultrasonic wave generator and the high-
And outputs ultrasonic waves and high-frequency waves to the same affected area. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the high frequency generation of the high frequency generating portion is performed after the ultrasonic wave generating portion is provided with the ultrasonic wave for the affected portion. 3. The method of claim 2,
And a temperature measuring unit for measuring the temperature of the surface of the affected part,
The main controller includes:
Wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the high frequency generator outputs high frequency based on the measured value of the temperature measuring unit.

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