KR20230080008A - Body cavity insertion type focused ultrasound apparatus with articulation structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a body cavity insertion type ultrasound device comprising: a handpiece; a support; an ultrasonic transducer module; and an angle adjusting unit. The support is extended from the handpiece. The ultrasonic transducer module is configured to generate focused ultrasonic waves, and is rotatably fastened to a distal end of the support to change an alignment angle for the support. The angle adjusting unit adjusts a rotating angle of the ultrasonic transducer module for the support. The angle adjusting unit is configured to selectively implement a releasing state of approving a change of an angle of the ultrasonic transducer module for the support, and a locking state of blocking the change of the angle of the ultrasonic transducer module for the support. The present invention can improve convenience and efficiency of ultrasonic procedures.

Description

Body cavity insertion type focused ultrasound apparatus with articulation structure}

The present invention relates to a body cavity implantable focused ultrasound device that is inserted into body cavities such as the nasal cavity, oral cavity, pharynx, vagina, and abdominal cavity of the human body to generate focused ultrasound waves.

Focused ultrasound is used for various treatments or procedures, and recently, a focused ultrasound device that can be inserted into a body cavity such as a nasal cavity or an oral cavity has been developed. Such an implantable focused ultrasound device requires a special structure due to factors such as structural limitations of the human body and convenience during operation. In particular, the focused ultrasound device, which is inserted into the oral cavity and used for tissue reduction such as the tonsil, soft palate, and tongue root, changes the position of the ultrasound device when inserted into the body cavity depending on the location and structure of the treatment site, It is necessary to adjust or change the direction of ultrasound irradiation for close contact. To this end, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2172802 discloses a body cavity implantable ultrasound device configured to change the position of an ultrasound transducer module inserted into a body cavity through a joint structure. However, it is necessary to maintain the adjusted angle during ultrasound treatment in a state where the angle of the ultrasound transducer module is changed through the joint structure.

US Patent Publication No. US2009/0264759 (2009.10.22.) Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-2039594 (2019.11.01.) Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-2011399 (2019.08.16.) Japanese Published Patent Publication No. 2019-504655 (2019.02.21.)

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a body cavity implantable focused ultrasound device configured to adjust an angle through a joint structure so as to change an irradiation direction of focused ultrasound and furthermore, configured to maintain a fixed angle.

An implantable ultrasound device according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to generate a handpiece, a supporter extending from the handpiece, and a focused ultrasound, and rotates at a distal end of the supporter so that an alignment angle with respect to the supporter can be changed. An ultrasonic transducer module capable of being fastened, and an angle adjusting unit configured to adjust a rotational angle of the ultrasonic transducer module with respect to the support. The angle adjuster is configured to selectively implement a release state in which a change in angle of the ultrasonic transducer module with respect to the support is allowed and a locked state in which a change in angle of the ultrasonic transducer module with respect to the support is blocked.

The angle adjuster is rotatably supported by the handpiece and has a plurality of fastening grooves, and the rotation wheel and the ultrasonic waves change the angle of the ultrasound transducer module with respect to the support in response to rotation of the rotation wheel. It may include a connecting rod connecting the transducer module, and a locking pin fixed to the handpiece and configured to be fastened to any one of the plurality of fastening grooves according to the rotational position of the rotating wheel to realize the locked state. .

The rotating wheel may be supported on the handpiece through a support shaft to enable relative movement with respect to the locking pin. The angle adjuster may further include an elastic member that elastically supports the support shaft so that the fastening groove of the rotating wheel is fastened to the locking pin to be in the locked state.

The rotating wheel may be installed such that a part of the rotation wheel is exposed to the outside of the handpiece, and when pressed by an external force, the support shaft overcomes the elastic restoring force of the elastic member and the relative behavior is achieved.

The handpiece may include a guide slot into which both ends of the support shaft are movably inserted, and both ends of the support shaft are linearly moved by the rotating wheel for switching between the locking state and the unlocking state. It may be configured to move on the guide slot.

The rotation wheel and the handpiece may each include a symbol representing an adjusted angle of the ultrasonic transducer module according to a rotational position of the rotation wheel. The user can recognize the adjusted angle of the ultrasonic transducer module through the symbol displayed on the rotating wheel and the symbol displayed on the handpiece.

On the other hand, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the angle adjustment unit is rotatably supported on the handpiece and has a plurality of teeth, the rotation wheel, the angle of the ultrasonic transducer module with respect to the support in response to the rotation of the rotation wheel A connecting rod connecting the rotating wheel and the ultrasonic transducer module so that the rotational wheel is changed, and a locking member fixed to the handpiece and having a plurality of locking teeth engaged with the plurality of teeth according to the rotational position of the rotation wheel. can

The rotation wheel may be supported on the handpiece through a support shaft to allow a relative behavior with respect to the locking member, and according to the relative behavior of the rotation wheel with respect to the locking member, the teeth of the rotation wheel and the locking member are connected. The lock teeth may be configured to be selectively meshable.

On the other hand, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the angle adjusting unit is rotatably supported by the handpiece and includes a rotating wheel having a plurality of fastening grooves, and the ultrasonic transducer relative to the support in response to rotation of the rotating wheel. A connecting rod connecting the rotary wheel and the ultrasonic transducer module so that the angle of the module is changed, and a locking pin fixed to the handpiece and inserted into any one of the plurality of fastening grooves according to the rotational position of the rotary wheel. can do.

The rotating wheel may be supported on the handpiece through a support shaft to allow relative behavior with respect to the locking pin, and the locking groove and the locking wheel of the rotating wheel may be connected according to the relative behavior of the rotating wheel with respect to the locking member. It may be configured to selectively fasten the pin.

According to the present invention, the rotation angle of the ultrasound transducer module with respect to the support can be adjusted by rotating the rotation wheel in the body cavity ultrasound device, and the locked state and the unlocked state can be switched by engaging and separating the locking pin and the fastening groove. Thereby, the convenience and efficiency of ultrasound treatment are improved.

1 is a perspective view of a body cavity implantable focused ultrasound device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1 .
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1;
4 is an exploded perspective view of a part of a body cavity implantable focused ultrasound device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a view showing a state in which the angle of the ultrasonic transducer module in FIG. 2 is changed.
FIG. 6 is a diagram sequentially illustrating an operation sequence of a rotation wheel for angle adjustment of an ultrasound transducer module in a body cavity implantable focused ultrasound apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 shows an angle adjusting unit for adjusting the angle of the ultrasonic transducer module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
8 shows an angle adjusting unit for adjusting the angle of an ultrasonic transducer module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A body cavity implantable focused ultrasound device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device that irradiates focused ultrasound while being inserted into a body cavity such as a nasal cavity, oral cavity, pharynx, vagina, or abdominal cavity. Focused ultrasound can be used for various treatment or surgical purposes, such as causing thermal lesions in tissues.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a body cavity implantable focused ultrasound device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a hand piece 10 , a support 20 , and an ultrasound transducer module 30 .

The handpiece 10 may be formed so that an operator performing an ultrasound procedure can hold the handpiece. The handpiece 10 may be connected to an external power/control device through a power connection line, and the power/control device provides power and control signals for driving and controlling the ultrasonic transducer module 30 . Although not explicitly shown in the drawings, the power connection line connected to the handpiece 10 may pass through the support 20 and be connected to the ultrasonic transducer module 30 . The power/control device may be configured to supply pulse power for ultrasound generation and perform various controls for ultrasound treatment.

The support 20 may extend from the handpiece 10 . Since at least a part of the support 20 including the distal end (the left end of the support in FIG. 1 ) may be inserted into the body cavity, the support 20 may be formed to have a rod shape having a relatively small diameter capable of being inserted into the body cavity. As shown in FIG. 1 , the support 20 may extend long from the front end of the hand piece 10 . The support 20 is formed as a hollow member separate from the handpiece 10, and includes a power line supplied from the handpiece 10 to the ultrasonic transducer module 10, a hose for supplying and draining the ultrasonic transmission medium, and an ultrasonic transducer module ( 30) may be configured to pass a connecting rod 52 to be described later for angle adjustment.

The ultrasonic transducer module 30 induces ultrasonic vibration by application of pulsed power and thereby generates focused ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic transducer module 30 may be supported by being fastened to the distal end (left end in FIG. 1) of the support 20. The ultrasonic transducer module 30 may include a housing 31 and an ultrasonic transducer 33 mounted thereto. The ultrasonic transducer 33 may include a piezoelectric element that vibrates ultrasonically when pulsed power is applied. Although not shown in the drawing, a power line for applying pulse power may be electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer 33 . The ultrasonic transducer 33 is mounted on the housing 31 and is configured to generate focused ultrasonic waves by applying pulse power. For example, the ultrasonic transducer 33 may have a cylindrical surface or a spherical surface so that the generated ultrasonic waves can be focused in the form of a point or a line. The front space of the ultrasonic transducer 33 may be filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium such as water, and the handpiece 10 may include a hose for supplying or removing the ultrasonic transmission medium filled in the front space of the ultrasonic transducer 33. can The hose may be connected to the ultrasonic transducer module 30 through the support 20 through the inside or outside of the handpiece 1 from the outside.

The housing 31 of the ultrasonic transducer module 30 is formed to be inserted into the body cavity. The support 20 and the housing 31 may have a bar shape having a substantially circular cross section. The housing 31 may have an ultrasonic passage hole 32 through which ultrasonic waves generated by vibration of the ultrasonic transducer 33 pass. 32) may be covered on the housing 31 to seal it.

The ultrasonic transducer module 30 is fastened to the support 20 so that the alignment angle to the support 20 can be changed. 1 and 2 show a state in which the longitudinal axis of the support 20 and the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic transducer module 30 are aligned side by side, wherein the ultrasonic transducer 33 is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the support 20 It is arranged to emit focused ultrasound at an angle of 90 degrees with Meanwhile, FIG. 5 shows a state in which the alignment angle is changed by rotating the ultrasonic transducer module 30 . The ultrasonic transducer module 30 is connected to the support 20 through a joint structure 40, and the joint structure 40 is configured to enable the angle adjustment of the ultrasonic transducer module 30. For example, the joint structure 40 may be implemented in the form of a clevis joint including a pair of arms facing each other and a connection pin rotatably disposed between the pair of arms. .

An angle adjustment unit 50 providing a means for adjusting the angle of the ultrasonic transducer module 30 with respect to the handpiece 10 and the support 20 to a desired angle is provided. A user may adjust the angle of the ultrasonic transducer module 30 through the angle adjusting unit 50, and the angle adjusting unit 50 may include a rotating wheel 51 and a connecting rod 52. The rotating wheel 51 is rotatably installed in the handpiece 10, and the connecting rod 52 is installed to pass through the through-hole 21 of the support 21, so that the rotating wheel 51 and the ultrasonic transducer module 30 ) is configured to connect the housing 31 of the One end 521 of the connecting rod 52 is connected to the rotating wheel 51 and the other end 522 of the connecting rod 52 is connected to the housing 31 of the ultrasonic transducer module 30 . Both ends 521 and 522 of the connecting rod 52 are connected to the rotation wheel 51 and the housing 31 of the ultrasonic transducer module 30 to enable relative rotation, respectively. The rotating wheel 51 is configured to be rotatable around the support shaft 511, and when the rotating wheel 51 rotates, the connecting rod 52 is pulled while the ultrasonic transducer module 30 passes through the joint structure 40. It rotates relative to the support (20). The support shaft 511 is installed to pass through a through hole 514 formed in the transverse direction of the rotary wheel 51, and both ends of the support shaft 511 are exposed to both sides of the rotary wheel 51, respectively, so that the hand It can be supported on the piece 10. 5 shows a state in which the ultrasonic transducer module 30 rotates relative to the support 20 and is bent by the rotation of the rotation wheel 51 . The angle of the ultrasonic transducer module 30 may be adjusted by adjusting the amount of rotation of the rotation wheel 51 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , an upper portion of the rotating wheel 51 is exposed to the outside through an opening 11 formed in the hand piece 10 . A user can rotate the rotating wheel 51 exposed through the opening 11 by hand, and at this time, the exposed portion may be formed to have a plurality of grooves to facilitate rotation.

On the other hand, the rotation wheel 51 is configured to be able to switch between a release state in which rotation is possible and a lock state in which rotation is blocked. For example, the transition between the release state and the lock state of the rotation wheel 51 is the rotation wheel 51) can be achieved by the linear behavior of The rotating wheel 51 is configured to enable linear behavior in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the handpiece 10 (up and down direction in FIG. 2), and the release state and Transitions between locked states can be configured.

Specifically, the rotation wheel 51 is configured to be able to move in a vertical direction together with the support shaft 511 while being capable of relative rotation with respect to the support shaft 511 . To this end, both ends of the support shaft 511 are movably inserted in the guide slot 54 provided in the handpiece 10 in the vertical direction, and the guide slot 54 extends in the vertical direction to support the inserted support. Up-and-down movement of the shaft 511 may be possible. The guide slots 54 are provided as a pair, and both ends of the support shaft 511 are movably inserted into the pair of guide slots 54, respectively. A locking pin 53 is provided in the handpiece 10, and the rotating wheel 51 is fastened to a plurality of fastening grooves 513 selectively fastened with the locking pin 53 according to the position in the vertical direction. The plurality of fastening grooves 513 are arranged along the direction of rotation of the rotating wheel 51, and the locking pin 53 extends in the transverse direction and is formed to be inserted into any one of the plurality of fastening grooves 513. 2 to 4 show a locking state in which the locking pin 53 is inserted into one of the plurality of fastening grooves 513 and rotation of the rotation wheel 51 is blocked. The relative movement of the rotating wheel 51 relative to the locking pin 53 results in switching between the locking and unlocking states described above.

The elastic member 55 is configured to elastically support the support shaft 511 so that the rotating wheel 51 moves to a locked position. That is, the elastic member 55 is configured to support the support shaft 511 in an upward direction by an elastic restoring force in FIGS. 2 to 4, and the support shaft 511 and the rotation wheel 51 fastened thereto are not subject to external force. If not, the elastic member 55 is in the position shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 by the elastic restoring force, whereby the rotation wheel 51 is locked. On the other hand, when the user presses the rotary wheel 51 downward to overcome the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 55 and moves the rotary wheel 51 downward, the locking pin 53 and the fastening groove 513 are fastened. It is released, and thus the rotation wheel 51 can be rotated by a user's manipulation. As shown in the drawing, the elastic member 55 may be formed of a plate-shaped elastic member capable of elastic restoration, and may be configured to extend in the longitudinal direction of the hand piece 10 to support the support shaft 511 . Meanwhile, in another embodiment, the elastic member 55 may be implemented in the form of a coil spring.

In FIG. 6, the behavior of the rotation wheel 51 for adjusting the rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer module 30 is sequentially shown. Figure 6 (a) shows the same state as in Figure 2, that is, the locking state of the rotating wheel 51, in this state, the locking pin 53 is inserted into one of the plurality of fastening grooves 53 to rotate the wheel The rotation of (51) is blocked. In (b) of FIG. 6 , the rotation wheel 51 is moved in the direction of the arrow by pressing the rotation wheel 51 by the user, and the locking pin 53 is separated from the fastening groove 53, that is, the rotation wheel 51 A release state is shown. 6 (c) shows a state in which the rotation wheel 51 is rotated at a predetermined angle in the direction of the arrow in the release state of (b), and the transition from the state of (b) to the state of (c) in FIG. During conversion, the angle of the ultrasonic transducer module 30 relative to the support 20 is changed by the action of the connecting rod 52 and the joint structure 40 . And, when the user releases his hand from the rotation wheel 51 in the state of FIG. 6 (c), the rotation wheel 51 is moved in the direction of the arrow in the state of FIG. 6 (d) by the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 55. . In the state (d) of FIG. 6 , the locking pin 53 is again fastened to one of the plurality of fastening grooves 53 , thereby implementing a locking state in which rotation of the rotary wheel 51 is limited. Through this process, the user presses and rotates the rotary wheel 51 to implement the desired rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer module 30, and then releases the rotation wheel 51 to change the rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer module 30. is maintained, and in this state, ultrasound treatment may be performed.

Symbols 515 and 15 for displaying the adjusted angle of the ultrasonic transducer module 30 may be respectively displayed on the rotating wheel 51 and the handpiece 10 . For example, a reference sign 15 indicating a reference position may be displayed on the handpiece 10, and a plurality of reference marks 15 may be placed at positions corresponding to the reference sign 15 according to the rotational position of the rotating wheel 51. An angle indicator 515 may be displayed. Each angle indication symbol 515 may represent an angle of the ultrasonic transducer module 30, and this angle is predetermined according to the rotational position of the rotary wheel 51 and the geometrical relationship of the ultrasonic transducer module 30 can be displayed Accordingly, the user may recognize the currently adjusted angle of the ultrasonic transducer module 30 through the angle indicator 515 located at a position corresponding to the reference symbol 15 displayed on the handpiece 10 . Meanwhile, in another embodiment, a reference symbol may be displayed on the rotating wheel and a plurality of angle indicator symbols may be displayed on the handpiece.

Meanwhile, another embodiment of the present invention may have a rotation wheel for adjusting the angle of the ultrasonic transducer module, and another structure for allowing or blocking rotation of the rotation wheel. 7 and 8 show a rotation wheel and a structure for allowing or blocking rotation of the rotation wheel according to other embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 7, the rotary wheel 71 has a plurality of teeth 712 arranged along a circular trajectory, and the locking member 72 is configured to engage with the teeth 712 of the rotary wheel 71 A plurality of locking teeth 721 are provided. The locking member 72 may be installed in a fixed state to the handpiece 10 . The rotating wheel 71 is configured to be movable up and down for switching between a locked state and an unlocked state and to be rotated around the support shaft 711 to adjust the angle of the ultrasonic transducer module 30. . As shown in (a) of FIG. 7 , in a state in which the teeth 712 of the rotary wheel 71 are engaged with the teeth 721 of the locking member 72, the rotation of the rotary wheel 71 is blocked, and thus ultrasonic waves are generated. Rotation of the transducer module 30 is also blocked. On the other hand, in a state in which the rotation wheel 71 moves downward and the teeth 712 of the rotation wheel 71 are separated from the teeth 721 of the locking member 72 as shown in (b) of FIG. Rotation of the rotary wheel 71 around the support shaft 711 is permitted, and the rotation wheel 71 rotates in a direction indicated by a dotted line arrow, thereby adjusting the angle of the ultrasonic transducer module 30 .

Referring to FIG. 8 , the rotary wheel 81 has a plurality of fastening grooves 812 provided on at least a part of its circumferential surface, and the locking pin 82 is inserted into the fastening groove 812 of the rotary wheel 81. configured so that it can be The rotation wheel 81 is configured to be movable up and down for switching between a locked state and an unlocked state and to be rotated around the support shaft 811 to adjust the angle of the ultrasonic transducer module 30. . As shown in (a) of FIG. 8, in the state where the locking pin 82 is inserted into the fastening groove 812 of the rotating wheel 81, the rotation of the rotating wheel 81 is blocked, and thus the ultrasonic transducer module 30 ) is also blocked. On the other hand, when the rotation wheel 81 moves downward and the locking pin 82 is separated from the fastening groove 812 of the rotation wheel 81 as shown in (b) of FIG. 8, the support shaft 811 The rotation of the rotation wheel 81 about the center is allowed, and the rotation wheel 81 rotates in the direction of the dotted line arrow, so that the angle of the ultrasonic transducer module 30 can be adjusted.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and is easily changed from the embodiments of the present invention by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs and recognized as equivalent. including all changes and modifications within the scope of

10: handpiece
20: support
30: ultrasonic transducer module
31: housing
33: ultrasonic transducer
40: joint structure
50: angle adjusting unit
51, 71, 81: rotation wheel
52: connection rod
53: locking pin
15: reference symbol
515: Angle display symbol
72: lock member
721: chi
82: locking pin

Claims (10)

handpiece,
A support extending from the handpiece, and
An ultrasonic transducer module configured to generate focused ultrasound and rotatably fastened to the distal end of the support so that an alignment angle with respect to the support can be changed, and
An angle adjusting unit configured to adjust a rotational angle of the ultrasonic transducer module with respect to the support
including,
The angle adjuster is configured to selectively implement a release state in which a change in the angle of the ultrasonic transducer module with respect to the support is allowed and a locked state in which a change in the angle of the ultrasonic transducer module with respect to the support is blocked
An implantable focused ultrasound device. In paragraph 1,
The angle adjuster
A rotating wheel rotatably supported by the handpiece and having a plurality of fastening grooves;
A connecting rod connecting the rotary wheel and the ultrasonic transducer module so that the angle of the ultrasonic transducer module with respect to the support is changed in response to the rotation of the rotary wheel, and
A locking pin fixed to the handpiece and configured to implement the locked state by being fastened to one of the plurality of fastening grooves according to the rotational position of the rotating wheel
A body cavity implantable focused ultrasound device comprising a. In paragraph 2,
The rotating wheel is supported on the handpiece through a support shaft to enable relative movement with respect to the locking pin,
The angle adjuster further comprises an elastic member for elastically supporting the support shaft so that the fastening groove of the rotating wheel is fastened to the locking pin to be in the locked state.
An implantable focused ultrasound device. In paragraph 3,
The body cavity insertion type focused ultrasound device, wherein a portion of the rotating wheel is installed to be exposed to the outside of the handpiece, and when pressed by an external force, the support shaft overcomes the elastic restoring force of the elastic member and the relative motion is achieved. In paragraph 3,
The handpiece has a guide slot into which both ends of the support shaft are movably inserted,
Both ends of the support shaft are configured to move on the guide slot during linear motion of the rotating wheel for switching between the locked state and the unlocked state.
An implantable focused ultrasound device. In paragraph 1,
The rotational wheel and the handpiece each include a symbol for indicating an adjusted angle of the ultrasound transducer module according to a rotational position of the rotational wheel. In paragraph 1,
The angle adjuster
A rotating wheel rotatably supported by the handpiece and having a plurality of teeth;
A connecting rod connecting the rotary wheel and the ultrasonic transducer module so that the angle of the ultrasonic transducer module with respect to the support is changed in response to the rotation of the rotary wheel, and
A locking member fixed to the handpiece and having a plurality of locking teeth engaged with the plurality of teeth according to the rotational position of the rotating wheel
A body cavity implantable focused ultrasound device comprising a. In paragraph 7,
The rotating wheel is supported on the handpiece through a support shaft to enable relative movement with respect to the locking member,
Constructed so that the teeth of the rotating wheel and the locking teeth of the locking member can be selectively engaged according to the relative behavior of the rotating wheel with respect to the locking member
An implantable focused ultrasound device. In paragraph 1,
The angle adjuster
A rotating wheel rotatably supported by the handpiece and having a plurality of fastening grooves;
A connecting rod connecting the rotary wheel and the ultrasonic transducer module so that the angle of the ultrasonic transducer module with respect to the support is changed in response to the rotation of the rotary wheel, and
A locking pin fixed to the handpiece and inserted into any one of the plurality of fastening grooves according to the rotational position of the rotating wheel.
A body cavity implantable focused ultrasound device comprising a. In paragraph 9,
The rotating wheel is supported on the handpiece through a support shaft to enable relative movement with respect to the locking pin,
According to the relative behavior of the rotating wheel with respect to the locking member, the locking groove of the rotating wheel and the locking pin are selectively engaged.
An implantable focused ultrasound device.

Images