Patent Description:
Recently, as dietary life has become westernized, a rapid rise in obesity has become one of the major causes damaging health and beauty nationally. Accordingly, various diet programs and ultrasonic wave devices for treatment of obesity have been developed and are widely used.

An obesity treatment technique of a High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) was originally used for the purpose of anticancer therapy by destroying cancer cells by selectively and noninvasively targeting tumors of internal organs, which were coagulated at high temperature. Later, Solta Medical of the USA developed a device called Liposonix in which a HIFU technique is applied and which was the first apparatus used for treatment of human abdominal obesity.

A process of fat-shattering by using the HIFU technique is to cause a tissue temperature to be raised to <NUM>° C. to <NUM>° C at a moment when ultrasonic waves are focused on a designated point of a fat cell, thereby destroying the tissue.

An HIFU device induces coagulation necrosis of fat to occur noninvasively by focusing HIFU energy on a selected part without causing any harm on the skin surface, which is different from, for example, laser and high frequency RF equipment used in the dermatology field. The fat necrosed as such is naturally removed by a damaged portion restoration mechanism of our body.

As a known ultrasound obesity treatment device, <CIT>), having the title of 'HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND GENERATING DEVICE FOR THE DEDUCTION OF FAT TISSUE' has been proposed.

In 'HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND GENERATING DEVICE FOR THE DEDUCTION OF FAT TISSUE', a transducer is moved to a desired position in an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction and then is driven by a pivot operation with respect to a shaft, and ultrasonic waves are permeated inside the skin.

However, in 'HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND GENERATING DEVICE FOR THE DEDUCTION OF FAT TISSUE', ultrasonic waves are supplied to a curved surface (circular arc) due to the characteristics of the pivot operation when the ultrasonic waves are supplied by the pivot operation, and energy supplied to the skin is reduced and a focus depth is changed when the ultrasonic waves are moved to a periphery of the curved surface, so that there is a problem that treatment cannot be performed uniformly.

In order to solve this problem, the present applicant has been proposed <CIT> having the title of 'ULTRASONIC APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT'. In <CIT>, there has been proposed a structure in which a focus rotational movement unit capable of moving a focus of ultrasonic waves generated from an ultrasound generation unit to be in a circular shape on the same plane is included, and the focus of the ultrasonic waves is formed in the circular shape having a constant radius at a uniform depth in skin and energy is uniformly and evenly applied within the radius, so that treatment performance is increased.

However, in <CIT> having the title of 'ULTRASONIC APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT', in a structure in which a plurality of protruding members that protrude at different heights is in contact with an upper surface of the ultrasound generation unit is provided, there is a problem that a limitation in reducing the size of the apparatus and in stably moving the focus of the ultrasonic waves generated from an ultrasonic transducer unit to be in a circular shape on the same plane. <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> are considered to be relevant prior art for the present invention.

Accordingly, the present disclosure has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and an objective of the present disclosure is to provide a therapeutic ultrasound generation device, and to provide a handpiece for ultrasound treatment including the same, the device being capable of increasing an obesity treatment performance by moving a focus of ultrasonic waves in a circular shape at a uniform depth inside skin so that the ultrasonic waves evenly and uniformly penetrate the skin.

Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a therapeutic ultrasound generation device, and to provide a handpiece for ultrasound treatment including the same, the hand piece being capable of being miniaturized in size by simplifying a structure in which a focus of ultrasonic waves generated from a ultrasonic transducer unit is moved in a circular shape on the same plane, the device being capable of performing ultrasound treatment on local areas of a patient's skin, such as a portion below the eyes.

The invention is disclosed in independent claim <NUM>. In order to achieve the above objective, the invention is directed to a therapeutic ultrasound generation device including: a cartridge housing unit; an ultrasonic transducer unit positioned in the cartridge housing unit and disposed inclined with respect to a direction of a rotational central axis direction, thereby being configured to generate ultrasonic waves in an inclined direction; an inclined block unit positioned in the cartridge housing unit, having an inclined surface on a lower surface thereof, and supporting an upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit, thereby positioning the ultrasonic transducer unit to be inclined with respect to the rotational central axis direction; and a rotating motor configured to rotate the inclined block unit.

In the present invention, a ball joint unit to which the ultrasonic transducer unit is rotatably coupled is protrudingly positioned on a center of the inclined block unit, a plurality of support ball members configured to be rotated while supporting the upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit is protrudingly positioned on the lower surface of the inclined block unit, and the ultrasonic transducer unit is coupled to a ball body of the ball joint unit and the upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit is supported while being in contact with the plurality of support ball members, so that the ultrasonic transducer unit is positioned inclined.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the therapeutic ultrasound generation device may further include a torsion bar member which has a first end portion connected to the ultrasonic transducer unit and which has a second end portion connected to the cartridge housing unit.

In the present disclosure, the torsion bar member may include: a first mounting unit mounted on the ultrasonic transducer unit; a second mounting unit mounted on an inner surface of the cartridge housing unit; and a torsion spring unit having opposite end portions thereof respectively connected to the first mounting unit and the second mounting unit, the torsion spring unit absorbing shock with torsional elasticity.

In the present disclosure, the torsion spring unit may be formed such that the torsion spring unit has at least one of a bent unit or a curved unit.

The ultrasonic transducer unit may be configured to be continuously inclined in all directions of <NUM> degrees with respect to the rotational central axis direction, so that a focus of ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic transducer unit may be moved such that the focus is formed in a circular shape on the same plane.

In order to achieve the above objective, the invention is also directed to a handpiece for ultrasound treatment, the handpiece including a therapeutic ultrasound generation device as defined above; and a body housing unit to which the cartridge housing unit is detachably coupled.

Thus, the handpiece includes: an inclined block unit positioned in the cartridge housing unit, having an inclined surface on a lower surface thereof, and supporting an upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit, thereby positioning the ultrasonic transducer unit to be inclined with respect to a rotational central axis direction; and a rotating motor configured to rotate the inclined block unit, wherein the ultrasonic transducer unit is disposed inclined with respect to the rotational central axis direction, thereby being configured to generate ultrasonic waves in an inclined direction.

A ball joint unit to which the ultrasonic transducer unit is rotatably coupled is protrudingly positioned on a center of the inclined block unit, a plurality of support ball members configured to be rotated while supporting the upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit is protrudingly positioned on the lower surface of the inclined block unit, and the ultrasonic transducer unit is coupled to a ball body of the ball joint unit and the upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit may be supported while being in contact with the plurality of support ball members, so that the ultrasonic transducer unit may be positioned inclined.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the handpiece may further include a torsion bar member which has a first end portion connected to the ultrasonic transducer unit and which has a second end portion connected to the cartridge housing unit.

In the present disclosure, the ultrasonic transducer unit may be configured to be continuously inclined in all directions of <NUM> degrees with respect to the rotational central axis direction, so that a focus of ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic transducer unit may be moved such that the focus may be formed in a circular shape on the same plane.

The following features are not claimed but can be contemplated. A handle unit capable of being held by an operator's hand may be protrudingly positioned at a first side of the body housing unit, and the handle unit may include: a handle connection unit bent toward an upper portion of the body housing unit and positioned on the body housing unit; and a handle body curved from the handle connection unit and positioned downward.

A handle unit capable of being held by an operator's hand may be protrudingly positioned at a first side of the body housing unit, and the handpiece may further include a handle hinge unit positioned between the body housing unit and the handle unit or between divided portions when the handle unit is divided into two portions, the handle hinge unit being configured to rotate the body housing unit around a hinge shaft unit.

The handle hinge unit may include a rotation stopper unit configured to restrain a rotation angle of the handle unit that is rotated around the hinge shaft unit.

The rotation stopper unit may include: a plurality of restraining groove units positioned to be spaced apart from each other on an outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft unit; and a stopper protrusion unit which protrudes to an inner circumferential surface of a shaft hole where the hinge shaft unit is positioned and which is inserted into one of the plurality of restraining groove units, the stopper protrusion unit being configured to be separated from the one of the plurality of restraining groove units and then to be moved to a next one of the plurality of restraining groove units in a rotational direction when a rotational force equal to or more than a preset rotational force is applied to the stopper protrusion unit.

The handle hinge unit may include: an angle adjustment motor configured to adjust an angle of the body housing unit by rotating the hinge shaft unit; and an angle adjustment switch unit positioned at the handle unit and configured to control an operation of the angle adjustment motor.

The handpiece may further include a plurality of contact sensor units positioned at a lower surface of the cartridge housing unit and configured to sense whether a window unit of the cartridge housing unit is in contact with skin, wherein the angle adjustment motor may be connected to the plurality of contact sensor units, and may receive a contact signal sensed at the plurality of contact sensor units and may adjust the angle of the body housing unit, thereby allowing an entire surface of the window unit to be in close contact with the skin.

The handle hinge unit may further include a clearance bushing unit into which the hinge shaft unit is inserted therein and configured to allow the hinge shaft unit to be rotated when a rotational force equal to or more than a preset rotational force is applied to the clearance bushing unit.

The handle hinge unit may further include: a brake pad configured to brake a rotation of the hinge shaft unit; and a brake actuation knob unit configured to press the hinge shaft unit with the brake pad.

In the present disclosure, energy is uniformly and evenly applied to a treatment area by moving a focus of ultrasonic waves in a plane at a uniform depth in the skin, and the focus of the ultrasonic waves is formed in a circular shape having a constant radius at the uniform depth in the skin, so that there is an effect that treatment performance is increased by uniformly and evenly applying the energy within the radius.

In addition, in the present disclosure, a structure in which a focus of ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic transducer unit is moved in a circular shape on the same plane is simplified, and a size of the handpiece for ultrasound treatment is miniaturized, so that there is an effect that ultrasound treatment of local areas of a patient's skin, such as a portion below the eyes, is capable of being performed.

Hereinbelow, the present disclosure will be described in more detail.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to the detailed description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that the terms and words used in the specification and the claims should not be construed as being limited to ordinary meanings or dictionary definitions. Therefore, the description proposed herein is just an exemplary embodiment for the purpose of illustrations only, not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, so it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present disclosure at the time at which the present application is filed.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a handpiece for ultrasound treatment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the handpiece for ultrasound treatment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a therapeutic ultrasound generation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the handpiece for ultrasound treatment includes: a cartridge housing unit <NUM> in which an ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is positioned at an inner portion of the cartridge housing unit <NUM>; and a body housing unit <NUM> to which the cartridge housing unit <NUM> is detachably coupled.

The handpiece for ultrasound treatment according to the present disclosure is connected to a control body <NUM> via a cable body <NUM> for a handpiece, the cable body <NUM> including a power cable and both a medium supply line and a medium discharge line that are for circulating a medium in the cartridge housing unit <NUM>. Further, the cable body <NUM> for the handpiece and the control body <NUM> may be realized in various forms of known examples of known ultrasonic treatment devices, so that a more detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A cartridge locking unit <NUM> on which the cartridge housing unit <NUM> is capable of being hung and fixed is positioned at the body housing unit <NUM>. Further, the cartridge locking unit <NUM> is elastically supported by a spring, and thus a wedge-shaped catching unit is caught in a catching groove that is positioned inside the cartridge housing unit <NUM>, so that a coupled state of the cartridge housing unit <NUM> is fixed. Furthermore, when the cartridge locking unit <NUM> is pressed, the catching unit is separated from the catching groove, and the cartridge housing unit <NUM> can be detached.

In addition to the cartridge locking unit <NUM>, known locking structures capable of separating the cartridge housing unit <NUM> can be applied to the cartridge housing unit <NUM>, and the cartridge housing unit <NUM> may be maintained in a state of being coupled to the body housing unit <NUM> or may be detached from the body housing unit <NUM>, so that a more detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A handle unit <NUM> that can be held by hand of an operator is positioned at a first side of the body housing unit <NUM>.

The handle unit <NUM> includes: a handle connection unit <NUM> bent toward an upper side of the body housing unit <NUM>; and a handle body <NUM> curved downward from the handle connection unit <NUM>.

The operator can hold the handle body <NUM> which is curved from the handle connection unit <NUM> and which integrally extends downward, so that the operator can perform an operation by easily contacting a window unit <NUM> of the cartridge housing unit <NUM> to the skin closely.

The handle unit <NUM> is designed such that a portion of the handle unit <NUM> having a shape which is bent upward and then which extends and which is curved downward, i.e., the handle body <NUM>, is held. Therefore, a load applied to the operator during the operation may be minimized, and the operation may be performed with the window unit <NUM> of the cartridge housing unit <NUM> being capable of being easily in close contact with the skin.

Meanwhile, the therapeutic ultrasound generation device according to the present disclosure includes: the cartridge housing unit <NUM> in which the window unit <NUM> where ultrasonic waves are transmitted therethrough is positioned at a lower portion of the cartridge housing unit <NUM>; and the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> positioned inside the cartridge housing unit <NUM> and configured to generate ultrasonic waves toward downward.

The window unit <NUM> is manufactured of a transparent material or a translucent material through which ultrasonic waves are transmitted. Further, since the window unit <NUM> is manufactured of known materials through which ultrasonic waves are transmitted, a more detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The cartridge housing unit <NUM> includes: an upper housing unit <NUM> detachably coupled to the body housing unit <NUM>; and a cone housing unit <NUM> positioned at a lower side of the upper housing unit <NUM> and formed in a cone shape in which a diameter thereof gradually decreases toward downward.

Since the cartridge housing unit <NUM> includes the upper housing unit <NUM> formed in a cylindrical shape and includes the cone housing unit <NUM> formed in the cone shape in which the diameter thereof gradually decreases toward downward, a space capable of sufficiently locating a driving unit that is for rotating the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is secured. In addition, since an area in contact with the skin via a lower surface of the cone housing unit <NUM> is lowered, the cartridge housing unit <NUM> may be easily in contact with local areas.

The window unit <NUM> is positioned at a lower surface of the cone housing unit <NUM>, and the window unit <NUM> is formed in a size capable of performing ultrasound treatment by being in contact with the local areas of a patient's skin, such as a portion below the eyes of the patient.

The cartridge housing unit <NUM> has a structure in which an inner portion of the cartridge housing unit <NUM> is sealed, and the inner portion of the cartridge housing unit <NUM> is filled with an ultrasound transmission medium.

It should be noted that the ultrasound transmission medium is water as an example, and the ultrasound transmission medium may be realized in various forms.

The ultrasound transmission medium may not only serve to transmit ultrasonic waves but may also serve to cool the patient's skin through the window unit <NUM> that is in contact with the skin.

A protruding tubular unit <NUM> for supplying a medium and a protruding tubular unit <NUM> for discharging a medium that are for circulating the ultrasound transmission medium are protrudingly positioned at an upper surface of the cartridge housing unit <NUM>.

In addition, an inclined block unit <NUM> having an inclined surface on a lower surface thereof is positioned inside the cartridge housing unit <NUM>, and the inclined block unit <NUM> is rotated by a rotating motor <NUM>.

On the inclined block unit <NUM>, a block rotary shaft unit <NUM> detachably connected to a shaft of the rotating motor <NUM> protrudes upward.

The rotating motor <NUM> is positioned inside the body housing unit <NUM>, and the block rotary shaft unit <NUM> is positioned such that an upper surface of the block rotary shaft unit <NUM> is exposed to an upper portion of the cartridge housing unit <NUM> or the block rotary shaft unit <NUM> protrudes the upper portion of the cartridge housing unit <NUM>, so that the block rotary shaft unit <NUM> may be connected to the rotating motor <NUM> that is positioned inside the body housing unit <NUM>.

The block rotary shaft unit <NUM> is rotatably positioned at an upper surface portion of the cartridge housing unit <NUM>, and may be realized by using known sealing structures sealing a rotary shaft, so that a more detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The block rotary shaft unit <NUM> is provided with a connection shaft unit <NUM> that protrudes toward the upper surface of the cartridge housing unit <NUM>, and the shaft of the rotating motor <NUM> is provided with a shaft adapter unit <NUM> into which the connection shaft unit <NUM> is inserted, thereby being connected to the block rotary shaft unit <NUM>.

A shaft insertion unit that is open downward is positioned inside the shaft adapter unit <NUM> such that the connection shaft unit <NUM> is inserted into an inner portion of the shaft insertion unit. As an example, the connection shaft unit <NUM> is a shaft having a polygonal cross-sectional area, and the shaft insertion unit is an insertion groove unit having a polygonal shape that corresponds to the connection shaft unit <NUM>.

A supply tube connection unit <NUM> and a discharge tube connection unit <NUM> that connect the protruding tubular unit <NUM> for supplying the medium and the protruding tubular unit <NUM> for discharging the medium to a medium circulating unit (not illustrated) which is positioned in the control body <NUM> when the body housing unit <NUM> and the cartridge housing unit <NUM> are coupled to each other are positioned inside the body housing unit <NUM>, the control body <NUM> being configured to control an operation of the handpiece for ultrasound treatment.

The control body <NUM> may be realized in various forms in a known ultrasound treatment device including a control unit configured to control an operation of a handpiece for ultrasound treatment and a medium circulating unit configured to circulate an ultrasound transmission medium, so that a more detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Although the medium circulating unit is not illustrated, the medium circulating unit may be realized in various forms by using a known cooling water circulating structure including a medium storage tank, a medium supply line unit connecting the medium storage tank to the supply tube connection unit <NUM>, a medium discharge line unit connecting the medium storage tank to the discharge tube connection unit <NUM>, a valve positioned at the medium supply line unit, a medium cooling unit positioned at the medium storage tank, and so on, so that a more detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The supply tube connection unit <NUM> is provided with a first protruding tube insertion unit into which the protruding tubular unit <NUM> for supplying the medium is inserted, and the discharge tube connection unit <NUM> is provided with a second protruding tube insertion unit into which the protruding tubular unit <NUM> for discharging the medium is inserted.

As an example, the protruding tubular unit <NUM> for supplying the medium is inserted into the first protruding tube insertion unit, and a flow path thereof is open, so that the protruding tubular unit <NUM> for supplying the medium is connected to the medium supply line unit. Further, as an example, the protruding tubular unit <NUM> for discharging the medium is inserted into the second protruding tube insertion unit, and a flow path thereof is open, so that the protruding tubular unit <NUM> for discharging the medium is connected to the medium discharge line unit.

Both the protruding tubular unit <NUM> for supplying the medium and the supply tube connection unit <NUM> and both the protruding tubular unit <NUM> for discharging the medium and the discharge tube connection unit <NUM> may be realized in various forms by applying a known tube connection structure including the valve which connects two tubes to each other and which is open when the two tubes are connected to each other.

In addition, the therapeutic ultrasound generation device according to the present disclosure further includes a temperature detecting sensor unit <NUM> configured to detect a temperature of the ultrasound transmission medium, and the temperature detecting sensor unit <NUM> includes a first sensor connection terminal unit <NUM> that protrudes to the upper surface of the cartridge housing unit <NUM> so as to be connected to the control body <NUM>.

A second sensor connection terminal unit <NUM> that connect the temperature detecting sensor unit <NUM> to the control body <NUM> by being connected to the first sensor connection terminal unit <NUM> is positioned in the body housing unit <NUM>, and a terminal insertion unit into which the first sensor connection terminal unit <NUM> is positioned at the second sensor connection terminal unit <NUM>.

As an example, the first sensor connection terminal unit <NUM> is connected to the control unit of the control body <NUM> via the second sensor connection terminal unit <NUM> by being inserted into the terminal insertion unit.

When the cartridge housing unit <NUM> is coupled to the body housing unit <NUM>, the connection shaft unit <NUM> of the block rotary shaft unit <NUM> is inserted into the shaft insertion unit of the shaft adapter unit <NUM>, and the block rotary shaft unit <NUM> and the shaft of the rotating motor <NUM> are connected to each other. Further, the protruding tubular unit <NUM> for supplying the medium is connected to the medium circulating unit of the control body <NUM> by being inserted into the first protruding tube insertion unit of the supply tube connection unit <NUM>, and the protruding tubular unit <NUM> for discharging the medium is connected to the medium circulating unit of the control body <NUM> by being inserted into the second protruding tube insertion unit of the discharge tube connection unit <NUM>. In addition, the temperature detecting sensor unit <NUM> is connected to the control unit of the control body <NUM> by inserting the first sensor connection terminal unit <NUM> into the second sensor connection terminal unit <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the block rotary shaft unit <NUM> protrudes on a center of the inclined block unit <NUM>, so that the inclined block unit <NUM> is rotatably positioned inside the cartridge housing unit <NUM>. Further, the inclined surface is positioned on the lower surface of the inclined block unit <NUM>.

The inclined block unit <NUM> supports an upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> with the inclined surface that is positioned at the lower surface of the inclined block unit <NUM>, thereby maintaining the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> to be in an inclined state.

A ball joint unit <NUM> to which the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is rotatably coupled protrudes and is positioned on the center of the inclined block unit <NUM>.

The ball joint unit <NUM> includes a ball body <NUM> rotatably inserted into the upper portion of the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> and a ball support shaft <NUM> which protrudes from an upper portion of the ball body <NUM> and which is connected to the inclined block unit <NUM>.

An upper end portion of the ball support shaft <NUM> is fixed to the center of the inclined block unit <NUM>, and allows the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> to be continuously inclined in all directions of <NUM> degrees by a rotation of the inclined block unit <NUM> around the ball body <NUM>.

A plurality of support ball members <NUM> that is configured to be rotated while supporting the upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is protrudingly positioned on the lower surface of the inclined block unit <NUM>. Further, a part of each of the plurality of support ball members <NUM> is rotatably inserted into the inclined block unit <NUM> and is positioned inside the inclined block unit <NUM>, and a rest part of each of the plurality of support ball members <NUM> protrudes and supports the upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM>.

The plurality of support ball members <NUM> protrudes to the same height toward the lower surface of the inclined block unit <NUM>, so that the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is inclined at the same angle as an angle of the inclined surface. Further, when the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is in the inclined state, all of the support ball members <NUM> are stably in contact with and supporting the upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM>.

The ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is coupled to the ball body <NUM>, so that the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is positioned to be inclined while the upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is in contact with and supported by the plurality of support ball members <NUM>.

The plurality of support ball members <NUM> are spaced apart from the center of the inclined block unit <NUM> at a predetermined distance in a circumferential direction. That is, the plurality of support ball members <NUM> are disposed radially from the center of the inclined block unit <NUM>, thereby stably supporting the upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> that is continuously inclined in all directions of <NUM> degrees.

When the inclined block unit <NUM> is rotated by the rotating motor <NUM>, the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is continuously inclined in all directions of <NUM> degrees by the inclined block unit <NUM> that is rotated.

Meanwhile, in an embodiment of the therapeutic ultrasound generation device according to the present disclosure, a structure in which the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is continuously inclined in all directions of <NUM> degrees by both the inclined block unit <NUM> and the support ball members <NUM> that are positioned at the lower surface of the inclined block unit <NUM> is miniaturized.

In an embodiment of the therapeutic ultrasound generation device according to the present disclosure, a torsion bar member <NUM> having a first end portion connected to the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> and having a second end portion connected to the cartridge housing unit <NUM> may be further included.

The torsion bar is configured to absorb vibration that is generated when the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is continuously inclined in all directions of <NUM> degrees, thereby securing an operation stability of the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM>.

Since the torsion bar is configured to absorb vibration that is generated when the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is continuously inclined in all directions of <NUM> degrees, the operation stability of the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> may be secured even if a structure in which the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is continuously inclined in all directions of <NUM> degrees is miniaturized.

When the structure is miniaturized, a radius in which the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is continuously inclined in all directions of <NUM> degrees is decreased, and shock to the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is repeated in a short cycle, so that vibration may be generated. Accordingly, the torsion bar member <NUM> uses torsional elasticity and absorbs shock that is generated when the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is continuously inclined in all directions of <NUM> degrees in a short radius, thereby stably moving a focus of ultrasonic waves to form a circular shape on the same plane when the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is continuously inclined in all directions of <NUM> degrees.

The torsion bar member <NUM> includes a first mounting unit <NUM> mounted on the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM>, a second mounting unit <NUM> mounted on an inner surface of the cartridge housing unit <NUM>, and a torsion spring unit <NUM> having opposite end portions thereof respectively connected to the first mounting unit <NUM> and the second mounting unit <NUM>.

The torsion spring unit <NUM> is formed such that the torsion spring unit <NUM> has at least one of a bent unit or a curved unit, thereby being capable of absorbing shock through the torsional elasticity.

As an example, the torsion spring unit <NUM> may be formed in a shape such as an S shape, a C shape, and so on, and has a length capable of absorbing corresponding shock that is generated when the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is continuously inclined in all directions of <NUM> degrees while the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> has the same angle on the basis of the rotational central axis direction.

The torsion bar member <NUM> may include a plurality of torsion bar members <NUM>. As an example, a pair of the torsion bar members <NUM> is positioned to be facing each other on a side surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM>.

By providing the pair of torsion bar members <NUM> that are positioned to be facing each other, the operation stability of the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> may be further secured.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an operation example of the therapeutic ultrasound generation device according to the present disclosure. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in a state in which the ball body <NUM> of the ball joint is rotatably coupled to the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM>, the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is in contact with and supported by the plurality of support ball members <NUM> that protrudes on the inclined surface of the inclined block unit <NUM>, and is positioned to be inclined at an angle equal to an inclination of the inclined surface.

In this state, when the inclined block unit <NUM> is rotated by the rotating motor <NUM>, the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is continuously inclined in all directions of <NUM> degrees around the ball body <NUM>. At this time, a focus of ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is moved to form a circular shape on the same plane.

In addition, since the torsion bar member <NUM> uses torsional elasticity so as to absorb vibration that is generated when the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is continuously inclined in all directions of <NUM> degrees, a focus of ultrasonic waves may be stably moved while forming a circular shape on the same plane.

That is, the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is continuously inclined in all directions of <NUM> degrees around the ball body <NUM>, thereby stably moving the focus to form a circular shape on the same plane.

In the therapeutic ultrasound generation device according to the present disclosure, a focus of ultrasonic waves is formed in a circular shape having a constant radius at a uniform depth in the skin, so that energy is uniformly and evenly applied within the radius and a treatment performance may be further increased.

<FIG> shows schematic views comparing a comparative example and an embodiment of the therapeutic ultrasound generation device according to the present disclosure. <FIG> is a view illustrating the comparative example of the present disclosure in which the ultrasonic transducer unit emits ultrasonic waves in a direction perpendicular to the skin so that the ultrasonic waves are focused at a preset reference depth M in the skin. <FIG> is a view illustrating an embodiment of the present disclosure in which a focus C of ultrasonic waves at the reference depth M is formed since the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is inclined with respect to a rotational central axis direction and the focus is formed at the preset reference depth M in the skin.

A focus of ultrasonic waves within the skin is formed in an oval shape. Therefore, it is preferable that a center of the focus is positioned at the preset reference depth M. Further, when the ultrasonic waves are focused as much as possible around the reference depth M, a therapeutic effect may be increased.

In <FIG>, in a situation in which the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> emits ultrasonic waves in a direction perpendicular to the skin such that the ultrasonic waves are focused at the preset reference depth M in the skin, a focus formed in an oval shape is positioned in a vertical direction, and a height of the focus is maximized.

However, as illustrated in <FIG>, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, ultrasonic waves are emitted to the skin while the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is in the inclined state, and the focus C is positioned to be inclined at the reference depth M in the skin. Therefore, when an embodiment of the present disclosure is compared with the comparative example of the present disclosure illustrated in <FIG>, the height of the focus is reduced, and there is an effect that the focus is more concentrated and gathered on the reference depth M.

That is, in the therapeutic ultrasound generation device according to the present disclosure, by using a structure in which the ultrasonic transducer unit <NUM> is continuously inclined in all directions of <NUM> degrees, the focus C of ultrasonic waves forms a circular shape while being in the inclined state, and is moved on the same plane. Therefore, there is an effect that the focus is more concentrated and gathered on the reference depth M, and a skin treatment effect may be more increased.

Meanwhile, <FIG> are views illustrating another embodiment of the handpiece for ultrasound treatment according to the present disclosure. Referring to <FIG>, the handpiece for ultrasound treatment according to the present disclosure may further include a handle hinge unit <NUM> positioned between the body housing unit <NUM> and the handle connection unit <NUM> or between the handle connection unit <NUM> and the handle body <NUM>, the handle hinge unit <NUM> being configured to rotate the body housing unit <NUM>, thereby being capable of adjusting an angle of the body housing unit <NUM>.

That is, the handle hinge unit <NUM> may be positioned between the body housing unit <NUM> and the handle unit <NUM>, or may be positioned between divided portions when the handle unit <NUM> is divided into two portions.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views illustrating an example in which the handle hinge unit <NUM> is positioned between the body housing unit <NUM> and the handle connection unit <NUM>, and <FIG> and <FIG> are views illustrating an example in which the handle hinge unit <NUM> is positioned between the handle connection unit <NUM> and the handle body <NUM>.

By using the handle hinge unit <NUM>, the operator can rotate the body housing unit <NUM> according to a treatment area so that the window unit <NUM> of the cartridge housing unit <NUM> can be completely in close contact with the treatment area, so that a treatment convenience is secured. In addition, an accident such as a burn on the operator's skin that may occur when the window unit <NUM> is separated from the treatment area during the operation may be prevented, and the operation may be performed safely.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the handle hinge unit <NUM> may include a hinge shaft unit <NUM> and a rotation stopper unit <NUM> that is configured to restrain a rotation angle of the body housing unit <NUM> which is rotated around the hinge shaft unit <NUM>.

The rotation stopper unit <NUM> includes a plurality of restraining groove units <NUM> that are positioned to be space apart from each other on an outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft unit <NUM>, and includes a stopper protrusion unit <NUM> which is positioned at either side of the handle unit <NUM> and the body housing unit <NUM> and which protrudes to an inner circumferential surface of a shaft hole and which is inserted into the restraining groove unit <NUM>, the stopper protrusion unit <NUM> being configured to be separated from the restraining groove unit <NUM> and then to be moved to the next restraining groove unit <NUM> in a rotational direction when a rotational force equal to or more than a preset rotational force is applied to the stopper protrusion unit <NUM>.

As an example, the stopper protrusion unit <NUM> includes a stopper ball member 722a that protrudes to the inner circumferential surface of the shaft hole, and includes a stopper spring member 722b elastically supporting the stopper ball member 722a.

In addition, the stopper protrusion unit <NUM> may be realized in various forms by using a known structure in which the stopper protrusion unit <NUM> is capable of being separated from a groove and then is capable of being inserted into another groove when a force equal to or more than a preset force is applied thereto, so that a more detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to <FIG>, the handle hinge unit <NUM> may include the hinge shaft unit <NUM> and an angle adjustment motor <NUM> that is configured to adjust an angle of the body housing unit <NUM> by rotating the hinge shaft unit <NUM>.

In addition, the handle hinge unit <NUM> may further include an angle adjustment switch unit <NUM> positioned at the handle body <NUM> and configured to control an operation of the angle adjustment motor <NUM>.

The angle adjustment motor <NUM> is positioned at the hinge shaft unit <NUM> and is configured to rotate the hinge shaft unit <NUM>, so that the operator may precisely position an angle of the body housing unit <NUM> at a desired angle.

When the operator controls the angle adjustment switch unit <NUM> that is positioned at the handle body <NUM>, the angle adjustment motor <NUM> rotates the hinge shaft unit <NUM> in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction, so that an angle of the body housing unit <NUM> may be freely adjusted during the operation.

In addition, another embodiment of the handpiece for ultrasound treatment according to the present disclosure further includes a plurality of contact sensor units <NUM> positioned at the lower surface of the cartridge housing unit <NUM> and configured to detect whether the window unit <NUM> is in contact with the skin. Further, the angle adjustment motor <NUM> is connected to the plurality of contact sensor units <NUM>, and receives contact signals detected by the plurality of contact sensor units <NUM> and adjust an angle of the body housing unit <NUM> so that an entire surface of the window unit <NUM> is in contact with the skin.

The plurality of contact sensor units <NUM> may be realized in various forms by using a known contact sensor that detects whether the known contact sensor is in contact with the skin, so that a more detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The plurality of contact sensor units <NUM> is positioned to be spaced apart from each other along a circumference of the window unit <NUM>, and detect a contact state of the window unit <NUM>. Further, when it is detected that any one of the plurality of contact sensor units <NUM> is not contacted, the angle adjustment motor <NUM> receives a non-contact signal and adjusts an angle of the body housing unit <NUM>, thereby allowing the entire surface of the window unit <NUM> to be in contact with the skin.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the handle hinge unit <NUM> of the handpiece for ultrasound treatment according to the present disclosure. Referring to <FIG>, the handle hinge unit <NUM> may further include a clearance bushing unit <NUM> into which the hinge shaft unit <NUM> is inserted therein and configured to allow the hinge shaft unit <NUM> to be rotated when a rotational force equal to or more than a preset rotational force is applied to the clearance bushing unit <NUM>.

The clearance bushing unit <NUM> is coupled to the hinge shaft unit <NUM> in a tight state, thereby allowing the hinge shaft unit <NUM> to be rotated when a rotational force equal to or more than the preset rotational force is applied to the clearance bushing unit <NUM>.

In addition, the handle hinge unit <NUM> may further include a brake pad <NUM> configured to brake a rotation of the hinge shaft unit <NUM>, and a brake actuation knob unit <NUM> configured to press the hinge shaft unit <NUM> with the brake pad <NUM>.

The brake actuation knob unit <NUM> may include a knob rotary shaft member <NUM> positioned through the hinge shaft unit <NUM>, a first rotation knob <NUM> and a second rotation knob <NUM> that are respectively positioned at opposite end portions of the knob rotary shaft member <NUM>, a pressing member <NUM> to which the knob rotary shaft member <NUM> penetrates and is screwed, the pressing member <NUM> being configured to press or release the brake pad <NUM> by being moved forward or backward by the rotation of the knob rotary shaft member <NUM>, and a knob handle unit <NUM> positioned such that the knob handle unit <NUM> protrudes on the first rotation knob <NUM>.

When the knob handle unit <NUM> is held and the knob rotary shaft member <NUM> is rotated in a first direction, the pressing member <NUM> presses the brake pad <NUM>, so that an angle of the body housing unit <NUM> may be more firmly fixed.

In addition, when the knob handle unit <NUM> is held and the knob rotary shaft member <NUM> is rotate in an opposite direction, a state in which the brake pad <NUM> is pressed by the pressing member <NUM> is released. Therefore, by applying a rotational force equal to or more than the preset rotational force, the body housing unit <NUM> is rotated around the hinge shaft unit <NUM>, so that an angle of the body housing unit <NUM> may be adjusted.

In the present disclosure, an energy is uniformly and evenly applied to a treatment area by moving a focus of ultrasonic waves in a plane at a uniform depth in the skin, and the focus of the ultrasonic waves is formed in a circular shape having a constant radius at the uniform depth in the skin, so that treatment performance may be increased by uniformly and evenly applying the energy within the radius.

In addition, in the present disclosure, a structure in which a focus of ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic transducer unit is moved in a circle on the same plane is simplified, and a size of the handpiece for ultrasound treatment is miniaturized, so that ultrasound treatment of local areas of a patient's skin, such as a portion below the eyes is capable of being performed.

Claim 1:
A therapeutic ultrasound generation device comprising:
a cartridge housing unit (<NUM>);
an ultrasonic transducer unit (<NUM>) positioned in the cartridge housing unit (<NUM>) and disposed inclined with respect to a direction of a rotational central axis direction, thereby being configured to generate ultrasonic waves in an inclined direction;
an inclined block unit (<NUM>) positioned in the cartridge housing unit (<NUM>), having an inclined surface on a lower surface thereof, and supporting an upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit (<NUM>), thereby positioning the ultrasonic transducer unit (<NUM>) to be inclined with respect to the rotational central axis direction; and
a rotating motor (<NUM>) configured to rotate the inclined block unit (<NUM>) around the rotational central axis direction;
wherein the device further comprises:
a ball joint unit (<NUM>) to which the ultrasonic transducer unit (<NUM>) is rotatably coupled, said ball joint unit (<NUM>) is protrudingly positioned on a center of the inclined block unit (<NUM>);
a plurality of support ball members (<NUM>) rotatably inserted in the inclined bock unit (<NUM>), while supporting the upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit (<NUM>) are protrudingly positioned on the lower surface of the inclined block unit (<NUM>),
wherein the ultrasonic transducer unit (<NUM>) is coupled to a ball body (<NUM>) of the ball joint unit (<NUM>), and
wherein the upper surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit (<NUM>) is supported while being in contact with the plurality of support ball members (<NUM>), so that the ultrasonic transducer unit (<NUM>) is positioned inclined.