WO2017176039A1

WO2017176039A1 - System and method for diagnosing pigmented lesions

Info

Publication number: WO2017176039A1
Application number: PCT/KR2017/003703
Authority: WO
Inventors: 변성현; 민완기
Original assignee: 스페클립스 주식회사
Priority date: 2016-04-04
Filing date: 2017-04-04
Publication date: 2017-10-12

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a system for diagnosing pigmented lesions, comprising: an acoustic detection unit for detecting photoacoustic waves generated when a first laser beam is irradiated to a target containing a pigmented lesion; a disease diagnosis unit for determining the type of the pigmented lesion on the basis of light generated when a second laser beam is irradiated to the target; and a pigmented lesion diagnosis unit for calculating at least one of the depth and the thickness of the pigmented lesion, on the basis of information on the time when the photoacoustic waves have been detected and information on the irradiation time of the first laser beam irradiated to the target.

Description

Diagnosis system and method of pigmented lesion

The present invention relates to a diagnostic system and method for pigmented lesions.

The present invention is supported by the following national research and development projects.

{National R & D project supporting this invention}

[Project unique number] N056300067

[Ministry of Commerce] Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

[Research and Management Agency] Korea Institute of Industrial Technology

[Name of Research Project] '17 Commercialization-related Technology Development Project (R & BD) Private Investment-linked Type (Help Close Platform-TOP)

[Project name] Development and commercialization of real-time, non-invasive skin cancer diagnosis device based on laser-induced plasma / fluorescence spectroscopy

[Contribution rate] 1/1

[Organizer] SPEclips Co., Ltd.

[Research Period] 2017.04.01 ~ 2018.12.31

Pigmented lesions can be classified into benign lesions and malignant lesions as one of skin diseases. Benign lesions can be, for example, freckles or nevus of Ota, and malignant lesions can be such as skin cancer.

On the other hand, benign lesions are mainly removed by laser using a skin toning device or skin peeling device, and the wavelength of the laser used varies depending on the position (depth from the skin) of the benign lesions.

Conventionally, it is not easy to distinguish benign lesions from malignant lesions. Therefore, those who are engaged in the removal of pigmented lesions by laser using a skin toning device or a skin peeling device may perform a procedure for pigmented lesions without accurate distinction of pigmented lesions. There are many cases. Even if diarrhea-positive and malignant lesions can be distinguished, in order to know the depth of benign lesions, the inconvenience of having to actually excise the benign lesions or measure them using a separate expensive equipment such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) exist.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system and method for diagnosing pigmented lesions that can determine the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, based on the depth and / thickness of the pigmented lesion, it is possible to recommend the laser type of the wavelength to remove the benign lesion to the user, and to tell the user the progress and the critical degree of the malignant lesion Provided are diagnostic systems and methods of pigmented lesions.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the acoustic sensing unit for detecting a photoacoustic wave generated when the first laser is irradiated to the target having a pigmented lesion; A disease diagnosis unit determining a type of the pigmented lesion on the basis of the generated light generated when the second laser is irradiated onto the target; And a pigmented lesion diagnosis unit configured to calculate at least one of a depth and a thickness of the pigmented lesion based on the time at which the photoacoustic wave is detected and the laser irradiation time information on the first laser irradiated to the target. It is to provide, a diagnostic system for pigmented lesions is provided.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the step of irradiating the first laser to the target having a pigmented lesion; Detecting a photoacoustic wave generated from a target to which the first laser is irradiated; Calculating the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion based on laser irradiation time information and the acoustic detection time at which the photoacoustic wave is detected; Determining a type of pigmented lesion by analyzing a spectrum of generated light generated when the second laser is irradiated onto the target; And determining the type of the laser lesion corresponding to the depth of the pigmented lesion when the pigmented lesion is determined to be a benign lesion as a result of determining the type of the pigmented lesion.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a laser type with a wavelength capable of removing benign lesions based on the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion may be recommended to the user. In addition, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to diagnose whether a pigmented lesion is a benign lesion or a malignant lesion and to measure the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion to remove the benign lesion if it is diagnosed as a benign lesion. The type of laser that is present is recommended and, if diagnosed as malignant lesions, the progress of malignant lesions can be indicated.

1 is a view for explaining a diagnosis system of pigmented lesions according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a view for explaining a method for calculating the depth of the pigmented lesion in the diagnosis system of the pigmented lesion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is for explaining that a photo acoustic wave couple is generated.

4 is a view for explaining a diagnosis system for pigmented lesions according to another embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a view for explaining a diagnosis system of the pigmented lesion according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a view for explaining a diagnosis system for pigmented lesions according to another embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a view for explaining a method for diagnosing pigmented lesions according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Description of the code]

1: laser

2: light collector

3: handpiece

4: spectrometer

5: sound sensor

7: diagnosis

10: Diagnostic device

11: Pigmented Lesion DB

12: laser type DB

13: Reference Spectrum DB for Disease Diagnosis

14: spectral data comparison unit

18: image comparison unit

19: light detector

Objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood through the following preferred embodiments associated with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be embodied in other forms. Rather, the embodiments introduced herein are provided so that the disclosure may be made thorough and complete, and to fully convey the spirit of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

Where the terms first, second, etc. are used herein to describe the components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. The embodiments described and illustrated herein also include complementary embodiments thereof.

In this specification, the term 'component A and / or component B' is used to mean 'at least one of component A and component B'.

In this specification, when it is mentioned that 'component A' and 'component B' are combined, it is used to mean that component A and component B are directly coupled or indirectly coupled. Here, indirect coupling means that at least one third component is placed and coupled between the component A and the component B.

As used herein, the terms “… unit”, “… unit”, “module” and the like refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software. .

As used herein, the term 'transmission', 'communication', 'transmission', 'receive', 'providing', or 'delivering' of a signal, data, or information means one component ('component' In addition to the direct transmission of signals, data, or information from a ') to another component (' component b '), it also passes to at least one other component (' component c ') to component b. Included.

In this specification, it is to be understood that the components that are 'operably related to each other' are wired and / or wirelessly connected to transmit and / or receive data with each other.

In this specification, component a outputs from component b, even if there is no explicit representation that one component ('component a') and another component ('component b') are 'operationally related' to each other. Receive the signal, data, or information directly or through at least one other component to perform its own (component a) operation, or the component b directly outputs the signal, data, or information outputted from the component a. Alternatively, it is to be understood that component a and component b are 'operationally related' if they are receiving through another at least one component and performing their own (component b) operation.

In the present specification, the 'laser generating device' means a device for generating a cosmetic or medical laser, the 'beauty or medical laser handpiece' has a shape that can be held by the user hand and the laser generated by the laser generating device Means a device configured to receive the inflow and outflow to the target.

In the present specification, the term 'laser' means a pulsed laser or continuous light laser. In addition, the frequency band of the 'laser' may have any frequency band, for example, may have a UV (ultra violet) band, a visible light band, or an IR-infrared band.

In the present specification, the term 'generating light' is meant to include all light generated when a laser is irradiated to a target (eg, body tissue). Thus, 'generated light' may mean, for example, plasma light, reflected light, scattered light, and / or fluorescent light.

In the present specification, the term 'wavelength' means a specific value or a specific range of values (ie, a wavelength band).

As used herein, the term 'first laser' means a laser irradiated onto a target to obtain a photoacoustic wave or photoacoustic wave couple used to calculate the depth and / or thickness of a pigmented lesion.

In the present specification, the term 'second laser' means a laser irradiated to a target to obtain generated light for determining the type of pigmented lesion.

In the present specification, the term 'third laser' means a laser that is irradiated to a target to obtain an image of a pigmented lesion.

In the present specification, when it is not necessary to distinguish between 'first laser', 'second laser', and 'third laser', the term 'laser' may be referred to without any distinction.

In embodiments of the present invention to be described below with reference to the drawings, the first laser and the second laser may be the same, or the first laser and the second laser may be lasers irradiated onto the target at different times.

In embodiments of the present invention to be described below with reference to the drawings, the first laser and the third laser may be the same, or the first laser and the third laser may be lasers irradiated onto the target at different times.

In embodiments of the present invention to be described below with reference to the drawings, the second laser and the third laser may be the same, or the second laser and the third laser may be lasers irradiated onto the target at different times.

In embodiments of the present invention to be described below with reference to the drawings, the first laser, the second laser, and the third laser are the same, or the first laser, the second laser, and the third laser are each targeted at different times. It may be a laser irradiated to.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase. As used herein, the words 'comprises' and / or 'comprising' do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the specific embodiments below, various specific details are set forth in order to explain the invention more specifically and to help understand. However, those skilled in the art can understand that the present invention can be used without these various specific details. In some cases, it is mentioned in advance that parts of the invention which are commonly known in the description of the invention and which are not highly related to the invention are not described in order to prevent confusion in explaining the invention without cause.

Referring to FIG. 1, a diagnosis system for pigmented lesions according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a laser generating device 1, a light collecting unit 2, and a cosmetic or medical laser handpiece (hereinafter referred to as a handpiece) ( 3) and a diagnosis apparatus (hereinafter, 'diagnosis apparatus') 10 for pigmented lesions.

The diagnostic apparatus 10 includes a spectroscope 4, an acoustic sensor 5, a diagnostic 7, a pigmented lesion DB storage 11, a laser type DB storage 12, a reference spectrum DB storage for disease diagnosis ( 13) and a spectral data comparison unit 14.

The diagnosis unit 7 includes a pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a and a disease diagnosis unit 7b.

In the present specification, the term "acoustic sensing result" is used to mean "a sound sensing time" or "data capable of calculating the sound sensing time".

According to the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1, the first laser for acquiring the photoacoustic wave and the second laser for acquiring the generated light are the same laser. Therefore, in the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1, the first laser and the second laser will be referred to as 'lasers' without being distinguished.

In the present embodiment, the sound detector 5 may detect sound generated when the laser is irradiated to a target (for example, skin) to check the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion. For example, the acoustic detector 5 may include a transducer for converting sound into an electrical signal and an amplifier for amplifying the electrical signal converted by the transducer for sound sensing. .

When the laser generated by the laser generator 1 is irradiated to the target through the handpiece 3, the pigmented lesion present in the target absorbs the laser and generates sound. Such a phenomenon is called a photoacoustic, and sound generated by the photoacoustic phenomenon is referred to herein as a 'photoacoustic wave'.

In the present embodiment, the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a determines the depth of the pigmented lesion based on the time when the photoacoustic wave is detected by the sound sensor 5 ('sound detection time') and the laser irradiation time information. Can be calculated

In the present specification, the term 'laser irradiation visual information'

i) Laser generation time generated by the laser generating device for the laser irradiated to the target

ii) the time the laser hits the surface of the target

iii) the time at which the laser light is emitted to the target and then detects the generated light emitted from the surface of the target;

iv) any time between the laser generation time of i) and the time when the generated light of iii) is detected.

It is used to mean containing at least one of.

The above-described times included in the laser irradiation time information may be obtained by various methods. For example, the laser generation time may be a control unit (not shown) for controlling the laser generation operation of the laser generation device 1 or the laser generation device 1. ), The time when the laser hits the surface of the target may be obtained by an apparatus (eg, a photodiode) that detects the laser near the surface of the target, and the time when the generated light is detected Can be obtained by (2). At least one or more of the obtained times is provided to the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a.

The acoustic detector 5 detects a photoacoustic wave generated from the target when the laser is irradiated to the target, and the acoustic detection result is provided to the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a.

The acoustic detector 5 detects one or more photoacoustic waves, and the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a calculates the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion using the acoustic detection time and the laser irradiation time information.

In the present embodiment, the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a is provided with the acoustic sensing result from the acoustic sensing unit 5 and calculates the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion using the acoustic sensing result and the laser irradiation visual information.

The sound detector 5 may detect at least two photoacoustic waves.

In the present specification, when a first laser is irradiated to a target, the first sensed in time is called a first photoacoustic wave, and the next sensed is called a second photoacoustic wave. On the other hand, when the first photoacoustic wave and the second photoacoustic wave satisfy the following conditions, it will be referred to as a 'photoacoustic wave couple'.

Condition

After the laser is irradiated onto the target, the first photoacoustic wave and the second photoacoustic wave are sequentially sensed, and the time when the first photoacoustic wave is detected and the time when the second photoacoustic wave is detected are mutually different. The first photoacoustic wave is generated when the first laser is absorbed by the upper surface of the pigmented lesion (surface close to the surface of the target), and the second photoacoustic wave is caused by the lower surface of the pigmented lesion (far from the surface of the target). Is generated when the laser is absorbed by the laser beam).

3 is for explaining that a photo acoustic wave couple is generated.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the lasers L1 and L2 are irradiated to the pigmented lesion of the target, a first photoacoustic wave is generated when the laser is absorbed to the upper surface hs of the pigmented lesion, and the lower surface of the pigmented lesion (Ls). Indicates that a second photoacoustic wave is generated when the laser is absorbed. Since these photoacoustic waves are in a photoacoustic wave couple relationship, the thickness d of the pigmented lesion can be calculated.

Meanwhile, in order for the second photoacoustic wave to be generated when the laser is absorbed to the lower surface Ls of the pigmented lesion, the laser beam is spaced a predetermined distance S as shown in FIG. 3 rather than being irradiated to the center of the pigmented lesion. Preferably, a laser is irradiated around the pigmented lesion.

The pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a may calculate the thickness of the pigmented lesion from the detection result of the photoacoustic wave couple.

When the pigmented lesion is a benign lesion, the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a selects one or more laser types capable of treating the pigmented lesion with reference to the laser type DB. In the present specification, the term 'laser type' is data defining a laser, which data defines the laser by at least one of wavelength, power, pulse width, and product name.

In detail, the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a selects at least one laser type corresponding to the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion from the laser type DB.

For example, the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a may select at least one laser type in consideration of the depth of the pigmented lesion, or at least one laser type in consideration of both the depth and thickness of the pigmented lesion. .

This is because, depending on the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion, the wavelength, power, and duration of the laser that can remove or alleviate the pigmented lesion vary. The pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a may also determine the development state of the pigmented lesion with reference to the pigmented lesion DB when the pigmented lesion is a malignant lesion. Here, the malignant lesion may be, for example, skin cancer, and the pigmented lesion DB is data defining a progression state according to the depth and / or thickness of the malignant lesion.

The wavelength of the laser that treats pigmented lesions depends on the location of the pigmented lesion, for example, Q-switched Ruby lasers (694 nm) and Q-switched Alexandrite lasers (755nm) can treat pigmented lesions on the upper epidermis. And Q-switched Nd: YAG laser (532 nm) can treat pigmented lesions present in the epidermis and Q-switched Nd: YAG laser (1064 nm) can treat pigmented lesions present in the dermis.

When the pigmented lesion is a malignant lesion, the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a may determine the progress state according to the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion by referring to the pigmented lesion DB as described above. For example, the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a may determine the advanced state according to the thickness of the pigmented lesion, or may determine the advanced state in consideration of both the depth and the thickness of the pigmented lesion.

"Data defining progression status" may be, for example, the stage of development (first stage, second stage, third stage, fourth stage) of cancer.

The pigmented lesion DB and the laser type DB described above are included in the diagnostic apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 1 or separately in an external storage device (not shown) accessible by the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a by wire or wirelessly. It may be stored. When the pigmented lesion DB and the laser type DB are stored in the external storage device, the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a can access and refer to the pigmented lesion DB and the laser type DB stored in the external storage device.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, an operation result of the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a may be displayed through a display unit such as a monitor. For example, the laser type selected by the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a or the progress state of the pigmented lesion may be displayed on the display unit (not shown).

In the above-described embodiment, the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a performs the operation of selecting the laser type when the pigmented lesion is a benign lesion and the operation of determining the progress state when the pigmented lesion is a malignant lesion.

The disease diagnosis unit 7b may determine the type of pigmented lesion.

The disease diagnosis unit 7b may be configured to determine whether the pigmented lesion is a malignant lesion by analyzing a spectrum of generated light generated from the pigmented lesion when the laser is irradiated to the pigmented lesion.

When the laser generated by the laser generating device 1 is irradiated to the target with the pigmented lesion through the handpiece 3, photoacoustic waves and generated light are generated.

As described above, the photoacoustic wave is detected by the acoustic sensor 5 and provided to the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a. The light collecting unit 2 collects such generated light and provides it to the spectrometer 4.

The spectrometer 4 measures the spectrum of generated light. The spectral data comparison unit 14 compares the spectrum of generated light measured by the spectroscope with the reference spectrum DB for disease diagnosis. The disease diagnosis unit 7b determines whether the pigmented lesion is a malignant lesion or a benign lesion based on the comparison result of the spectral data comparison unit 14. The determination result of the disease diagnosis unit 7b is provided to the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a.

The disease diagnosis unit 7b may determine that the pigmented lesion is a malignant lesion when the spectrum of the generated light and the reference spectrum DB for disease diagnosis are the same or nearly similar. Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1640202 (July 11, 2016) discloses a technique for determining whether a disease is obtained using a spectral spectrum of generated light. Please refer to the contents disclosed in Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1640202 (July 11, 2016). On the other hand, the contents disclosed in Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1640202 (July 11, 2016) is incorporated as part of the present specification.

The above-described embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1 has described the case where the first laser and the second laser are the same laser, but may be modified differently.

According to the modified embodiment of FIG. 1, the first laser and the second laser are irradiated to the target at different times. That is, when the first laser generated by the laser generating device 1 is irradiated to the target, the sound sensor 5 detects the photoacoustic wave. When the second laser generated visually later than the first laser by the laser generating device 1 is irradiated to the target, the light collecting unit 2 collects generated light generated from the target.

According to another modified embodiment of FIG. 1, the second laser is irradiated to the target visually faster than the first laser. That is, when the second laser generated by the laser generating device 1 is irradiated to the target, the light collecting unit 2 collects the generated light generated from the target. On the other hand, when the first laser generated by the laser generation device 1 visually later than the second laser is irradiated to the target, the sound sensor 5 detects the photoacoustic wave.

In the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1, it has been described that the light collecting unit 2 is not included in the diagnosis apparatus 10 for pigmented lesions, which is illustrative, and the light collecting unit 2 is used for diagnosing the pigmented lesion 10. It is also possible to be configured to include). In addition, any of the components included in the diagnosis apparatus 10 of the pigmented lesion, for example, the acoustic sensing unit 5 may be configured so that the diagnosis apparatus 10 of the pigmented lesion is not included.

In the present specification, for purposes of explanation of the present invention, the depth (i.e. position) of a pigmented lesion is determined from the surface of the pigmented lesion (e.g., the surface (top, bottom, or side) of the pigmented lesion or the interior of the pigmented lesion. The distance h to an arbitrary position) (see FIG. 2 (a)). On the other hand, in Figure 2 (a) the depth (h) of the pigmented lesion is shown as a distance to the center of the pigmented lesion, but this is exemplary.

The pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a can calculate the depth of the pigmented lesion by, for example, the following <Formula 1>.

Equation 1

Meanwhile, the laser irradiation time included in Equation 1

ii) the time the laser hits the surface of the target

iv) any time between the laser generation time and the time when the generated light is detected.

It means any one of.

Here, the acoustic detection time is a time when the photoacoustic wave generated from the pigmented lesion is detected. On the other hand, when the laser is irradiated to the pigmented lesion, a photoacoustic wave having a peak relatively higher than the surroundings may be generated from the pigmented lesion, as shown in (b) of FIG.

In addition, the pigment | dye lesion diagnosis part 7a can calculate the thickness of a pigment | dye lesion, for example by following Formula (2).

Equation 2

Here, the first photoacoustic wave and the second photoacoustic wave are photoacoustic wave couples.

In this embodiment, all or part of the components included in the diagnosis device 10 of the pigmented lesion may be configured to be coupled to the handpiece 3. For example, the acoustic sensing unit 5 and / or the light collecting unit 2 is coupled to a handpiece detachable device (not shown in FIG. 1), and such handpiece detachable device is detachable from the handpiece 3. Possibly combined. As another example, the acoustic sensing unit 5 and / or the light collecting unit 2 may be embedded in the handpiece 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, a diagnosis system for a pigmented lesion according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a laser generating device 1, a light collecting unit 2, a cosmetic or medical laser handpiece 3, and a diagnosis device for a pigmented lesion ( 10).

The diagnostic apparatus 10 includes a spectroscope 4, an acoustic sensor 5, a diagnostic 7, a pigmented lesion DB storage 11, a laser type DB storage 12, a reference spectrum DB storage for disease diagnosis ( 13), the spectral data comparison unit 14, and the light sensing unit 19.

Among the components of the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4 and the components of the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1, the same reference numerals have the same or similar functions.

This embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4 differs from the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1 in that the laser sensing visual information is obtained by the light sensing unit 19 and provided to the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a. Hereinafter, the embodiment of FIG. 4 will be described based on differences from the embodiment of FIG. 1.

According to the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4, the first laser for acquiring the photoacoustic wave and the second laser for acquiring the generated light are the same laser. Accordingly, in the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4, the first laser and the second laser will be referred to as 'lasers' without being distinguished.

Also in this embodiment, the acoustic sensing unit 5 may detect the photoacoustic wave generated when the laser is irradiated to the target with the pigmented lesion.

The light detector 19 may detect the generated light generated from the target after the laser is irradiated to the laser or the target that generated the photoacoustic wave detected by the acoustic detector 5.

The light sensing unit 19 may be implemented by a device such as a photodiode, for example. The light detector 19 detects a laser moving through the inside of the handpiece 3, detects a laser output from the handpiece 3 and moves to a target, or detects a generated light generated from the target. It can be configured to.

For example, in the case where the light sensing unit 19 is configured to sense a laser moving through the inside of the handpiece 3, the light sensing unit 19 may be formed inside the handpiece 3 or the handpiece 3. Can be coupled to the outside.

When the light sensing unit 19 is configured to detect a laser moving through the interior of the handpiece 3, at least a part of the laser moving inside the handpiece 3 branches to the light sensing unit 19 side. An optical element (not shown in FIG. 4) may be located inside the handpiece 3.

When the light detector 19 is configured to detect a laser output from the handpiece 3 and move to the target, or to detect the generated light generated from the target, the light detector 19 is configured to It may be located adjacent to a part (part in contact with the target) or in a handpiece detachable device (not shown in FIG. 4) which is removably coupled to the handpiece 3.

The pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a may calculate the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion based on the time when the photoacoustic wave is detected by the acoustic detector 5 and the laser detection result by the light detector 19. Can be. Here, the 'laser detection result' includes 'laser irradiation time information'.

The pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a may select the laser type and / or the advanced state based on the depth and / or the thickness of the pigmented lesion.

Components not described among the components of the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4 may be referred to the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

The above-described embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4 has described the case where the first laser and the second laser are the same laser, but may be modified differently.

According to the modified embodiment of FIG. 4, the first laser and the second laser are irradiated to the target at different times. That is, when the first laser generated by the laser generating device 1 is irradiated to the target, the sound sensor 5 detects the photoacoustic wave. When the second laser generated visually later than the first laser by the laser generating device 1 is irradiated to the target, the light collecting unit 2 collects generated light generated from the target. According to another modified embodiment of FIG. 4, the second laser is irradiated to the target visually faster than the first laser. That is, when the second laser generated by the laser generating device 1 is irradiated to the target, the light collecting unit 2 collects the generated light generated from the target. On the other hand, when the first laser generated by the laser generation device 1 visually later than the second laser is irradiated to the target, the sound sensor 5 detects the photoacoustic wave.

In the modified embodiments described above, the light sensing unit 19 is configured to sense the generated light or the first laser generated from the target by the first laser.

Referring to FIG. 5, a diagnosis system for pigmented lesions according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a laser generator 1, a light collecting unit 2, a cosmetic or medical laser handpiece 3, and a diagnosis apparatus for pigmented lesions 10. ), And an image collecting unit 16.

The diagnostic apparatus 10 includes a spectroscope 4, an acoustic sensor 5, a diagnostic 7, a pigmented lesion DB storage 11, a laser type DB storage 12, a reference spectrum DB storage for disease diagnosis ( 13), the spectrum data comparison unit 14, a disease diagnosis reference image DB storage unit 17, an image comparison unit 18, and a light detector 19.

Among the components of the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5 and the components of the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1, the same reference numerals have the same or similar functions.

According to the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5, the first laser for acquiring the photoacoustic wave, the second laser for acquiring the generated light and the third laser for acquiring the image of the pigmented lesion are the same laser. . Therefore, in the present exemplary embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5, the first laser, the second laser, and the third laser will be referred to as 'lasers' without being distinguished.

The embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5 is different from the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1 in that the disease diagnosis unit 7b determines the disease in consideration of both the spectrum of generated light and the image of the pigmented lesion. Hereinafter, the embodiment of FIG. 5 will be described based on differences from the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Also in this embodiment, the acoustic sensing unit 5 may detect a photoacoustic wave generated when the laser is irradiated to a target for checking the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion.

The pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a calculates the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion based on the time at which the photoacoustic wave is detected by the sound sensing unit 5 and the laser irradiation time information, and the laser type and / or progression. The state can be determined.

The image collector 16 may collect an image of the target when the laser is irradiated to the target or may collect an image of the target when the laser is not irradiated to the target.

The image comparison unit 18 compares the image collected by the image collection unit 16 with the reference image DB for disease diagnosis.

The spectral data comparison unit 14 compares the spectrum of generated light measured by the spectroscope 4 with the reference spectrum DB for disease diagnosis.

The comparison result of the image comparison unit 18 and the comparison result of the spectral data comparison unit 14 are provided to the disease diagnosis unit 7b, and the disease diagnosis unit 7b refers to the image comparison result and the spectral data comparison result. Determine the type of pigmented lesion by reflecting.

The disease diagnosis unit 7b determines the type of the pigmented lesion by reflecting at least one of the comparison result of the spectral data comparison unit 14 and the comparison result of the image comparison unit 18.

As an example of the determination method, the disease diagnosis unit 7b may include i) the same or extremely similar to the spectrum data of the generated light in the reference spectrum data DB for disease diagnosis, or ii) the image of the pigmented lesion in the reference image DB for disease diagnosis. If there is the same or very similar to, it is determined that the pigmented lesion is a malignant lesion.

As another example of the determination method, the disease diagnosis unit 4b includes i) the same or extremely similar to the spectrum data of the generated light in the reference spectrum data DB for disease diagnosis, and ii) the image of the pigmented lesion in the reference image DB for disease diagnosis. If there is the same or very similar to, it is determined that the pigmented lesion is a malignant lesion.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1640202 (July 11, 2016) discloses a technique for determining whether or not a malignant lesion by analyzing the spectrum of the light generated from the pigmented lesion and / or the image of the pigmented lesion. All of the technical contents described in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1640202 (July 11, 2016) are incorporated as part of the present specification.

The above-described embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5 has described the case where the first laser, the second laser, and the third laser are the same laser, but may be modified differently.

According to one modified embodiment of FIG. 5, the laser is irradiated twice at different times to the target.

Among the lasers irradiated twice, the laser irradiated to the target is the first laser, and the laser irradiated later is the second laser and at the same time the third laser.

Alternatively, of the lasers irradiated twice, the laser irradiated to the target is the first laser and the third laser at the same time, and the laser irradiated later is the second laser.

Alternatively, of the lasers irradiated twice, the laser irradiated to the target is the second laser, and the laser irradiated later is the first laser and at the same time the third laser.

Alternatively, of the lasers irradiated twice, the laser irradiated to the target first is the second laser and at the same time the third laser, and the laser irradiated later is the first laser.

According to another modified embodiment of FIG. 5, the laser is irradiated three times at different times to the target.

Among the lasers irradiated three times, the laser irradiated to the target is the first laser, the laser irradiated next is the second laser, and the laser irradiated last is the third laser.

Alternatively, of the lasers irradiated three times, the laser irradiated to the target first is the second laser, the laser irradiated next is the second laser, and the laser irradiated last is the second laser.

Alternatively, of the lasers irradiated three times, the laser irradiated to the target first is the third laser, the laser irradiated next is the first laser, and the laser irradiated last is the second laser.

Components not described among the components of the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5 may be referred to the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

Referring to FIG. 6, a diagnosis system for pigmented lesions according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a laser generator 1, a light collecting unit 2, a cosmetic or medical laser handpiece 3, and a diagnosis apparatus for pigmented lesions 10. ), And an image comparator 18.

The diagnostic apparatus 10 includes a spectroscope 4, an acoustic sensor 5, a diagnostic 7, a pigmented lesion DB storage 11, a laser type DB storage 12, a reference spectrum DB storage for disease diagnosis ( 13), the spectrum data comparison unit 14, the image collecting unit 16, the disease diagnosis reference image DB storage unit 17, and the light detecting unit 19.

Among the components of the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6 and the components of the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1, the same reference numerals have the same or similar functions.

According to this embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6, the first laser for acquiring the photoacoustic wave, the second laser for acquiring the generated light and the third laser for acquiring the image of the pigmented lesion are the same laser. . Therefore, in the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6, the first laser, the second laser, and the third laser will be referred to as 'lasers' without being distinguished.

In the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6, the laser irradiation time information is acquired by the light sensing unit 19 and provided to the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a, and the spectrum of the generated light and the pigmented lesion by the disease diagnosis unit 7b. There is a difference from the embodiment described with reference to Figure 1 in that it determines the type of the disease in consideration of all of the images.

Hereinafter, the embodiment of FIG. 6 will be described based on differences from the embodiment of FIG. 1.

For the operation of the image collecting unit 16 and the image comparing unit 18, please refer to the description of the embodiment described with reference to FIG.

The comparison result of the image comparison unit 18 and the comparison result of the spectral data comparison unit 14 are provided to the disease diagnosis unit 7b, and the disease diagnosis unit 7b reflects the image comparison result and the spectral data comparison result. Determine the type of pigmented lesion.

For an example of the determination method that reflects the image comparison result and the spectrum data comparison result of the disease diagnosis unit 7b, refer to the description of the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5.

The pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 7a may calculate the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion based on the time when the photoacoustic wave is detected by the acoustic detector 5 and the laser detection result by the light detector 19. Can be. For the operation of the light sensing unit 19, please refer to the description of the embodiment described with reference to FIG.

Components not described among the components of the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6 may be referred to the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

According to one modified embodiment of FIG. 6, the laser is irradiated twice at different times to the target.

According to another modified embodiment of FIG. 6, the laser is irradiated three times at different times to the target.

In the above-described modified embodiments, the light detecting unit 19 detects the first laser irradiated to the target or the generated light generated when the first laser is irradiated to the target.

Referring to FIG. 7, in the method for diagnosing a pigmented lesion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a step (S101) of irradiating a laser ('first laser') with a target having a pigmented lesion, the target to which the first laser is irradiated Detecting the photoacoustic wave generated from the step S103 and calculating depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion based on the laser irradiation time information and the acoustic detection time at which the photoacoustic wave is detected (S105). Determining the type of pigmented lesion by analyzing the spectrum of the generated light generated when the laser ('second laser') is irradiated to the target (S107), if it is determined that the malignant lesion in step S107 (S109: YES) malignant lesion Determining the progress state (stage) of (S111), if it is determined that the benign lesion in step S107 (S109: NO) selecting the type of laser (S113), and displaying the results of S111 and S113 to the user Contains (S115) do.

Meanwhile, the method for determining the pigmented lesion described with reference to FIG. 6 may be performed by the embodiments of the diagnosis apparatus for the pigmented lesion described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and / or 6. Can be implemented.

For example, in step S105, the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit 9a may calculate the depth of the pigmented lesion using <Equation 1>, and calculate the depth of the pigmented lesion using <Equation 2>.

For another example, the detecting of the photoacoustic wave (S103) may be performed by the sound sensor 5. Specifically, the step (S103) of detecting the sound may be performed by the sound sensing unit 5 coupled to the handpiece 3 receiving the laser and flowing out to the target.

In the present embodiment, step S107 is configured to determine the type of pigmented lesion by analyzing the spectrum of the generated light (for example, the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 4), or the pigmented lesion by analyzing the spectrum of the generated light and the image of the pigmented lesion. It may be configured to determine the type of (for example, the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6)

The present embodiment may further include a light sensing step of detecting a laser emitted to the target. The detection result of the light sensing step is used when performing the step S105. On the other hand, the light sensing step may be performed by the light detecting unit 19 for detecting a laser irradiated to the target.

The embodiment may further include controlling the wavelength, power, and / or pulse length of the laser generating device that generates the laser irradiated onto the target. For example, the controlling may be performed by a controller (not shown) that controls the laser generating device to generate a laser having a wavelength, power, and / or pulse width corresponding to the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion. have.

In the present embodiment, the first laser and the second laser are the same lasers or those irradiated to the target at different times.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications or other embodiments falling within the scope equivalent to the present invention are possible by those skilled in the art.

Claims

An acoustic detector configured to detect a photoacoustic wave generated when the first laser is irradiated onto the target having the pigmented lesion;

A disease diagnosis unit determining a type of the pigmented lesion on the basis of the generated light generated when the second laser is irradiated onto the target; And

A pigmented lesion diagnosis unit configured to calculate at least one of a depth and a thickness of the pigmented lesion based on the time at which the photoacoustic wave is detected and the laser irradiation time information on the first laser irradiated to the target; That will include, diagnostic system of pigmented lesions.
The method of claim 1,

And the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit is further configured to calculate the thickness of the pigmented lesion based on the times at which the photoacoustic wave couple is detected and the laser irradiation time information for the first laser.
The method of claim 1,

The pigmented lesion diagnosis unit may further include selecting at least one laser type capable of treating the pigmented lesion in a laser type DB corresponding to at least one laser type corresponding to a depth of the pigmented lesion.

The selecting operation is an operation for selecting at least one laser type corresponding to the depth of the pigmented lesion in the laser type DB, pigment diagnosis system.
The method of claim 1,

A spectrometer for measuring a spectrum of generated light generated when a second laser is irradiated onto the target;

A spectrum data comparison unit for comparing the spectrum measured by the spectroscope with a reference spectrum DB for disease diagnosis; More,

And the disease diagnosis unit determines the type of the pigmented lesion based on a comparison result of the spectral data comparison unit.
The method of claim 4, wherein

The determination result of the disease diagnosis unit is provided to the pigmented lesion diagnosis unit,

The pigmented lesion diagnosis unit, if the type of the pigmented lesion is determined to be a malignant lesion, it is to determine the development state (development state) of the pigmented lesion, a pigmented lesion diagnosis system.
The method of claim 1,

The diagnosis system for pigmented lesions, wherein the first laser and the second laser is the same laser.
The method of claim 1,

The first laser and the second laser are irradiated to the target at different times, the diagnostic system for pigmented lesions.
The method of claim 1,

And a light detector configured to detect a first laser emitted to the target or to detect generated light generated when the first laser is irradiated onto the target.

The laser irradiation time information includes the time detected by the light sensing unit, the diagnosis system for pigmented lesions.
The method of claim 4, wherein

An image collector configured to collect an image of a target when a third laser is irradiated onto the target; And

The apparatus may further include an image comparator configured to compare the disease diagnosis reference image DB with the image collected by the image collector.

And the disease diagnosis unit determines the type of the pigmented lesion by reflecting at least one of a comparison result of the spectral data comparison unit and a comparison result of the image comparison unit.
The method of claim 9,

The first laser, the second laser, and the third laser are the same laser, or

The first laser and the second laser are the same, and the third laser is a laser irradiated to the target at a time different from the time when the first laser is irradiated on the target,

The first laser and the third laser are the same, and the second laser is the laser irradiated to the target at a time different from the time when the first laser is irradiated on the target, or

A second laser and a third laser are the same, and the first laser is a laser irradiated to the target at a time different from the time when the second laser is irradiated to the target, the diagnosis system for pigmented lesions.
The method of claim 9,

And a light detector configured to detect a first laser emitted to the target or to detect generated light generated when the first laser is irradiated onto the target.

The laser irradiation time information includes the time detected by the light sensing unit, the diagnosis system for pigmented lesions.
The method of claim 1,

The laser irradiation time information,

i) a laser generation time at which the laser generating device generates a first laser irradiated to the target, ii) a time when the first laser hits the surface of the target, iii) a first laser is irradiated onto the target, and then The time when the generated light generated from the surface is sensed, and iv) any time between the time of the first laser generation and the time when the generated light is sensed

It comprises at least one of, Pigment lesion diagnostic system.
Irradiating a first laser onto a target having pigmented lesions;

Detecting a photoacoustic wave generated from a target to which the first laser is irradiated;

Calculating the depth and / or thickness of the pigmented lesion based on laser irradiation time information and the acoustic detection time at which the photoacoustic wave is detected;

Determining a type of pigmented lesion by analyzing a spectrum of generated light generated when the second laser is irradiated onto the target; And

And determining the type of laser corresponding to the depth of the pigmented lesion if the pigmented lesion is determined to be a benign lesion as a result of determining the type of the pigmented lesion.
The method of claim 13,

And determining the progression of the pigmented lesion if the pigmented lesion is determined to be a malignant lesion as a result of determining the type of the pigmented lesion.
The method of claim 14,

And a light sensing step of sensing a first laser or generating light generated when the first laser is irradiated to the target.

And calculating a depth and / or a thickness of the pigmented lesion on the basis of the time when the photoacoustic wave is detected and the result of performing the light sensing step. Way.
The method of claim 14,

The laser irradiation time information,

i) a laser generation time at which the laser generating device generates a first laser irradiated to the target, ii) a time when the first laser hits the surface of the target, iii) a first laser is irradiated onto the target, and then The time when the generated light generated from the surface is sensed, and iv) any time between the time of the first laser generation and the time when the generated light is sensed

It will include at least one of, Pigment lesion diagnostic method.
The method of claim 14,

The method of diagnosing pigmented lesions, wherein the first laser and the second laser are the same.
The method of claim 14,

The first laser and the second laser are irradiated to the target at different times, the diagnostic method of the pigmented lesion.