KR101365976B1 - High intensity focused ultrasound generating device for the deduction of fat tissue - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a non-invasive and effective method for adding ultrasonic energy to effectively irradiate the subcutaneous fat layer with the thermal energy heated by RF high frequency or apoptosis on the principle of natural necrosis of fat. to. The present invention relates to a high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device for reducing ultrasound target subcutaneous fat layer by emitting an ultrasonic wave so that heat energy for fat reduction is delivered to the subcutaneous fat layer.

Description

HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND GENERATING DEVICE FOR THE DEDUCTION OF FAT TISSUE}

The present invention is a non-invasive and effective method for adding ultrasonic energy to effectively irradiate the subcutaneous fat layer with the thermal energy heated by RF high frequency or apoptosis on the principle of natural necrosis of fat. to be. The present invention relates to a high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device for reducing ultrasound target subcutaneous fat layer by emitting an ultrasonic wave so that heat energy for fat reduction is delivered to the subcutaneous fat layer.

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

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

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

      Local condensation of excess fat convexly swells the skin and undesirable skin contours can improve the appearance of the outer layer of skin by removing lipid-rich fat layers. Non-invasive method of reducing subcutaneous fat layer or adipose tissue, heating the area of subcutaneous lipid-rich cells by various methods such as radio frequency (RF), light, etc., and epidermis or nerve by using direct cooling There is a method of inducing fatal necrosis of fat cells on the basis of apoptosis, which selectively destroys only fat cells without causing damage to tissues other than fat cells.

      When RF high frequency voltage is applied between two electrodes, RF current flows and generates heat. Generally, the conductivity of epidermis is about 0.4s / m, whereas the conductivity of adipose tissue is about 0.04s / m. In the case of deep fat layer, the effect of fat reduction by RF high frequency is small. It also has less effect on subcutaneous adipose tissue by direct cooling.

      Ultrasound refers to a wave having a frequency of 20 KHz or higher, and a form in which ultrasonic waves are focused at high intensity is called high intensity focused ultrasound, and a device for generating such high intensity focused ultrasound is called a high intensity focused ultrasound generator. .

There are two general high-intensity focused ultrasound generators that emit ultrasonic waves from a transducer. One method is to focus the emitted ultrasound at a specific point (called "focus") to generate heat, causing a rapid rise in temperature at the site of treatment, and another method of ultrasound delivery, or extrusion It will act as a push.

      As a non-invasive method for reducing the conventional subcutaneous fat layer or adipose tissue, heat has been applied to the region of the subcutaneous lipid-rich cells by various methods such as high frequency and light rays, but in terms of effectiveness, the effect has been insignificant. It is difficult to reach the existing high frequency or light depth from the skin surface to the subcutaneous fat layer. However, other adverse effects such as excessive current and temperature rise on the skin surface have to be considered to raise the power infinitely to reach the depth.

An object of the present invention is a non-invasive method that has no side effects other than the skin surface as well as the target site, by effectively radiating the ultrasonic waves generated by the focused ultrasound generating device to reduce the subcutaneous fat using the heat energy generated by the RF high-frequency electrode It pushes deep into the subcutaneous fat layer or adds a push function that pushes the heat energy deeply into the subcutaneous fat layer by emitting sound waves to the heat energy cooled by the cooling device to naturally necrotic fat on the principle of apoptosis. In the case of using a hemispherical piezoelectric element as a transducer for emitting and pushing ultrasonic waves in the subcutaneous fat layer, it is necessary to adjust the size, the internal curvature radius, and the output of the transducer.

      According to one aspect of the present invention for solving the above technical problem, a probe having a socket shape having an empty space therein (Probe); And a vacuum suction unit communicating with an inner ceiling of the probe and adsorbing a target site under vacuum pressure, by applying high intensity focused ultrasound to the target site sucked into the probe by the vacuum suction unit. And to decompose adipose tissue at the target site.

      When RF high frequency voltage is applied between two electrodes, RF current flows and generates heat. Generally, the conductivity of epidermis is about 0.4s / m, whereas the conductivity of adipose tissue is about 0.04s / m. In the case of deep fat layer, the effect of fat reduction by RF high frequency is small. Complementary to this, there is a need to adsorb the target site by vacuum pressure so that adipose tissue is present between the RF electrodes.

In addition, to effectively reduce the subcutaneous fat to heat energy generated from the RF high-frequency electrode to emit heat generated by the focused ultrasound generating device to give the effect of deeply pushing the heat energy into the subcutaneous fat layer.

Alternatively, if the RF high frequency generating electrode is replaced with a cooling plate of a cooling device, the ultrasonic wave is emitted to the subcutaneous fat layer by emitting ultrasonic waves to the cooled heat energy by the cooling device to naturally necrotic fat on the principle of apoptosis. Add a push effect that pushes deep.

According to the present invention, ultrasonic vibrations are achieved in a non-invasive way to more easily reach the heated or cooled heat energy to a specific fat layer aimed at fat reduction, without any side effects other than the skin surface as well as the target tissue. The result is a synergistic effect that pushes deeper into the body, whereby the target subcutaneous fat layer is broken down and the broken down fat tissue is discharged out of the body by the lymphatic system. Removal of adipose tissue from the subcutaneous tissue layer improves weight loss, cellulite reduction, sagging skin improvement, deep wrinkle reduction and body contouring.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the ultrasonic intensity increases (thick lines) as the ultrasonic waves radiated from a hemispherical piezoelectric transducer of a conventional high intensity focused ultrasonic generator closer to a focal point focused.
FIG. 2 illustrates an input power waveform applied to a transducer, in which a sine wave is input in continuity in (a) and pulse voltage in (b). to be.
Figure 3 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state of operation with the handpiece (applicator) according to the present invention is a view showing the RF high-frequency heat / cooled thermal energy when there is no operation of the transducer,
(b) is an additional drawing to push the function of pushing the ultrasonic vibration (PUSH) in the transducer.
4 is a configuration example of a block diagram according to the present invention.

      Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments disclosed below but may be embodied in various different forms. The embodiments to be described herein are provided so that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and that those skilled in the art will fully understand the scope of the present invention. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

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

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

 Second, the ultrasonic wave has a mechanical function of exerting an ultrasonic vibration on a surgical knife and the like, thereby exerting an effect such as cutting. Third, the sound pressure of the ultrasonic wave generates fine bubbles in the fluid as it passes through the fluid. In this case, the generated bubbles are implemented in the form of shockwaves having a high pressure as they expand and rupture. This action involves a strong shear force. Fourth, ultrasonic waves are converted into thermal energy while being absorbed by the tissue. Ultrasound with sufficient energy can cause a rapid temperature rise in the tissue, which is called the thermal effect of ultrasound. High intensity focused ultrasound (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) is a form of strengthening the intensity by focusing the ultrasonic wave generated from the ultrasonic transducer (transducer) to a constant focusing point (ie, focus).

      Referring to the configuration of the present invention as shown in FIG. 4, the applicator 30 in close contact with the surgical site is a vacuum suction device 45 capable of sucking the surgical site, a high frequency generator 43 capable of applying RF high frequency 43 ) Is provided with a controller 46 that can adjust the image ultrasound (43) and the ultrasound treatment transducer 42, and the user interface adjustment monitor (Monitor, screen 47).

      1 is a view showing the focused ultrasound emitted from the hemispherical transducer of the high-intensity focused ultrasound generator, the inner surface of the ultrasonic transducer 11 is composed of a single radius (d) to form a focal point at point F And the point F is raised to 50 ~ 90 ℃. The size of the formed focal point is approximately 1.0Φ or less. The intensity of the ultrasonic energy radiated from the transducer increases (F1 <F2 <F3 ·· <Fn, the closer to the point F).

      The voltage generated by the ultrasonic generator 42 and applied to the transducer 32 of the applicator 30 is set to two modes. In detail, in the first mode, when a constant Vp-p voltage of 30 to 300 Volt is applied continuously as T (= T1 + T2) time as shown in FIG. Will cause. In another mode, a short pulse (on-time = T1, micro-second to millisecond) is applied to the voltage applied to the transducer so that the pulse width does not suddenly rise at the focusing point. When the second millisecond is applied at a constant Vp-p voltage of 30 to 300 volts, the ultrasonic focusing point becomes off time (T2) before the temperature rises. There is only a vibration to the face, a push function that pushes deep.

When the short pulse is described in detail, T1 is On-Time, T2 is Off-Time, and T = T1 + T2 and T1 = (1/10 to 1/20) x T, And 100uSec ~ 10mSec.

      Figure 3 (a) is an embodiment of the applicator according to the present invention in the socket-shaped probe 30 having an empty space therein to operate the case without applying a voltage to the ultrasonic transducer will be described first The internal space sucks the target area with a vacuum pump during the procedure to reduce fat,

A high frequency current flows between the RF high frequency electrodes 35a and 35b and is heated. In this case, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 3 (a), the high frequency current flows to the epidermis side despite vacuum suction, and the effect on the subcutaneous fat is less.

In order to further push the high frequency current flowing between the RF high-frequency electrodes 35a and 35b into the subcutaneous fat layer, the ultrasonic transducer as shown in FIG. 3 (b) is continuously fixed as shown in FIG. 2 (a). Applying the Vp-p voltage causes a rapid temperature rise at the ultrasonic focusing point F, and a better fat reduction effect can be obtained due to the heat generation and synergy effect of the RF high frequency.

Applying a constant Vp-p voltage of a short pulse (On Time = T1, Micro-second to lli-second) RF frequency as shown in Figure 2 (b) The high frequency current flowing between the electrodes 35a and 35b acts as a vibration of the ultrasonic energy, that is, a push that pushes deeply, thus affecting the subcutaneous fat layer as shown in the figure to increase the fat reduction effect.

      In another embodiment according to the present invention as a method that can be applied to break down fat using cryolipolysis according to the apoptosis principle, a cooling plate using a thermoelectric element (Cooling Plate: 35a, In the case of applying 35b), the cooling plate has a thermoelectric element attached to the opposite side of the cooling plate and a water jacket for cooling the thermoelectric element.

The heat energy from the cooling plates (35a, 35b) acts on the epidermis as shown in FIG. 3 (a). As shown in FIG. 3 (b), a short pulse on the transducer (on time = T1, When a constant Vp-p voltage of micro-second to milli-second is applied, the cooled thermal energy generated between the cooling plates 35a and 35b as shown in FIG. 2 (b). The vibration of the ultrasonic energy, that is, pushes deep into the (PUSH) role to affect the deep layer as shown in Figure 3 (b).

      Although not shown in the present invention, during the procedure, the target site may be sucked with a vacuum pump, and the ultrasound procedure may be performed with the transducer 42 while checking the image of the procedure site with the image ultrasonic wave 43, and the thermal effect of the RF high frequency. Fat Reduction by Fat or Fat Reduction by Thermal Energy of a Cooling Plate Applying the Apoptosis Principle may be performed separately, or may be treated by mixing (Mix) with cooling after a thermal effect.

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

11: Hemispherical ultrasonic transducer with focal length (radius d)
30: Applicator according to the present invention
31: cartridge 32: transducer
33: medium with low ultrasonic loss 34: window
35a: RF high frequency electrode a / or cooling plate
35b: RF high frequency electrode b / or cooling plate
41: ultrasonic image generator
42 Ultrasound Procedure
43: RF high frequency generator 44: Cooling device
45: vacuum suction device 46: controller
47: monitor 50: cuticle
51: dermis 52: subcutaneous fat
60: transducer feeder

Claims (7)

An applicator adsorbed to a target site;
RF high frequency electrodes provided on both inner walls of the applicator to irradiate RF frequencies;
An ultrasonic transducer that is movable within the applicator and which irradiates high-intensity focused ultrasound to push the RF high frequency emitted from the RF high frequency electrode to a target site; And
And a controller configured to drive and control the ultrasonic transducer.
The ultrasonic transducer is a high-intensity focused ultrasound generating device for generating a vibration toward the focus by receiving a constant voltage set from the controller.
The method of claim 1,
High intensity focused ultrasound of the ultrasonic transducer,
High intensity focused ultrasound generation apparatus focusing on the same point as the RF high frequency of the RF high frequency electrode.
An applicator adsorbed to a target site;
Cooling plates which are provided on both inner walls of the applicator, respectively, and release heat energy toward the target site to freeze-fat-decompose the target site by the apoptosis principle; And
It is possible to irradiate the image ultrasound and high-intensity focused ultrasound to the target site, the ultrasonic transducer for pushing the heat energy emitted from the cooling plate to the target site by irradiating the high-intensity focused ultrasound to the target site; high intensity focused ultrasound generation including a Device.
The method of claim 3, wherein
The cooling plate,
A thermoelectric element provided on the opposite side of the portion in close contact with the target portion,
High intensity focused ultrasound generation device including a water jacket for cooling the thermoelectric element.
The method of claim 3, wherein
And a monitor configured to output an image of a target portion by using the image ultrasonic waves of the ultrasonic transducer.
The method of claim 3, wherein
The ultrasonic transducer,
High intensity focused ultrasound generation device that can move within the applicator.
The method of claim 3, wherein
High intensity focused ultrasound generation device further comprising a controller for driving control of the ultrasound transducer.

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