WO2004035138A1

WO2004035138A1 - Ultrasonic generator with several probes for skin stimulus

Info

Publication number: WO2004035138A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/002103
Authority: WO
Inventors: Min-Hwa Lee; Moon-Soo Kim
Original assignee: Mediventure Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-10-17
Filing date: 2003-10-13
Publication date: 2004-04-29
Also published as: AU2003271198A1; KR20040034797A; KR100516899B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to the structure of a probe, which transmits the vibrations of a piezoelectric ceramic to the skin, and an ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator with a plurality of the probes for a skin stimulus. An ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator for a skin stimulus includes a high frequency generation unit for transmitting high-frequency power to a piezoelectric ceramic so that the piezoelectric ceramic functions as a vibrator receives electrical signals and generates micro-vibrations, an ultrasonic wave/low frequency transmission unit including a plurality of probes for transmitting ultrasonic waves caused by vibrations generated from the piezoelectric ceramic to the skin, and a probe support for supporting the probes, an ultrasonic wave selection unit for allowing a user to select ultrasonic waves to be generated from each of the probes, a temperature detection unit for electrically detecting a temperature of the probes, comparing the temperature of the probes with a predetermined temperature, and controlling power, a power unit for supplying power to the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator, the power unit automatically turning on power when the probes are in close contact with the skin and the power unit automatically turning off the power when the probes are not in close contact with the skin for a long time, a gel cartridge constructed in a changeable cartridge form to automatically spray a gel on the probes when the power is turned on, and a low frequency generation unit for generating low frequency waves to cause an electrical stimulus to a human body by allowing the low frequency current to pass through the human body.

Description

ULTRASONIC GENERATOR WITH SEVERAL PROBES FOR SKIN

STIMULUS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the structure of a probe that transmits the vibrations of a piezoelectric ceramic to the skin of humans, and an ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator with a plurality ofthe probes for a skin stimulus.

Background Art

Piezoelectric ceramics for generating ultrasonic waves have been used as the core components of various applications since they were invented. The representatives of the applications include a military sonar, a sonar for a fish-finder, an element for a medical diagnostic ultrasonic system, a ceramic resonator, a ceramic filter, an element for an ultrasonic washer and an ignition element for a gas range.

Generally, the piezoelectric ceramic has two main features, which are the feature of an electrostriction effect in which the piezoelectric ceramic contracts or expands when an electric field is applied to electrodes with the piezoelectric ceramic interposed therebetween, and the feature of a piezoelectric effect in which an electric field is generated when a mechanical force is applied to the electrodes with the piezoelectric ceramic interposed therebetween. The ignition element for a gas range is a product using the feature of the piezoelectric effect, and an ultrasonic wave generator for a skin stimulus is a product using the feature ofthe electrostriction effect. When a Direct Current (DC) electric field is applied to the electrodes with the piezoelectric ceramic interposed therebetween, the piezoelectric ceramic contracts or expands once, and then stops.

However, when an Alternating Current (AC) electric field is applied to the electrodes, the piezoelectric ceramic repeatedly contracts and expands while the directions of the electric field change, so that the piezoelectric ceramic vibrates. In this case, the extent of the vibrations is changed according to the frequency of the electric field and the vibrations can be controlled.

The vibrations of the piezoelectric ceramic are classified into several vibration modes, including a surface-vibration mode, a thickness-vibration mode and a thickness twisted- vibration mode, according to the features of the vibrations. The surface- vibration mode is used when a relatively low vibration frequency is obtained, and the thickness-vibration mode or thickness twisted-vibration mode is used when a high frequency of more than several MHz is obtained.

The ultrasonic wave generator or the ultrasonic washer uses the thickness- vibration mode or the thickness twisted- vibration mode. As shown in FIG. 1 showing a prior art, a skin stimulator stimulates the skin by allowing ultrasonic waves generated by a piezoelectric ceramic (vibrator) to vibrate a part of the skin stimulator in contact with the skin from several hundred of thousands to several millions times per second, so that the circulation of blood through the skin is increased and, thus, the skin becomes healthier.

The probe of the conventional ultrasonic wave generator for a skin stimulus forms a cylindrical shape with the part of the probe in contact with the skin closed, and allows the piezoelectric ceramic (vibrator) to be combined with the inside of the bottom (that is, the inside ofthe bottom corresponding to the part in contact with the skin). The conventional ultrasonic wave generator includes a single probe. Furthermore, the surface ofthe probe to come into contact with the skin has a plane shape.

However, in the case where the probe of the conventional ultrasonic wave generator has the above-described structure, problems arise as follows.

First, a problem arises in that ultrasonic waves in various frequency bands cannot be generated simultaneously because a single probe is provided.

Second, the probe has a plane end surface, so that it is difficult to effectively stimulate the curved parts ofthe skin.

Disclosure of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object ofthe present invention is to provide a skin stimulator that has a plurality of probes rather than a single probe, thus being capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves to the skin of any thickness. Furthermore, each ofthe probes has a curved shape to desirably come into close contact with the skin.

In order to accomplish the above object, a skin stimulator includes a plurality of probes each having a curved shape and, thus, must effectively transmit ultrasonic waves generated from an ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator to the skin. For this purpose, the skin simulator includes a high frequency generation unit for transmitting high-frequency power to a piezoelectric ceramic so that the piezoelectric ceramic functions as a vibrator receives electrical signals and generates micro-vibrations, an ultrasonic wave/low frequency transmission unit including a plurality of probes for transmitting ultrasonic waves caused by vibrations generated from the piezoelectric ceramic to the skin, and a probe support for supporting the probes, an ultrasonic wave selection unit for allowing a user to select ultrasonic waves to be generated from each of the probes, a temperature detection unit for electrically detecting a temperature of the probes, comparing the temperature of the probes with a predetermined temperature, and controlling power, a power unit for supplying power to the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator, the power unit automatically turning on power when the probes are in close contact with the skin and the power unit automatically turning off the power when the probes are not in close contact with the skin for a long time, a gel cartridge constructed in a changeable cartridge form to automatically spray a gel on the probes when the power is turned on, a low frequency generation unit for generating low frequency waves to cause an electrical stimulus to a human body by allowing the low- frequency current to pass through the human body; and a control unit provided with operational algorithms ofthe function units for controlling the function units.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional skin stimulator with a single probe;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator with a plurality of probes for a skin stimulus according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator for a skin stimulus according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a view showing the probes and a probe support.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Embodiments ofthe present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings below.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal construction of an ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator with a plurality of probes for a skin stimulus according to the present invention. A high frequency generation unit 21 generates high-frequency power so that a vibrator (piezoelectric ceramic) can generate ultrasonic waves by receiving an electric signal and generating micro-vibrations. That is, the high frequency generation unit 21 supplies the high-frequency power amplified according to desirable ultrasonic waves to the vibrator and activates the vibrator and, thus generating the ultrasonic waves. Accordingly, the high frequency generation unit 21 controls the oscillation frequency of each of the probes according to vibrations with a specific frequency for each of the probes set in an ultrasonic wave selection unit 23, and performs constant current and voltage control so that the variation of an output load is adjusted to a set output value.

An ultrasonic wave/low frequency transmission unit 22 is a unit for transmitting the vibrations generated by the high frequency generation unit 21 to the skin, and is divided into a plurality of probes to be contact with the skin and a probe support to allow the probes to freely move along the curved skin. The probes will be described first, and then the probe support will be described.

The end surface of the probe of a conventional ultrasonic wave/low frequency transmission unit 22 is formed to be plane. To promote the circulation of blood through the skin by applying the vibrations of the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator to the skin, the energy of the vibrations must be concentrated on the skin. However, with the plane surface of the probe, the energy of the vibrations cannot be concentrated on the skin. That is, a skin stimulator having the probe formed to be plane cannot effectively transmit the energy ofthe vibrations to the curved skin, such as on a chin and a shoulder. Accordingly, in the present invention, the surfaces of the contact parts of the ultrasonic wave/low frequency transmission unit 22 in contact with the skin are manufactured in curve shapes, like probes 31a to 31c, as shown in FIG. 3. If the surfaces of the probes are constructed to be curved, any shape, such as a semicircular shape or a semi-oval shape, can be applied in the present invention.

Meanwhile, the sections of the skin on which the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator for a skin stimulus is used differ according to frequencies generated from the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator, which is related to the depth of penetration of the ultrasonic waves. That is, as the frequency increases, the depth of the penetration decreases. For example, 1MHz, the lowest frequency, is used for the thick sections of skin, such as the abdomen, and 3MHz is used for the thin sections of the skin, such as a face. However, the conventional ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator is constructed to have a single probe, as shown in FIG. 1, so that a problem arises in that the conventional ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator cannot generate different ultrasonic waves in various frequency bands at the same time. In the present invention, the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator is constructed to have a plurality of probes, so that different ultrasonic waves in various frequency bands can be generated at the same time. Being capable of generating the different ultrasonic waves in various frequency bands, the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator can stimulate all skin tissues ranging from a thin skin tissue to a thick skin tissue without regard to the depth of the skin, so that effective skin stimulus can be performed. In FIG. 3, the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator is constructed to have three probes, but the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator can be constructed to have many probes, such as four or five probes, in case of need. Meanwhile, the probes act as not only generators for producing ultrasonic wave signals but also electrodes for generating a low-frequency current to transmit an electric stimulus to the body. This will be described in detail when a low frequency generation unit is described.

Furthermore, the probes are waterproof, thus preventing sweat or foreign materials from directly coming in contact with the high frequency generation unit 21.

The sizes of the probes are not uniform, but the probes can have different sizes.

Additionally, the probes are not fastened to a probe support, so that one probe can be put on the probe support in place of another.

The probe support is a part where the probes are attached to the skin stimulator to come into close contact with the skin, and is constructed to form plate springs to allow the probes to freely move along the curved skin. That is, a plurality of the plate springs support the probes, so that the probes can come into close contact with the skin of a face along the curve of the skin, such as a nose, a chin or a forehead. More detailed descriptions ofthe structures of the probe and the probe support will be made when FIG. 4 is described.

An ultrasonic wave selection unit 23 is a unit for allowing a user of the skin stimulator to select the ultrasonic waves for each of the probes. That is, the probes can generate different frequencies, such as 1 MHz, 2 MHz and 3 MHz, so that the user can select the frequency of each ofthe probes using the ultrasonic wave selection unit. For this purpose, switches are provided on the body of the skin stimulator to select frequencies for the probes.

A gel cartridge 26 is a package placed on the outside of the skin stimulator to supply a gel, like a reference numeral 32 shown in FIG. 3. The user does not need to carry the gel because the gel is deposited in the skin stimulator and automatically sprayed on the probes when the skin stimulator is used. The gel is applied on the probes before the skin stimulator massages the skin. The ultrasonic wave signals can be desirably transmitted to a body by applying the probes on the gel. The gel is contained in a cartridge, so that, when the gel in the cartridge is all consumed, a consumed cartridge can be replaced with a new cartridge. A temperature detection unit 24 installed in the probe functions to electrically detect the actual temperature ofthe probes, compares the temperature of the probes with a preset temperature, and controls the power. That is, when the skin stimulator is continuously used, heat is generated due to the ultrasonic waves and, thus, there is a concern about light burns. Thus, if the temperature of the probes reaches the preset temperature, the temperature detection unit 24 automatically discontinues the operation ofthe skin stimulator.

A power unit 25 is a unit for supplying power to the skin stimulator. Power can be controlled by the selection of the user, but the power can be automatically turned on/off in some cases. When the probes are in close contact with the skin and, thus, the probes are pressed, the power unit 25 detects the pressing ofthe probes and supplies power, thus operating the skin stimulator. In contrast, when it is determined that the probes have been separated from the skin because the skin stimulator has not been used for a long time even though the power has been turned on, the power unit 25 discontinues the supply of power to the skin stimulator. Meanwhile, the power unit 25 uses a normal power source, but the power unit 25 can be charged by means of a battery or the like so that the user can carry and use the skin stimulator.

A control unit 20 controls the function units, automatically sprays the gel on the probes, detects the frequency of ultrasonic waves of each of the probes that the user has set using the ultrasonic wave selection unit 23, and allows the high frequency generation unit 21 to generate relevant ultrasonic waves. Meanwhile, as described above, the skin stimulator has the high frequency generation unit 21, the ultrasonic wave/low frequency transmission unit 22, the gel cartridge 26, the temperature detection unit 24, and the power unit 25. However, the skin stimulator can further include a low frequency generation unit 27. The skin stimulator has the low frequency generation unit 27 in addition to the high frequency generation unit 21, so that the skin stimulator functions as not only a massage device but also low frequency medical equipment for applying an electric stimulus to the body by passing a low frequency current through the body. The low frequency medical equipment is used for the purpose of preventing the shrinkage of paralyzed muscles, relieving pains, improving the circulation of blood and reducing shoulder pains through an electric stimulus. For this purpose, each of the probes is made to have a positive or negative polarity to allow the current generated from the low frequency generation unit 27 to pass through the body. That is, the probes are used as not only generators for generating the ultrasonic wave signals but also electrodes for providing a steady electric stimulus to the body.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the structure ofthe probes and the probe support shown in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 4, the front view of the interior of the ultrasonic waves/low frequency generator with only two probes for a skin stimulus is illustrated for ease of description. However, it is apparent that the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator for a skin stimulus can include a plurality of probes depending on products.

The ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator for a skin stimulus can generate ultrasonic waves and low frequency waves. In the case where the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator for a skin stimulus is used as an ultrasonic wave stimulator, the piezoelectric ceramic 42 generating vibrations by receiving electric field and being contracted and expanded is protected by a front head casing 41 and a rear casing 46, and is located under the front head casing 41. Signal lines 49 are connected to the front head casing 41 and the lower part ofthe piezoelectric ceramic 42 so as to allow a current to flow to the both electrodes. Since the front head casing 41 is made of a conductive material, the current is naturally allowed to flow to an electrode of the piezoelectric ceramic 42 if the current having one polarity is allowed to flow to the front head casing 41. The signal lines are directly connected to the lower part ofthe piezoelectric ceramic 42 to allow a current having the other polarity to flow to the piezoelectric ceramic 42. The head casing formed in a curved shape to come into close contact with the skin not only acts to transmit the current but also becomes a part for spraying the gel.

Meanwhile, in the case where the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator for a skin stimulus is used as a low frequency stimulator, signal lines 49 transmit different electric signals to allow the probes to have different polarities. That is, if an electric signal is output to allow one first probe to have a positive polarity, the electric signal is generated to make the other probe to have a negative polarity is made to generate.

The rear casing 46 is constructed to cover the lower part of the piezoelectric ceramic 42.

Each of probes including the front head casing 41 and the rear casing 46 may be inserted into a round exterior cover 43. The exterior cover 43 acts to prevent each of the probes from being removed. The exterior cover 43 is connected to a link unit 44 located along the central axis.

An end of the plate spring 48 is attached under the rear casing 46, and the plate spring performs operations of being pressed and returning according to the extent to which that a probe casing comes into close contact with the skin while the probe casing moves along the curved skin. The operation of the plate spring enables the probes to come into close contact with the skin while the probes are operated. The rear casing and the plate spring come into contact with each other via an injected block 47 for fixing the plate spring. In more detail, an end of the plate spring is completely attached to the injected block 47 for fixing the plate spring, and the rear casing 46 is constructed to have a projection at the center thereof so as to allow the projection to be put into a specific recess of the injected block 47 of the plate spring so that the probe casing is easily detached from the skin stimulator.

An inner support 45 functions to support the link unit 44 located in the middle of the plurality of the probes in the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator for a skin stimulus, and functions as a part to which the other ends ofthe plate springs are attached.

Although the spirit of the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments, the embodiments are presented for illustrative purposes and those skilled in the art can appreciate that various embodiments can be allowed without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

Industrial Applicability

As described above, an ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator for a skin stimulus includes a plurality of probes, thus being capable of massaging overall sections ofthe skin having any thickness without regard to the depth ofthe skin so that the effect of the skin stimulus increases. Furthermore, the probes are constructed in curved shapes, so that ultrasonic waves are desirably transmitted even to the curved skin. Additionally, the probes have the function of electrodes, so that the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator for a skin stimulus has not only the function of an ultrasonic wave massage but also the function of a low frequency medical massage, thus implementing the skin stimulator having various uses.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator for a skin stimulus, comprising: a high frequency generation unit for transmitting high-frequency power to a piezoelectric ceramic so that the piezoelectric ceramic functions as a vibrator receives electrical signals and generates micro-vibrations; an ultrasonic wave/low frequency transmission unit including a plurality of probes for transmitting ultrasonic waves caused by vibrations generated from the piezoelectric ceramic to the skin, and a probe support for supporting the probes; an ultrasonic wave selection unit for allowing a user to select ultrasonic waves to be generated from each ofthe probes; a temperature detection unit for electrically detecting a temperature ofthe probes, comparing the temperature of the probes with a predetermined temperature, and controlling power; a power unit for supplying power to the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator, the power unit automatically turning on power when the probes are in close contact with the skin and the power unit automatically turning off the power when the probes are not in close contact with the skin for a long time; a gel cartridge constructed in a changeable cartridge form to automatically spray a gel on the probes when the power is turned on; a low frequency generation unit for generating low frequency waves to cause an electrical stimulus to a human body by allowing the low-frequency current to pass tlirough the human body; and a control unit provided with operational algorithms of the function units for controlling the function units.

2. The ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein each ofthe probes ofthe ultrasonic wave/low frequency transmission unit comprises: the piezoelectric ceramic for generating the ultrasonic waves by causing the vibrations; a front head casing used as a top cover of the piezoelectric ceramic, and constructed to form a curved surface so as to come into close contact with the skin and spray the gel; a rear casing for supporting a lower part ofthe front head casing; and signal lines for transmitting current signals to the piezoelectric ceramic and the front head casing to allow the piezoelectric ceramic to generate electric vibrations.

3. The ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator as set forth in claim 2, wherein the signal lines each transmit an electric signal to each of the probes so that the each of the probes can generate specific ultrasonic waves, when the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator is used to transmit the ultrasonic waves caused by the vibrations generated from the piezoelectric ceramic to the skin.

4. The ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator as set forth in claim 2, wherein the signal lines each transmit the electric signal to each of the probes so that the each of the probes have one of a positive and a negative polarities, when the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator is used to transmit the low frequency waves generated from the low frequency generation unit to the skin.

5. The ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the probe support ofthe ultrasonic wave/low frequency transmission unit comprises: plate springs for allowing the probes to freely move along a curved skin; injected blocks for coupling the probes to the plate springs to allow ends of plate springs to be easily attached to and detached from the probes; and an inner support unit adapted to form a central axis of the ultrasonic wave/low frequency generator and connected to second ends ofthe plate springs.