Patent Description:
Ultrasonic waves refer to waves having a frequency of <NUM> or higher, and are widely used in the medical field for the diagnosis and treatment of affected areas as well as for skin care.

In particular, high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), a high-intensity focused form of ultrasound waves, may be non-invasively focused at a target depth of skin while not damaging the surface of the skin, unlike laser and radio frequency (RF) highfrequency waves. As a result, while a rapid temperature increase is induced at the target depth of the skin, coagulative necrosis of cells occurs without leaving side effects on various affected parts of the skin. These necrotic cells are then naturally removed by the body's mechanism for repairing damaged parts.

Meanwhile, a conventional ultrasonic wave generating apparatus has a cartridge housing and an ultrasonic wave generating unit embedded in the cartridge housing to irradiate ultrasonic waves.

According to the conventional ultrasonic wave generating apparatus, because the ultrasonic wave generating unit is fixed inside the cartridge housing, it may be difficult to adjust a focus depth of the ultrasonic waves of the ultrasonic wave generating unit.

Accordingly, the existing ultrasonic wave generating apparatus cannot adjust a focus depth of ultrasonic waves according to a target depth of skin.

A similar invention is known from <CIT>, which discloses a line-focus type ultrasound transducer which reduces operation time by linearly focusing ultrasound, maximizes operation effects, and simplifies configuration.

Another similar invention is known from <CIT>, which discloses an ultrasonic handpiece capable of horizontally and vertically moving a focal position of an ultrasonic transducer and thus capable of adjusting the forward and backward and elevation levels so that the operation can be performed with great ease and flexibility.

Another similar invention is known from <CIT>, which discloses an ultrasound medical device which comprises: a handpiece; and an ultrasound generation cartridge detachable from the handpiece and generating ultrasound.

Another similar invention is known from <CIT>, which discloses an ultrasound generation device capable of adjusting an ultrasound focus depth.

Another similar invention is known from <CIT>, which discloses an apparatus for controlling movement of an ultrasonic wave generating unit.

Another similar invention is known from <CIT>, which discloses an ultrasonic generator with adjustable ultrasonic focusing depth for treating obesity.

Embodiments of the inventive concept provide an ultrasonic wave generating apparatus that may easily adjust a focus depth of ultrasonic waves according to a target depth of skin.

The problems to be solved by the inventive concept are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art from the following description.

According to an embodiment, an ultrasonic wave generating apparatus capable of adjusting a focus depth of ultrasonic waves includes a handpiece, a cartridge housing, an ultrasonic wave generating unit provided in the cartridge housing, connected to a movable shaft extending from the handpiece, and including a transducer generating ultrasonic waves, a variable shaft connected to the ultrasonic wave generating unit and that is movable in an upward/downward direction of the transducer, and a manipulation member moving the variable shaft in the upward/downward direction, the movable shaft being configured to be movable in a longitudinal direction of the variable shaft.

According to an embodiment, the variable shaft may be configured to be expanded and contracted in the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft by the movable shaft.

According to an embodiment, the variable shaft may include one or more shafts having different diameters and that is inserted and extracted in multi-stage.

According to an embodiment, the ultrasonic wave generating apparatus may include a guide portion provided in the cartridge housing, and guiding the ultrasonic wave generating unit such that the ultrasonic wave generating unit is movable in the upward/downward direction and the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft, and the guide portion may include a guide shaft passing through the ultrasonic wave generating unit.

According to an embodiment, the guide portion may further include one or more elastic members provided in the ultrasonic wave generating unit.

According to an embodiment, the ultrasonic wave generating apparatus may further include a first magnetic member provided in the ultrasonic wave generating unit, and a second magnetic member provided in the movable shaft and magnetically coupled to the first magnetic member.

According to an embodiment, the manipulation member may be a driver, a button, or a knob.

Other detailed items of the inventive concept are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

According to the inventive concept, the ultrasonic wave generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept may easily adjust the focus depth of the ultrasonic waves according to the target depth of skin.

Furthermore, according to the ultrasonic wave generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, because the connector of the ultrasonic wave generating unit is coupled to the guide shaft to slide, the ultrasonic wave generating unit is prevented from being pivoted while the ultrasonic wave generating unit is moved in the upward/downward direction or is moved in the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft when the location of the ultrasonic wave generating unit is adjusted, whereby the location of the ultrasonic wave generating unit may be easily adjusted and an ultrasonic wave treatment may be stably performed through the transducer of the ultrasonic wave generating unit while the location of the ultrasonic wave generating unit is precisely adjusted.

The effects of the inventive concept are not limited to the above-mentioned ones, and the unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art from the following description.

The advantages and the features of the inventive concept, and the method for achieving the same will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments, which will be described below in detail, together with the accompanying drawings. However, the inventive concept is not limited by the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms, and the embodiments are simply provided to make the disclosure of the inventive concept complete and to fully inform a person ordinarily skilled in the art, to which the inventive concept pertains, of the scope of the inventive concept, and the inventive concept is defined only by the scope of the claims.

The terms used in the specification is for explaining the embodiments, and are not intended to limit the inventive concept. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless an exemption is explicitly described in the context. The terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" used herein does not exclude presence or addition of one or more other elements, in addition to the aforementioned elements. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals denote the same elements, and "and/or" includes the respective elements and all combinations of the elements. Although "first", "second" and the like are used to describe various elements, the elements are not limited by the terms. The terms are used simply to distinguish one element from other elements. Accordingly, it is apparent that a first element mentioned in the following may be a second element without departing from the spirit of the inventive concept.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the inventive concept pertains. Furthermore, the terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

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

Prior to a description of the inventive concept, in several embodiments, a first embodiment will be representatively described while the same reference numerals are used for the elements having the same configurations, and in the other embodiments, other configurations than those of the first embodiment will be described.

<FIG> is a schematic view illustrating an ultrasonic wave generating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the inventive concept, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a connector of the ultrasonic wave generating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the inventive concept.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the ultrasonic wave generating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the inventive concept includes a handpiece <NUM>, a cartridge housing <NUM>, an ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM>, a variable shaft <NUM>, a manipulation member <NUM>, and a guide portion <NUM>.

Here, the handpiece <NUM> and the cartridge housing <NUM> correspond to a basic body, the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> includes a transducer <NUM> generating ultrasonic waves, the variable shaft <NUM> and the manipulation member <NUM> function to move the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> in an upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM>, and the guide portion <NUM> is provided in the cartridge housing <NUM> to function to guide the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM>, such that the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> may be moved in the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM> and a longitudinal direction of the variable shaft <NUM>.

The handpiece <NUM> is a basic body, and may be utilized as a gripper for gripping of a user, and the cartridge housing <NUM>, which will be described below, is detachably coupled to one side of the handpiece <NUM>. The ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> having the transducer <NUM> generating ultrasonic waves is disposed in an interior of the cartridge housing <NUM>. Accordingly, in a state in which the user grips the handpiece <NUM> and moves the handpiece <NUM> such that the cartridge housing <NUM> comes into close contact with the surface of skin, an ultrasonic medical surgery may be carried out by irradiating the ultrasonic waves generated by the transducer <NUM> to a target depth of the skin.

A cable connected to an RF board for applying an RF current to the transducer <NUM> may be provided in an interior of the handpiece <NUM>. The RF board may be accommodated in a main body or the handpiece <NUM>, and may intermittently or continuously apply RF currents to the transducer <NUM>.

The cartridge housing <NUM> is a type of case accommodating the transducer <NUM>, and is detachably coupled to the handpiece <NUM>.

A fluid medium for delivering ultrasonic waves generated by the transducer <NUM> may be accommodated in the cartridge housing <NUM>. Here, the fluid medium may be distilled water, degassing liquid, or silicon, but the inventive concept is not particularly limited thereto.

The ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> is provided in the cartridge housing <NUM>, and includes a connector <NUM>, connected to the variable shaft <NUM>, which will be described below, and the transducer <NUM> that is connected to the connector <NUM> and generates ultrasonic waves.

The connector <NUM> is provided in the cartridge housing <NUM>, and one side of the connector <NUM> is connected to the variable shaft <NUM> and an opposite side of the connector <NUM> is connected to the transducer <NUM>.

The transducer <NUM> may receive an electrical signal from the RF board by using the cable of the handpiece <NUM>, and may focus the ultrasonic waves to a specific location. Here, the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM> may be defined as a direction, in which the focus depth of the ultrasonic waves of the transducer <NUM> is changed.

Here, a vertical distance from a distal end of the cartridge housing <NUM> to the specific location, at which the ultrasonic waves are focused, may be defined as the focus depth of the ultrasonic waves of the transducer <NUM>. In the embodiment, the focus depth of the ultrasonic waves of the transducer <NUM> may be adjusted as the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> is moved in the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM>, and this will be described below.

Meanwhile, the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the cartridge housing <NUM>. For example, the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> may be screw-coupled to the cartridge housing <NUM>. Furthermore, the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> may be located in the cartridge housing <NUM>, and as an example, may be detachably coupled thereto through a boss and a recess.

The guide portion <NUM> may include a guide shaft <NUM> that passes through the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, one or more elastic members <NUM> that elastically support the guide shaft <NUM>, which will be described below, may be provided in the connector <NUM> of the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM>.

The guide shaft <NUM> guides movement of the transducer <NUM> in the upward/downward direction, and movement of the variable shaft <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. As will be described below, a movable shaft <NUM> functions to move the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft <NUM>.

The guide shaft <NUM> may be provided in the cartridge housing <NUM> to be disposed in parallel to the variable shaft <NUM>, and the connector <NUM> may be coupled to be movable in the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM>. The guide shaft <NUM> may be fixed to the cartridge housing <NUM>, and for example, opposite surfaces of the guide shaft <NUM> may be coupled to opposite surfaces of the cartridge housing <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the guide shaft <NUM> may be coupled to the connector <NUM> of the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> to slide.

Furthermore, the guide shaft <NUM> may be disposed on a lower side of the variable shaft <NUM>.

As described above, because the connector <NUM> of the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> is coupled to the guide shaft <NUM> to slide, the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> may be prevented from being pivoted while in the upward/downward directionmoving in the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM> or moving in the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft <NUM> when the location of the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> is adjusted whereby an ultrasonic wave treatment may be stably performed through the transducer <NUM> of the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> while the location of the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> is precisely adjusted.

One or more elastic members <NUM> may be provided in an interior of the connector <NUM> of the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM>.

The one or more elastic members <NUM> may elastically support the guide shaft <NUM>. In detail, a pair of elastic members <NUM> may be provided, and the pair of elastic members <NUM> may be disposed to face each other in the upward/downward direction while a bushing <NUM>, on which the guide shaft <NUM> is slid, being interposed therebetween to elastically support the bushing <NUM> that is inserted into the interior of the connector <NUM> of the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM>. Springs may be used for the elastic members <NUM>, but the inventive concept is not particularly limited thereto.

The bushing <NUM> surrounds a specific portion of the guide shaft <NUM>. The bushing <NUM> may be slid in the longitudinal direction of the guide shaft <NUM>, and the connector <NUM> also may be slid in the longitudinal direction of the guide shaft <NUM> in conjunction therewith. Meanwhile, the pair of elastic members <NUM> may be disposed to face each other in the upward/downward direction while the bushing <NUM> being interposed therebetween, and may elastically support the bushing <NUM>.

Here, in the embodiment, although the bushing <NUM> is coupled to the guide shaft <NUM> to slide and the bushing <NUM> is elastically supported by the pair of elastic members <NUM>, the inventive concept is not limited thereto and the bushing <NUM> may be optionally provided. In this case, the connector <NUM> may be moved in the longitudinal direction of the guide shaft <NUM>, and the guide shaft <NUM> may be elastically supported by the pair of elastic members <NUM>.

The variable shaft <NUM> is coupled to the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM>, and is disposed in parallel to the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM>. In detail, the variable shaft <NUM> may be connected to the connector <NUM> of the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM>. Accordingly, when the variable shaft <NUM> is moved in the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM>, the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> may also be moved in the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM> in conjunction therewith.

Opposite ends of the variable shaft <NUM> may be coupled to the manipulation member <NUM>, which will be described below, and the connector <NUM>.

The variable shaft <NUM> may be disposed in parallel to a direction that is perpendicular to the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM>. Here, the direction that is perpendicular to the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM> may be the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft <NUM>.

The variable shaft <NUM> may be configured to be expanded and contracted in the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft <NUM> by the movable shaft <NUM>. Meanwhile, when the variable shaft <NUM> is expanded and contracted, the connector <NUM> may be moved in the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft <NUM>.

The variable shaft <NUM> may include one or more shafts that have different diameters and may be inserted and extracted in multi-stage. In other words, the variable shaft <NUM> may have a form, in which a plurality of shafts having different diameters are coupled to each other in a telescopic manner.

The manipulation member <NUM> is coupled to the variable shaft <NUM>, and moves the variable shaft <NUM> in the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM>. When the variable shaft <NUM> is moved in the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM> by the manipulation member <NUM>, the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> also may be moved in the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM> in conjunction therewith whereby a focus depth of the ultrasonic waves of the transducer <NUM> may be easily adjusted.

As an example, the manipulation member <NUM> may be a driving means driving the variable shaft <NUM> in the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM>.

As another example, the manipulation member <NUM> may be a knob that is coupled to a distal end of the variable shaft <NUM>. A force for moving the knob in the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM> may be applied to the knob by the user. Here, the manipulation member <NUM> may be moved along a rack gear having a specific length, in the upward/downward direction, on an outer surface of the cartridge housing <NUM>. Furthermore, a pinion gear that is selectively stopped or released from the rack gear may be provided in the manipulation member <NUM>.

The movable shaft <NUM> functions to move the transducer <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft <NUM>. The movable shaft <NUM> may be configured to be moved in the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft.

The movable shaft <NUM> may be coupled to the variable shaft <NUM>, and may move the connector <NUM> coupled to the variable shaft <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft <NUM> by expanding and contracting the variable shaft <NUM>. Here, the movable shaft <NUM> may be moved in the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft <NUM> to expand and contract the variable shaft <NUM>. The movable shaft <NUM> may be moved by a driving device. Here, the driving device may be an actuator and a driving motor, but the inventive concept is not particularly limited thereto.

Meanwhile, the movable shaft <NUM> and the variable shaft <NUM> may be coupled to each other to be separable by a first magnetic member <NUM> and a second magnetic member <NUM>, which will be described below.

The first magnetic member <NUM> may be provided on the connector <NUM> while facing the variable shaft <NUM>. The first magnetic member <NUM> may have a length that is equal to or greater than a maximum movement distance of the variable shaft <NUM>. Here, the maximum movement distance of the variable shaft <NUM> may be defined as a distance, by which the variable shaft <NUM> may be maximally moved from the cartridge housing <NUM> with respect to the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM>.

The second magnetic member <NUM> may be provided on the movable shaft <NUM> to be magnetically coupled to the first magnetic member <NUM>. The second magnetic member <NUM> may have a length that is shorter than that of the first magnetic member <NUM> with respect to the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM>.

Meanwhile, a first tube <NUM> that accommodates one area of the movable shaft <NUM>, and the first magnetic member <NUM> and the second magnetic member <NUM> may be provided between one surface of the cartridge housing <NUM> and the connector <NUM>. A second tube <NUM> that accommodates the variable shaft <NUM> may be provided between an opposite surface of the cartridge housing <NUM> and the connector <NUM>. The first tube <NUM> and the second tube <NUM> may be bellows tubes that may be expanded and contracted.

Furthermore, the first tube <NUM> and the second tube <NUM> may have an elliptical shape that has a long axis, of which a length in the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM> is larger than lengths thereof in the other directions. As described above, the first tube <NUM> and the second tube <NUM> have the elliptical shape whereby movement ranges of the movable shaft <NUM> and the variable shaft <NUM> may be ensured and a sealing performance between the inside and the outside of the cartridge housing <NUM> may be also ensured when the movable shaft <NUM> and the variable shaft <NUM> are moved in the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM>.

Furthermore, the first tube <NUM> and the second tube <NUM> are formed of a material having soft characteristics, such as urethane or silicon whereby leakage of the medium may be prevented by restraining a possibility of generation of an aperture in the first tube <NUM> and the second tube <NUM> and a reliability of the sealing performance may be secured more.

As an example, the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> may be moved in the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM> through manipulation of the manipulation member <NUM>, and may be moved in the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft <NUM> by the movable shaft <NUM> after a target location of the transducer <NUM> in the upward/downward direction is determined.

Here, when the target location of the transducer <NUM> in the upward/downward direction with respect to the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> is determined, the focus depth of the ultrasonic waves of the transducer <NUM> may be adjusted to a target depth under the skin.

Furthermore, while the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> is moved in a linear path in the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft <NUM> by the movable shaft <NUM>, the transducer <NUM> may be operated whereby the ultrasonic waves generated by the transducer <NUM> may be provided along the linear path in the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft <NUM> at the target depth under the skin.

Hereinafter, an example of adjusting a focus depth of ultrasonic waves of the transducer <NUM> of the ultrasonic wave generating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the inventive concept will be described.

<FIG> are operation views illustrating states, in which a focus depth of ultrasonic waves of the transducer of the ultrasonic wave generating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the inventive concept is adjusted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, first, the manipulation member <NUM> moves the variable shaft <NUM> downwardly. Then, the manipulation member <NUM> may be manually moved downwardly through manipulation by the user.

Next, the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> also is moved downwardly in conjunction with downward movement of the variable shaft <NUM>. As a result, the focus depth of the ultrasonic waves of the transducer <NUM> becomes larger.

Meanwhile, when the variable shaft <NUM> is moved downwardly, the movable shaft <NUM> is fixed but the variable shaft <NUM> is moved downwardly. Accordingly, the second magnetic member <NUM> may be coupled to an upper side of the first magnetic member <NUM> while the first magnetic member <NUM> provided on the variable shaft <NUM> is moved downwardly.

Furthermore, when the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> is moved downwardly, the pair of elastic members <NUM> elastically support the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> whereby the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> may be prevented from being pivoted.

Subsequently, as illustrated in <FIG>, the manipulation member <NUM> moves the variable shaft <NUM> upwardly. Then, the manipulation member <NUM> may be manually moved upwardly by the user.

Next, the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> is moved upwardly in conjunction with the upward movement of the variable shaft <NUM>. As a result, the focus depth of the ultrasonic waves of the transducer <NUM> becomes smaller.

Then, the locations of the movable shaft <NUM> and the second magnetic member <NUM> are fixed, but the second magnetic member <NUM> is magnetically coupled to a lower side of the first magnetic member <NUM> as the variable shaft <NUM> and the first magnetic member <NUM> are moved upwardly.

Meanwhile, when the variable shaft <NUM> is moved upwards, the movable shaft <NUM> is fixed but the variable shaft <NUM> is moved upwardly. Accordingly, the second magnetic member <NUM> may be coupled to a lower side of the first magnetic member <NUM> while the first magnetic member <NUM> provided in the variable shaft <NUM> is moved upwardly.

Furthermore, when the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> is moved upwardly, the pair of elastic members <NUM> elastically support the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> whereby the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> may be prevented from being pivoted.

Hereinafter, an operation example, in which the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> of the ultrasonic wave generating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the inventive concept is moved in the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft <NUM>, will be described.

<FIG> is an operation view illustrating a state in which the ultrasonic wave generating unit of the ultrasonic wave generating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the inventive concept is moved in the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft.

As illustrated in <FIG>, first, the driving device moves the movable shaft <NUM> such that the movable shaft <NUM> approaches the manipulation member <NUM>.

Next, as the movable shaft <NUM> is moved in a direction approaching the manipulation member <NUM>, the connector <NUM> also is moved in a direction approaching the manipulation member <NUM>, and the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> also is moved in a direction approaching the manipulation member <NUM> in conjunction therewith.

Meanwhile, when the variable shaft <NUM> is moved in a direction approaching the manipulation member <NUM>, the first tube <NUM> is prolonged and the second tube <NUM> is compressed.

Furthermore, when the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> is moved in a direction, in which the variable shaft <NUM> approaches the manipulation member <NUM>, the bushing <NUM> provided in an interior of the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> may be slid along the guide shaft <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view illustrating an ultrasonic wave generating apparatus according to a second embodiment of the inventive concept.

As illustrated in <FIG>, unlike the first embodiment of the inventive concept, according to the ultrasonic wave generating apparatus according to the second embodiment of the inventive concept, a guide shaft <NUM> may be provided in the cartridge housing <NUM> to be coupled to the connector <NUM> of the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM>, and may be moved in the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM> in conjunction with the variable shaft <NUM>.

In other words, the guide shaft <NUM> may be moved in the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM>, together with the variable shaft <NUM> and the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the pair of elastic members <NUM> may be disposed at ends of the guide shaft <NUM> to face each other, and may elastically support the guide shaft <NUM> that is moved in the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM>. The pair of elastic members <NUM> may be provided at opposite sides of the guide shaft <NUM>, respectively.

Hereinafter, an example of adjusting a focus depth of ultrasonic waves of the transducer <NUM> of the ultrasonic wave generating apparatus according to the second embodiment of the inventive concept will be described. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the upward/downward direction of the transducer <NUM> will be defined as an upward/downward direction.

<FIG> are operation views illustrating states, in which a focus depth of ultrasonic waves of a transducer of the ultrasonic wave generating apparatus according to the second embodiment of the inventive concept is adjusted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, first, the manipulation member <NUM> moves the variable shaft <NUM> downwardly. Then, the manipulation member <NUM> may be moved downwardly through manipulation by the user.

Next, the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> and the guide shaft <NUM> also are moved downwardly in conjunction with the downward movement of the variable shaft <NUM>. As a result, the focus depth of the ultrasonic waves of the transducer <NUM> becomes deeper.

Meanwhile, when the variable shaft <NUM> is moved downwardly, the movable shaft <NUM> is fixed but the variable shaft <NUM> is moved downwardly. Accordingly, the second magnetic member <NUM> may be coupled to an upper side of the first magnetic member <NUM> while the first magnetic member <NUM> provided on the variable shaft <NUM> is moved downwardly.

Furthermore, when the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> is moved downwardly, the pair of elastic members <NUM> elastically support the guide shaft <NUM> that is moved in conjunction with the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> whereby the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> may be prevented from being pivoted.

Subsequently, as illustrated in <FIG>, first, the manipulation member <NUM> moves the variable shaft <NUM> upwardly. Then, the manipulation unit <NUM> may be manually moved upwardly by the user.

Next, the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> and the guide shaft <NUM> also are moved upwardly in conjunction with the upward movement of the variable shaft <NUM>. As a result, the focus depth of the ultrasonic waves of the transducer <NUM> becomes smaller.

Meanwhile, when the variable shaft <NUM> is moved upwardly, the movable shaft <NUM> is fixed but the variable shaft <NUM> is moved upwardly. Accordingly, the second magnetic member <NUM> may be coupled to a lower side of the first magnetic member <NUM> while the first magnetic member <NUM> provided on the variable shaft <NUM> is moved upwardly.

Furthermore, when the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> is moved upwardly, the pair of elastic members <NUM> elastically support the guide shaft <NUM> that is moved in conjunction with the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> whereby the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM> may be prevented from being pivoted.

Meanwhile, an ultrasonic wave generating cartridge according to the inventive concept is detachably mounted on the handpiece <NUM>, and may include the cartridge housing <NUM>, the ultrasonic wave generating unit <NUM>, the variable shaft <NUM>, the manipulation member <NUM>, the guide portion <NUM>, and the elastic member <NUM>.

Furthermore, the ultrasonic wave generating cartridge according to the inventive concept may further include the movable shaft <NUM>, the first magnetic member <NUM>, and the second magnetic member <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An ultrasonic wave generating apparatus capable of adjusting a focus depth of ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic wave generating apparatus comprising:
a handpiece (<NUM>);
an ultrasonic wave generating cartridge;
wherein the ultrasonic wave generating cartridge comprises:
a cartridge housing (<NUM>);
an ultrasonic wave generating unit (<NUM>);
a variable shaft (<NUM>);
wherein the ultrasonic wave generating unit (<NUM>) is connected to a movable shaft (<NUM>) extending from the handpiece (<NUM>), and includes a transducer (<NUM>) configured to generate the ultrasonic waves;
the variable shaft (<NUM>) connected to the ultrasonic wave generating unit (<NUM>) and configured to be movable in an upward/downward direction of the transducer (<NUM>); and
a manipulation member (<NUM>) configured to move the variable shaft (<NUM>) in the upward/downward direction,
wherein the upward/downward direction may be defined as a direction, in which the focus depth of the transducer (<NUM>) changes,
wherein the movable shaft (<NUM>) is configured to be movable in a longitudinal direction of the variable shaft (<NUM>),
wherein the variable shaft (<NUM>) is configured to be expanded and contracted in the longitudinal direction of the variable shaft (<NUM>) by the movable shaft (<NUM>),
characterized in that the variable shaft (<NUM>) includes:
multiple shafts having different diameters and configured to be inserted and extracted in multi-stage.