KR102480494B1 - Apparatus for laser theraphy and method for laser theraphy using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present specification, it is a laser treatment device used for laser therapy and equipped with a cooling function, a laser module for irradiating a laser to the skin, and detecting the temperature of the skin surface before being heated by the laser. Laser irradiation to the skin is performed through a cooling module including a sensor for obtaining skin temperature information, a nozzle for injecting coolant on the skin surface, and a coolant condition controller for controlling the temperature of the coolant by applying thermal energy to the coolant and a laser module. However, the cooling module is controlled to start spraying the coolant on the skin before laser irradiation, and at least one of the spray amount and temperature of the coolant is adjusted based on skin temperature information while the coolant is sprayed, and the temperature of the skin surface is first A laser treatment apparatus including a control module that detects whether a set temperature is reached and starts laser irradiation when the temperature of the skin surface reaches the first set temperature may be provided.

Description

Laser treatment device and its treatment method {APPARATUS FOR LASER THERAPHY AND METHOD FOR LASER THERAPHY USING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a laser treatment device and a treatment method thereof, and more particularly, to a laser treatment device having a cooling system and a treatment method thereof.

BACKGROUND ART In general, a laser treatment device is widely used for treatment or treatment of skin beauty, vascular lesions, hair removal, warts, and the like. In particular, since interest in skin beauty is rapidly increasing in modern society, interest in and research on laser treatment devices are increasing.

However, due to the nature of laser treatment, since a laser that outputs high energy in a very short time is used on the skin of the living body, heat energy is accumulated in a specific area of the skin, and there is a possibility of additional heat damage other than the purpose of the treatment. In addition, since the procedure proceeds on the principle of heat ablation of a specific area of the skin by outputting high energy in a short time, there is a high possibility of pain due to heat ablation.

For this purpose, laser treatment has been performed in a way that combines laser irradiation with cooling. In the case of conventional cooling, there have been methods using contact, non-contact, and air gas. In particular, in the case of conventional spray cooling, strong pressure when coolant is sprayed is applied to internal components, causing internal components to wear out. There was a problem of durability and the resulting cost of AS (After Service). In addition, in the case of spray-type cooling, side effects of skin damage and pain still exist because the spraying of the coolant essentially depends on the operator's experience.

Therefore, research on a laser treatment device having a cooling system for preventing heat damage and relieving pain and a treatment method thereof is required.

One object of the present invention is to provide a laser treatment device and a treatment method having a spray cooling system.

One object of the present invention is to provide a laser treatment device and method for controlling the temperature of a coolant by measuring the 'temperature' of the skin, which is a direct cause of skin damage.

One object of the present invention is to provide a laser treatment device and method for finely controlling the temperature or flow rate of a coolant based on the measured skin temperature.

One object of the present invention is to provide a laser treatment device and a treatment method having a jet cooling system that performs cooling before, during, and after laser irradiation by the laser treatment device.

One object of the present invention is to provide a laser treatment device and a treatment method having a jet cooling system that prevents a sudden increase in pressure when a coolant is injected.

One object of the present invention is to provide a laser treatment device and a treatment method having a spray cooling system that solves and/or prevents an error in skin temperature measurement that may occur during laser irradiation.

An apparatus for laser treatment having a cooling system disclosed in this application includes a laser module for irradiating a laser to a patient's skin; a sensor for detecting the temperature of the surface of the patient's skin before, during or after being heated by the laser; Using an inlet for receiving the coolant from the coolant storage unit, a nozzle for spraying the coolant on the skin, a conduit connecting the inlet and the nozzle, and a valve located on the conduit and short-circuiting the inlet and the nozzle A flow controller for adjusting the amount of the coolant sprayed, and a coolant condition controller for applying thermal energy to the coolant using a thermoelectric element positioned between the flow controller and the nozzle, a cooling module for cooling the surface of the skin before, during, or after being heated by; and obtaining skin temperature information through the sensor, and controlling the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed by controlling the thermal energy applied to the coolant in the coolant condition controller based on the skin temperature information, so as to control the skin being heated by the laser. A control module for adjusting the temperature of the surface of the skin to reduce damage to the surface of the skin; may include.

An apparatus for laser treatment having a cooling system disclosed in this application includes a laser module for outputting a laser to a patient's skin for laser treatment; a sensor for measuring the temperature of the skin; a nozzle spraying coolant on the skin; a coolant condition controller for controlling at least one of a temperature and an amount of the coolant; and obtaining at least one of first skin information and second skin information through the sensor, wherein the first skin information includes the skin temperature at or before the start of laser output of at least a first shot, The skin information includes at least the skin temperature at or after the end of the laser output of the first shot, and when a laser treatment of a second shot is performed after performing the laser treatment of the first shot, the first skin and a control module configured to adjust at least one of a temperature and an amount of the coolant based on at least one of information and the second skin information.

A method for a laser procedure having a cooling system disclosed in this application includes irradiating a laser to a patient's skin through a laser module; measuring, through a sensor, the temperature of the skin before, during or after being heated by the laser; Using an inlet for receiving the coolant from the coolant storage unit, a nozzle for spraying the coolant on the skin, a conduit connecting the inlet and the nozzle, and a valve located on the conduit and short-circuiting the inlet and the nozzle The coolant is sprayed through a cooling module including a flow controller for adjusting the spray amount of the coolant and a coolant condition controller for applying thermal energy to the coolant using a thermoelectric element positioned between the flow controller and the nozzle. cooling the surface of the skin before, during, or after being heated by the laser through; and controlling the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed by obtaining skin temperature information from the sensor and controlling the thermal energy applied to the coolant in the coolant condition controller based on the skin temperature information through a control module, so as to be heated by the laser. It may include adjusting the temperature of the surface of the skin to reduce damage to the surface of the skin during the treatment.

A method for laser treatment with a cooling system disclosed in this application includes: outputting a laser to a patient's skin through a laser module; Through a sensor, measuring the temperature of the skin; spraying a coolant on the skin through a nozzle; Controlling at least one of the temperature and amount of the coolant through a coolant condition controller; Obtaining at least one of first skin information and second skin information from the sensor through the control module, wherein the first skin information includes the skin temperature at or before the start of laser output of at least a first shot; , the second skin information includes at least the skin temperature at or after the end of laser output of the first shot; and when the second shot laser treatment is performed after the first shot laser treatment is performed, the temperature of the coolant is based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information through the control module. and adjusting at least one of the amount; may include.

An apparatus for laser treatment having a cooling system disclosed in this application is used for laser therapy and has a cooling function, and includes a laser module for irradiating a laser to a patient's skin; a sensor that obtains skin temperature information by detecting the temperature of the skin surface of the patient before being heated by the laser; a cooling module comprising a nozzle for injecting a coolant on the skin surface and a coolant condition regulator for controlling a temperature of the coolant by applying thermal energy to the coolant; and performing laser irradiation on the skin through the laser module, controlling the cooling module to start spraying the coolant on the skin before the laser irradiation, based on the skin temperature information while spraying the coolant. Controlling at least one of the spray amount and temperature of the coolant, detecting whether the temperature of the skin surface reaches a first set temperature, and when the temperature of the skin surface reaches the first set temperature, the laser irradiation It may include; a control module that initiates.

An apparatus for laser treatment having a cooling system disclosed in this application is a laser treatment apparatus used for laser therapy and equipped with a cooling function, comprising: a laser module for irradiating a laser to a patient's skin; a sensor that obtains skin temperature information by detecting the temperature of the skin surface of the patient before being heated by the laser; a cooling module comprising a nozzle for injecting a coolant on the skin surface and a coolant condition regulator for controlling a temperature of the coolant by applying thermal energy to the coolant; and a notification module providing a notification to guide a user in providing the laser therapy to the skin. a trigger for acquiring a user input related to the laser irradiation; and performing laser irradiation on the skin through the laser module, controlling the cooling module to start spraying the coolant on the skin before the laser irradiation, based on the skin temperature information while spraying the coolant. At least one of the spray amount and temperature of the coolant is adjusted, and when the temperature of the skin surface reaches a first set temperature, the notification is output through the notification module, and after the notification is output through the laser module, the user It may include; a control module that outputs the laser according to input reception.

The method for laser treatment with a cooling system disclosed in this application is a laser treatment method for performing cooling and laser irradiation on the patient's skin, detecting the temperature of the patient's skin surface using a sensor to obtain skin temperature information obtain; controlling the temperature of the coolant by applying thermal energy to the coolant based on the skin temperature information through a coolant condition controller; spraying the coolant on the skin surface of the patient before the laser irradiation through a nozzle; detecting whether the temperature of the skin surface reaches a first set temperature; outputting a notification indicating that the temperature of the skin surface has reached the first set temperature using a notification module; Initiating the laser irradiation to the skin through a laser module when the temperature of the skin surface reaches the first set temperature.

An apparatus for laser treatment having a cooling system disclosed in this application is a laser treatment apparatus used for laser therapy and equipped with a cooling function, comprising: a laser module for irradiating a laser to a patient's skin; a sensor for acquiring skin temperature information by detecting the temperature of the patient's skin surface; a cooling module including a flow control unit for controlling the amount of coolant sprayed on the skin based on the skin temperature information and a coolant condition control unit for controlling the temperature of the coolant; and a control module configured to control the cooling module so that the coolant is sprayed onto the skin during an injection section including a pre-cooling section starting at least before a time point prior to irradiation of the laser, wherein the The cooling module adjusts at least one of the temperature of the coolant and the amount of injection so that the temperature of the skin surface becomes a first set temperature in at least a portion of the pre-cooling section, wherein the first set temperature reflects at least a portion of the laser beam. It can be set above the temperature at which ice forms on the skin surface.

An apparatus for laser treatment having a cooling system disclosed in this application is a laser treatment apparatus used for laser therapy and equipped with a cooling function, comprising: a laser module for irradiating a laser to a patient's skin; a sensor for acquiring skin temperature information by detecting the temperature of the patient's skin surface; A flow control unit for controlling an injection amount of a cryogen sprayed on the skin based on the skin temperature information, wherein the cryogen is sprayed in a spray form including at least one of a solid state, a liquid state, and a gaseous state. and a cooling module including a coolant condition control unit for controlling the temperature of the cryogen; and at least a pre-cooling section starting at a time prior to the time of irradiating the laser and an inter-cooling section corresponding to the section to which the laser is irradiated. A control module configured to control the cooling module so that the cryogenic agent is sprayed, wherein the cooling module sets the temperature of the skin surface to a first set temperature in the pre-cooling section and increases the temperature of the skin surface in the inter-cooling section. At least one of a temperature and an injection amount of the cryogen is adjusted to a second set temperature, wherein the second set temperature is a temperature at which the cryogen in a solid state that reflects at least a part of the laser beam is formed on a path to which the laser is irradiated. It can be set above.

An apparatus for laser treatment having a cooling system disclosed in this application is a laser treatment apparatus used for laser therapy and equipped with a cooling function, comprising: a laser module for irradiating a laser to a patient's skin; a sensor for acquiring skin temperature information by detecting the temperature of the patient's skin surface; Based on the skin temperature information, the cryogen sprayed on the skin by applying thermal energy to the cryogen, which is sprayed in a spray form including at least one of a solid state, a liquid state, and a gaseous state, is sprayed a cooling module controlling a gaseous state ratio of the cryogenic agent; and at least a pre-cooling section starting at a time prior to the time of irradiating the laser and an inter-cooling section corresponding to the section to which the laser is irradiated. and a control module controlling the cooling module to spray the cryogenic agent, wherein the control module uses the cooling module so that the gas phase ratio of the cryogen in the inter-cooling section is equal to or greater than a preset value. thermal energy can be applied to

The method for laser treatment with a cooling system disclosed in this application is a laser treatment method for performing cooling and laser irradiation on the patient's skin, detecting the temperature of the patient's skin surface using a sensor to obtain skin temperature information obtain; Heat energy to a cryogen sprayed on the skin based on the skin temperature information using a thermoelectric element -the cryogen is sprayed in a spray form including at least one of a solid state, a liquid state, and a gaseous state authorize; irradiating a laser onto the patient's skin using a laser module; Adjusting the temperature of the cryogenic agent so that the temperature of the skin surface becomes a first set temperature in a pre-cooling section that starts before the time point of irradiating the laser to the skin; The temperature of the skin surface is a second set temperature in an inter-cooling section corresponding to the section to which the laser is irradiated - the second set temperature reflects at least a part of the laser on a path to which the laser is irradiated It may include; adjusting the temperature of the cryogen so that it is set above the temperature at which the cryogen in a solid state is formed.

An apparatus for laser treatment having a cooling system disclosed in this application includes a laser module for irradiating a laser to a patient's skin; a sensor for measuring the temperature of the skin before, during or after being heated by the laser; a nozzle spraying coolant on the skin; a coolant condition regulator for controlling thermal energy applied to the coolant by using a thermoelectric element; and controlling the coolant to be sprayed through the nozzle during an injection section including an inter-cooling section corresponding to the section where the laser is irradiated, a pre-cooling section before the inter-cooling section, and a post-cooling section after the inter-cooling, In order to cool the skin to a target temperature, the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed is adjusted through the coolant condition controller based on the temperature of the skin, and the temperature of the blood vessels under the skin is not contracted during the free cooling period. and a control module configured to adjust the target temperature to a corresponding skin temperature, and to adjust the target temperature to a skin temperature corresponding to a temperature of the blood vessels at which the blood vessels are contracted during at least a part of the post-cooling period.

A method for a laser procedure having a cooling system disclosed in this application includes irradiating a laser to a patient's skin through a laser module; measuring the temperature of the skin before, during or after being heated by the laser through a sensor; spraying a coolant on the skin through a nozzle; controlling thermal energy applied to the coolant through a coolant condition controller using a thermoelectric element; and during an injection period including an inter-cooling period corresponding to the period in which the laser is irradiated, a pre-cooling period before the inter-cooling period, and a post-cooling period after the inter-cooling, the coolant passes through the nozzle through a control module. In order to cool the skin to a target temperature, the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed is controlled through the coolant condition controller based on the temperature of the skin, and blood vessels under the skin are not contracted during the free cooling period. The method may include adjusting the target temperature to a skin temperature corresponding to the temperature of the blood vessel, and adjusting the target temperature to a skin temperature corresponding to the temperature of the blood vessel at which the blood vessel contracts during at least a part of the post-cooling period. there is.

According to the embodiments of the present specification, the possibility of skin damage can be minimized because the sensor unit can measure the 'temperature' of the skin, which is a direct factor of skin damage, and use it to control the temperature of the coolant.

According to the embodiments of the present specification, the coolant condition control unit may finely control the skin temperature by finely adjusting the temperature or flow rate of the coolant based on the measured skin temperature.

According to the embodiments of the present specification, the flow rate control unit may finely control the skin temperature by finely adjusting the flow rate of the coolant based on the measured skin temperature.

According to the embodiments of the present specification, skin damage caused by heat can be minimized by the spray cooling system performing cooling before and/or during laser irradiation.

According to an embodiment of the present specification, pain can be minimized by performing cooling by the spray cooling system after the end of laser irradiation.

According to the embodiments of the present specification, the injection cooling system performs cooling with a coolant having optimal physical characteristics in each section, such as before, during, and after laser irradiation, so that the treatment can be performed flexibly according to various types and purposes of treatment. can do.

According to the embodiments of the present specification, a sudden increase in pressure when the coolant is injected can be prevented by controlling the current applied to the coolant condition controller to adjust the temperature or amount of the coolant. In addition, it is possible to prevent parts of the spraying part from being worn due to the application of strong pressure by spraying the coolant. In addition, after service (AS) costs due to wear and tear can be reduced.

According to the embodiments of the present specification, it is possible to minimize the possibility of skin damage during laser irradiation by correcting or preventing errors in temperature measurement by the sensor unit during laser irradiation.

1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a laser treatment device having a cooling system disclosed herein.
2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a laser treatment device with a cooling system disclosed herein.
3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation according to an embodiment of a laser treatment device having a cooling system disclosed herein.
4 is a graph illustrating changes in a target temperature and a skin surface temperature controlled according to an exemplary embodiment of a method for driving a laser treatment apparatus disclosed in the present application.
5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method of driving a laser treatment apparatus disclosed in the present application.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a free cooling and laser irradiation method according to an embodiment of a laser treatment method disclosed in the present application.
7 is a flowchart illustrating an inter-cooling and laser irradiation method according to an embodiment of a laser treatment method disclosed in the present application.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a post-cooling and laser irradiation method according to an embodiment of a laser treatment method disclosed in the present application.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of correcting measured skin surface temperature according to an embodiment of a laser treatment method disclosed in the present application.
10 is a diagram illustrating irradiation of a laser to a first shot with respect to a first spot.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating irradiation of a second shot of laser on a first spot after a predetermined time has elapsed after irradiation of a first shot on a first spot is completed.
12 is a flowchart illustrating a driving method in the case of irradiating a plurality of shots of laser to a first spot.
13 is a diagram illustrating irradiation of a laser to a first spot.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating irradiation of a laser on a second spot after a predetermined time has elapsed after irradiation of the laser on the first spot is completed.
15 is a flowchart illustrating a driving method in the case of irradiating a laser to a plurality of spots.
16 is a flowchart illustrating a method of irradiating a laser during cooling according to an embodiment of the present invention.
17 is a diagram illustrating formation of an interfering material on the surface of the skin as cooling is performed on the skin according to an embodiment of the present specification.
18 is a diagram illustrating a method of preventing formation of interfering substances during cooling, according to an embodiment of the present specification.
19 is a diagram illustrating a method of cooling a skin surface in an injection section including an anti-frost section according to an embodiment of the present specification.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing that an interfering material is generated on a laser path irradiated to the skin according to an embodiment of the present specification.
21 is a diagram illustrating a method of preventing an interfering material from being formed on a laser path during cooling, according to an embodiment of the present specification.
22 is a diagram illustrating a method of controlling the temperature of a coolant to prevent generation of interfering substances according to an embodiment of the present specification.
23 is a flowchart of a method of treating and/or treating a vascular lesion using a laser treatment device disclosed herein.
24 is a graph illustrating a change in skin surface temperature controlled according to an exemplary embodiment of a method for treating/treating a vascular lesion of a laser treatment device disclosed in the present application.

The foregoing objects, features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present application can apply various changes and can have various embodiments. Hereinafter, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail.

In the drawings, the thickness of layers and regions is exaggerated for clarity, and an element or layer is referred to as "on" or "on" another element or layer. It includes all cases in which another layer or other component is intervened in the middle as well as immediately above another component or layer. Like reference numerals designate essentially like elements throughout the specification. In addition, components having the same function within the scope of the same idea appearing in the drawings of each embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof will be omitted.

If it is determined that a detailed description of a known function or configuration related to the present application may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present application, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, numbers (eg, first, second, etc.) used in the description process of this specification are only identifiers for distinguishing one component from another component.

In addition, the suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following embodiments are given or used interchangeably in consideration of ease of writing the specification, and do not have meanings or roles that are distinguished from each other by themselves.

In the following examples, expressions in the singular number include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In the following embodiments, terms such as include or have mean that features or components described in the specification exist, and do not preclude the possibility that one or more other features or components may be added.

In the drawings, the size of components may be exaggerated or reduced for convenience of explanation. For example, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown.

When an embodiment is otherwise implementable, a specific process sequence may be performed differently from the described sequence. For example, two processes described in succession may be performed substantially simultaneously, or may be performed in an order reverse to the order described.

In the following embodiments, when it is assumed that films, regions, components, etc. are connected, not only are the films, regions, and components directly connected, but also other films, regions, and components are interposed between the films, regions, and components. This includes cases where it is connected indirectly.

For example, when a film, region, component, etc. is electrically connected in this specification, not only is the film, region, component, etc. directly electrically connected, but another film, region, component, etc. is interposed therebetween. Including cases of indirect electrical connection.

According to one embodiment of the present specification, in a laser treatment device used for laser therapy and equipped with a cooling function, a laser module for irradiating a laser to a patient's skin, the patient's skin before being heated by the laser A cooling module comprising a sensor for detecting the temperature of the skin surface to obtain skin temperature information, a nozzle for injecting a coolant on the skin surface, and a coolant condition controller for controlling the temperature of the coolant by applying thermal energy to the coolant; and Laser irradiation is performed on the skin through the laser module, the cooling module is controlled to start spraying the coolant on the skin before the laser irradiation, and the coolant is sprayed on the skin based on the skin temperature information. Controlling at least one of the spray amount and temperature of the coolant, detecting whether the temperature of the skin surface reaches a first set temperature, and when the temperature of the skin surface reaches the first set temperature, the laser irradiation A laser treatment device including a controlling module may be provided.

Here, the cooling module may control the temperature of the coolant so that the temperature of the skin surface reaches a second set temperature different from the first set temperature after the laser irradiation.

Also, the cooling module may control the temperature of the coolant so that the temperature of the skin surface reaches the first set temperature in a preset section before the laser irradiation.

Also, when the laser irradiation is started, the cooling module may stop spraying the coolant to the skin surface.

Also, the cooling module may spray the coolant to the skin surface after the laser irradiation is finished so that the temperature of the skin surface becomes a set temperature different from the first set temperature.

In addition, the laser treatment device includes a trigger for receiving a user input, and the control module sprays the coolant on the skin surface through the cooling module and emits the laser through the laser module when receiving the user input. can be investigated

In addition, the laser treatment device includes a first trigger for receiving a first user input instructing cooling of the skin surface and a second trigger for receiving a second user input instructing laser irradiation, and the control module The coolant may be sprayed on the skin surface through the cooling module by receiving the first user input, and the laser may be radiated through the laser module by receiving the second user input.

Also, the control module may prohibit irradiation of the laser to the skin when the first user input is not received and the second user input is received.

Also, here, the laser treatment device includes a trigger for receiving a user input instructing the laser irradiation, and the control module receives the user input to perform the laser irradiation on the skin, and the temperature of the skin surface is When the first set temperature is not reached, irradiation of the laser to the skin may be prohibited.

Also, the cooling module may maintain spraying of the coolant to the skin surface during an injection period, and the injection period may include a period in which the laser module irradiates the laser light to the skin surface.

According to another embodiment of the present specification, in a laser treatment device used for laser therapy and equipped with a cooling function, a laser module for irradiating a laser to the patient's skin, the patient's skin before being heated by the laser A cooling module comprising a sensor for detecting the temperature of the skin surface to obtain skin temperature information, a nozzle for injecting a coolant on the skin surface, and a coolant condition controller for controlling the temperature of the coolant by applying thermal energy to the coolant; and Perform laser irradiation on the skin through a notification module providing a notification to guide the user in providing the laser therapy to the skin, a trigger acquiring a user input related to the laser irradiation, and the laser module However, the cooling module is controlled to start spraying the coolant to the skin before the laser irradiation, and at least one of the spray amount and temperature of the coolant is adjusted based on the skin temperature information while the coolant is sprayed, A control module outputting the notification through the notification module when the temperature of the skin surface reaches a first set temperature and outputting the laser according to the user input after the notification is output through the laser module A laser treatment device may be provided.

Here, the control module may prohibit the laser irradiation when the user input is received in a state where the temperature of the skin surface is equal to or higher than the first target temperature.

Also, the notification may include at least one of a visual notification, an auditory notification, and a tactile notification.

According to another embodiment of the present specification, in the laser treatment method for performing cooling and laser irradiation on the skin of a patient, skin temperature information is obtained by detecting the temperature of the skin surface of the patient using a sensor, The temperature of the coolant is adjusted by applying thermal energy to the coolant based on the skin temperature information through the coolant condition controller, the coolant is sprayed on the skin surface of the patient before the laser irradiation through a nozzle, and the temperature of the skin surface is detects whether a first set temperature is reached, and outputs a notification indicating that the skin surface temperature has reached the first set temperature using a notification module, and the skin surface temperature reaches the first set temperature When the temperature is reached, a laser treatment method of starting the laser irradiation to the skin through a laser module may be provided.

The present specification relates to a laser treatment device having a cooling system and a treatment method thereof. According to one embodiment of the present specification, a laser device having a cooling system may irradiate a laser beam to a target area of the skin and perform cooling on the skin surface.

Here, the laser treatment may refer to all actions intended to promote skin beauty or skin treatment by applying light energy to a target to be operated on and converting the optical energy into thermal energy for the target to be operated on. For example, it may mean causing heat ablation by accumulating thermal energy in a target to be treated with light energy of a laser.

The laser used for laser treatment may be any type of laser that can be used for skin treatment, and a long pulse laser or short pulse laser may be used depending on the treatment type.

Specifically, the laser used for the laser treatment may be determined in consideration of the absorption wavelength band of the target object of the laser treatment and the surrounding tissue, and the location (eg, depth) in the skin. Regarding the wavelength of the laser, in general, the longer the wavelength of the laser, the deeper the penetration depth into the skin. However, since the penetration depth is affected not only by the simple wavelength but also by the absorption rate of the target, the laser must be selected by considering the absorption wavelength of the target. In addition, if light having a high absorption rate of the surrounding material is used, heat may not be sufficiently applied to the target object because the laser is absorbed by the surrounding material prior to the treatment of the target object. For example, melanin is distributed in a shallow depth near the epidermis of the skin and absorbs a lot of light in a short wavelength range, so in the case of laser treatment targeting melanin, light with a relatively short wavelength and high absorption rate for melanin Preference is given to using a laser. In addition, since wavelengths of 600 nm or less are well absorbed by capillaries and wavelengths of 1200 nm or more are well absorbed by moisture in the skin, it is preferable to use light with a wavelength of 700 nm to 1100 nm for procedures targeting melanin. In other words, the laser used for laser treatment should be selected by comprehensively considering the absorption rate of the treatment target, the location (eg, depth) in the skin, and the absorption rate of the surrounding tissue.

In addition, the target described in this specification means a target to be treated. Specifically, the target area refers to a specific area or tissue of the skin where the skin procedure is to be performed, and is an area or tissue where thermal energy is intensively applied by a laser and the procedure is performed through heat ablation. , it may be part of the composition of the patient's body, including internal and external tissues, various cells, blood, saliva, and the like.

Also, the skin surface may refer to a surface area of the skin located in a laser path when laser is irradiated to the target area. That is, the skin surface may be an area located in an upper layer of the skin rather than a target area. Also, the target area may be located on the skin surface, and in this case, the target area and the skin surface may refer to substantially the same area. However, when the target area is located in a different area under the skin surface, it is clarified that the target area of the skin and the skin surface refer to different areas.

In addition, the skin and skin surface described in this specification are described as different concepts. Specifically, the skin may be a concept that includes all of the skin surface, epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, whereas the skin surface is used as a concept that refers to the upper layer tissue of the skin as an external surface tissue of the body. In other words, skin is used herein as a more inclusive concept than skin surface.

In addition, 'cooling' described in this specification means lowering the temperature of an object to be cooled by absorbing thermal energy of the object to be cooled by applying cooling energy to the object to be cooled through a coolant. For example, cooling may apply cooling energy to an object to be cooled by 'injecting' a coolant to the object to be cooled. As another example, cooling may apply cooling energy to an object to be cooled by applying cooling energy to a cooling medium and bringing the cooling medium into 'contact' with the object to be cooled. As another example, cooling energy may be applied to a target to be cooled by 'injecting' an air gas. In other words, it should be understood as a comprehensive concept including all methods (eg, contact, non-contact (or spray), air gas spray, etc.) of applying cooling energy to a target to be cooled. However, in a preferred embodiment disclosed herein, the skin surface may be cooled by spraying a coolant on the skin surface through a non-contact method, particularly a spray method.

Here, 'an object to be cooled', that is, an object to be cooled may be various. For example, when a laser treatment is performed on a patient, the object to be cooled may be a part of the patient's body, including skin, internal and external tissues, various cells, blood, saliva, etc., on which the laser treatment is performed. there is. In other words, in the present specification, an object to be cooled should be understood as a comprehensive concept that includes all areas subject to laser treatment. In particular, in the case of cooling a part of the patient's body by spraying a coolant, the coolant is generally sprayed on the skin surface, in this case, not only the skin surface but also the skin tissue of the area inside the skin surface due to the transfer of cooling energy. Cooling energy may be applied up to In this case, it should be understood as a comprehensive concept including not only the skin surface but also the skin tissue of the area inside the skin surface.

In addition, in the present specification, 'cooling agent' may include any material capable of applying cooling energy to an object to be cooled. For example, the coolant may include a cryogen including a liquid phase and/or a gas phase, a coolant, a refrigerant, and the like. As another example, the coolant may include materials that further include some solid phase. For example, 'coolant' is a phase or phase of any substance capable of applying cooling energy, such as carbon dioxide, liquid nitrogen, nitrogen dioxide, HFC-based materials, methane, PFC, SF6, cooling water, cooling gas, etc. It should be understood as a comprehensive concept including a combination of In a preferred embodiment disclosed herein, the coolant may be carbon dioxide. However, it is not limited thereto, and any material that is not harmful to the skin and can lower the temperature of the skin can be used as a cooling material for the laser treatment device of the present specification.

In addition, the cooling section in which cooling is performed will be referred to as an 'injection section' hereinafter. The injection section is a pre-cooling section (or a cooling section before irradiation), an inter-cooling section (or a cooling section during irradiation), a post-cooling section in the temporal precedence relationship with the laser irradiation section. -cooling) section (or cooling section after irradiation). The pre-cooling section refers to an injection section located before the start time of the laser irradiation section on the time axis. The inter-cooling section means an injection section overlapping at least a portion of the laser irradiation section on the time axis. The post-cooling section means an injection section located after the completion of the laser irradiation section on the time axis. In other words, the injection section is implemented as a section other than the laser irradiation section and a section at least partially included in the laser irradiation section, and the section other than the laser irradiation section is a pre-cooling section or a post-cooling section according to the temporal precedence relationship with the laser irradiation section. , and a section included at least partially in the laser irradiation section may be an inter-cooling section. In some embodiments, the laser irradiation section and the intercooling section may be referred to as substantially the same section. For example, if cooling continuously proceeds from the start of laser irradiation to the end of laser irradiation, the laser irradiation period and the intercooling period may mean substantially the same period.

At this time, there may be cases in which a plurality of laser pulses are continuously irradiated at short time intervals (eg, nanosecond and microsecond time unit intervals). In this case, the laser irradiation period may be referred to as a laser irradiation period from the start point of output of the first laser pulse to the end point of output of the last laser pulse. In other words, in the case of a procedure in which a plurality of pulses of laser are irradiated at nanosecond time unit intervals and microsecond time unit intervals, the laser output of a plurality of pulses may be used as substantially the same meaning as the laser output of 'one group'. Therefore, the laser irradiation period may mean from the start point of the first pulse to the end point of the last pulse among the plurality of pulses.

In addition, the meaning of applying cooling energy may be used in substantially the same meaning as absorbing thermal energy from an object to be cooled. In addition, the meaning of absorbing thermal energy from an object to be cooled may be used in substantially the same meaning as applying negative energy to an object to be cooled. That is, the meaning of applying cooling energy may be used substantially the same as that of applying negative energy.

Similarly, the meaning of applying thermal energy may be used substantially the same as applying negative energy.

The laser treatment device equipped with the cooling system disclosed herein can be used for skin treatment, and specifically, skin treatment such as vascular lesions, warts, acne, pigmentation, hair removal, hair loss, wrinkle removal, point reduction, localized fat It can be used for cosmetic purposes such as reduction. However, it is not limited thereto and may be used in all fields where a laser can be used.

The present invention relates to a laser treatment device having a cooling system. According to one embodiment of the present specification, a laser treatment device having a cooling system may irradiate a laser to a target area of the skin and perform cooling on the skin surface. In this case, the laser may be irradiated to the target area after cooling the skin surface, cooling may be simultaneously performed on the skin surface during laser irradiation, or cooling may be performed on the skin surface after laser irradiation is completed. Preferably, the cooling of the skin surface may be performed by spraying a coolant.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a laser treatment device having a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present specification will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 .

1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a laser treatment device having a cooling system disclosed herein. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a laser treatment device 100 with a cooling system disclosed herein.

According to an embodiment of the present application, the laser treatment device 100 having a cooling system includes a laser module 1100, a cooling module 1200, a storage unit 1500 (or a tank), and a tube 1600 (or a conduit). can include

The laser module 1100 may generate laser and output the laser to a target area of the skin 10 . The laser module 1100 may include a laser generator 1110 and a laser emitter 1120 . In the laser generating unit 1110, when voltage is applied, electrons are emitted from an electron emission source, and electrons move according to an electric field and collide with electrodes to generate laser. The laser emitter 1120 may output the laser generated by the laser generator 1110 in the direction of the target area of the skin 10 .

The cooling module 1200 may apply cooling energy to the skin by spraying a coolant to the skin. Here, the cooling module 1200 may adjust cooling energy applied to the skin 10 . Specifically, the cooling module 1200 may adjust the cooling energy applied to the skin 10 by adjusting the characteristics of the sprayed coolant. Here, the characteristics of the coolant may include physical characteristics such as temperature, amount, pressure, and speed of the coolant. As such, the cooling module 1200 may prevent or minimize damage to the skin surface due to laser treatment by adjusting the physical properties of the coolant. In addition, the cooling module 1200 may adjust the temperature of the coolant to minimize the pain caused by the laser by lowering the activity of nociceptors by adjusting the physical properties of the coolant.

In addition, the cooling module 1200 may cool the temperature of the skin surface using a cooling method such as a spray type, a contact type, or an air gas spray type.

In addition, the cooling module 1200 may include a flow rate adjusting unit 1210 , a coolant condition adjusting unit 1220 , and a spraying unit 1230 .

The flow rate controller 1210 of the cooling module 1200 may adjust the flow rate of the coolant supplied to the coolant condition controller 1220 or the sprayer 1230 . The coolant condition control unit 1220 controls the temperature, pressure and/or flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed, and the spray unit 1230 may spray the coolant toward the skin surface.

The storage unit 1500 may contain a coolant. In detail, the storage unit 1500 may accommodate the coolant in a thermodynamic state including a liquid state. Also, the storage unit 1500 may be implemented in the form of a cartridge or a tank. The storage unit 1500 may accommodate a mass larger than that of the coolant sprayed from the jetting unit 1230 . Through this, the pressure in the storage unit 1500 can be stably maintained, and there is an effect that a greater mass of the coolant can be accommodated than when the coolant is in a gaseous state under the same volume.

In FIG. 1, the storage unit 1500 is shown as being located outside the handpiece of the laser treatment device 100, but may be implemented to be located inside the handpiece of the laser treatment device 100. For example, when the storage unit 1500 is implemented as a tank, the storage unit 1500 may be located outside the handpiece of the laser treatment device 100, but when the storage unit 1500 is implemented as a cartridge, Depending on circumstances, the storage unit 1500 may be located inside the handpiece of the laser treatment device 100.

In addition, the laser treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present specification may further include a pipe 1600 connecting the storage unit 1500 and the inlet of the cooling module 1200. Also, although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , components of the cooling module 1200 may be connected through pipes. For example, the inlet of the cooling module 1200 and one side of the coolant condition control unit 1220 may be connected through a pipe, and the other side of the coolant condition control unit 1220 and one side of the injection unit 1230 may be connected. The sides can also be connected through tubes.

In addition, the laser treatment device 100 may include at least one tube. The tube may be used to form a flow path to eject the coolant discharged from the storage unit 1500 to the outside through the spray unit 1230 in the laser treatment device 100 .

The laser treatment device 100 may include a pipe involved in forming a flow path between an outlet of the coolant of the storage unit 1500 and an inlet of the flow control unit 1210 . In other words, at least one pipe may be disposed between the coolant outlet of the storage unit 1500 and the inlet of the flow control unit 1210 .

The laser treatment device 100 may include a pipe involved in forming a flow path between an outlet of the flow rate controller 1210 and an inlet and/or outlet of the coolant condition controller 1220 .

The laser treatment device 100 may include a pipe involved in forming a flow path between an outlet of the flow rate controller 1210 and an inlet and/or outlet of the injection unit 1230 .

The laser treatment device 100 may include a pipe involved in forming a flow path between an outlet of the coolant condition controller 1220 and an inlet and/or outlet of the injection unit 1230 .

A coupling method of the laser module 1100 and the cooling module 1200 of the laser treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present specification may be implemented in various ways. For example, the laser module 1100 and the cooling module 1200 may be implemented as add-on types. Alternatively, the laser module 1100 and the cooling module 1200 may be implemented as a standalone type.

The stand-alone type may refer to a form capable of independently performing the laser treatment method according to an embodiment of the present specification without separate external equipment.

The add-on type may refer to a form capable of performing a laser procedure according to an embodiment of the present specification in collaboration with an external facility. The add-on type cooling system may be provided in a form in which some components are excluded from the stand-alone type cooling system. For example, an add-on type of cooling system may be implemented except for a laser module. In this case, the laser treatment method according to an embodiment of the present specification may be performed as an add-on cooling system cooperates with an external facility for irradiating the laser.

Hereinafter, the aforementioned cooling module 1200 will be described in more detail.

Referring back to FIG. 2 , the cooling module 1200 may include a flow rate adjusting unit 1210 , a coolant condition adjusting unit 1220 and a spraying unit 1230 . In addition, the cooling module 1200 may further include an inlet for receiving the coolant from the storage unit 1500 for receiving the coolant.

According to one embodiment of the present application, the flow control unit 1210 may be implemented as a valve. The valve may perform a function of controlling the flow and flow rate of the coolant. The valve may function to discharge or block the coolant passing through the valve. Alternatively, the valve may perform a function of adjusting the degree of outflow of the coolant passing through the valve.

A valve according to an embodiment of the present application may be controlled according to a specific signal. The valve may perform opening and closing operations in response to an electronic signal generated by the control module 1400 . For a specific example, the valve may be an electronic valve (eg, a solenoid valve), but is not limited thereto.

A valve according to an embodiment of the present application may be controlled according to a mechanical structure and movement of a fluid. The valve may be opened and closed according to the pressure formed by the fluid moving along the flow path in the laser treatment device 100 . For a specific example, the valve may be a hydraulic valve (eg, a pressure control valve), but is not limited thereto.

A valve according to an embodiment of the present application may be controlled according to a user's input. The valve can be placed in an open state or closed state by the user. For example, the valve may be a manual valve (eg, a globe valve), but is not limited thereto.

For example, the flow control unit 1210 may be located between the inlet of the cooling module 1200 and the coolant condition control unit 1220 . At this time, the flow rate controller 1210 may adjust the amount of coolant supplied from the inlet of the cooling module 1200 to the coolant condition controller 1220 . For example, the valve is positioned between the inlet of the cooling module 1200 and the coolant condition control unit 1220 to control the amount of coolant supplied from the inlet of the cooling module 1200 to the coolant condition control unit 1220. can Specifically, in the open state of the valve, the coolant is movable from the inlet of the cooling module 1200 to the coolant condition control unit 1220, and in the closed state of the valve, the coolant moves from the inlet of the cooling module 1200 to the cooling module 1200. The movement from the inlet to the coolant condition controller 1220 may be restricted. In addition, the amount of coolant that can move from the inlet of the cooling module 1200 to the coolant condition controller 1220 may be adjusted by adjusting the opening time or opening cycle of the valve.

As another example, the flow rate controller 1210 may be located between the coolant condition controller 1220 and the injection unit 1230 in the cooling module 1200 . At this time, the flow rate controller 1210 may adjust the amount of the coolant supplied from the coolant condition controller 1220 to the injection unit 1230 . For example, the valve may be positioned between the coolant condition controller 1220 and the sprayer 1230 to adjust the amount of coolant supplied from the coolant condition controller 1220 to the sprayer 1230 . Specifically, in the open state of the valve, the coolant is in a state in which the coolant is movable from the coolant state controller 1220 to the injection unit 1230, and in the closed state of the valve, the coolant moves through the coolant state controller 1220. It may be in a state in which movement from to the injection unit 1230 is restricted. In addition, the amount of coolant that can move from the coolant condition control unit 1220 to the injection unit 1230 may be adjusted by adjusting the opening time or opening cycle of the valve. In other words, by adjusting the opening time of the flow control unit 1210, the amount of coolant supplied to the jetting unit 1230 can be adjusted, and ultimately the amount of coolant sprayed can be adjusted to control the temperature of the skin surface. there is.

For example, the flow control unit 1210 may be implemented as a solenoid valve, and the solenoid valve is electrically connected to the control module 1400 and the input unit, and a signal generated as the user manipulates the input unit is transmitted to the control module ( 1400), and the control module 1400 controls the solenoid valve to open based on this, thereby performing an operation of controlling the inflow or outflow of the coolant.

For example, the flow control unit 1210 may be implemented as a solenoid valve. In this case, the solenoid valve is a valve by a pulse width modulation (PWM) method according to an electrical signal from the control module 1400. An operation of controlling the inflow or outflow of the coolant may be performed by adjusting the opening cycle of the coolant. Specifically, the solenoid valve may open the valve only for a certain portion of the time during the operation time by automatically performing a plurality of opening and closing operations according to a protocol preset from the control module 1400 . In this case, the opening cycle of the valve may be a regular cycle or an irregular cycle.

Referring back to FIG. 2 , the cooling module 1200 of the laser treatment device 100 may include a coolant condition controller 1220 . The coolant condition control unit 1220 according to an embodiment of the present application may perform a function of adjusting the physical state of the coolant. In other words, the coolant state control unit 1220 may perform a function of adjusting the physical state of the coolant in the laser treatment device 100 . That is, the coolant state control unit 1220 may perform a function of adjusting the physical state of the coolant moving in the cooling module 1200, such as the flow rate control unit 1210 and/or the injection unit 1230. .

In one embodiment, the coolant condition controller 1220 may adjust the temperature and/or pressure of the coolant. The coolant condition controller 1220 may heat the coolant. Alternatively, the coolant condition controller 1220 may cool the coolant. Alternatively, the coolant condition controller 1220 may maintain the temperature of the coolant by performing heating and/or cooling according to the state of the coolant. Alternatively, the coolant condition controller 1220 may maintain the pressure of the coolant by performing heating and/or cooling according to the state of the coolant.

In one embodiment, the coolant condition controller 1220 may adjust the speed and/or pressure of the coolant. The coolant condition controller 1220 may provide a space in which the coolant expands, thereby reducing the speed of the coolant and reducing the pressure of the coolant. Alternatively, the coolant condition controller 1220 may increase the speed of the coolant and increase the pressure of the coolant by providing a space in which the coolant is compressed.

As an example, the coolant condition control unit 1220 may perform an operation of adjusting the flow rate of the coolant. For example, when the thermal energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition controller 1220 is increased, the degree of freedom of the coolant flowing through the coolant condition controller 1220 increases, and thus the static pressure increases. As a result, the flow rate of the coolant may be reduced. Conversely, when the thermal energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition control unit 1220 is reduced, the degree of freedom of the coolant flowing through the coolant condition control unit 1220 is reduced, and thus the static pressure is reduced. It may be implemented to increase the flow rate of the coolant.

The coolant condition controller 1220 according to an embodiment of the present application may include a device capable of supplying thermal energy. The coolant condition controller 1220 may generate thermal energy.

The coolant condition controller 1220 may generate thermal energy using chemical energy or electrical energy. In addition, the coolant condition controller 1220 may generate thermal energy using a Joule-Thomson method using condensed gas.

Alternatively, the coolant condition controller 1220 may supply thermal energy using a thermoelectric element such as a Peltier element. When the coolant condition controller 1220 is a thermoelectric element, when a current is applied to the thermoelectric element, heat absorption may occur on the first surface of the thermoelectric element and heat may be generated on the second surface of the thermoelectric element due to the Peltier effect.

According to an embodiment of the present application, a laser treatment device 100 may be provided such that a surface corresponding to the second surface of the thermoelectric element is disposed to thermally contact a flow path moving in the coolant, and at this time, the A thermoelectric element may function as the coolant condition controller 1220 .

Referring back to FIG. 2 , the cooling module 1200 of the laser treatment device 100 may include a spraying unit 1230 . The injection unit 1230 according to an embodiment of the present application may perform a function of injecting the fluid in the cooling module 1200 to the outside. The injection unit 1230 may perform a function of discharging the coolant that has passed through the flow rate controller 1210 and/or the coolant condition controller 1220 to the outside.

The injection unit 1230 according to an embodiment of the present application may be implemented as a nozzle. The nozzle may perform a function of causing the coolant flowing in at least one region of the cooling module 1200 to be ejected into a free space and reach the region of the skin surface. In addition, the injection unit 1230 may be implemented to include a nozzle structure capable of optimizing the Joule-Thomson effect. Specifically, the nozzle has a narrower width than a passage through which the high-pressure coolant flows, and as the passage is opened, the high-pressure coolant is guided to the nozzle along the passage and flows out through the nozzle. The coolant may be sprayed in a cooled state through the nozzle through the Joule-Thomson effect.

The coolant sprayed through the ejection unit 1230 is sprayed in a cooled state by the Joule-Thomson effect. Here, the Joule-Thomson effect is a phenomenon in which the temperature drops when a compressed gas expands. Temperature is changed in relation to the thermodynamic phase composed of pressure-temperature, and it is a phenomenon applied to liquefying air or cooling through a refrigerant. When a diaphragm such as an orifice is inserted into the flow path of a fluid, the temperature of the fluid is lowered behind the diaphragm. When gas undergoes free expansion, that is, when it expands adiabatically without exchanging work with the outside, it is a phenomenon in which internal energy is almost unchanged. Due to the Joule-Thomson effect, the coolant sprayed through the injection unit 1230 is cooled by a rapid pressure drop, and when the coolant is sprayed to the area to be treated, the coolant is in contact with the area to be treated and the coolant is treated. The heat of the site can be taken away and the cooling of the treatment site can proceed.

The coolant ejected into free space may be gas, liquid and/or solid. In other words, the coolant may be in a gas phase, a liquid phase, or a solid phase, or may be a mixture in which at least two phases of the coolant are distributed together. In one example, when the coolant is carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), the ejected coolant may be distributed in a mixture of gas and solid. In another example, when the coolant is nitrogen (N2), the ejected coolant may be distributed in a mixture of gas and liquid.

In addition, the nozzle may have wear resistance characteristics. In other words, the nozzle may be formed of a material that is less damaged by friction. For example, the nozzle may be made of aluminum alloy, steel alloy, stainless steel or copper alloy, but is not limited thereto.

In addition, according to one embodiment of the present application, the spraying part 1230 may further include a spraying area limiting part for limiting a reach area of the coolant discharged from the spraying part 1230 existing on the skin surface. In addition, a guide part may be further included to prevent the coolant from reaching an area other than the reach area.

Referring back to FIG. 2 , according to an embodiment of the present application, the laser treatment device 100 may include the sensor unit 1300 . The sensor unit 1300 may perform a function of sensing information such as the temperature of the skin surface, the temperature of the coolant, the temperature of components of the cooling module 1200, or any suitable combination thereof.

The sensor unit 1300 may include a first temperature sensor unit that measures the temperature of the skin surface area.

In addition, the sensor unit 1300 may include a second temperature sensor unit for measuring the temperature of the coolant condition controller 1220 and/or the thermal energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition controller 1220.

Also, the sensor unit 1300 may include a third temperature sensor unit for measuring the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed from the injection unit 1230 .

The first temperature sensor unit may measure the temperature of a skin surface area to be irradiated with a laser, a skin surface area to which a laser is irradiated, or a skin surface area to which laser irradiation has been completed. Preferably, the first temperature sensor unit may measure the temperature near the center of a target area on the skin surface (eg, the area on the skin surface on the laser path). The first temperature sensor unit may be configured to measure an area other than the center of the target area on the skin surface, but the temperature near the center of the target area has the highest temperature rise by the laser output, and reaches the skin damage temperature by that amount. Therefore, measuring the temperature near the center of the target area on the skin surface can minimize the possibility of skin damage.

In this case, the first temperature sensor unit may be configured as a non-contact temperature sensor. According to one embodiment of the present application, the separation distance between the laser treatment device 100 and the skin surface may be variable, and at this time, the non-contact temperature sensor measures the central area of the target area on the skin surface according to the separation distance. angle can be adjusted. For example, the laser treatment device 100 of the present invention may further include a cooling distance maintaining unit adjustable to a plurality of distances (eg, 1 cm, 2 cm, and 3 cm), wherein the cooling distance maintaining unit is connected to the non-contact temperature sensor. It may be mechanically interlocked to adjust the installation angle of the non-contact temperature sensor to irradiate the center of the target area of the skin surface according to the set distance of the cooling distance maintaining unit.

The second temperature sensor unit may measure the temperature of the coolant condition controller 1220 and/or thermal energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition controller 1220 . For example, when the coolant condition controller 1220 is a thermoelectric element such as a Peltier element, when a current is applied to the thermoelectric element, the first surface of the thermoelectric element absorbs heat due to the Peltier effect, and the second surface of the thermoelectric element Fever may occur. At this time, since the thermal energy generated or absorbed by the thermoelectric element varies according to the current value applied to the thermoelectric element, the second temperature sensor unit measures the temperature of at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the thermoelectric element. can be configured to measure Since the thermal energy applied or absorbed by the coolant condition control unit 1220 is one of the direct variables for the temperature of the target area on the skin surface, by measuring the temperature of the coolant condition control unit 1220, the temperature of the target area on the skin surface It is possible to obtain data that can finely control the temperature.

However, it is not limited thereto, and the coolant condition control unit 1220 applies the coolant to the coolant based on the information on the current value measured by measuring the current applied to the thermoelectric element and the coolant temperature measured by the third temperature sensor unit to be described later. The amount of heat energy can be measured.

The third temperature sensor unit may be configured to measure the temperature of the coolant sprayed from the injection unit 1230 . Since the temperature of the coolant sprayed from the sprayer 1230 is one of the direct variables in temperature control of the target area on the skin surface, by measuring the temperature of the coolant sprayed from the sprayer 1230, the temperature of the target area on the skin surface is measured. It is possible to obtain data that can finely control the temperature. However, the third temperature measuring unit is not limited to measuring the temperature of the coolant sprayed from the injection unit 1230, and the coolant moving the flow path at an arbitrary position inside the cooling module 1200 of the laser treatment device 100. It is obvious that even if configured to measure the temperature of the present invention can achieve the object of the present invention for finely adjusting the temperature of the target area on the skin surface.

Referring back to FIG. 2 , the laser treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application may include a control module 1400 . In this case, the control module 1400 may further include a memory in which existing treatment information, temperature information such as the temperature of a coolant and skin surface temperature, and treatment protocol information are stored.

The control module 1400 according to an embodiment of the present application may control overall operations of the laser treatment device 100 . For example, the control module 1400 loads and executes a program for the operation of the cooling module 1200 from a memory, generates a control signal to control laser irradiation from the laser irradiation module 100, or through an input unit. A triggering signal may be received from the user and transmitted to the laser module 1100 , the cooling module 1200 , and the sensor unit 1300 .

The control module 1400 according to an embodiment of the present application may control the operation of the laser treatment device 100 . For example, the control module 1400 may control irradiation of a laser by the laser module 1100 of the laser treatment device 100 . In addition, the control module 1400 may control physical characteristics of the coolant by the cooling module 1200 of the laser treatment device 100 and control the ejection of the coolant. Also, the control module 1400 may control an operation in which the sensor unit 1300 of the laser treatment device 100 detects the temperature of the skin surface, the temperature of the coolant, and the like.

The control module 1400 according to an embodiment of the present application may control driving of the laser generator 1110 and the laser emitter 1120 of the laser module 1100 .

The control module 1400 according to an embodiment of the present application may control the driving of the flow control unit 1210. For a more specific example, the control module 1400 may control the opening and closing of the flow control unit 1210, and may control the opening and closing of the flow control unit 1210 to have a repetitive cycle as needed.

Also, the control module 1400 may control the opening/closing time of the flow control unit 1210 . Through this, the control module 1400 may control the amount of cooling energy applied to the target area of the skin surface by adjusting the flow rate of the coolant supplied to the injection unit 1230 .

The control module 1400 according to an embodiment of the present application may control the driving of the coolant condition controller 1220 . For example, the control module 1400 may control whether or not the coolant condition controller 1220 is driven (eg, whether the power of the coolant condition controller 1220 is turned on or off), and the flow rate as needed. The on/off of the coolant condition controller 1220 may be controlled in consideration of connectivity with whether the controller 1210 (eg, a valve) is opened or closed. In particular, when the coolant condition controller 1220 is a thermoelectric element (eg, a Peltier element), the control module 1400 may control the amount of current applied to the thermoelectric element. Through this, it is possible to control the amount of heat energy applied to the coolant from the thermoelectric element by controlling the degree of heat absorption on the first surface and the degree of heat generation on the second surface of the thermoelectric element.

Here, the meaning that the amount of thermal energy applied to the coolant in the coolant condition controller (eg, the thermoelectric element) is increased is substantially the same as the meaning that the temperature of the coolant passing through the passage in the coolant condition controller 1220 is increased. The reduction in the amount of thermal energy applied to the coolant in the coolant condition control unit (eg, thermoelectric element 1220) means that the temperature of the coolant passing through the passage in the coolant condition control unit 1220 is reduced, and substantially can be the same as

According to another embodiment of the present application, the control module 1400 reverses the direction of the current applied to the thermoelectric element to control heat generation to occur on the first surface of the thermoelectric element and to control heat absorption to occur on the second surface of the thermoelectric element. can do. At this time, the coolant flowing through the coolant temperature controller 1220 may be 'cooled' by heat absorption of the second surface of the thermoelectric element. Therefore, if a thermoelectric element is applied to the coolant temperature controller 1220, the control module 1400 adjusts the direction of the current applied to the thermoelectric element to heat the coolant passing through the coolant temperature controller 1220. It may or may not be cooled.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the common control module 1400 controls the laser module 1100 and the cooling module 1200, but is not limited thereto, and the laser treatment device 100 has a plurality of control modules. Including, the first control module may be configured to control the operation of the laser module 1100, and the second control module may be configured to control the operation of the cooling module (1200). In this case, the first control module and the second control module are configured to be electrically connected, and laser irradiation and coolant injection may be performed in consideration of connectivity between the laser module 1100 and the cooling module 1200 .

The control module 1400 may be implemented as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a similar device according to hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the control module 1400 may be implemented as a controller or processor. The control module 1400 may be provided in the form of an electronic circuit that performs a control function by processing electrical signals in hardware, and may be provided in the form of a program or code that drives a hardware circuit in terms of software.

So far, the components of the laser treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application have been looked at. However, the laser treatment device 100 of the present application does not have to include only the above components, and although not separately shown, an input unit for receiving a user input, an output unit such as a display for outputting specific information to the user, Of course, a filter for filtering impurities of the coolant flowing through the laser treatment device 100 may be further included.

In addition, the laser treatment device 100 may have a separate power supply unit or may receive power from the outside in a wired or wireless manner, and may have a separate switch for controlling the power supply unit.

Hereinafter, connection relationships between components of the laser treatment device 100 and specific operations of the laser treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application will be described in detail.

See Figure 3. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an operation according to an embodiment of a laser treatment device 100 having a cooling system disclosed herein. The laser module 1100 may radiate laser light to a target of the skin 10 , and the cooling module 1200 may spray a coolant to an area including the target of the skin 10 and the skin surface. Although FIG. 3 shows that a coolant is sprayed from the cooling module 1200 when the laser is output from the laser module 1100, it is not limited thereto, and the cooling module 1200 sprays the coolant before the laser is output. Alternatively, the coolant may be injected after the point at which the output of the laser is finished.

Also, the sensor unit 1300 may measure the temperature of the skin surface according to laser irradiation and/or cooling material spraying. Also, the sensor unit 1300 may measure a change in temperature of the skin surface according to laser irradiation and/or cooling material spraying.

In addition, each of the laser module 1100, the cooling module 1200, and the sensor unit 1300 is electrically connected to the control module 1400 and can transmit or receive electrical signals with the control module 1400, respectively. . The control module 1400 may control operations of the laser module 1100, the cooling module 1200, and the sensor unit 1300 through electrical signals.

In the control module 1400 according to an embodiment of the present application, when the laser module 1100 irradiates the laser toward a target area, the first temperature sensor unit of the sensor unit 1300 measures the temperature of the skin surface, which is the path of the laser. can be controlled to measure. At this time, the first temperature sensor unit of the sensor unit 1300 may measure the skin surface temperature before, during, and after laser irradiation, and the detected skin surface temperature may be transmitted to the control module 1400 .

For example, the control module 1400 and the first temperature sensor unit of the sensor unit 1300 are electrically connected, and the temperature of the skin surface measured by the first temperature sensor unit is transmitted to the control module 1400, and the control module After being received at 1400, it can be stored.

The coolant condition controller 1220 of the laser treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application may adjust the temperature and/or pressure and/or flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed. At this time, the coolant condition control unit 1220 may adjust the temperature and/or pressure of the coolant by adjusting the thermal energy applied to the coolant. At this time, the sensor unit 1300 may further include a second temperature sensor unit that measures the degree of thermal energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition control unit 1220 . The second temperature sensor unit changes the temperature of the coolant condition controller 1220 or the temperature of the coolant passing through the coolant condition controller 1220 (eg, the coolant at the inlet and outlet of the coolant condition controller 1220). It is possible to measure the degree of thermal energy applied to the coolant by measuring the amount of change in temperature) and the like. However, it is not limited thereto, and the purpose of measuring the degree of thermal energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition controller 1220 is achieved by other methods of measuring the intensity of the current applied to the coolant condition controller 1220. You will be able to.

At this time, the temperature of the coolant condition control unit 1220 detected by the second temperature sensor unit (eg, the temperature of the first and second surfaces of the thermoelectric element) or the temperature of the coolant passing through the coolant condition control unit 1220 Temperature information such as a change amount may be transmitted to the control module 1400 .

For example, the control module 1400 and the second temperature sensor unit of the sensor unit 1300 are electrically connected, and temperature information measured by the second temperature sensor unit is transmitted to the control module 1400 so that the control module 1400 ) and then stored.

In addition, the spraying unit 1230 of the laser treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application may spray a coolant. At this time, the coolant sprayed from the ejection unit 1230 may be configured to be sprayed at the temperature and flow rate of the coolant controlled by the coolant condition controller 1220 and/or the flow controller 1210 . In this case, the sensor unit 1300 may further include a third temperature sensor unit capable of measuring the temperature of the coolant sprayed from the injection unit 1230, and the temperature of the coolant detected by the third temperature sensor unit is determined by the control module ( 1400) may be transmitted.

For example, the control module 1400 and the third temperature sensor unit of the sensor unit 1300 are electrically connected, and the temperature information of the injected coolant detected by the third temperature sensor unit is transmitted to the control module 1400. After being received by the control module 1400, it may be stored.

The control module 1400 according to an embodiment of the present application opens and closes the flow control unit 1210 based on temperature information detected by the first to third temperature sensor units received and stored in the control module 1400. Time or current applied to the coolant condition control unit 1220 may be controlled.

The control module 1400 according to an embodiment of the present application may be electrically connected to the flow control unit 1210, and the control module 1400 may use the temperature data detected by the first to third temperature sensor units. The flow rate of the supplied coolant can be controlled in detail by controlling the opening/closing cycle or opening/closing time of the flow rate controller 1210 based on . In addition, data on the opening/closing cycle and opening/closing time of the flow control unit 1210 may be measured with a timer or the like, and data on the opening/closing period and opening/closing time of the flow control unit 1210 measured by the timer control module ( 1400) and can be stored. Data on the opening/closing cycle and opening/closing time of the flow control unit 1210 stored in the control module 1400 are combined with the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant to control the temperature and/or flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed. can be the basis for The control module 1400 may control the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed based on data on the opening/closing cycle and opening/closing time of the flow controller 1210, the temperature of the skin surface, and the temperature of the coolant.

In addition, the control module 1400 according to an embodiment of the present application may be electrically connected to the coolant condition control unit 1220, and the control module 1400 detects the temperature in the first to third temperature sensor units. The coolant condition controller 1220 may control the heat energy applied to the coolant and/or the flow rate of the coolant passing through the coolant condition controller 1220 based on the temperature data. In addition, the information on the thermal energy applied to the coolant in the coolant condition controller 1220 may be measured by a second temperature sensor unit, etc., and the coolant condition controller 1220 measured by the second temperature sensor unit Information on the thermal energy applied to may be transmitted to the control module 1400 and stored. The information on the heat energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition control unit 1220 stored in the control module 1400 is combined with the temperature of the skin surface or/and the temperature of the coolant, and then the temperature and/or flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed. can be the basis for controlling In other words, the control module 1400 controls the temperature and/or flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed based on the information on the thermal energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition controller 1220, the temperature of the skin surface, the temperature of the coolant, and the like. can do.

The control module 1400 according to an embodiment of the present application controls the thermal energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition controller 1220 and/or controls the opening/closing time, opening/closing cycle, and opening/closing of the flow rate controller 1210. can do. Through this, the control module 1400 can control the 'temperature of the skin surface' by controlling the flow rate of the sprayed coolant. At this time, the control module 1400 detects the first temperature sensor unit and detects the existing skin surface temperature information stored in the control module 1400 and at least one of the second to third temperature sensor units to control the module 1400 The temperature of the coolant to be sprayed can be controlled using the temperature information stored in . Additionally, the control module 1400 may control the 'temperature of the skin surface' by controlling the spraying unit 1230 to spray the coolant toward the skin surface at a controlled temperature.

For example, the temperature of the coolant sprayed by using the temperature information based on the degree of thermal energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition control unit 1220 may be stored by the control module 1400 for every procedure. In addition, temperature information of the skin surface, which is adjusted according to the temperature of the sprayed coolant, may also be stored in the control module 1400 . In other words, the control module 1400 uses the stored temperature information to determine how much heat energy, etc., applied to the coolant from the coolant condition controller 1220 in order to control the temperature of the skin surface to a specific temperature. Information can be stored and analyzed. The control module 1400 according to an embodiment of the present application may control the temperature of the skin surface by controlling the temperature of the 'cooling material' using the above-described temperature information.

In addition, the control module 1400 of the laser treatment device 100 according to the present application considers whether the laser irradiation section overlaps with the coolant injection section, and the thermal energy applied to the coolant and/or the opening and closing time of the flow control unit 1210 back can be controlled.

For example, in the case of free cooling before laser irradiation, the control module 1400 receives temperature information of the skin surface from the sensor unit 1300 and measures the temperature of the skin surface in the 'laser irradiation period' when the skin surface is damaged. The temperature of the coolant sprayed before the start of the laser irradiation may be adjusted by adjusting the heat energy applied from the coolant condition control unit 1220 so as to control the temperature below the critical temperature. At this time, the control module 1400 controls the temperature of the coolant sprayed in the free cooling section P1 so that the temperature of the skin surface is below the critical temperature at which the skin surface temperature is damaged in consideration of the increase in the skin surface temperature by the laser in the laser irradiation section. can do.

In addition, in the section where the laser is irradiated, the control module 1400 receives the temperature information of the skin surface by the laser irradiation from the sensor unit 1300 and adjusts the thermal energy applied from the coolant condition control unit 1220 to perform the laser irradiation. The temperature of the coolant injected in the section can be adjusted. At this time, the temperature of the coolant may be adjusted by the control module 1400 so that the skin surface temperature by laser irradiation is controlled below a critical temperature at which the skin surface is damaged.

In addition, in the case of post cooling after laser irradiation, the control module 1400 receives the temperature information of the skin surface from the sensor unit 1300 and adjusts the thermal energy applied from the coolant condition controller 1220, The temperature of the coolant sprayed after the end of the laser irradiation period may be adjusted. At this time, the temperature of the coolant may be adjusted by the control module 1400 to be controlled to a temperature that minimizes pain on the skin 10 .

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a change in a target temperature and a skin surface temperature controlled according to an exemplary embodiment of a method of driving a laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present application. Here, “T_surface” in FIG. 4 may refer to the temperature of the skin surface in this specification. Also, “T_target” in FIG. 4 may refer to the temperature of the target in this specification. In addition, “T_damage” in FIG. 4 may refer to a skin damage temperature in the present specification. Also, “T_desired” in FIG. 4 may refer to a target target temperature in the present specification. In addition, “P1”, “P2”, and “P3” of FIG. 4 may respectively refer to a “pre-cooling section”, “inter-cooling section”, and “post-cooling section” of the present specification. In addition, “Ts1”, “Ts2”, and “Ts3” of FIG. 4 may refer to “first set temperature”, “second set temperature”, and “third set temperature” of the present specification, respectively.

According to one embodiment of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in this application, the control module 1400 may adjust the coolant injection section to include at least a portion of the laser irradiation section through the flow rate control unit 1210. For example, in the case of FIG. 4, the coolant injection section is composed of a pre-cooling section (P1), an inter-cooling section (P2) of the laser irradiation section, and a post-cooling section (P3), but the inter-cooling section (P2) is laser irradiated. It includes at least a part of the section, and may be substantially the same section as the laser irradiation section.

In addition, the control module 1400 may adjust the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed through the coolant condition controller 1220 based on skin temperature information (eg, skin surface temperature, target temperature, etc.) of the coolant injection section. Through this, it is possible to control the temperature of the skin surface in order to reduce damage to the skin surface caused by the laser. For example, referring to FIG. 4 , the second set temperature Ts2 may be set so that the skin surface temperature in the laser irradiation section is controlled below the skin damage temperature, and is accordingly controlled by the coolant condition control unit 1220. The coolant may be sprayed at the temperature of the coolant.

According to one embodiment of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in this application, the control module 1400 may adjust the coolant injection section to include at least a portion of the laser irradiation section through the flow rate control unit 1210. At this time, the coolant condition control unit 1220 provides different thermal energy to the coolant in the injection section (eg, the pre-cooling section P1 and/or the post-cooling section P3) other than the laser irradiation section of the coolant and the injection section of the laser irradiation section. can be authorized.

For example, referring to FIG. 4, the injection section may include a pre-cooling section (P1), an inter-cooling section (P2, laser irradiation section), and a post-cooling section (P3), and the injection section, particularly the inter-cooling section ( P2) may be adjusted to include at least a part of the laser irradiation section. At this time, the heat energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition controller 1220 in the laser irradiation section and the injection section other than the laser irradiation section, for example, in the pre-cooling section P1 and/or the post-cooling section P3 Thermal energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition controller 1220 may be different.

According to an embodiment of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present application, the difference between the temperature of the skin surface and the temperature of the skin damage in the laser irradiation section is greater than the difference between the temperature of the skin surface and the skin damage temperature in the section other than the laser irradiation. can be small as Therefore, the thermal energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition controller 1220 in the laser irradiation section may be less than the thermal energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition controller 1220 in sections other than the laser irradiation section. In other words, the temperature of the coolant injected in the laser irradiation section may be lower than the temperature of the coolant ejected in sections other than the laser irradiation section.

For example, referring to FIG. 4 , the heat energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition control unit 1220 in the laser irradiation section is different from the laser irradiation section (eg, the pre-cooling section P1 and the post-cooling section). It may be less than the thermal energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition controller in (P3)). In other words, since the temperature rise of the skin 10 due to laser output can be relatively higher in the laser irradiation section than in sections other than the laser irradiation section, the coolant condition control unit ( 1220), the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed may be controlled to be lower in the laser irradiation section by controlling less heat energy applied to the coolant.

However, the above is only an example, and regardless of whether it corresponds to the laser irradiation section, based on the difference between the skin surface temperature measured by the sensor unit 1300 and the skin damage temperature, coolant condition control Thermal energy applied to the coolant from unit 1220 may be configured to be regulated.

According to an embodiment of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present application, the injection section may include a first time point TP1 and a second time point TP2. The first time point TP1 is a time point within the injection section and is a first section before the laser irradiation section (eg, the pre-cooling section P1) or a second section after the laser irradiation section (eg, the post-cooling section P3). ) may be included in the time point. The second time point TP2 may be a time point included in the laser irradiation period. At this time, the coolant condition controller 1220 applies a first thermal energy to the coolant at a first time point TP1 of the injection section, and applies a second thermal energy to the coolant at a second time point TP2 of the laser irradiation section. However, the second thermal energy may be smaller than the first thermal energy.

For example, referring to FIG. 4 , the first time point TP1 is a time point included in the free cooling section P1 of the injection section, and the second time point TP2 is a laser irradiation section and an inter-cooling section P2 of the injection section. ) may be included in the time point. At this time, since the temperature rise occurs due to laser irradiation at the second time point TP2, the heat energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition controller 1220 is higher at the first time point TP1 than at the second time point TP2. The temperature of the sprayed coolant may be controlled to be relatively low in the spray section of the laser irradiation section.

According to an embodiment of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present application, the injection section may include a first time point TP1 and a second time point TP2. The first time point TP1 is a time point within the injection section and is a first section before the laser irradiation section (eg, the pre-cooling section P1) or a second section after the laser irradiation section (eg, the post-cooling section P3). ) may be included in the time point. The second time point TP2 may be a time point included in the laser irradiation period. At this time, when the skin surface temperature at the first time point TP1 is lower than the skin surface temperature at the second time point TP2, the control module 1400 generates the first thermal energy at the first time point TP1. However, at the second time point TP2, the second thermal energy 'less' than the first thermal energy may be applied. The control module 1400 may adjust the thermal energy applied to the coolant at the first time point TP1 and the second time point TP2 through the coolant condition adjusting unit 1220 .

In FIG. 4, the first set temperature Ts1, the second set temperature Ts2, and the third set temperature Ts3 are all shown as different temperatures, but are not limited thereto, and the first set temperature Ts1 and the second set temperature Ts1 At least two of the temperature Ts2 and the third set temperature Ts3 may be the same. Alternatively, the first set temperature Ts1, the second set temperature Ts2, and the third set temperature Ts3 may all be set to be the same. This will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 .

In addition, although FIG. 4 shows that the free cooling section P1, the inter cooling section P2, and the post cooling section P3 are all included, it is not limited thereto, and the free cooling section P1 ), the inter-cooling section P2 and the post-cooling section P3, the coolant may be sprayed so that only some sections are included.

In the above, the laser module 1100, the cooling module 1200, the sensor unit 1300, the control module 1400, the storage unit 1500, the tube ( 1600) has been described for several operations. It is clearly stated that this can be performed by analogy to the driving method of the laser treatment device 100 having a cooling system to be described below.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a driving method (S1000) of the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in the present application.

The laser treatment method (S1000) of the laser treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application includes the steps of measuring the temperature of the skin surface and the temperature of the coolant (S1100); determining a coolant temperature or an injection amount (S1200); and spraying a coolant (S1300).

In the laser treatment method (S1000) according to an embodiment of the present application, when the treatment starts, the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant are measured (S1100), and the coolant is measured in consideration of the measured temperature and the preset temperature. A step of determining the temperature or injection amount (S1200) may proceed. In addition, the step of spraying the coolant (S1300) may proceed according to the temperature or the spray amount of the coolant determined in the step S1200.

According to an embodiment, a set temperature may be set before the step S1000 starts (or before the step S1100).

The set temperature may be a target temperature to control the temperature of the skin surface. Alternatively, it may be a target temperature to control the temperature of the sprayed coolant. Alternatively, it may be a target temperature to control the temperature of a target to be treated by the laser.

In this case, the set temperature may be directly set by the user as a specific temperature to be controlled by the user for each of the temperature of the skin surface, the temperature of the sprayed coolant, and/or the target target temperature. For example, the laser treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application may include an input unit capable of receiving a user's input, and the user receives the temperature of the skin surface, the temperature of the coolant, and the target through the input unit. At least one of the target temperatures may be input as a specific temperature to be controlled. At least one temperature of the skin surface temperature, the coolant temperature, and the target target temperature input to the input unit is transmitted to the control module 1400 and used as a consideration factor for determining the coolant temperature or injection amount in step S1200.

In another example, the set temperature may be set by the 'control module' 1400 in consideration of the region to be treated, the shape of the lesion to be treated, the purpose of the treatment, and the type of laser to be used. For example, the laser treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application may include an input unit capable of receiving a user's input, and the user may select the type of lesion to be operated on, the treatment area, and You can enter treatment information such as the purpose of treatment and the type of laser to be used. At this time, the treatment information input to the input unit is transmitted to the control module 1400, and the control module 1400 controls the temperature of at least one of the skin surface temperature, the coolant temperature, and the target target temperature based on the received treatment information. can be set to a specific value. At least one of the skin surface temperature, coolant temperature, and target target temperature set by the control module 1400 may be modified or confirmed by a user. At least one temperature of the skin surface temperature, the coolant temperature, and the target target temperature set by the control module 1400 is transmitted to the control module 1400 and used as a consideration factor for determining the coolant temperature or injection amount in step S1200. can

Also, in the step of setting the set temperature, at least one of the temperature of the skin surface, the temperature of the sprayed coolant, and the target target temperature may be set differently according to the laser irradiation section and the injection section. In other words, in the step of setting the set temperature, the first set temperature Ts1 of the pre-cooling section P1, the second set temperature Ts2 of the inter-cooling section P2, and the third set temperature Ts2 of the post-cooling section P3 A set temperature Ts3 may be set respectively. In addition, in the step of setting the set temperature, the first set temperature Ts1 of the pre-cooling section P1, the second set temperature Ts2 of the inter-cooling section P2, and the third set temperature of the post-cooling section P3 (Ts3) may be set differently. This will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 .

The input unit may be implemented on an outer surface of the laser treatment device 100, and is different from the laser treatment device 100. It can be implemented in a way that can be connected to the laser treatment device 100 in a separate space by wire or communicated wirelessly. For example, the input unit may be implemented in the form of a display on the outer surface of the handpiece of the laser treatment device 100. For another example, the input unit may be implemented as an external device capable of wirelessly communicating with the laser treatment device 100 . However, it is not limited thereto, and may be implemented in various ways capable of transmitting set temperature information or treatment information to the control module 1400 of the laser treatment device 100.

According to the foregoing, it has been described that the step of setting the set temperature may be performed before the step S1000 starts, but this is only an example, and the set temperature may be set at any suitable step within the step S1000.

Each step is described in detail below.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 5 , in step S1100, the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant may be measured.

In the step of measuring the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant (S1100), the temperature information is detected using the sensor unit 1300 of the laser treatment device 100 and then the temperature information detected by the control module 1400. It can be implemented by sending The temperature information may include at least one of a skin surface temperature and a coolant temperature. In other words, the laser treatment device 100 may measure the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant, and may specifically detect the temperature information through the sensor unit 1300 .

For example, the sensor unit 1300 may include a first temperature sensor unit capable of measuring the surface temperature of the skin, and the temperature of the skin surface measured by the first temperature sensor unit is the temperature of the laser treatment device 100. It may be transmitted to the control module 1400 and stored.

For another example, the sensor unit 1300 may include a third temperature sensor unit capable of measuring the temperature of the coolant sprayed from the injection unit 1230, and the temperature of the coolant measured by the third temperature sensor unit is It may be transmitted to the control module 1400 of the laser treatment device 100 and stored.

According to FIG. 5 , although it is shown that the temperature information may include the temperature of the skin surface and the temperature of the coolant, the temperature information is not limited thereto and may include temperature information related to the coolant condition controller 1220. . For example, the sensor unit 1300 may include a second temperature sensor unit capable of measuring the degree of thermal energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition control unit 1220, and the measured temperature The temperature information may be transmitted to and stored in the control module 1400 of the laser treatment device 100 .

In addition, according to FIG. 5 , although the temperature information is illustrated as being able to include both the temperature of the skin surface and the temperature of the coolant, only the temperature of the skin surface is measured excluding the temperature of the coolant, and the temperature of the coolant is measured in step S1200 to be described later. This can be taken into account in determining the temperature or injection amount. In other words, measuring the coolant temperature in step S1100 of FIG. 5 may be omitted.

Referring back to FIG. 5 , the laser treatment method according to an embodiment of the present application includes a step of determining a temperature or an injection amount of a coolant in consideration of the temperature measured in step S1100 and a preset set temperature (S1200). can do.

According to an embodiment of the present application, the step of determining the temperature or injection amount of the coolant in consideration of the measured temperature and the predetermined set temperature (S1200) determines the temperature or injection amount of the coolant, the temperature measured in step S1100. can consider them. In addition, in the step S1200, when determining the temperature or injection amount of the coolant, a predetermined set temperature may be considered. In addition, in the step S1200, the difference between the measured temperature and the predetermined set temperature may be considered in determining the temperature or injection amount of the coolant.

The measured temperatures may include at least one of the temperature of the skin surface measured by the sensor unit 1300 and the temperature of the sprayed coolant. Specifically, the temperature of the skin surface may be a temperature measured by the first temperature sensor unit, transmitted to the control module 1400, and stored. Also, the temperature of the coolant is the temperature of the injected coolant, and may be a temperature measured by the third temperature sensor unit, transmitted to the control module 1400, and stored.

The predetermined set temperature may be a target temperature of a skin surface temperature or a target temperature of a coolant set in the step of setting the temperature. Specifically, the preset temperature may be temperature information input by a user to an input unit. Alternatively, the temperature may be set by the control module 1400 based on treatment information input by the user to the input unit.

According to an embodiment of the present application, in step S1200, the characteristics of the coolant, such as the coolant temperature or the injection amount, may be determined in consideration of the measured temperature and the preset set temperature. Specifically, the temperature of the coolant and/or the injection amount of the coolant may be determined by the coolant condition controller 1220 or the flow rate controller 1210 controlled by the control module 1400 .

According to an embodiment, the temperature of the coolant may be adjusted by the coolant condition controller 1220 controlled by the control module 1400 .

For example, the control module 1400 adjusts the thermal energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition control unit 1220 to adjust the temperature of the skin surface to be close to a predetermined set temperature of the skin surface, so that the 'coolant' to be sprayed It can be implemented to control 'temperature'. By controlling the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed, the temperature of the skin surface can ultimately be adjusted to approach a predetermined set temperature. At this time, immediately after being sprayed from the spraying unit 1230, since the temperature of the coolant may rise due to the air existing between the spraying unit 1230 and the target area, that is, the outside air, the temperature of the spraying unit 1230 is higher than the temperature of the target area. The coolant immediately after being injected may be controlled by the coolant condition control unit 1220 in a state lower than the temperature of the target region. At this time, the difference between the temperature of the coolant immediately after being sprayed from the ejection unit 1230 and the temperature of the target area may vary depending on the temperature of the outside air, and as the temperature of the outside air increases, the temperature of the coolant immediately after being sprayed from the spraying unit 1230 increases. The difference between the temperature and the temperature of the target site may be large. For example, the coolant condition control unit 1220 adjusts the temperature of the sprayed coolant (eg, carbon dioxide) to be -20 ° C or less so that the temperature of the skin surface approaches the temperature range of -20 ° C or more and 10 ° C or less. The thermal energy applied to it can be controlled. Alternatively, thermal energy applied to the coolant by the coolant condition control unit 1220 so that the temperature of the skin surface approaches the temperature range of -20 ° C or more and 10 ° C or less, and the temperature of the injected coolant (eg, carbon dioxide) is 10 ° C or less. can be adjusted. Preferably, the coolant condition control unit (1220 ), it is possible to adjust the thermal energy applied to the coolant.

Alternatively, the coolant condition control unit 1220 applies the coolant so that the temperature of the coolant (eg, carbon dioxide) sprayed so that the temperature of the skin surface approaches the temperature range of -20 ° C or more and -10 ° C or less is -20 ° C or less Heat energy can be controlled. Alternatively, the coolant condition control unit 1220 applies the coolant so that the temperature of the coolant (eg, carbon dioxide) to be sprayed is -10 ° C or less so that the temperature of the skin surface approaches the temperature range of -20 ° C or more and -10 ° C or less. Heat energy can be controlled. Preferably, the coolant condition control unit ( 1220), it is possible to adjust the thermal energy applied to the coolant.

Alternatively, heat applied to the coolant from the coolant condition controller 1220 so that the temperature of the coolant (eg, carbon dioxide) sprayed so that the temperature of the skin surface approaches the temperature range of -10 ° C or more and 0 ° C or less is -10 ° C or less. You can control your energy. Alternatively, heat applied to the coolant by the coolant condition control unit 1220 so that the temperature of the skin surface approaches the temperature range of -10 ° C or more and -10 ° C or less, and the temperature of the injected coolant (eg, carbon dioxide) is 0 ° C or less. You can control your energy. Preferably, the coolant condition control unit (1220 ), it is possible to adjust the thermal energy applied to the coolant.

Alternatively, the coolant condition control unit 1220 adjusts the heat energy applied to the coolant so that the temperature of the coolant (eg, carbon dioxide) sprayed so that the temperature of the skin surface approaches the temperature range of 0 ° C or more and 10 ° C or less is 0 ° C or less. can be adjusted Alternatively, the heat energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition control unit 1220 is adjusted so that the temperature of the coolant (eg, carbon dioxide) to be sprayed is 10 ° C or less so that the temperature of the skin surface approaches the temperature range of 0 ° C or more and 10 ° C or less. can be adjusted Preferably, the coolant condition control unit 1220 adjusts the temperature of the sprayed coolant (eg, carbon dioxide) to be -55 ° C or more -25 ° C or less so that the temperature of the skin surface approaches the temperature range of 0 ° C or more and 10 ° C or less. It is possible to control the thermal energy applied to the coolant in

The temperature of the above-mentioned coolant sprayed is a thermocouple at a distance of about 3 mm from the spray part when the coolant is sprayed at a spray distance of about 25 mm (distance from the spray part to the skin surface) to adjust the temperature of the skin surface to a specific temperature. It may be the temperature of the coolant measured after installing.

However, this is only an example, and the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed can be adjusted so that the temperature of the skin surface approaches a specific temperature range, and the temperature of the sprayed coolant can be measured through a measurement protocol (e.g., spraying distance, sprayed coolant temperature measurement location, etc.) ) may be different depending on

According to an embodiment, the injection amount of the coolant may be adjusted by the flow control unit 1210 controlled by the control module 1400 .

For example, the control module 1400 controls the flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed by adjusting the opening/closing time or opening/closing cycle of the flow controller 1210 to adjust the temperature of the skin surface to approach a preset temperature of the skin surface. can be implemented to By controlling the flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed, the degree of cooling energy applied to the skin surface can be adjusted. In addition, through this, ultimately, the temperature of the skin surface can be adjusted to approach a predetermined temperature.

According to another embodiment, the injection amount of the coolant may be controlled by the coolant condition control unit 1220 .

For example, when the degree of thermal energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition control unit 1220 is increased, that is, when the temperature of the coolant is increased, the degree of freedom of the coolant flowing through the coolant condition control unit 1220 is increased. As a result, the static pressure is increased, so that the flow rate of the coolant may be reduced. Conversely, when the degree of heat energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition control unit 1220 is reduced, the degree of freedom of the coolant flowing through the coolant condition control unit 1220 is reduced, thereby reducing the static pressure. It can be implemented to increase the flow rate of the coolant. By controlling the flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed, the degree of cooling energy applied to the skin surface can be adjusted. In addition, through this, ultimately, the temperature of the skin surface can be adjusted to approach a predetermined set temperature.

The control of the thermal energy applied to the coolant in the coolant condition controller 1220 may be implemented through a thermoelectric element such as a Peltier element, and the control module 1400 determines whether or not power is supplied to the thermoelectric element and/or the thermoelectric element. The amount of thermal energy applied to the coolant may be controlled by the coolant condition controller 1220 by adjusting the amount of current applied to the coolant. However, this is just an example, and the temperature of the coolant or the coolant is controlled by adjusting the degree of thermal energy applied to the coolant in the coolant condition controller 1220 through various operations of the control module 1400 and the coolant condition controller 1220 described above. flow rate can be adjusted.

In the step S1200 according to an embodiment, characteristics of the coolant may be controlled in consideration of a predetermined set temperature and a measured temperature. The characteristics of the coolant may include temperature, flow rate, pressure, speed or any suitable combination thereof of the coolant.

For example, the characteristics of the coolant may be adjusted based on a difference between a predetermined skin surface temperature and an actually measured skin surface temperature. Specifically, the characteristics of the coolant may be adjusted based on whether the measured skin surface temperature is greater than or less than a preset skin surface temperature. If the preset temperature of the skin surface is lower than the actually measured temperature of the skin surface, the control module 1400 operates the flow control unit 1210 and/or the coolant condition control unit 1220 to decrease the actual skin surface temperature. You can control it. For example, the control module 1400 may increase the amount of energy applied to the skin surface by increasing the flow rate of the coolant by increasing the opening and closing time of the flow controller 1210 . For another example, the control module 1400 may control the temperature of the coolant to decrease by reducing the current applied to the coolant condition controller 1220 . On the other hand, if the preset skin surface temperature is higher than the actual measured skin surface temperature, the control module 1400 may use the flow rate controller 1210 and/or the coolant condition controller 1220 to increase the actual skin surface temperature. ) can be controlled. For example, the control module 1400 may reduce the amount of cooling energy applied to the skin surface by reducing the opening and closing time of the flow controller 1210 to reduce the flow rate of the coolant. For another example, the control module 1400 may control the temperature of the coolant to increase by increasing the current applied to the coolant condition controller 1220 .

For example, the characteristics of the coolant may be adjusted based on a difference value between a predetermined temperature of the 'coolant' and an actually measured temperature of the 'coolant'. Specifically, the characteristics of the coolant may be adjusted based on whether the measured temperature of the coolant is greater than or less than the preset temperature of the coolant. If the preset temperature of the coolant is lower than the actually measured temperature of the coolant, the control module 1400 may control the coolant condition controller 1220 to decrease the actual temperature of the coolant. For example, the control module 1400 may control the temperature of the coolant to decrease by reducing the current applied to the coolant condition controller 1220 . On the other hand, if the preset temperature of the coolant is higher than the actually measured temperature of the coolant, the control module 1400 may control the coolant condition controller 1220 to increase the temperature of the coolant to be actually sprayed. For example, the control module 1400 may control the temperature of the coolant to increase by increasing the current applied to the coolant condition controller 1220 .

In the step S1200 according to an embodiment, characteristics of the coolant, such as the temperature of the coolant and/or the flow rate of the coolant, may be adjusted according to the 'degree of difference' between the preset temperature and the measured actual temperature.

For example, the temperature of the coolant and/or the coolant between the case where the difference between the predetermined skin surface temperature and the measured actual skin surface temperature is the first temperature difference and the second temperature difference 'greater than' the first temperature difference There may be differences in detail in the control of the flow rate.

For example, the difference between the preset skin surface temperature and the measured actual skin surface temperature may mean that the first temperature difference is relatively closer to the preset skin surface temperature than the second temperature difference. there is. Therefore, in the case of the first temperature difference, the 'change amount' between the temperature of the previously sprayed coolant and the temperature of the coolant to be controlled and sprayed may be relatively smaller than that of the second temperature difference. Similarly, in the case of the first temperature difference, the 'variation amount' between the flow rate of the previously sprayed coolant and the controlled flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed may be smaller than that of the second temperature difference.

On the other hand, when the difference between the preset skin surface temperature and the measured actual skin surface temperature is the second temperature difference, it may mean that a difference with respect to the preset skin surface temperature is greater than that of the first temperature difference. . Accordingly, the temperature of the coolant and/or the flow rate of the coolant may need to be modified relatively more than in the case of the first temperature difference. In other words, in the case of the second temperature difference, the 'change amount' between the temperature of the previously sprayed coolant and the temperature of the coolant to be controlled and sprayed may be relatively greater than that of the first temperature difference. To this end, in the case of the second temperature difference, the 'variation amount' between the current applied to the coolant condition control unit 1220 and the current to be controlled and applied may be relatively greater than that in the case of the first temperature difference. Similarly, in the case of the second temperature difference, the 'variation amount' between the flow rate of the previously sprayed coolant and the controlled flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed may be relatively greater than that of the first temperature difference. To this end, in the case of the second temperature difference, the 'change amount' between the existing opening time of the flow control unit 1210 and the opening time of the flow control unit 1210 to be controlled and opened may be relatively larger than that of the first temperature difference. there is. Although the above example has been described based on the preset temperature of the skin surface and the actually measured temperature of the skin surface, it may be similarly applied to the preset temperature of the coolant and the actually measured temperature of the coolant.

In the step S1200 according to an embodiment, preferably, the characteristics of the coolant such as the temperature of the coolant and/or the flow rate of the coolant are used by using a PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) control method in consideration of the preset temperature and the actually measured temperature. this can be adjusted.

In the step S1200 according to an embodiment, the characteristics of the coolant, such as the temperature of the coolant and/or the flow rate of the coolant, may be adjusted in consideration of the outside air temperature. For example, when the preset temperature of the skin surface is constant, the coolant condition controller may control the heat energy applied to the coolant to be different according to the outside air temperature. For example, when the preset skin surface temperature is constant, when the external air temperature is in the temperature range of 10° C. or higher and 25° C. or lower, generally the higher the external temperature, the spraying to achieve the preset skin surface temperature. The temperature of the coolant may be lowered. Accordingly, the heat energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition control unit may be adjusted to decrease as the outdoor temperature increases.

In the step S1200 according to an embodiment, the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant may be adjusted by the control module 1400 in consideration of the 'type' of the coolant as well as the measured temperature and the preset temperature. Specifically, the temperature and/or flow rate of the coolant may be controlled differently depending on the essential physical properties of the coolant under atmospheric pressure.

For example, when carbon dioxide (CO2) is used as a coolant, the carbon dioxide coolant may be applied to the skin surface at a relatively lower temperature than that of the HFC-based coolant under atmospheric pressure after being sprayed from the injection unit 1230. For example, when the coolant condition control unit 1220 is a thermoelectric element (eg, Peltier element, etc.), when the power of the thermoelectric element is turned off to inject the coolant of carbon dioxide, the coolant is injected at a temperature of about -40 ° C to -70 ° C and can be applied to the skin surface. Specifically, the temperature of the coolant injected may be affected by the temperature of the outside air. When the temperature of the outside air is between 15 ° C and 25 ° C, the temperature of the carbon dioxide coolant injected while the power of the thermoelectric element is turned off is about It may be a temperature of -70 ° C or higher and -50 ° C or lower. In addition, when the temperature of the outside air is between 25° C. and 35° C., the temperature of the carbon dioxide coolant sprayed while the power of the thermoelectric element is turned off may be between about -40° C. and -60° C. At this time, the measured injection temperature of the coolant may be a temperature measured after installing a thermocouple at a distance of about 3 mm from the injection part. Accordingly, when carbon dioxide is used as a coolant, the temperature of the coolant may be controlled by adjusting only the degree of 'heating' of the coolant in the coolant condition control unit 1220 . In other words, since the temperature of the coolant of carbon dioxide is quite low even when there is no thermal energy applied to the coolant from the coolant condition control unit 1220 (ie, when no heating is performed), the coolant state is preferably achieved through 'heating'. The controller 1220 may control the temperature of the sprayed coolant by adjusting the amount of thermal energy applied to the coolant.

For example, when an HFC-based material is used as a coolant, when the coolant condition control unit 1220 is turned off, carbon dioxide may be injected at a relatively higher temperature (eg, -20° C.) than that of the coolant. This may be a relatively high temperature to control the temperature of the skin surface in a wide range. In particular, it may be difficult to adjust the temperature of the skin surface to a temperature of about -10 ° C or less without additional cooling using an HFC-based coolant. Accordingly, when an HFC-based material is used as a coolant, the coolant condition control unit 1220 may be driven not only to heat the coolant but also to 'cool' the coolant. In particular, when the coolant condition controller 1220 is a thermoelectric element (eg, a Peltier element), when a current is applied to the thermoelectric element in a first direction, heat absorption may occur on the first surface of the thermoelectric element and heat generation may occur on the second surface of the thermoelectric element. . Also, when a current is applied to the thermoelectric element in the second direction, heat may be generated on the first surface of the thermoelectric element and heat absorbed on the second surface of the thermoelectric element. At this time, the passage through which the coolant moves is configured to contact at least one of the first surface and the second surface, and the control module 1400 controls the direction applied to the thermoelectric element to heat or cool the coolant according to circumstances. It can be.

As described above, in the step S1200, the control module 1400 determines the temperature or injection amount of the coolant in consideration of the measured temperature and the preset set temperature.

However, this is only an example, and according to an embodiment, the control module 1400 determines whether the measured actual temperature (eg, the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed coolant) corresponds to a preset set temperature 'condition'. It can be implemented to determine whether or not. In this case, the preset set temperature 'condition' may be a temperature range in which an allowable 'error range' is set based on the preset set temperature.

If the measured actual temperature (eg, the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the coolant to be sprayed) corresponds to a preset set temperature condition, the control module 1400 is sprayed at the temperature or spray amount of the previously sprayed coolant. The temperature or injection amount of the coolant can be determined.

If the measured actual temperature (eg, the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed coolant) does not correspond to a preset set temperature condition, the control module 1400 controls the coolant temperature or It may be implemented to control the flow rate of the coolant. Alternatively, the control module 1400 may be implemented to control the flow rate of the coolant through the flow rate controller 1210 .

Referring back to FIG. 5 , the laser treatment method according to an embodiment of the present application may include spraying a coolant (S1300).

At this time, in the spraying of the coolant (S1300), the coolant may be sprayed according to the temperature or the amount of the coolant determined in the step S1200.

In FIG. 5, it is shown that the operation of the laser treatment device 100 is terminated when the coolant is sprayed, but this is only an example, and when the coolant is sprayed, measuring the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant (S1100) is performed again and can be implemented to repeatedly perform a series of steps again.

According to the driving method of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in this application, by measuring the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant, taking into account the measured temperature information of the skin surface and/or the temperature information of the coolant, the laser treatment device 100 may be injected. By determining the temperature or spray amount of the coolant, the temperature of the skin surface may be controlled to approach a predetermined set temperature. Through this temperature feedback, the temperature of the skin surface, which is the most direct variable of skin damage, can be stably maintained around the set temperature. In particular, by setting the set temperature lower than the skin damage temperature, there is an effect that damage to the skin can be minimized.

Above, the laser treatment method according to an embodiment of the present application has been described, and the above-described information can be equally applied to the laser treatment method of the laser treatment device 100 according to another embodiment of the present application to be described later. there is.

A laser treatment method using the laser treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application includes measuring a temperature; determining the temperature of the coolant or the flow rate of the coolant; spraying coolant; It may include; and irradiating a laser.

The irradiating of the laser may include irradiating the laser toward a target area to be treated. The laser may be generated by the laser generator 1110 of the laser module 1100 and irradiated by the laser irradiator 1120 .

Specifically, the laser module 1100 may be electrically connected to the control module 1400 and receive a laser irradiation signal from the control module 1400 to irradiate the laser.

At this time, the control module 1400 receives a laser irradiation input from a user and transmits a laser irradiation signal to the laser module 1100, so that the laser irradiation operation of the laser module 1100 can be performed. Alternatively, conditions for laser irradiation may be preset in the control module 1400 . In this case, the laser module 1100 may be controlled by the control module 1400 so that the laser is radiated when a preset condition is satisfied. For example, the laser module 1100 may be controlled by the control module 1400 to emit laser when the temperature of the skin surface reaches a specific temperature by the cooling system. At this time, the specific temperature may be set to consider a skin damage temperature, a frost formation temperature on the skin surface, a temperature that minimizes interfering substances on the laser path, and the like. This will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 17 to 22 .

The laser treatment method by driving the laser treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application may be configured to include a coolant injection section and a laser irradiation section.

At this time, referring to FIG. 4 , the coolant injection section may include a pre-cooling section P1, an inter-cooling section P2, and a post-cooling section P3. The coolant injection section may refer to a section in which cooling energy is applied to the skin surface by spraying a coolant. However, there may be a time difference between the time of spraying the coolant and the time when cooling energy is applied to the skin surface. Preferably, the time difference may be a very small value, in which case the cooling energy is The applied period may be used with substantially the same meaning.

The pre-cooling period P1 may refer to a period in which cooling energy is applied to the skin surface by a coolant before the start point of the laser irradiation period. However, although it is described as 'before' the start point of the laser irradiation section, if cooling energy is applied to the skin surface by a coolant at the laser irradiation start point, the laser irradiation start point may also be included in the free cooling section P1. The free cooling section (P1) is to lower the temperature of the skin surface 'in advance' to prevent the temperature of the skin surface from rising to the skin damage temperature due to the accumulation of thermal energy by laser irradiation in the laser irradiation section. can be Alternatively, the free cooling section P1 may be performed for the purpose of anesthetizing the skin 10 before laser irradiation.

The inter-cooling section P2 may refer to a section in which cooling energy is applied to the skin surface by a coolant in the laser irradiation section. The inter-cooling section P2 may also be used as terms such as an inter-cooling section, a real-time cooling section, and a cooling section during laser irradiation. At least a part of the inter-cooling section P2 and at least a part of the laser irradiation section may overlap on the time axis. That is, cooling in the inter-cooling section P2 and laser irradiation in the laser irradiation section may be performed at least partially simultaneously.

The inter-cooling section P2 is a section that at least partially overlaps the laser irradiation section on the time axis, and may be a section in which the temperature of the skin surface can explosively rise due to laser irradiation. In this case, the main purpose of the intercooling may be to cool the skin surface so that the temperature of the skin surface is controlled below the skin damage temperature.

The post-cooling period P3 may refer to a period in which cooling energy is applied to the skin surface by a coolant after the end of the laser irradiation period. However, although it is described as 'after' the end of the laser irradiation period, if cooling energy is applied to the skin surface by the coolant at the end of the laser irradiation, the end of the laser irradiation may also be included in the post-cooling period P3.

The post-cooling period (P3) is a period after laser irradiation is finished, and may be performed for the purpose of lowering the skin surface temperature and/or target temperature to a normal range after laser treatment or relieving pain. .

Hereinafter, embodiments of the laser treatment driving method in the pre-cooling section P1, the inter-cooling section P2, and the post-cooling section P3 will be described in detail.

The laser treatment method of the laser treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application may be implemented through pre-cooling, inter-cooling, and post-cooling. In other words, the laser treatment method of the laser treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application may include a pre-cooling section P1, an inter-cooling section P2, and a post-cooling section P3.

See Figures 4 and 6. 6 is a flowchart (S2000) illustrating a free cooling and laser irradiation method according to an embodiment of a laser treatment method disclosed in the present application.

The pre-cooling may include measuring a skin surface temperature and/or a coolant temperature (S2100); determining the temperature of the coolant or the flow rate of the coolant (S2200); and spraying a coolant (S2300); and determining whether a laser irradiation event has occurred (S2400).

The step of measuring the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant (S2100) may be applied in the same manner as the above-described step S1100. Focusing on the characteristics of the free cooling section P1, in step S2100, the temperature of the coolant sprayed before the start point of the laser irradiation section can be measured, and the temperature of the skin surface before the start point of the laser irradiation section can be measured. .

According to FIG. 6, although both the temperature of the coolant and the temperature of the skin surface are measured in step S2100, only the temperature of the skin surface is measured excluding the temperature of the coolant, and the temperature of the coolant or the amount of injection is determined in step S2200 to be described later. can be taken into account in making decisions. In other words, measuring the temperature of the coolant in step S2100 of FIG. 6 may be omitted.

The step of determining the temperature or injection amount of the coolant (S2200) may be applied in the same manner as the above-described step S1200. Therefore, hereinafter, the characteristics of the free cooling section P1 will be mainly described.

Referring back to FIG. 6 , in the laser treatment method according to an embodiment of the present application, determining the temperature or injection amount of the coolant in consideration of the temperature measured in step S2100 and a preset first set temperature (S2200) can include

The first set temperature Ts1 may be a target temperature to control the temperature of the skin surface in the pre-cooling section. Alternatively, the first set temperature Ts1 may be a target temperature to control the temperature of the coolant sprayed in the pre-cooling section. Alternatively, the first set temperature Ts1 may be a target temperature to control the temperature of a target to be treated by the laser in the pre-cooling section.

In one embodiment, the first set temperature (Ts1) may be set in consideration of the degree of temperature rise of the skin surface in the laser irradiation section, the skin damage temperature, and whether or not laser interference substances are generated in the laser irradiation section. In addition, the first set temperature Ts1 may be directly set by the user or set by the user selecting a value set by the control module 1400 using procedure information and temperature information stored in the control module 1400. .

For example, in the laser irradiation section, the temperature of the skin including the target and the skin surface may rise as light energy of the laser is converted and stored in the target as thermal energy. At this time, if the temperature of the skin surface rises higher than the skin damage temperature in the laser irradiation section, damage to the skin surface may occur. Therefore, in the free cooling section P1, an operation of lowering the temperature of the skin surface is performed before laser irradiation in order to control the temperature of the skin surface to rise only to the skin damage temperature or less even if the temperature of the skin surface rises in the laser irradiation section. It can be. To this end, in the free cooling section P1 , the temperature of the skin surface may be set to the first set temperature Ts1 in consideration of the degree of temperature increase due to laser irradiation and the skin damage temperature. At this time, the skin damage temperature may be different depending on the type of procedure and skin type, but when the skin temperature reaches a temperature in the range of 40 ° C to 60 ° C, damage caused by heat may occur. According to a preferred embodiment, when the skin temperature reaches a temperature within the range of 50° C. to 60° C., heat damage may occur. However, it is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art may set the first set temperature Ts1 in consideration of the degree of heat energy accumulation that may cause skin damage. For example, skin damage may occur even when the skin temperature is continuously maintained at a temperature of 40° C. or less. In this case, the first set temperature is considered in consideration of the time when heat is exposed to the skin and/or the degree of heat accumulation. (Ts1) may be set.

As another example, the first set temperature Ts1 may be set in consideration of the position of the target to be treated, the type of skin treated, the type of laser, the intensity of laser output, etc. to minimize skin damage in the laser irradiation section. there is. For example, the closer the location of the target to be treated is to the skin surface, the higher the possibility of increasing the skin surface temperature by laser irradiation. Considering this, the first set temperature Ts1 of the free cooling section P1 is set It can be. In addition, since the greater the intensity of the output of the laser to be used, the higher the amount of thermal energy accumulated in the target, the first set temperature Ts1 of the free cooling section P1 is set in consideration of the intensity of the output according to the type of laser to be used. It can be.

As another example, the first set temperature Ts1 may be set in consideration of whether a laser blocking material is generated in the laser irradiation section. For example, if laser interference substances such as frost, ice, dry ice, water vapor, etc. remain on the laser irradiation path or on the skin surface in the laser irradiation section after the free cooling section P1, laser scattering may occur. Therefore, in the pre-cooling period P1, the first set temperature Ts1 may be set so that the laser interfering material does not remain in the laser irradiation period.

In one embodiment, the first set temperature Ts1 may be set in consideration of a treatment site, a treatment lesion, and the like. For example, when the skin is free-cooled at a temperature corresponding to the vasoconstriction temperature condition during laser treatment for vascular lesions, there may be a problem in that blood vessels are constricted and the medium to be treated disappears. Therefore, during pre-cooling of laser treatment on a vascular lesion, the first set temperature Ts1 may be set in consideration of the contraction temperature condition of the vascular lesion. This laser treatment method for vascular lesions will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 23 to 24 .

In one embodiment, the first set temperature Ts1 may be set differently even within the free cooling period P1.

For example, as described above, in the free cooling section P1, it is necessary to set the first set temperature Ts1 relatively low in order to minimize the possibility of skin damage due to a temperature increase caused by laser irradiation in the laser irradiation section. There may be a need to set the first set temperature Ts1 relatively high in order to prevent laser interference substances from remaining on the skin surface in the laser irradiation section.

In this case, preferably, the first set temperature Ts1 may be set so that no laser interference material remains on the skin surface in the second half of the free cooling period P1 and adjacent to the start point of the laser irradiation period. Since the laser interfering substance on the skin surface is sufficient to prevent laser scattering unless it remains only from the start of the laser irradiation section, the first set temperature Ts1 is set to a temperature at which the laser interfering substance does not remain only in the section immediately before the start of laser irradiation. By setting to , laser scattering can be prevented.

In addition, in the section other than the second half of the free cooling section P1, the first set temperature Ts1 is set relatively low, thereby minimizing the possibility of skin damage caused by laser irradiation in the laser irradiation section.

In other words, in the section excluding the second half of the free cooling section P1 (eg, the first and middle section of the free cooling section P1), the first set temperature Ts1 is set as low as possible to increase the possibility of skin damage in the laser irradiation section. is minimized, and in the second half of the free cooling period (P1), the first set temperature (Ts1) is set to a temperature at which no laser interference material remains on the skin surface, thereby minimizing the laser scattering problem in the laser irradiation period. there is. Therefore, even within the free cooling period P1, the first set temperature Ts1 may be set differently.

In one embodiment, the first set temperature Ts1 may be a temperature within a specific range. Specifically, it may be a temperature range including an allowable 'error range' based on the first set temperature Ts1.

In this case, the error range of the first set temperature Ts1 may be set differently even within the free cooling period P1. For example, in a section immediately before the laser irradiation section included in the free cooling section P1, the temperature of the skin surface may be controlled to a temperature at which laser interference substances such as frost are not formed on the skin surface. At this time, in order to control the temperature of the skin surface to a temperature at which the laser interference material is not formed on the skin surface, it may be preferable to set a narrow error range. In other words, in a section immediately before the laser irradiation section included in the free cooling section P1, the error range may be set to be relatively narrow in order to precisely control the temperature of the skin surface so that no frost is formed on the skin surface. On the other hand, in the initial section of the free cooling section P1 temporally separated from the laser irradiation section, cooling may be performed to reduce the possibility of skin damage in the laser irradiation section by lowering the temperature of the skin surface as much as possible. In this case, in the initial period of the free cooling period P1, since the temperature of the skin surface may be relatively less precisely controlled, the error range may be set relatively wide.

In the above, it has been described that the first set temperature Ts1 can be set based on the temperature of the skin surface, but is not limited thereto, and a specific temperature can be set based on the temperature of the coolant, which is a direct variable of the temperature of the skin surface. It is clearly stated that it is obvious to those skilled in the art.

The step S2200 may include determining the temperature of the coolant or the spray amount in consideration of the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant measured in the step S2100. Specifically, the control module 1400 determines the temperature of the coolant and/or the amount of spray of the coolant by controlling the coolant condition controller 1220 in consideration of the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant measured in step S2100 ( S2200). Alternatively, the control module 1400 may control the opening/closing period and opening/closing time of the flow controller 1210 to adjust the flow rate of the coolant supplied to the sprayer 1230, thereby determining the spray amount of the coolant (S2200).

In the spraying of the coolant (S2300), the coolant may be sprayed according to the temperature or the spray amount of the coolant determined in the step S2200.

When the coolant is sprayed in step S2300, a step of determining whether a laser irradiation event has occurred (S2400) may proceed.

The laser irradiation event may be implemented to occur according to a user's input of a laser irradiation signal. Alternatively, a laser irradiation event may be generated as a predetermined time elapses after the pre-cooling starts. Alternatively, the laser irradiation event may be implemented to occur when the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant are substantially equal to the first set temperature Ts1 set so that frost does not remain on the skin surface.

In the step of determining whether the laser irradiation event has occurred (S2400), whether or not the free cooling period P1 has ended may be determined according to whether or not the laser irradiation event has occurred. Specifically, in the step S2400, when the coolant is sprayed (S2300), the control module 1400 may be configured to determine whether a laser irradiation event has occurred or not. If the laser irradiation event has not occurred, the control module 1400 controls the laser treatment device 100 so that the step of measuring the temperature of the skin surface and the temperature of the coolant (S2100) proceeds, so that a series of steps can be performed again. .

On the other hand, if a laser irradiation event occurs, the control module 1400 may control the laser treatment device 100 to terminate pre-cooling and proceed with inter-cooling (C1).

However, although it has been described here that the control module 1400 'determines' whether or not a laser irradiation event has occurred, it is not limited thereto, and when a laser irradiation event occurs, a laser irradiation signal is transmitted to the control module 1400 and the control module ( 1400), the laser treatment apparatus 100 may be controlled so that inter-cooling proceeds (C1) even if it is not determined whether a laser irradiation event has occurred.

As described above, in the step S2200, the control module 1400 "considers" the measured temperature and the preset first set temperature Ts1 to "determine" the temperature or injection amount of the coolant. . However, this is only an example, and according to an embodiment, the control module 1400 determines whether the measured actual temperature (eg, the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed coolant) corresponds to a preset first set temperature condition. It can be implemented to "determine" whether or not. In this case, the preset first set temperature condition may be a temperature range in which an allowable 'error range' is set based on the preset first set temperature. Alternatively, the first set temperature condition may be any suitable condition including a condition for maintaining a specific temperature for a specific time based on a specific temperature value.

If the measured actual temperature (eg, the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed coolant) corresponds to the preset first set temperature condition, the control module 1400 is configured to spray at the temperature or spray amount of the previously sprayed coolant. The temperature or amount of the coolant to be sprayed can be determined.

If the measured actual temperature (eg, the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed coolant) does not correspond to the preset first set temperature condition, the control module 1400 controls the coolant temperature through the coolant condition controller 1220. It can be implemented to control the temperature or the flow rate of the coolant. Alternatively, the control module 1400 may be implemented to control the flow rate of the coolant through the flow rate controller 1210 .

See Figures 4 and 7. 7 is a flowchart (S3000) illustrating an inter-cooling and laser irradiation method according to an embodiment of a laser treatment method disclosed in the present application.

The inter-cooling may include irradiating a laser beam (S3010); Measuring the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant (S3100); determining the temperature of the coolant or the flow rate of the coolant (S3200); spraying coolant (S3300); and determining whether a laser irradiation end event has occurred (S3400).

In the step of irradiating the laser (S3010), thermal energy may be applied to the target by the laser output from the laser module 1100 so that the temperature of the target to be treated is equal to or higher than the target target temperature. The target target temperature may mean a temperature capable of causing heat ablation in the target.

The target target temperature may vary depending on the type of procedure and/or the type of target tissue, but may generally be within a range of about 40°C to 60°C. Preferably, the target target temperature may be a temperature within about 50 °C to 60 °C.

However, thermal energy accumulated in the target by the laser may be conducted or transmitted to the skin surface, and as a result, the temperature of the skin surface may rise. At this time, if the temperature of the skin surface is higher than the skin damage temperature, measuring the temperature of the skin surface and / or the temperature of the coolant, which will be described later, because side effects of skin damage may be caused (S3100); Controlling the temperature of the coolant or the flow rate of the coolant (S3200); spraying coolant (S3300); Side effects of skin damage caused by laser irradiation can be minimized through the back.

The step of measuring the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant (S3100) may be applied in the same manner as in step S1100 described above. Referring to the characteristics of the inter-cooling section P2, the step S3100 may measure the temperature of the coolant sprayed in the laser irradiation section and measure the temperature of the skin surface in the laser irradiation section. According to FIG. 7, although both the temperature of the coolant and the temperature of the skin surface are measured in step S3100, only the temperature of the skin surface is measured excluding the temperature of the coolant, and the temperature of the coolant or the amount of injection is determined in step S3200 to be described later. can be taken into account in making decisions. In other words, measuring the coolant temperature in step S3100 of FIG. 7 may be omitted.

In the step of determining the temperature or injection amount of the coolant (S3200), the above-described step S1200 may be applied in the same manner. Therefore, hereinafter, the characteristics of the inter-cooling section P2 will be mainly described.

Referring again to FIG. 7 , the laser treatment method according to an embodiment of the present application includes the steps of determining the temperature or injection amount of the coolant in consideration of the temperature measured in step S3100 and the preset second set temperature Ts2. (S3200) may be included.

The second set temperature Ts2 may be a target temperature to control the temperature of the skin surface in the inter-cooling section P2. Alternatively, the second set temperature Ts2 may be a target temperature to control the temperature of the coolant sprayed in the inter-cooling section P2. Alternatively, the second set temperature Ts2 may be a target temperature to control the target temperature of a target to be treated by the laser in the inter-cooling section P2.

In one embodiment, the second set temperature (Ts2) is the degree of temperature increase of the skin surface in the laser irradiation section, the target temperature and target target temperature in the laser irradiation section, the skin damage temperature, whether or not the laser interfering material is generated in the laser irradiation section, etc. can be set in consideration of In addition, the second set temperature Ts2 may be directly set by the user or set by the user selecting a value set by the control module 1400 using treatment information and temperature information stored in the control module 1400. .

For example, the second set temperature Ts2 may be set in consideration of the degree of temperature rise of the skin surface during the laser irradiation period. The degree of elevation of the temperature of the skin surface may differ depending on the type of laser related to the output and wavelength, the treatment site, and the location of the treatment site. Specifically, the stronger the output of the laser, the higher the degree of temperature rise on the skin surface, and since the type and position of the target where the laser is absorbed may be different depending on the laser wavelength, the laser type related to the laser output and wavelength The degree of temperature rise of the skin surface may be different. In addition, the closer the treatment site is to the skin surface, the higher the degree of temperature rise of the skin surface. Accordingly, the second set temperature Ts2 may be set in consideration of the above-described variables.

For example, the second set temperature Ts2 may be set in consideration of the 'temperature of the target' and the 'target target temperature' of the laser irradiation section. Specifically, in at least some sections of the laser irradiation section, thermal energy by a laser must be applied to the treatment site so that the temperature of the treatment site is equal to or higher than the target target temperature for heat ablation of the treatment site (target). Therefore, the second set temperature Ts2 for the temperature of the skin surface can be set so that the temperature of the target can sufficiently reach the target target temperature.

For example, the second set temperature Ts2 may be set in consideration of a skin damage temperature. Specifically, the temperature of the skin surface may also be increased by conduction and/or transfer of thermal energy applied to the target by the laser in the laser irradiation section. At this time, if the temperature of the skin surface is higher than the skin damage temperature, a side effect of skin damage may be induced. Therefore, in order to minimize side effects of skin damage, the second set temperature Ts2 may be set to a temperature considered so that the temperature of the skin surface does not reach the skin damage temperature.

For example, the second set temperature Ts2 may be set in consideration of whether a laser blocking material (eg, a solid phase material) is generated 'on the laser path' during laser output. Specifically, when the coolant is sprayed from the cooling module 1200, the coolant expands adiabatically due to the Joule-Thomson effect, and thus the temperature of the coolant may be considerably lowered. In this case, solid-state materials may also be generated in the coolant itself, and moisture in the surrounding air may instantaneously change state to a solid-state such as ice. If such a solid-phase material is present in the laser path, it may reduce the efficiency of the laser procedure by scattering the laser. Accordingly, the second set temperature Ts2 may be set to a temperature corresponding to the temperature of the coolant considered to minimize the ratio of the solid phase in the laser path.

For example, the second set temperature Ts2 may be set in consideration of whether a laser interference material is generated 'on the skin surface'. Specifically, when the temperature of the skin surface is controlled to be 0° C. or less, laser-interfering substances such as frost may be generated on the skin surface, and the laser-interfering substances may scatter the laser to prevent efficient laser treatment. Therefore, the second set temperature Ts2 may be set in consideration of the temperature at which the laser interference material is not generated at the skin surface. Preferably, the second set temperature Ts2 may be set to a temperature higher than 0°C at which laser blocking materials such as frost are not generated.

In one embodiment, the second set temperature Ts2 may be set differently even within the inter-cooling section P2. For example, since the total amount of thermal energy applied by the laser may be relatively small in the initial section of the inter-cooling section P2, the laser path and/or Alternatively, whether a laser interference substance is generated on the skin surface may be an important factor in setting the second set temperature Ts2. On the other hand, since the total amount of thermal energy applied by the laser may be relatively large in the second half of the inter-cooling section P2, the possibility of causing skin damage may be relatively high. Therefore, in the second half of the inter-cooling period P2, the second set temperature Ts2 may be set by mainly considering the skin damage temperature. Therefore, the second set temperature Ts2 may be differently set according to circumstances even within the inter-cooling period P2.

In one embodiment, the second set temperature Ts2 may be a temperature within a specific range. Specifically, it may be a temperature range including an allowable 'error range' based on the second set temperature Ts2. The error range of the second set temperature Ts2 may be set differently even within the laser irradiation period. For example, since the possibility of skin damage is relatively higher in the latter part of the laser irradiation period than in the initial part of the laser irradiation period due to the relatively high heat accumulation by laser treatment, the error range of the latter part of the laser irradiation period is the laser irradiation period. It can be implemented to control the temperature of the skin surface in detail by setting it to be relatively narrower than the error range of the latter part of .

In the above, it has been described that the second set temperature Ts2 can be set based on the temperature of the skin surface, but is not limited thereto, and a specific temperature can be set based on the temperature of the coolant, which is a direct variable of the skin surface temperature. It is clearly stated that it is obvious to those skilled in the art.

Referring back to FIG. 7 , the step S3200 may include determining the temperature of the coolant or the amount of injection in consideration of the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant measured in the step S3100. Specifically, the control module 1400 determines the temperature of the coolant and/or the amount of spray of the coolant by controlling the coolant condition controller 1220 in consideration of the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant measured in step S3100 ( S3200). Alternatively, the control module 1400 may control the opening/closing period and opening/closing time of the flow rate controller 1210 to adjust the flow rate of the coolant supplied to the sprayer 1230, thereby determining the spray amount of the coolant (S3200).

In the spraying of the coolant (S3300), the coolant may be sprayed according to the temperature or the spray amount of the coolant determined in the step S3200.

When the coolant is injected in step S3300, a step of determining whether an end event of laser irradiation has occurred (S3400) may proceed.

The laser irradiation end event may be implemented to occur when the user's input of the laser irradiation signal is terminated, and the laser irradiation end event may be generated when a predetermined time elapses after inter-cooling starts. Alternatively, the laser irradiation end event may be implemented to occur when the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant are substantially equal to the second preset temperature. Alternatively, the laser irradiation end event may be implemented such that the laser irradiation end event occurs as a predetermined time elapses based on the point in time when the temperature of the target reaches the target temperature of the target. However, it is not limited thereto, and may be implemented such that the laser irradiation end event is generated in any appropriate manner.

In the step of determining whether the laser termination event has occurred (S3400), whether or not the inter-cooling section P2 has ended may be determined according to whether or not the laser termination event has occurred. Specifically, in the step S3400, when the coolant is sprayed (S3300), the control module 1400 determines whether an end event of laser irradiation has occurred or not. can

If the laser irradiation end event has not occurred, the control module 1400 controls the laser treatment device 100 so that the step of measuring the temperature of the skin surface and the coolant temperature (S3100) proceeds, so that a series of steps can be performed again. .

On the other hand, if an end event of laser irradiation occurs, the control module 1400 may control the laser treatment device 100 to terminate inter-cooling and proceed with post-cooling (C2).

However, although it has been described here that the control module 1400 'determines' whether or not a laser irradiation end event has occurred, it is not limited thereto, and when a laser irradiation end event occurs, a laser end signal is transmitted to the control module 1400 for control. Even if the module 1400 does not determine whether or not there is an end event of laser irradiation, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may be controlled so that post cooling proceeds (C2).

As described above, in step S3200, the control module 1400 determines the temperature or injection amount of the coolant in consideration of the measured temperature and the preset second set temperature Ts2. However, this is only an example, and according to an embodiment, the control module 1400 adjusts the measured actual temperature (eg, the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed coolant) to a second preset temperature 'condition'. It can be implemented to 'determine' whether or not it corresponds. In this case, the preset second set temperature 'condition' may be a temperature range in which an allowable 'error range' is set based on the preset second set temperature. Alternatively, the second set temperature condition may be any suitable condition including a condition for maintaining a specific temperature for a specific time based on a specific temperature value.

If the measured actual temperature (eg, the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed coolant) corresponds to the preset second set temperature condition, the control module 1400 sprays at the temperature or spray amount of the previously sprayed coolant. The temperature or amount of the coolant to be sprayed can be determined.

If the measured actual temperature (eg, the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed coolant) does not correspond to the preset second set temperature condition, the control module 1400 controls the coolant temperature through the coolant condition controller 1220. It can be implemented to control the temperature or the flow rate of the coolant. Alternatively, the control module 1400 may be implemented to control the flow rate of the coolant through the flow rate controller 1210 .

See Figures 4 and 8. 8 is a flowchart (S4000) illustrating a post-cooling and laser irradiation method according to an embodiment of a laser treatment method disclosed in the present application.

The post-cooling may include measuring a skin surface temperature and/or a coolant temperature (S4100); determining the temperature of the coolant or the flow rate of the coolant (S4200); spraying coolant (S4300); and determining whether a preset time has elapsed after the end of the laser irradiation (S4400).

In the step of measuring the temperature of the skin surface and the temperature of the coolant (S4100), the above-described step S1100 may be applied in the same manner. Focusing on the characteristics of the post-cooling section (P3), in step S4100, the temperature of the coolant injected after the end of the laser irradiation section is measured, and the temperature of the skin surface after the end of the laser irradiation section is measured. can be measured That is, in step S4100, the temperature of the coolant sprayed after the laser irradiation is finished and/or the temperature of the skin surface may be measured. According to FIG. 8, although both the temperature of the coolant and the temperature of the skin surface are measured in step S4100, only the temperature of the skin surface is measured excluding the temperature of the coolant, and the temperature of the coolant or the amount of injection is determined in step S4200 to be described later. can be taken into account in making decisions. In other words, measuring the coolant temperature in step S4100 of FIG. 8 may be omitted.

In the step of determining the temperature or injection amount of the coolant (S4200), the above-described step S1200 may be applied in the same manner. Therefore, hereinafter, the characteristics of the post-cooling section P3 will be mainly described.

Referring back to FIG. 8 , the laser treatment method according to an embodiment of the present application includes the step of determining the temperature or injection amount of the coolant in consideration of the temperature measured in step S4100 and a preset third set temperature (Ts3). (S4200) may be included.

The third set temperature Ts3 may be a target temperature to control the temperature of the skin surface in the post-cooling section P3. Alternatively, the third set temperature Ts3 may be a target temperature to control the temperature of the coolant sprayed in the post-cooling section P3. Alternatively, the third set temperature (Ts3) may be a target temperature to control the target temperature of the target to be treated by the laser in the post-cooling section (P3).

In one embodiment, the third set temperature Ts3 may be set in consideration of a degree of temperature rise of the skin surface in the laser irradiation section, a pain minimization temperature, and a skin death temperature by cooling. In addition, the third set temperature Ts3 may be directly set by the user or set by the user selecting a value set by the control module 1400 using procedure information and temperature information stored in the control module 1400. .

For example, the third set temperature Ts3 may be set in consideration of the degree of temperature rise of the skin surface in the laser irradiation period. Specifically, the post-cooling may be performed to lower the temperature of the skin surface, which is raised by the laser output in the laser irradiation section, to a normal body temperature. Therefore, in the post cooling section P3, the coolant may be sprayed in consideration of the skin surface temperature according to the degree of temperature rise of the skin surface in the laser irradiation section. A set temperature of the skin surface may be set to the third set temperature (Ts3).

For example, the third set temperature Ts3 may be set in consideration of a temperature that minimizes pain in a skin surface or a tissue adjacent to a target. Specifically, post-cooling may play a role of minimizing damage to the skin surface as well as minimizing pain. Therefore, the third set temperature Ts3 of the post-cooling period P3 may be set in consideration of a temperature that minimizes pain. For example, the third set temperature may be set to a temperature of 30° C. or less, which is a temperature that lowers the activity of pain receptors on the skin surface or tissue adjacent to the target. Alternatively, the third set temperature Ts3 may be set to a temperature of 10° C. or less (preferably, a temperature of 0° C. or more and 10° C. or less) that lowers the activity of pain receptors on the skin surface or tissue adjacent to the target. there is.

For example, the third set temperature Ts3 may be set in consideration of a temperature at which the skin surface or tissue of the skin dies by cooling. Specifically, for example, when the skin surface or skin is exposed to a temperature of 0 ° C or less for a long time, the skin tissue may die due to frostbite or the like. For another example, when the skin surface or skin is exposed to a temperature of -20° C. or lower, the skin tissue may be killed even when exposed for a short time. Therefore, in the post-cooling section P3, the third set temperature Ts3 may be set to a temperature higher than the temperature at which the skin surface or the skin is killed (eg, 0° C. or lower).

In one embodiment, even within the post-cooling section P3, there may be a need to differently set the third set temperature Ts3 according to the section. For example, since the initial section of the post-cooling section P3 is relatively adjacent to the end of the laser irradiation section, the degree of temperature rise of the skin surface in the laser irradiation section is important in setting the third set temperature Ts3. may be a factor to consider. On the other hand, in the section after the initial post-cooling section P3, there may be a situation in which the temperature that minimizes pain and the death temperature of the skin are relatively important factors to consider in setting the third set temperature Ts3. At this time, the third set temperature Ts3 may be set differently even within the post cooling period P3 because factors considered in the initial period and the latter period of the post cooling period P3 are different.

In the above, it has been described that the third set temperature Ts3 can be set based on the temperature of the skin surface, but is not limited thereto, and the coolant controlled through the coolant condition control unit 1220, which is a direct variable of the temperature of the skin surface. It is clearly stated that it is obvious to those skilled in the art that a specific temperature can be set based on the temperature of.

Referring back to FIG. 8 , step S4200 may include determining the temperature of the coolant or the amount of injection in consideration of the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant measured in step S4100. Specifically, the control module 1400 determines the temperature of the coolant and/or the amount of spray of the coolant by controlling the coolant condition controller 1220 in consideration of the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the coolant measured in step S4100 ( S4200) can be done. Alternatively, the control module 1400 may control the opening/closing period and opening/closing time of the flow rate controller 1210 to adjust the flow rate of the coolant supplied to the sprayer 1230, thereby determining the spray amount of the coolant (S4200).

In the spraying of the coolant (S4300), the coolant may be sprayed according to the temperature or spray amount of the coolant determined in the step S4200.

When the coolant is sprayed in step S4300, a step of determining whether a preset time has elapsed after laser irradiation ends (S4400) may proceed.

In the step of determining whether a preset time has elapsed after the end of the laser irradiation (S4400), it may be determined by the control module 1400 whether the post-cooling time is within a preset time after the end of the laser irradiation. there is.

The preset time may be set in consideration of the degree of pain according to the type of treatment, the degree of temperature rise of the skin surface in the laser irradiation section, and the like. The preset time may mean a time during which post-cooling can proceed, and since the post-cooling time may have a linear relationship with the amount of energy applied to the skin surface, the degree of pain and laser irradiation according to the procedure It may be set in consideration of the degree of temperature rise of the skin surface in the section.

For example, different degrees of pain may be induced depending on the type of treatment or the site to be treated. If the degree of pain is relatively high, the post-cooling time, that is, the preset time is set relatively long, so that the skin surface It may be configured to apply a relatively large amount of cooling energy. On the other hand, if the degree of pain is relatively low, the post-cooling time, that is, the preset time may be set relatively short to apply a relatively small amount of cooling energy to the skin surface. In other words, the preset time may be set in consideration of the degree of pain according to the procedure.

The preset time may be directly set by the user or set by the user selecting a value set by the control module 1400 using treatment information and temperature information stored in the control module 1400 . In addition, the preset time may be set before the laser treatment starts (eg, before the start step of FIG. 5).

If the time during which post-cooling has been performed is within the preset time, the step of measuring the temperature of the skin surface and the temperature of the coolant (S4100) may be implemented so that a series of steps may be performed again.

On the other hand, if the post-cooling progress time has elapsed a preset time, the control module 1400 may be implemented to end post-cooling (E).

However, although it is described here that the control module 1400 'determines' whether or not a preset time has elapsed after the end of the laser irradiation, it is not limited thereto, and if a preset time has elapsed after the end of the laser irradiation, the time elapsed signal is controlled. It is transmitted to the module 1400, and the control module 1400 may control the laser treatment device 100 so that the post-cooling ends (E) even without determining whether a preset time has elapsed after the end of the laser irradiation. .

In addition, although it is shown in FIG. 8 that post-cooling ends when a preset time elapses after laser irradiation ends, this is only an example and post-cooling can be implemented to end even through the end of the user's coolant injection input. .

As described above, in step S4200, the control module 1400 determines the temperature or injection amount of the coolant in consideration of the measured temperature and the preset third set temperature Ts3. However, this is only an example, and according to an embodiment, the control module 1400 adjusts the measured actual temperature (eg, the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed coolant) to a preset third set temperature 'condition'. It can be implemented to 'determine' whether or not it corresponds. In this case, the preset third set temperature 'condition' may be a temperature range in which an allowable 'error range' is set based on the preset third set temperature. Alternatively, the third set temperature condition may be any appropriate condition including a condition for maintaining a specific temperature for a specific time based on a specific temperature value.

If the measured actual temperature (eg, the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed coolant) corresponds to the preset third set temperature condition, the control module 1400 sprays the previously sprayed coolant at the temperature or spray amount. The temperature or amount of the coolant to be sprayed can be determined.

If the measured actual temperature (eg, the actual temperature of the skin surface and the actual temperature of the sprayed coolant) does not correspond to the preset third set temperature condition, the control module 1400 controls the temperature of the coolant through the coolant condition controller 1220. It can be implemented to control the temperature or the flow rate of the coolant. Alternatively, the control module 1400 may be implemented to control the flow rate of the coolant through the flow rate controller 1210 .

According to the laser treatment method according to the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in this application, the first set temperature Ts1 in the pre-cooling section P1, the second set temperature Ts2 in the laser irradiation section, and the post-cooling section At least two or more set temperatures among the third set temperatures Ts3 in (P3) may be set differently. Specifically, factors to be considered may be different for each of the pre-cooling section P1, the laser irradiation section, and the post-cooling section P3. For example, the first set temperature (Ts1) may be set in consideration of the degree of temperature rise of the skin surface in the laser irradiation period, whether laser interfering substances are generated in the laser irradiation period, and the second set temperature is the laser irradiation period. It may be set in consideration of the temperature of the target in the section, target target temperature, skin damage temperature, and the like. In addition, the third set temperature Ts3 may be set in consideration of pain minimization temperature, skin death temperature by cooling, and the like. At this time, since factors to be considered in each section may be different, the first set temperature Ts1, the second set temperature Ts2, and the third set temperature Ts3 may be set differently. .

For example, the first set temperature Ts1 is smaller than the second set temperature Ts2, and the third set temperature Ts3 is between the first set temperature Ts1 and the second set temperature Ts2. It can be a temperature value. Specifically, since the second set temperature Ts2 may be a period in which the temperature of the skin surface increases due to laser irradiation, the second set temperature Ts2 is the first set temperature Ts1 and the third set temperature It can be set higher than (Ts3). In addition, the first set temperature Ts1 may be set to a value smaller than the third set temperature Ts3 in order to keep the temperature of the skin surface as low as possible before laser irradiation.

For example, the first set temperature Ts1 may be lower than the second set temperature Ts2, and the first set temperature Ts1 may be higher than the third set temperature Ts3. Specifically, since the second set temperature Ts2 may be a period in which the temperature of the skin surface increases due to laser irradiation, the second set temperature Ts2 is the first set temperature Ts1 and the third set temperature It can be set higher than (Ts3). In addition, the first set temperature (Ts1) is set to a temperature (0 ℃ or more) at which frost on the skin surface does not exist during laser irradiation, but the third set temperature (Ts3) is set to normal temperature as quickly as possible. It can be set to a temperature lower than 0°C to return.

For example, the first set temperature Ts1 may be lower than the second set temperature Ts2 but equal to the third set temperature Ts3. Specifically, since the second set temperature Ts2 may be a period in which the temperature of the skin surface increases due to laser irradiation, the second set temperature Ts2 is the first set temperature Ts1 and the third set temperature It can be set higher than (Ts3). In addition, the first set temperature Ts1 and the third set temperature Ts3 may be set to the same temperature as any suitable temperature in consideration of the above.

For example, in the laser irradiation period, the second set temperature may be set such that the temperature of the skin surface is close to the second set temperature. However, since high power energy is applied to the skin surface in the laser irradiation section, there may be a possibility that the temperature of the skin surface is not controlled to the second set temperature. That is, there may be a possibility that a large error occurs between the temperature of the actual skin surface and the second set temperature. In this example, the possibility of damage to the skin surface may be minimized by setting the second set temperature as low as possible regardless of the actual temperature of the skin surface. In this case, the second set temperature Ts2 may be lower than the first set temperature Ts1 and/or the third set temperature Ts3.

However, the above is only an example, and the first set temperature Ts1, the second set temperature Ts2, and the third set temperature Ts3 may be set in consideration of the type and purpose of the procedure. . For example, the first set temperature Ts1, the second set temperature Ts2, and the third set temperature may all be set to the same temperature. For another example, the first set temperature Ts1 and the second set temperature Ts2 may be set identically in consideration of the type and purpose of the procedure. For another example, the second set temperature Ts2 and the third set temperature Ts3 may be set identically in consideration of the type and purpose of the procedure.

According to the laser treatment method according to the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in this application, the error range of the first set temperature Ts1 in the free cooling section P1 and the second set temperature Ts2 in the laser irradiation section An error range and an error range of the third set temperature Ts3 in the post-cooling period P3 may be set respectively. For example, referring to FIG. 4 again, the temperature of the skin surface is set to be controlled to the first set temperature Ts1 in the free cooling period P1, but the error range R1 is set so that it is maintained within a certain temperature range. It can be.

In this case, the error ranges may be directly input by the user similarly to the above-described set temperatures, or arbitrarily set to appropriate values in the control module 1400.

In addition, the error ranges may be set differently according to the pre-cooling period P1, the inter-cooling period P2, and the post-cooling period P3.

For example, in the inter-cooling section (P1), the error range may be set in consideration of the type of laser, laser output, skin damage temperature, target target temperature, etc., and the possibility of skin damage caused by the laser is relatively high. Therefore, the error range of the set temperature may be set to be relatively narrow compared to other cooling sections.

On the other hand, the post cooling section (P3) is a cooling section after the laser output is terminated, and the possibility of skin damage due to the temperature rise due to laser treatment may be relatively lower than other cooling sections. An error range related to the set temperature may be set relatively wide compared to other cooling sections.

According to the laser treatment method according to the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in this application, the skin surface is appropriately considered in consideration of the treatment conditions and temperature conditions of the pre-cooling section (P1), the laser irradiation section, and the post-cooling section (P3). Since the set temperature can be set, customized procedures can be performed for each procedure and temperature conditions, and there is an advantage that cooling can be performed more efficiently. In particular, in the free cooling section (P1), the possibility of skin damage due to the temperature rise in the laser irradiation section can be prevented in advance by lowering the temperature of the skin surface before laser irradiation, and in the laser irradiation section, the skin surface temperature is the skin damage temperature. It can be configured to be controlled below, thereby minimizing the possibility of skin damage. In addition, since the temperature of the skin surface can be controlled to a temperature capable of minimizing pain in the post-cooling section P3, there is an advantage in that pain caused by the procedure can be minimized. Additionally, in the laser irradiation section, the temperature and/or flow rate of the coolant may be controlled in relation to laser irradiation so that the temperature of the target reaches the target target temperature while maintaining the temperature of the skin surface below the skin damage temperature. Therefore, based on the above information, it is possible to achieve the purpose of target treatment and the purpose of the present specification for minimizing the possibility of skin damage and pain.

An error may occur in measuring the temperature when the laser is irradiated. Specifically, when the laser is irradiated in the laser irradiation section and the sensor unit 1300 detects the temperature of the skin surface at the same time, the output of the laser is quite large, so the sensor unit 1300 detects the temperature of the skin surface using the laser. may be interfered with. Therefore, when measuring the skin temperature in the laser irradiation section, there may be a problem that an error may occur in the measured skin temperature. Referring to FIG. 9 , a driving method for minimizing an error in skin temperature measured in a laser irradiation section will be described. 9 is a flowchart (S5000) illustrating a method for correcting the measured skin surface temperature according to an embodiment of a laser treatment method disclosed in the present application.

Referring to Figure 9, the driving method of the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in this application is laser irradiation step (S5100); Measuring the temperature of the skin surface (S5200); and determining whether the measured skin surface temperature is the actual skin surface temperature (S5300). At this time, if the measured skin surface temperature is the actual skin surface temperature, temperature feedback ( S5410 ) may be performed by adjusting the temperature of the coolant and/or the flow rate of the coolant based on the measured skin surface temperature. On the other hand, if it is determined that the measured skin surface temperature is not the actual skin surface temperature, a step of correcting the measured skin surface temperature (S5420) may proceed.

Hereinafter, as a method of correcting the temperature of the skin surface measured in step S5420, a method for correcting errors or reducing the possibility of errors is presented.

In one embodiment, by using a method of correcting and estimating the temperature data of the skin surface measured by the sensor unit 1300 at the same time as the laser irradiation time, the accuracy of temperature feedback due to the error of the measured temperature can be improved. . Specifically, by using the temperature data of the skin surface according to laser irradiation accumulated by conventional procedures, the temperature data of the skin surface measured by the sensor unit 1300 at the same time as the laser irradiation time has a small error with the actual surface temperature. corrections and/or estimates can be made to For example, it is possible to analyze the temperature change tendency of the skin surface according to laser irradiation based on the temperature change data of the skin surface according to laser irradiation accumulated by existing procedures, and to match the temperature change tendency of the skin surface, error Temperature data of the likely skin surface can be calibrated and/or estimated. Accuracy of temperature feedback may be improved by correcting and/or estimating temperature data having a high possibility of error with appropriate temperature data.

When the skin surface temperature is measured using a sensor during laser irradiation, there may be a difference between the skin surface temperature measured under the influence of the laser and the actual skin surface temperature.

In an embodiment, in order to reduce such an error, a temperature measurement cycle of the sensor unit 1300 may be set in consideration of a relationship with a laser irradiation cycle. For example, when a laser is irradiated, the laser may be output at a regular cycle. At this time, the temperature measurement cycle of the sensor unit 1300 of the skin surface is set to be different from the laser output cycle to prevent an error in the measured skin surface temperature. or can be reduced.

For example, the temperature measurement cycle of the sensor unit 1300 may be set shorter than the laser irradiation cycle. If the temperature measurement cycle of the sensor unit 1300 is set shorter than the laser irradiation cycle, the number of times the temperature of the skin surface, which is affected by the laser and has a high possibility of error, and the number of times that the temperature of the skin is not measured are different. this can be made easier Through this, the measured temperature of the skin surface (e.g., the skin surface temperature measured at the same time as the laser irradiation time), which is highly likely to have caused an error due to the influence of the laser, is excluded from the data or corrected, resulting in temperature feedback due to the error of the measured temperature. accuracy can be improved.

Here, it is illustrated that the temperature measurement cycle of the sensor unit 1300 is set shorter than the laser irradiation cycle, but it is not limited thereto, and the temperature measurement cycle is set to the same cycle as the laser irradiation cycle or longer than the laser irradiation cycle, but the laser irradiation cycle is set. By using a method of excluding or correcting temperature data at a time point and a temperature measurement time point at the same time, the accuracy of temperature feedback due to the error of the measured temperature can be improved.

For example, the sensor unit 1300 may randomly measure the temperature of the skin surface. Specifically, the sensor unit 1300 randomly measures the temperature of the skin surface regardless of the time and period at which the laser is output, thereby determining the probability that the sensor unit 1300 measures the temperature of the skin surface at the same time as the laser is output. can reduce Through this, it is possible to improve the accuracy of temperature feedback by reducing the probability of an error occurring in the measured temperature of the skin surface.

In addition, when the skin surface temperature is measured using a sensor during laser irradiation, there may be a difference between the skin surface temperature measured under the influence of the laser and the actual skin surface temperature. In order to reduce this error, it may be configured to selectively filter only measured temperature data at a desired time point.

For example, the sensor unit 1300 continuously measures the temperature of the skin surface, but excludes the temperature data measured at the time of laser irradiation among the measured temperature data and selectively filters only the temperature data measured at times other than the time of laser irradiation. It can be configured so that The filtering may be implemented through an external device or may be implemented in the control module 1400 itself. Accuracy of temperature feedback may be improved by filtering temperature data having a high possibility of error.

When the skin surface temperature is measured using a sensor during laser irradiation, there may be a difference between the skin surface temperature measured under the influence of the laser and the actual skin surface temperature.

In one embodiment, in order to prevent an error in temperature measurement of the sensor unit 1300 due to laser interference, a filter that selectively blocks only the wavelength of the laser used in the procedure can be used. Specifically, the sensor unit 1300 for measuring the temperature of the skin surface may be composed of an infrared temperature sensor. When irradiating a laser, laser light or light partially reflected on the skin surface interferes with the infrared temperature sensor. etc. can be affected. At this time, a filter capable of filtering a laser wavelength band or a wavelength band of laser reflected light reflected on the skin surface may be attached to the infrared temperature sensor, and through this, a temperature measurement error of the sensor unit 1300 by the laser or laser reflected light may be attached. can be minimized. In other words, a filter (eg, infrared radiation filter) may be attached to the sensor unit 1300 to prevent passage of specific wavelengths, and through this, in measuring the temperature of the sensor unit 1300, a laser and/or laser Errors due to interference of reflected light can be minimized.

The driving method of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in this application is a method of preventing an error in measuring the temperature of the measured skin surface, and can be configured not to use the temperature measurement function of the sensor unit 1300 in the laser irradiation section. there is. Specifically, in the laser irradiation section, there may be interference in measuring the temperature of the skin surface by the laser, and even at this time, it may not be efficient to measure the temperature of the skin surface and provide temperature feedback. Therefore, the operation of measuring the temperature of the skin surface of the sensor unit 1300 may not be performed during the laser irradiation period. However, since the laser irradiation section is a section with a high possibility of skin damage, hereinafter, an additional method for preventing skin damage is presented even if the temperature measurement operation of the sensor unit 1300 is not performed.

In one embodiment, in the driving method of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present application, in the laser irradiation section, the flow rate of the coolant sprayed to the skin surface may be set to a fixed value regardless of the temperature of the skin surface and sprayed. . Specifically, in the laser irradiation section, the sensor unit 1300 is configured not to measure the temperature of the skin surface, but in the laser irradiation section, the coolant is used to prevent damage to the skin surface from thermal energy caused by the laser. The coolant may be sprayed to the skin surface by setting the flow rate to a fixed value. At this time, the set value of the flow rate of the coolant may be a value considered to prevent the temperature of the skin surface from reaching the skin damage temperature based on the procedure information and temperature information stored in the control module 1400 .

In one embodiment, the driving method of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present application may set the temperature of the coolant sprayed to the skin surface at a fixed value and spray it regardless of the temperature of the skin surface in the laser irradiation section. there is. Specifically, the sensor unit 1300 is configured not to measure the temperature of the skin surface in the laser irradiation period, but the temperature of the coolant sprayed to prevent damage to the skin surface from thermal energy by the laser even in the laser irradiation period The coolant may be sprayed to the skin surface at a specific temperature by setting a fixed value. Since the temperature of the coolant is a direct variable for the temperature of the skin surface, the temperature of the skin surface can be controlled by spraying the temperature of the coolant to a specific temperature. At this time, the set value of the temperature of the coolant may be a value considered to prevent the temperature of the skin surface from reaching the skin damage temperature based on the procedure information and the temperature information stored in the control module 1400 .

In one embodiment, the driving method of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present application sets the value of the amount of thermal energy applied to the coolant in the coolant condition controller 1220 regardless of the temperature of the skin surface in the laser irradiation section. It can be fixed and driven. Specifically, in the laser irradiation section, the sensor unit 1300 is configured not to measure the temperature of the skin surface, but in the laser irradiation section, in order to prevent damage to the skin surface from thermal energy by the laser, the coolant state The controller 1220 may fix the value of the amount of thermal energy applied to the coolant. To this end, the power applied to the coolant condition controller 1220 may be fixed by fixing the current applied to the coolant condition controller 1220 . At this time, at least one of the current value applied to the coolant condition controller 1220, the power value applied to the coolant condition controller 1220, and the amount of thermal energy applied to the coolant is the treatment information and temperature stored in the control module 1400. Based on the information, the temperature of the skin surface may be a value considered to prevent reaching the skin damage temperature.

In the above, the case where the sensor unit 1300 does not measure the temperature of the skin surface is mainly described in the laser irradiation period, but the sensor unit 1300 measures the temperature of the skin surface in the laser irradiation period and coolant described above. Fixing the flow rate of the coolant, fixing the temperature of the coolant, or fixing the amount of thermal energy applied to the coolant in the coolant condition controller may be combined and used. Through this combination, the temperature of the skin surface in the laser irradiation section It is clear to those skilled in the art that the object of the present invention, which is to control not to exceed the skin damage temperature, can be achieved.

The driving method of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in this application is obtained through an existing procedure in order to minimize the possibility of damage to the skin surface while preventing the occurrence of an error in the temperature of the skin surface measured by the sensor unit 1300. Based on the treatment information and/or temperature information, changes in the skin surface temperature and target temperature in the laser irradiation section may be estimated. Specifically, the control module 1400 controls the laser irradiation section based on the skin surface temperature, target temperature, coolant temperature, etc. obtained in an existing procedure in which treatment information such as the treatment site to be operated and the type of laser is substantially the same. It may be configured to estimate and/or predict the temperature change of

In one embodiment, when the laser is irradiated in the laser irradiation section of the existing procedure and the procedure is performed by spraying the temperature and flow rate of the coolant at a specific value on the skin surface, the control module 1400 obtains data obtained from the existing procedure. Based on the treatment information and temperature information, it is possible to analyze the change and tendency of temperature information including the temperature of the skin surface and/or target temperature. In this case, the control module 1400 may analyze a correlation between information such as the temperature and flow rate of the coolant, the type of laser, and the treatment area and changes in the skin surface temperature and/or target temperature. In addition, the control module 1400 controls the spraying of the coolant by estimating and predicting the temperature of the skin surface and the target to adjust the temperature of the coolant and/or the flow rate of the coolant when substantially the same procedure as the existing procedure is performed. can be configured to At this time, the control module 1400 may be configured to control the temperature of the coolant and/or the flow rate of the coolant so that the temperature of the target does not reach the skin damage temperature and the temperature of the target reaches the target target temperature.

In one embodiment, the control module 1400 may be configured to control the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed, the flow rate of the coolant, etc., based on the temperature of the skin surface and/or the temperature of the target of the existing procedure that is substantially the same as the procedure to be performed. there is. In particular, based on the skin surface temperature and/or target temperature at the start of laser irradiation of the existing procedure and the skin surface temperature and/or target temperature at the end of laser irradiation, the control module 1400 controls the temperature and coolant of the coolant to be sprayed It may be configured to control the flow rate of At this time, the control module 1400 may be configured to control the temperature of the coolant and/or the flow rate of the coolant so that the temperature of the target does not reach the skin damage temperature and the temperature of the target reaches the target target temperature.

In one embodiment, a procedure of irradiating a plurality of lasers to one target may be performed. In this case, the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant sprayed in the second shot may be controlled using skin information from the first shot. This will be described in detail later.

In one embodiment, a procedure of irradiating a laser beam to a plurality of targets may be performed. In this case, the temperature of the coolant sprayed to the second spot and/or the flow rate of the coolant may be controlled using temperature information of the first spot. This will be described in detail later.

The laser treatment device 100 disclosed in this application includes a laser module for outputting a laser to the skin of a patient for laser treatment; a sensor for measuring the temperature of the skin; a nozzle spraying coolant on the skin; a coolant condition controller for controlling at least one of a temperature and an amount of the coolant; and obtaining at least one of first skin information and second skin information through the sensor, wherein the first skin information includes the skin temperature at or before the start of laser output of at least a first shot, The skin information includes at least the skin temperature at or after the end of the laser output of the first shot, and when a laser treatment of a second shot is performed after performing the laser treatment of the first shot, the first skin and a control module configured to adjust at least one of a temperature and an amount of the coolant based on at least one of information and the second skin information.

Here, the first skin information or the second skin information is a concept including skin type, skin treatment site, skin temperature, and any appropriate information related to the skin, but hereinafter, an embodiment of information on skin temperature will be mainly described. do.

The first skin information may be the starting point of the laser output of the first shot or the previous skin temperature, and the second skin information may be the end of the laser output of the first shot or the subsequent skin temperature.

When the laser treatment of the second shot is performed after the laser treatment of the first shot, the control module 1400 of the laser treatment device 100 determines at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information. It may be provided to adjust at least one of the temperature and the amount of the coolant based on this.

According to an embodiment, the first skin information may represent the skin temperature detected at substantially the same time point as the start time point of outputting the laser, and the second skin information may indicate the end time point and substantially the same time point of outputting the laser. It can represent the skin temperature detected at the same time point. At this time, when performing the laser treatment of the second shot after performing the laser treatment of the first shot, the control module 1400 performs the control module 1400 based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information, It may be configured to adjust at least one of the temperature and amount of the coolant in at least a part of the irradiation section of the laser.

According to an embodiment, when performing the laser treatment of the second shot after performing the laser treatment of the first shot, the control module 1400 determines the difference between the first skin information and the second skin information. It may be configured to adjust at least one of the temperature and amount of the coolant based on '.

According to an embodiment, when performing the laser treatment of the second shot after performing the laser treatment of the first shot, the control module 1400 is configured to perform the cooling section except for the laser irradiation section of the second shot. At least one of a temperature and an amount of the coolant may be adjusted based on a temperature detected from a skin surface to which the second shot is irradiated. In other words, the control module 1400, based on the first skin information and/or the second skin information related to the first shot in the laser irradiation period, controls the cooling material in at least a part of the laser irradiation period. It may be configured to adjust at least one of temperature and amount, but in the pre-cooling section (P1) and/or post-cooling section (P3) other than the laser irradiation section, the second shot is irradiated or detected on the irradiated skin surface. It may be configured to adjust at least one of a temperature and an amount of the coolant based on the temperature.

According to one embodiment, the first shot and the second shot may be laser output to the same target. For example, when the first shot is output for the first spot, the second shot may also be output for the first spot. In other words, the laser output of the first shot and the laser output of the second shot may be performed on substantially the same location of the skin.

According to one embodiment, the first shot and the second shot may be laser output to different targets. For example, when the first shot is output for a first spot, the second shot may also be output for a second spot. In other words, the first shot may be a laser output for a first location on the skin, and the second shot may be a laser output for a second location on the skin different from the first location.

According to one embodiment, the driving method of the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed in this application may include irradiating a plurality of laser shots to one target.

According to an embodiment, the driving method of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present application may include irradiating a single laser shot to a plurality of targets, respectively.

According to an embodiment, the driving method of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in this application may include irradiating a plurality of laser shots to a plurality of targets, respectively.

Here, one laser shot may mean outputting one pulse. In addition, a plurality of laser shots may generally mean outputting a plurality of pulses. However, there may be a case in which a plurality of pulses are continuously output with short pulses at intervals of a very short time unit (eg, nanosecond time unit). In this case, one laser shot encompasses a plurality of continuously output pulses. It may mean that

Through this operation and implementation method, there is also an effect of minimizing the possibility of skin damage while preventing measurement errors of the temperature of the skin surface at least in the laser irradiation section in advance. Hereinafter, the above-described operation and implementation method will be described in more detail.

See Figures 10 to 12. 10 is a diagram illustrating irradiation of a laser to a first shot with respect to a first spot. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating irradiation of a second shot of laser on a first spot after a predetermined time has elapsed after irradiation of a first shot on a first spot is completed. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a driving method (S6000) in the case of irradiating a plurality of shots of laser to a first spot.

The driving method of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in this application includes the steps of starting the treatment and measuring first skin information (S6100); irradiating a first shot of laser (S6200); measuring second skin information (S6300); adjusting at least one of a temperature of a coolant and an amount of a coolant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information (S6400); and spraying the coolant according to the laser irradiation of the second shot and the adjusted coolant temperature or amount of the coolant (S6500).

According to an embodiment, in the step of measuring the first skin information ( S6100 ), the sensor unit 1300 may detect skin information of a skin surface of a target to be treated by laser or an area adjacent to the skin surface.

The first skin information may be detected at a point in time at which laser output starts or at a previous point in time. Preferably, the first skin information may be skin information detected at substantially the same time as the start of laser output.

The first skin information may be a 'skin temperature' of a skin surface of a target to be treated by laser or an area adjacent to the skin surface. For example, the first skin information may be the temperature of the skin surface before thermal energy is applied to the skin surface by outputting a laser. However, it is not limited to the temperature of the skin surface, and the first skin information may also include the skin type of the person to be treated, the treatment site, the location and/or depth of the target, and the like. For example, when performing a hair removal procedure, information on the characteristics of the skin where the hair is located (eg, moisture, sensitivity, etc.) and skin information on the location or depth of the target are measured to perform laser irradiation of the second shot. can be used on the basis of

According to an embodiment, the first skin information may be detected at a point in time prior to a point in time at which laser output is started. In this case, pre-cooling may be performed at a point in time prior to the point in time at which the output of the laser is started. When pre-cooling is in progress, information on the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant sprayed for pre-cooling is additionally obtained as well as the first skin information, so that the coolant to be sprayed together during the laser irradiation of the second shot to be described later is obtained. It can be used to adjust the temperature and / or flow rate of the coolant.

In the laser irradiation of the first shot (S6200), laser may be output by the laser module 1100 to the target to be treated. Preferably, irradiating the laser of the first shot may mean obtaining skin information for appropriately adjusting the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed together when the laser of the second shot is irradiated. . In other words, skin information at the start time of the laser irradiation section of the first shot and the irradiation completion time is obtained, and based on this, the temperature of the coolant so that the temperature of the skin surface does not reach the skin damage temperature during the laser treatment of the second shot. And/or it may be to adjust the flow rate of the coolant.

According to an embodiment, in the step of measuring the second skin information (S6300), the second skin information is detected by the sensor unit 1300 in the same area of the skin surface as the area of the skin surface where the first skin information is measured. It can be. That is, the second skin information may be measured for the skin surface of the target to be treated by the laser or a region adjacent to the skin surface.

The second skin information may be detected at or after completion of laser output. Preferably, the second skin information may be skin information detected at substantially the same time point as the time point at which laser output ends.

The second skin information may be a 'skin temperature' of a skin surface of a target to be treated by laser or an area adjacent to the skin surface. For example, the second skin information may be the temperature of the skin surface after laser output is terminated and thermal energy is applied to the skin surface. However, the temperature of the skin surface is not limited, and the laser type (laser wavelength and output) and laser irradiation time in the laser irradiation section can be detected together with the second skin information.

According to an embodiment, the second skin information may be detected at a point in time when the output of the laser is completed or a point in time thereafter. At this time, there may be cases in which not only the laser output but also the coolant are injected together in the laser irradiation section. That is, inter-cooling may be performed. When inter-cooling is performed, information on the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant injected in the inter-cooling may be additionally obtained. In addition, information on changes in the temperature of the skin surface according to the temperature of the coolant sprayed in the intercooling and/or the flow rate of the coolant may also be acquired. The temperature of the coolant in the intercooling, the information on the flow rate of the coolant, and/or the information on the change in the temperature of the skin surface is the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed before/with/after the laser irradiation of the second shot, which will be described later, and/or It can be used to regulate the flow rate of coolant.

adjusting at least one of a temperature of a coolant and an amount of a coolant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information (S6400); In the control module 1400, based on at least one of the detected first skin information and the detected second skin information, at least one of the temperature of the coolant and the amount of the coolant to be sprayed during laser irradiation of the second shot may be adjusted. there is. At this time, the control module 1400 controls the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant to be injected together during the laser irradiation of the second shot by adjusting the amount of thermal energy applied to the coolant through the coolant condition controller 1220. can do. Alternatively, the control module 1400 may control the flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed together during laser irradiation of the second shot by adjusting the opening/closing time and/or the opening/closing cycle of the flow rate adjusting unit 1210 .

adjusting at least one of a temperature of a coolant and an amount of a coolant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information (S6400); In , at least one of the temperature of the coolant and the amount of the coolant to be sprayed during the laser irradiation of the second shot can be adjusted so that the temperature of the skin surface when the second shot is irradiated can be controlled to a temperature equal to or less than the skin damage temperature. Therefore, there is an advantage in that the possibility of skin damage can be minimized.

For example, adjusting at least one of a temperature of a coolant and an amount of a coolant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information (S6400); In , based on the first skin information, the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed along with the laser irradiation of the second shot may be adjusted.

For example, based on the 'skin surface temperature' of the treatment area at the start of the laser irradiation of the first shot, the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed together during the laser irradiation of the second shot may be adjusted. there is. If the temperature of the skin surface is relatively high, there is a high possibility of reaching the skin damage temperature due to the temperature increase of the skin surface due to heat accumulation by the laser, so the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed together during the laser irradiation of the second shot It can be controlled to spray at a relatively low temperature or to spray a relatively large amount of coolant.

On the other hand, if the temperature of the skin surface is relatively low, the possibility of reaching the skin damage temperature due to the temperature rise of the skin surface due to heat accumulation by the laser is relatively low, so that it can be injected together during the laser irradiation of the second shot. The temperature of the coolant is controlled to be sprayed at a relatively high temperature or a relatively small amount of the coolant is sprayed, thereby reducing power consumption of the coolant condition controller 1220 and saving the coolant.

For example, adjusting at least one of a temperature of a coolant and an amount of a coolant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information (S6400); In , based on the 'second skin information', the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed along with the laser irradiation of the second shot may be adjusted.

For example, based on the 'temperature of the skin surface' of the treatment site at substantially the same time point as the completion time point of the laser irradiation of the first shot, the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed together during the laser irradiation of the second shot and/or the coolant flow rate can be adjusted. If the temperature of the skin surface at substantially the same time point as the completion time of the laser irradiation is higher than the skin damage temperature or relatively close to the skin damage temperature, it means that the possibility of skin damage by laser irradiation is high, so the second shot During laser irradiation, the temperature of the coolant to be injected together can be controlled to be injected at a relatively low temperature or to be injected with a relatively large amount of coolant. Therefore, the possibility of skin damage can be minimized.

On the other hand, if the temperature of the skin surface is not relatively close to the skin damage temperature, it means that the possibility of reaching the skin damage temperature is relatively low due to the increase in the temperature of the skin surface due to heat accumulation by the laser. When the shot is irradiated with a laser, the temperature of the coolant to be injected together is controlled to be injected at a relatively high temperature or a relatively small amount of coolant is injected, thereby reducing power consumption of the coolant condition controller 1220 and saving the coolant.

For example, adjusting at least one of a temperature of a coolant and an amount of a coolant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information (S6400); , the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed along with the laser irradiation of the second shot may be adjusted based on the first skin information and the second skin information. In some examples, adjusting at least one of a temperature of the coolant and an amount of the coolant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information (S6400); may adjust the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed together during laser irradiation of the second shot based on the 'difference' between the first skin information and the second skin information.

For example, adjusting at least one of the temperature of the coolant and the amount of the coolant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information (S6400); Is the "difference" between the skin surface temperature of the treatment site at substantially the same time point as the start of laser irradiation of the first shot and the skin surface temperature of the treatment site at substantially the same time point as the completion time of laser irradiation of the first shot. Based on this, the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed together during the laser irradiation of the second shot may be adjusted. That is, the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed together during the laser irradiation of the second shot and/or the flow rate of the coolant may be adjusted based on the difference in skin surface temperature between the start and finish of the laser irradiation of the first shot. If the difference in temperature of the skin surface is relatively large, it can be interpreted as meaning that there is a high possibility of reaching the skin damage temperature in the sense that the temperature of the skin surface is increased by laser irradiation. Accordingly, in this case, the temperature of the coolant to be injected together with the laser irradiation of the second shot can be controlled to be injected at a relatively low temperature or to be injected with a relatively large amount of coolant. Therefore, the possibility of skin damage can be minimized.

On the other hand, if the difference in temperature of the skin surface is relatively small, it can be interpreted as meaning that the increase in temperature of the skin surface by laser irradiation is small, and the possibility of reaching the skin damage temperature is low. Therefore, in this case, the temperature of the coolant to be injected together with the laser irradiation of the second shot can be controlled to be injected at a relatively high temperature or to be injected with a relatively small amount of the coolant. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that power consumption of the coolant condition control unit 1220 can be reduced and coolant can be saved.

adjusting at least one of a temperature of a coolant and an amount of a coolant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information (S6400); In addition, at least one of the temperature of the coolant and the amount of the coolant may be adjusted in consideration of a time interval between when the first shot ends and when the second shot starts.

For example, when the time interval between the end of the first shot and the start of the second shot is relatively long, there is a possibility that the thermal energy transmitted to the skin surface by the laser irradiation of the first shot is dispersed to the surrounding tissue. is high On the other hand, if the time interval is relatively short, the thermal energy remaining on the skin surface due to the laser irradiation of the first shot may be relatively high, and the additional thermal energy is accumulated on the skin surface due to the laser irradiation of the second shot, so that the skin The probability of reaching the damage temperature may be relatively high. Therefore, when the time interval is relatively short, the temperature of the coolant to be injected together with the laser irradiation of the second shot can be controlled to be injected at a relatively low temperature or to inject a relatively large amount of coolant.

In the step of spraying the coolant according to the laser irradiation of the second shot and the adjusted temperature or amount of the coolant (S6500), the temperature of the coolant and the temperature of the coolant are determined based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information. In the step of adjusting at least one of the amounts of the coolant ( S6400 ), the coolant may be sprayed to the treatment area according to the adjusted temperature of the coolant and/or the flow rate of the coolant. In this case, the coolant spray may be sprayed in at least a part of the laser irradiation section of the second shot. That is, inter-cooling may be performed during laser irradiation of the second shot by spraying the coolant according to the adjusted temperature of the coolant or the amount of the coolant. In addition, through this cooling, the temperature of the skin surface in the laser irradiation section of the second shot can be controlled so that it does not reach the skin damage temperature.

However, it is not limited to inter-cooling, and performs “pre-cooling” before the laser irradiation of the second shot and/or “post-cooling” after the laser irradiation of the second shot according to the adjusted temperature of the coolant or the amount of the coolant. By doing so, it will be possible to achieve the object of the present invention, which minimizes the possibility of skin damage and minimizes pain. In other words, in the above, the inter-cooling is centered on adjusting at least one of the temperature of the coolant and the amount of the coolant based on the first skin information and/or the second skin information of the first shot, but it is not limited thereto. Based on the first skin information and/or the second skin information of the first shot, at least one of a temperature of a coolant to be sprayed and an amount of the coolant to be sprayed in pre-cooling and/or post-cooling of the second shot may be adjusted.

In the above, the procedure of irradiating a plurality of laser shots to one target has been described, but the above description is not limited to irradiating a plurality of laser shots to a single target, and a laser beam is applied to a plurality of targets to be described later. In the case of investigating , the same or similar analogy can be applied. Hereinafter, the characteristics due to laser treatment on a plurality of targets will be mainly described.

See Figures 13 and 15. 13 is a diagram illustrating irradiation of a laser to a first spot. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating irradiation of a laser on a second spot after a predetermined time has elapsed after irradiation of the laser on the first spot is completed. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a driving method (S7000) in the case of irradiating a plurality of spots with laser.

The driving method of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present application includes the steps of starting the treatment and measuring first skin information of the first spot (S7100); irradiating a laser to the first spot (S7200); measuring second skin information of the first spot (S7300); adjusting at least one of a temperature of a coolant and an amount of the coolant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information (S7400); and irradiating the second spot with a laser and spraying the coolant according to the adjusted temperature or amount of the coolant ( S7500 ).

According to an embodiment, in the step of measuring the first skin information of the first spot (S610), the skin information of the skin surface of the first target to be treated by the laser or an area adjacent to the skin surface is sent to the sensor unit 1300. can be detected by The first spot may be a different spot from a second spot to be described later. However, preferably, the first spot and the second spot may be tissues within a living body that perform the same or similar functions in adjacent regions.

The first skin information may be detected at a time point at which laser output is started for the 'first spot' or at a previous time point.

Also, the first skin information may be the skin temperature of the skin surface of the 'first spot' or an area adjacent to the skin surface. However, it is not limited thereto, and may include the skin type of the person to be treated, the treatment site, the location of the target, and also the first skin information.

In the step of irradiating the laser to the first spot (S7200), the laser may be output by the laser module 1100 to the first target to be treated. Preferably, irradiating the laser to the first spot may be meant to acquire skin information for appropriately adjusting the temperature and/or flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed together when the laser is irradiated to the second spot. . In other words, skin information at the start time of the laser irradiation section of the 'first spot' and the irradiation completion time is obtained, and based on this, the temperature of the skin surface during laser treatment of the second spot, which is a spot different from the first spot, is measured. It may be to adjust the temperature of the coolant and/or the flow rate of the coolant so that the damage temperature is not reached.

According to an embodiment, in the step of measuring the second skin information of the first spot (S7300), the second skin information is sent to the sensor unit 1300 in the same area of the skin surface as the area of the skin surface where the first skin information is measured. ) can be detected by That is, second skin information may be measured in the first spot.

The second skin information may be detected at or after the completion of laser output for the 'first spot'.

Also, the second skin information may be the 'temperature of the skin surface' of the skin surface of the 'first spot' or an area adjacent to the skin surface. However, the temperature of the skin surface is not limited, and the laser type (laser wavelength and output) and laser irradiation time in the laser irradiation section can be detected together with the second skin information.

adjusting at least one of a temperature of a coolant and an amount of the coolant based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information (S7400); At least one of the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed and the amount of the coolant to be sprayed when the laser is irradiated to the second spot may be adjusted based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information detected for the first spot. At this time, when the laser is irradiated to the second spot by controlling at least one of the temperature of the coolant and the amount of the coolant to be sprayed when the laser is irradiated to the second spot, the skin surface temperature of the second spot does not reach the skin damage temperature. You can control not to. Through this, it is possible to minimize the possibility of skin damage of the second spot.

In the step of spraying the coolant to the second spot according to the laser irradiation and the adjusted temperature or amount of the coolant (S6500), at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information detected in the first spot The coolant may be sprayed to the second spot according to the temperature of the coolant and/or the flow rate of the coolant adjusted based on one. In this case, the coolant sprayed on the second spot may be sprayed before the laser is irradiated on the second spot. Alternatively, the coolant may be sprayed to the second spot while the laser is being irradiated to the second spot. Alternatively, after the laser is irradiated to the second spot, the coolant may be sprayed to the second spot.

The above-described embodiment can be applied to cases in which the first spot and the second spot have the same or similar treatment environment, treatment type, or treatment method.

However, even if the treatment environments, treatment types, or treatment methods of the first spot and the second spot are different, the difference between the treatment environment, treatment form, or treatment method of the first spot and the second spot is additionally considered, At least one of the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed on the second spot and the amount of the coolant may be adjusted based on at least one of the skin information and the second skin information.

For example, although not shown in FIG. 15 , when the laser treatment of the second shot is performed after the laser treatment of the first shot is performed, the third skin information of the second spot is measured by the sensor unit 1300. It can be.

The third skin information may be at least skin information of the second spot at or before the laser output of the second shot. Also, the third skin information may be 'skin temperature' of a skin surface of a target to be treated by the second shot laser or an area adjacent to the skin surface. For example, the third skin information may be the temperature of the skin surface before the laser of the second shot is output and thermal energy is applied to the skin surface corresponding to the second spot. However, it is not limited to the temperature of the skin surface, and the third skin information may also include the skin type of the person to be treated, the treatment site, the location and/or depth of the target, and the like. For example, when performing a hair removal procedure, information on the characteristics of the skin where the hair is located (eg, moisture, sensitivity, etc.) and skin information on the location or depth of the target are measured to perform laser irradiation of the second shot. It can be used as a basis for adjusting the properties of the coolant.

In an embodiment, the control module 1400 is configured to provide at least one of first skin information, second skin information, and third skin information about the second shot acquired through the sensor unit 1300. Based on the laser treatment of the second shot, at least one of the temperature and amount of the coolant to be sprayed may be adjusted.

For example, the control module 1400 may adjust the temperature or amount of coolant to be sprayed during the laser treatment of the second shot based on the difference between the first skin information related to the first shot and the third skin information related to the second shot. there is. For example, when the skin temperature included in the first skin information is higher than the skin temperature included in the third skin information, the control module 1400 sets the skin temperature included in the first skin information to the third skin information. The temperature of the coolant to be sprayed on the second spot may be controlled to be relatively higher than when the temperature is lower than the skin temperature. Alternatively, when the skin temperature included in the first skin information is higher than the skin temperature included in the third skin information, the control module 1400 determines that the skin temperature included in the first skin information is the skin temperature included in the third skin information. The amount of the coolant to be sprayed to the second spot can be controlled to be relatively smaller than in the lower case.

For example, the control module 1400 determines the temperature or amount of coolant to be injected during the laser treatment of the second shot based on the 'difference' between the second skin information related to the first shot and the third skin information related to the second shot. can be adjusted For example, the difference between the skin temperature included in the second skin information and the skin temperature included in the third skin information is greater than that of the first difference between the skin temperature included in the second skin information and the skin temperature included in the third skin information. When the difference between the skin temperatures is the second difference greater than the first difference, the control module 1400 may control the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed to the second spot to be relatively high. Alternatively, the difference between the skin temperature included in the second skin information and the skin temperature included in the third skin information is greater than that of the first difference between the skin temperature included in the second skin information and the skin temperature included in the third skin information. When the difference between the two spots is the second difference greater than the first difference, the control module 1400 may control the amount of the coolant to be sprayed to the second spot to be relatively small.

Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12 , the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed herein may be driven by a method of outputting a plurality of laser shots to one spot. Also, referring to FIGS. 13 to 15 , the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed herein may be driven by a method of outputting laser shots to a plurality of spots, respectively. However, it is not limited thereto, and it can be implemented by combining arbitrary principles and advantages of a method of outputting a plurality of laser shots for one spot and arbitrary principles and advantages of a method of outputting laser shots for each of a plurality of spots. will be.

For example, when performing a treatment by irradiating a first shot on a first spot, performing a second shot on a first spot based on at least one of first skin information and second skin information on the first shot The temperature of the coolant to be sprayed and/or the flow rate of the coolant may be adjusted. In addition, based on at least one of the first skin information and the second skin information for the first shot, the temperature of the coolant to be sprayed and/or the flow rate of the coolant may be adjusted during laser treatment on the second spot.

That is, a method of outputting a plurality of laser shots for one spot and a method of outputting laser shots for each of a plurality of spots may be combined and implemented.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 16, a method of irradiating a laser during cooling using the laser treatment device 100 equipped with a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present specification will be described.

16 is a flowchart illustrating a method (S8000) of irradiating a laser during cooling according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 16, a method of irradiating a laser while cooling is performed on the skin surface in a laser procedure (S8000) includes receiving a first triggering signal (S8100), performing a cooling function (S8200), It may include receiving a second triggering signal (S8300), determining whether a laser irradiation condition is satisfied (S8400), providing a notification (S8500), and irradiating a laser (S8600).

In the following, each step will be described in more detail.

The laser treatment apparatus 100 may receive a first triggering signal from a user (S8100). Here, the first triggering signal may include a triggering signal for instructing the start of laser treatment and/or a triggering signal for instructing cooling before laser treatment. At this time, the laser treatment device 100 may include a first triggering button (or first trigger) to receive the first triggering signal.

Upon receiving the first triggering signal, the laser treatment device 100 may drive the cooling module to perform cooling on the skin surface (S8200). For example, the cooling module may perform cooling by continuously measuring the temperature of the skin surface and periodically or continuously spraying a coolant to the skin surface so that the temperature of the skin surface reaches the first set temperature Ts1. For another example, the cooling module may cool the skin surface so that the temperature of the skin surface is within a preset temperature range based on the first set temperature Ts1. As another example, the cooling module may cool the skin surface so that the temperature of the skin surface changes with time within different set temperature ranges. At this time, the laser treatment device 100 may use the skin temperature information obtained from the sensor when driving the cooling module.

The laser treatment apparatus 100 may receive a second triggering signal from the user (S8300). The second triggering signal may include a signal instructing to irradiate the laser to the skin surface. At this time, the laser treatment device 100 may include a second triggering button (or second trigger) to receive the second triggering signal. Meanwhile, the step of receiving the second triggering signal (S8300) may be omitted or may be entered after the step of determining whether a laser irradiation condition is satisfied (S8400) to be described later. Through the step of receiving the second triggering signal (S8300), the user can irradiate the laser to the skin surface at a desired point in time.

When receiving the first triggering signal or the second triggering signal, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may determine whether laser irradiation conditions are satisfied (S8400). Here, the laser irradiation conditions include a condition in which the temperature of the skin surface is within the set temperature range, a condition in which the temperature of the skin surface is maintained within the set temperature range for a certain period of time, and a condition in which a certain period of time elapses after the coolant starts to be sprayed on the skin surface. may include at least one of them. It goes without saying that the skin surface temperature data described in this specification can be used to determine whether the above conditions are satisfied.

The laser treatment device 100 may provide a notification when the laser irradiation condition is not satisfied (S8500) and perform a cooling function on the skin surface (S8200). For example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may include a notification module and provide a notification indicating that laser irradiation conditions are not satisfied to the user through the notification module. The notification may be implemented in various ways such as visual, auditory, and tactile notification. Meanwhile, the laser treatment device 100 may provide a notification indicating that the laser irradiation conditions are satisfied to the user even when the laser irradiation conditions are satisfied.

The laser treatment device 100 may irradiate the laser to the skin surface when the laser irradiation condition is satisfied (S8600). For example, the laser treatment device 100 may irradiate the laser to the skin surface by driving a laser module within a predetermined time from the time when laser irradiation conditions are satisfied. Meanwhile, the laser treatment device 100 may provide a notification to the user when the laser irradiation condition is satisfied and may irradiate the laser to the skin surface when receiving the second triggering signal from the user.

In the method of irradiating a laser while cooling the skin surface (S8000), at least one of the above steps may be omitted. For example, the step of determining whether the laser irradiation condition is satisfied (S8400) and the step of providing a notification (S8500) may be omitted. Specifically, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may irradiate a laser upon receiving the second triggering signal while cooling the skin surface. Alternatively, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may perform cooling on the skin surface upon receiving the first triggering signal, and irradiate the laser when a preset time elapses or when the skin surface satisfies a specific temperature condition.

Furthermore, although not shown in FIG. 16, as described elsewhere in this specification, cooling of the skin surface may be performed even while the laser is irradiated to the skin surface, and cooling may be performed even after the laser is irradiated. For example, the laser treatment device 100 controls the coolant sprayed so that the temperature of the skin surface becomes the second set temperature Ts2 while irradiating the laser to the skin, and after the laser irradiation, the temperature of the skin surface becomes the third. The sprayed coolant can be controlled to reach the set temperature. For another example, the laser treatment device 100 may stop spraying the coolant when laser irradiation is started. For another example, the laser treatment device 100 stops spraying the coolant when laser irradiation starts, and resumes spraying the coolant when laser irradiation ends, and the temperature of the skin surface is equal to or different from the first set temperature Ts1. The coolant may be controlled to reach the third set temperature.

As described above, when the skin surface is continuously or periodically cooled and the predetermined condition is satisfied, a laser treatment that is safer and reduces pain due to laser irradiation can be performed by irradiating the laser to the skin surface. there is.

Meanwhile, a plurality of cooling modules may be used to further improve the effect of the method of irradiating a laser during cooling (S8000). For example, the laser treatment device 100 may include a main cooling module that continuously sprays a coolant in an ejection section and an auxiliary cooling module that ejects a coolant in a preset section based on a laser irradiation time point. Here, after the auxiliary cooling module is driven to spray the coolant on the skin surface, the laser module is driven to irradiate the laser.

Here, the main cooling module and the auxiliary cooling module may be understood to be similar to the cooling module described in this specification, and may be implemented in a form of sharing a part of the configuration. In addition, the main cooling module and the auxiliary cooling module may control the coolant sprayed on the skin surface using different set temperatures.

Also, the main cooling module and the auxiliary cooling module may be driven based on the above-described triggering signal. For example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may drive a main cooling module when receiving a first triggering signal and drive a secondary cooling module when receiving a second triggering signal.

As such, the laser treatment device 100 includes a main cooling module that continuously cools within the injection section and an auxiliary cooling module that temporarily cools the laser treatment device 100 while moving on the skin to continuously emit laser light. In irradiation, the skin surface can be cooled more quickly.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 17 to 22 , a method for preventing the creation or formation of an interfering substance 20 that interferes with laser irradiation on the skin will be described.

As described above, in laser treatment, as cooling is performed before laser irradiation to the skin, an interfering material 20 (or blocking material or reflective material) that interferes with laser irradiation or blocks at least a part of the laser may be generated. there is. For example, as the temperature of the skin surface is lowered by cooling, frost is generated on the skin surface to scatter or reflect the laser irradiated to the skin surface, thereby blocking at least a portion of the laser beam. For another example, as the temperature of the coolant sprayed onto the skin surface decreases, at least a portion of the coolant may form crystals on a laser irradiation path to scatter or reflect the irradiated laser. Therefore, it is necessary to seek more effective laser treatment by controlling the temperature of the skin surface or coolant in order to prevent the occurrence of such interfering substances 20 or to remove the interfering substances 20 generated.

FIG. 17 is a view showing that an interfering material 20 is formed on the skin surface as cooling is performed on the skin according to an embodiment of the present specification.

18 is a diagram illustrating a method of preventing formation of an interfering material 20 during cooling, according to an embodiment of the present specification.

19 is a diagram illustrating a method of cooling a skin surface in an injection section including an anti-frost section (P_frost) according to an embodiment of the present specification.

Referring to FIG. 17 , the interfering material 20 may be formed on the skin surface. For example, moisture in the air, moisture contained in the skin, or gaseous substances may be condensed as the skin is cooled, and thus the interfering substance 20 may be formed. As another example, the interfering substance 20 may be formed on the skin surface as the coolant sprayed to cool the skin surface is condensed. Such an interfering material 20 may hinder the user's vision or reflect or scatter the laser irradiated to the skin 10 in the laser treatment on the skin 10, thereby reducing the effect of the laser treatment. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the case in which the interfering material 20 is frost is mainly described, but the technical spirit of the present specification is not limited thereto, and substances and lasers that are formed on the skin surface according to cooling and interfere with the user's vision Of course, it can be similarly applied to a material that scatters or reflects.

Referring to FIG. 18 , the method for preventing frost formation (S9000) includes controlling the coolant injection based on a first set temperature (S9100), controlling the coolant injection based on the frost critical temperature (S9200), and irradiating a laser. ( S9300 ) and controlling coolant injection based on the second set temperature ( S9400 ).

In the following, each step is described in detail.

The laser treatment device 100 may control coolant injection based on the first set temperature (S9100). For example, the laser treatment device 100 may reduce the temperature of the skin surface by spraying a coolant during the free cooling period P1 before irradiating the laser beam on a target to be subjected to laser treatment. Here, the temperature set in the laser treatment apparatus 100 to perform cooling may include the first set temperature Ts1 described in other parts of this specification. At this time, the first set temperature (Ts1) may be lower than or equal to the frost critical temperature (Th1) to be described later.

The laser treatment device 100 may control coolant injection based on the frost critical temperature (S9200). For example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may control spraying of a coolant based on the frost critical temperature Th1 before irradiating the laser to the target or skin surface. Here, the frost critical temperature Th1 may mean a temperature at which frost is not formed, as will be described later. As a result, it is possible to prevent frost from being formed before the laser is irradiated to the target or skin surface.

The laser treatment device 100 may irradiate a laser to a target or skin surface (S9300). For example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may perform cooling on the skin surface by controlling a coolant based on the frost threshold temperature Th1, and then irradiate the laser. For another example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may receive a user input and radiate laser to a target or skin surface. Here, the laser treatment device 100 may determine whether frost is formed on the skin surface prior to outputting the laser. Specifically, the laser treatment device 100 may determine whether frost is formed by measuring the temperature of the skin surface. Alternatively, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may determine that frost is not formed when the time for controlling the coolant is equal to or longer than a preset time based on the frost critical temperature Th1. Alternatively, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may receive a user's input to determine whether frost is formed. It goes without saying that the determination of whether or not such frost is formed is not necessarily to be performed.

The laser treatment device 100 may control coolant injection based on the second set temperature Ts2 (S9400). For example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may reduce the temperature of the skin surface raised by the laser by injecting a coolant during the inter-cooling section P2 in which the laser is irradiated to the target or the skin surface. Here, the temperature set in the laser treatment device 100 to perform cooling may include the second set temperature Ts2 described in other parts of this specification. At this time, the second set temperature (Ts2) may be higher than or equal to the frost critical temperature (Th1).

Meanwhile, the step of controlling coolant injection based on the second set temperature Ts2 ( S9400 ) may be omitted. For example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may prohibit spraying of the coolant during the inter-cooling period P2 . For another example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may prohibit spraying of the coolant during the inter-cooling period P2 and spray the coolant on the skin after laser irradiation is finished.

Although not shown, the laser treatment device 100 may control coolant injection even in the post-cooling section P3 after laser irradiation. For example, the laser treatment device 100 may partially remove heat remaining on the skin surface or target according to the laser irradiation by performing cooling based on the third set temperature Ts3 after irradiating the laser to the target or the skin. there is. Here, the third set temperature Ts3 set in the post-cooling period P3 may be set regardless of the frost critical temperature Th1. Alternatively, the third set temperature Ts3 may be set lower than the second set temperature Ts2 and higher than the frost threshold temperature Th1 or lower than the frost threshold temperature Th1.

Referring to FIG. 19 , the laser treatment device 100 may be cooled to a frost threshold temperature Th1 to prevent or remove frost before laser irradiation, and the surface temperature may be controlled accordingly.

For example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may perform cooling based on the frost critical temperature Th1 during the anti-frost period P_frost before laser irradiation.

Here, the frost prevention section P_frost may be disposed between the free cooling section P1 and the inter cooling section P2 or may be disposed before the inter cooling section P2 but included in the free cooling section P1. Alternatively, the frost prevention period P_frost may include at least a part of the free cooling period P1 and at least a part of the inter cooling period P2.

Also, here, the anti-frost period P_frost may be set short enough to increase cooling efficiency or set long enough to increase anti-frost efficiency. For example, the frost prevention period (P_frost) length may be selected in the range of 0 to 10 seconds. Alternatively, the length of the anti-frost period (P_frost) may be set within 0 to 20% of the free cooling period (P1). Meanwhile, the length of the anti-frost period (P_frost) may be set in consideration of the temperature or amount of the injected coolant. Here, the frost critical temperature (Th1) is a temperature at which interfering substances 20 such as frost or crystals are not generated. can include For example, the frost critical temperature Th1 may be set above the frost formation temperature T_frost at which frost occurs. Specifically, the frost critical temperature (Th1) may be set at 0 °C or higher. As another example, the frost critical temperature Th1 may be set in consideration of the humidity of the skin 10 or the skin around it. Specifically, when the humidity around the skin is relatively high, the frost threshold temperature Th1 may be set higher than when the humidity around the skin is relatively low. On the other hand, the frost critical temperature Th1 may be set higher than the first set temperature Ts1 that is the basis of cooling at the start point of cooling the skin surface.

20 is a view showing that an interfering material 20 is generated on a laser path irradiated to the skin 10 according to an embodiment of the present specification.

21 is a diagram illustrating a method of preventing an interfering material 20 from being formed on a laser path during cooling, according to an embodiment of the present specification.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a method of controlling the temperature of a coolant to prevent generation of interfering substances 20 according to an embodiment of the present specification.

Referring to FIG. 20 , the interfering material 20 may be formed on an irradiation path of a laser irradiated onto the skin 10 . For example, the interfering material 20 may be formed in the coolant ejection path, and the interfering material 20 may be generated in a portion where the coolant ejection path overlaps the laser irradiation path. Here, the interfering material 20 may be generated when the temperature of the coolant is lowered below a specific temperature or when the pressure is increased. Specifically, the interfering material 20 may be formed when a coolant in a gas or liquid state is sprayed onto the skin 10 and at least a portion of the coolant changes into a solid state due to adiabatic expansion or the like.

As such, the interfering material 20 formed in the laser irradiation path scatters or reflects at least a portion of the laser beam, so that sufficient thermal energy may not be applied to the target area, and thus the efficiency of the laser treatment may be lowered.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the case where the interfering material 20 formed in the laser irradiation path is dry ice is mainly described, but the technical spirit of the present specification is not limited thereto, and it is formed in the laser irradiation path according to the cooling performance. Of course, any material that scatters or reflects can be similarly applied.

Referring to FIG. 21, the dry ice formation prevention method (S10000) includes setting a first temperature (T1) and a second temperature (T2) based on the dry ice formation temperature (T_ice) (S10100), the first temperature ( It may include controlling the coolant temperature based on T1) (S10200), irradiating a laser (S10300), and controlling the coolant temperature based on the second temperature T2 (S10400).

Here, the coolant temperature may mean the temperature of the coolant before ejection from the laser treatment device or the temperature of the coolant ejected from the laser treatment device 100 . In addition, the coolant temperature may be measured through a sensor unit included in the laser treatment device or may be measured using a separate sensor.

In the following, each step is described in detail.

The laser treatment apparatus 100 may set the first temperature T1 and the second temperature T2 based on the dry ice formation temperature (S10100). For example, the control module of the laser treatment apparatus 100 may set the first temperature T1 and the second temperature T2 to temperatures at which the temperature of the coolant is controlled during cooling of the skin surface. As another example, the first temperature T1 and the second temperature T2 are stored as coolant temperature information used for cooling in the memory of the laser treatment device 100, and the control module uses them to store the coolant during cooling. You can control the temperature. For another example, the first temperature T1 and the second temperature T2 may be set based on a user's input. Here, the first temperature T1 and the second temperature T2 may be set based on a dry ice formation temperature described later. Specifically, the first temperature T1 may be set lower than the dry ice forming temperature, and the second temperature T2 may be set higher than the dry ice forming temperature. This step may be performed before or during cooling of the skin surface or may be omitted.

The laser treatment device 100 may control the coolant temperature based on the first temperature T1 (S10200). For example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may provide thermal energy to the coolant based on the first temperature T1 before laser irradiation. Specifically, the laser treatment device 100 may measure the temperature of the coolant during cooling, and control at least one of the flow rate controller and the coolant condition controller so that the coolant temperature is controlled near the first temperature T1. For another example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may perform cooling on the skin surface using a first set temperature set in consideration of the first temperature T1.

The laser treatment device 100 may irradiate a laser to a target or skin surface (S10300). For example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may cool the skin surface by spraying a coolant controlled based on the first temperature T1 to the skin surface, and may irradiate the laser when a preset time elapses. For another example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may receive a user input and radiate laser to a target or skin surface. For another example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may irradiate the laser when the temperature of the skin surface or the temperature of the coolant exceeds a preset temperature. Here, the laser treatment device 100 may determine whether or not dry ice is formed on the laser irradiation path prior to outputting the laser. Specifically, the laser treatment device 100 may determine whether dry ice is formed by measuring the temperature of the coolant. Alternatively, the laser treatment apparatus 100 may receive a user's input and determine whether dry ice is formed. It goes without saying that the determination of whether dry ice is formed is not necessarily performed.

The laser treatment device 100 may control the coolant temperature based on the second temperature T2 (S10400). For example, when irradiating laser light to the skin, the laser treatment device 100 may perform cooling by spraying a coolant whose temperature is controlled based on the second temperature T2 to the surface of the skin. For another example, the laser treatment device 100 may cool the skin surface at a second set temperature Ts2 corresponding to the second temperature T2 while irradiating the skin with a laser beam.

Although not shown, the laser treatment device 100 may control the coolant temperature even in the post-cooling section P3 after laser irradiation. For example, the laser treatment apparatus 100 irradiates the target or the skin with laser and then controls the coolant based on the third temperature T3 or based on the third set temperature Ts3 corresponding to the third temperature T3. The cooling may be performed to remove at least a portion of the heat remaining on the skin surface or the target according to the laser irradiation. Here, the third temperature T3 set in the post-cooling section P3 may be set regardless of the dry ice forming temperature. Alternatively, the third temperature T3 may be set lower than the second temperature T2 and higher than the dry ice forming temperature or lower than the dry ice forming temperature.

Referring to FIG. 22 , the temperature of the coolant in the pre-cooling section P1 and the inter-cooling section P2 is controlled to different temperatures, and thus the coolant temperature can be controlled.

In the pre-cooling period P1, the temperature of the coolant may be controlled to the first temperature T1. For example, the laser treatment device may sense the temperature of the coolant in the pre-cooling section P1 and control the coolant condition control unit or the flow rate control unit so that the temperature of the coolant is within a preset range from the first temperature T1.

In the inter-cooling section P2, the temperature of the coolant may be controlled to the second temperature T2. For example, the laser treatment device may sense the temperature of the coolant in the inter-cooling section P2 and control the coolant condition controller or flow rate controller so that the temperature of the coolant is within a preset range from the second temperature T2.

The first temperature T1 and the second temperature T2 may be set based on the dry ice forming temperature T_ice. For example, the first temperature T1 may be lower than the dry ice forming temperature. Also, for example, the second temperature T2 may be higher than the dry ice forming temperature.

The dry ice formation temperature may refer to a temperature at which at least a part of the coolant or the sprayed coolant forms dry ice. The dry ice forming temperature may be set in consideration of a pressure before spraying the coolant and a pressure after spraying the coolant (for example, atmospheric pressure). Specifically, the dry ice forming temperature may be set based on the degree to which the temperature of the coolant changes through adiabatic expansion while the coolant is sprayed. For example, the dry ice forming temperature may be set at -20°C to 10°C.

Meanwhile, the dry ice formation temperature may be set based on the phase ratio of the sprayed coolant. For example, the coolant may include a first part having a gaseous state as it is injected, and a second part including at least one of liquid droplets and solid particles, and the coolant temperature may include A ratio of the first portion and the second portion may be determined. Specifically, the sprayed coolant may include at least a first portion having a gaseous state and a second portion including dry ice, and a ratio of dry ice in the sprayed coolant may be determined according to the temperature of the coolant. For another example, the injected coolant may have a solid state ratio, a liquid state ratio, and a gas phase ratio that change according to temperature. In this case, the dry ice forming temperature may be a temperature at which a ratio of dry ice or a ratio of a liquid state to a solid state of the injected coolant is equal to or less than a preset value. Alternatively, the dry ice formation temperature may be a temperature at which a vapor phase ratio of the injected coolant is equal to or greater than a preset value. For example, the dry ice forming temperature may be set so that the proportion of dry ice in the sprayed coolant is 10% or less. As another example, the dry ice formation temperature may include a temperature at which a gaseous state ratio of the coolant to be injected is 90% or more.

In the above, it has been mainly described that the temperature of the coolant is sensed and controlled to be included in a specific temperature range, but the technical idea of the present specification is not limited thereto, and the laser irradiation path is controlled by controlling the first and second set temperatures Ts1 and Ts2. It is also possible to prevent the formation of interfering substances 20 on the surface. For example, the laser treatment device cools the skin surface based on the first set temperature Ts1 and the second set temperature Ts2 corresponding to the above-described first temperature T1 and second temperature T2, respectively. can be performed. As another example, the laser treatment device performs cooling to a first set temperature (Ts1) lower than the dry ice formation temperature in the free cooling section (P1), and is higher than the dry ice formation temperature (T_ice) in the inter-cooling section (P2). Cooling may be performed to the second set temperature Ts2.

In addition, in the above, it has been mainly described that the interfering material 20 is formed on the laser irradiation path as at least a part of the coolant changes phase, but the technical idea of the present specification is not limited thereto, and the interfering material formed from the coolant ( 20) can be similarly applied when it is formed on the skin surface.

Meanwhile, the above-described frost formation prevention method (S9000) and dry ice formation prevention method (S10000) may be repeatedly performed. For example, the temperature of the coolant may be controlled so that dry ice is not formed on the laser irradiation path while cooling is performed to prevent frost on the skin surface. Specifically, the laser treatment device 100 has a first set temperature Ts1 and a second set temperature set in consideration of the frost threshold temperature Th1 and the dry ice formation temperature in the free cooling section P1 and the inter-cooling section P2. Based on the temperature Ts2, cooling of the skin surface may be performed. Alternatively, the laser treatment device 100 performs cooling on the skin surface based on the first set temperature Ts1 set in consideration of the frost threshold temperature Th1 and the first temperature T1 in the free cooling section P1. And in the inter-cooling section P2, the skin surface may be cooled based on the second set temperature Ts2 set in consideration of the frost threshold temperature Th1 and the second temperature T2.

In the case of treating or treating a blood vessel lesion using a laser, the blood vessel is a target tissue for the laser treatment and an absorption medium of the laser light. In other words, a target for treatment of a vascular lesion is a blood vessel. Therefore, when a vascular lesion is treated using a laser, it is necessary to prevent the blood vessel to be treated from shrinking and disappearing. In addition, if the blood vessels are constricted, it may be difficult for the operator to find the treatment target, reducing the effect of the treatment and/or treatment, and there is a possibility that side effects may occur due to laser irradiation to a region other than the treatment target blood vessel. Therefore, when performing or treating a blood vessel lesion using a laser, there is a need to prevent constriction of blood vessels.

In addition, in the case of laser treatment and/or treatment, there is a possibility of skin damage due to the accumulation of thermal energy in the skin by the high-power laser. Accordingly, pre-cooling may be performed to lower the temperature of the skin including the skin surface as much as possible 'before' irradiating the laser. However, when pre-cooling is performed for procedures and/or treatments for vascular lesions, the skin temperature is lowered to the skin temperature at which blood vessels constrict, and thus side effects due to blood vessel constriction may occur. Therefore, there is a need for a detailed and accurate laser treatment device 100 and a treatment method capable of temperature-controlling the skin temperature so that blood vessels do not constrict even when pre-cooling is performed on blood vessel lesions.

In general, when the temperature of the skin is within a range of about 2° C. or higher and 18° C. or lower, blood vessels can contract. In addition, when the temperature of the skin is about 2° C. or lower, the blood flow may increase and the blood vessels may relax in order to prevent tissue damage. Also, when the temperature of the skin is about 18° C. or higher, blood vessels may be relaxed.

According to the driving method of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed herein, the temperature of the skin is controlled to a temperature at which blood vessels do not constrict (eg, a temperature of 18° C. or higher or a temperature of 2° C. or lower) without constricting blood vessels. Skin damage due to temperature rise during laser irradiation can be prevented in advance.

Hereinafter, a laser treatment device 100 having a cooling system disclosed in this specification and a method for treating a vascular lesion will be described. In this regard, any suitable principles and advantages of the components of the laser treatment device 100 described above with respect to FIGS. can Therefore, in the following description, the characteristics of the components of the laser treatment device 100 or the method of treating a vascular lesion will be mainly described in the treatment and/or treatment of a vascular lesion.

According to the laser treatment device 100 having a cooling system disclosed herein, the laser module 1100 for outputting a laser to the patient's skin; a sensor unit 1300 for measuring the temperature of the skin before, during or after being heated by the laser; a spraying unit 1230 spraying coolant on the skin; a coolant condition control unit 1220 for controlling thermal energy applied to the coolant by using a thermoelectric element; and a control module 1400.

According to the laser treatment device 100 having a cooling system disclosed herein, the laser treatment device 100 may be used to operate or treat vascular lesions.

The laser module 1100 may generate and irradiate a laser having a wavelength of a wavelength band absorbed by blood vessels to be treated. For example, blood vessels have high absorption of light having a wavelength within a range of 500 nm to 600 nm and a range of 700 nm to 1200 nm. In addition, oxyhemoglobin moving in blood vessels may have high absorption of light having a wavelength within a range of 350 nm to 500 nm. Accordingly, the laser module 1100 may emit laser light having the above-described wavelength band. In addition, the laser light emitted from the laser module 1100 may be selected in consideration of a wavelength capable of penetrating to a specific depth in consideration of not only wavelength absorption but also the location of blood vessels (eg, depth in the skin).

The sensor unit 1300 may measure the temperature of 'skin' including the skin surface. Preferably, the sensor unit 1300 may measure the temperature of the skin surface. The sensor unit 1300 measures the temperature of the skin surface and transmits it to the control module 1400, so that the control module 1400 can measure and provide information indicating whether blood vessels are contracted or relaxed. The sensor unit 1300 may be preferably implemented as a temperature sensor. However, the temperature of the skin surface is only an example, and the sensor unit 1300 may be implemented to measure various types of information indicating that blood vessels are constricted. For example, the various types of information may refer to various types of information capable of determining whether blood vessels are contracted or relaxed, such as blood flow, blood oxygen concentration, and blood pressure according to blood vessel contraction or relaxation.

The coolant condition control unit 1220 may control the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant so that the temperature of the skin surface is adjusted to a temperature corresponding to a temperature condition in which blood vessels are not constricted.

Specifically, the coolant condition control unit 1220 may adjust the temperature of the coolant by applying thermal energy to the coolant moving in the flow path inside the coolant condition control unit 1220 . At this time, the coolant condition control unit 1220 controls the temperature of the skin surface to a temperature corresponding to a temperature condition at which blood vessels are not constricted, for example, a temperature of about 18 ° C. or higher or about 2 ° C. or lower. The temperature of the coolant to be sprayed can be controlled by adjusting the thermal energy applied to the coolant.

In addition, the coolant condition controller 1220 may adjust the flow rate of the coolant by adjusting the thermal energy applied to the coolant moving in the flow path inside the coolant condition controller 1220 . At this time, the coolant condition control unit 1220 may adjust the flow rate of the coolant to apply cooling energy corresponding to a temperature condition in which blood vessels are not constricted to the skin surface. The coolant condition controller 1220 may be preferably implemented with a thermoelectric element such as a Peltier element.

The spraying unit 1230 may perform an operation of spraying a coolant. At this time, the coolant is sprayed by the sprayer 1230 according to the temperature and/or flow rate adjusted by the coolant condition controller 1220 so that the temperature of the skin surface is controlled to a temperature corresponding to the temperature condition in which blood vessels are not constricted. It can be sprayed onto the skin surface. The injection unit 1230 may be preferably implemented as a nozzle.

The control module 1400 controls an inter-cooling section P2 corresponding to a section where the laser is output, a pre-cooling section P1 before the inter-cooling section P2 and a post-cooling section P3 after the inter-cooling. It may be controlled to spray the coolant through the spraying unit 1230 during the spraying period.

In addition, the control module 1400 may be configured to adjust the temperature of the coolant to be injected based on the skin temperature through the coolant condition controller 1220 to cool the skin to a target temperature. In this case, the target temperature may be any suitable temperature corresponding to a temperature condition in which blood vessels do not constrict. Preferably, the target temperature may be any suitable temperature of a skin surface temperature of 2°C or less or 18°C or more. Preferably, the skin temperature corresponding to the temperature condition in which blood vessels are not constricted may be preset to a temperature within a temperature range of 18° C. to 40° C. or less. Alternatively, preferably, the skin temperature corresponding to the temperature condition in which blood vessels are not constricted may be preset to a temperature within a temperature range of -10°C or higher and 2°C or lower.

The control module 1400 is configured to adjust the flow rate of the coolant to be sprayed based on the skin temperature through the coolant condition controller 1220 and/or the flow controller 1210 to be described later to cool the skin to a target temperature. It can be.

Also, the control module 1400 may adjust the target temperature to a temperature equal to or higher than a preset temperature (eg, 18° C. or higher) at which blood vessels under the skin contract during the free cooling period P1.

Also, the control module 1400 may adjust the target temperature to a temperature equal to or lower than a preset temperature at which blood vessels under the skin contract (eg, a temperature equal to or higher than 2° C.) during the free cooling period P1 .

In addition, the control module 1400 adjusts the target temperature to a skin temperature corresponding to the temperature of the blood vessels under the skin at which blood vessels under the skin are not contracted during the pre-cooling period P1, and the post-cooling period P3 The target temperature may be adjusted to a skin temperature corresponding to a temperature of the blood vessel at which the blood vessel contracts during at least a part of the temperature of the blood vessel. For example, during the free cooling period (P1), the target temperature is adjusted to the skin temperature corresponding to the temperature of blood vessels in which blood vessels are not constricted in order to prevent laser treatment from not proceeding due to the disappearance of laser absorption media as blood vessels constrict. It can be. On the other hand, since the post-cooling section P3 is a section after the laser irradiation ends, blood vessels may be constricted in at least a portion of the post-cooling section P3. Therefore, during at least a portion of the post-cooling period P3, the control module 1400 may adjust the target temperature to a skin temperature corresponding to the temperature of blood vessels in which blood vessels constrict.

In addition, the laser treatment device 100 having the cooling system disclosed herein may further include a flow control unit 1210. The flow control unit 1210 may be preferably implemented in the form of a valve.

The flow control unit 1210 may control the flow rate and/or flow of the coolant. Specifically, the flow rate controller 1210 may control the flow rate of the coolant to apply cooling energy corresponding to a temperature condition in which blood vessels are not constricted to the skin surface. The flow rate and/or flow of the coolant may be adjusted by adjusting the opening time and opening cycle of the flow rate controller 1210, and through this, the amount of cooling energy applied to the skin surface is ultimately controlled, thereby increasing the skin surface The temperature may be controlled to be a temperature corresponding to a temperature condition in which blood vessels are not constricted.

The control module 1400 adjusts the spray amount of the coolant to be sprayed through the flow rate controller 1210, so that during the free cooling period P1, the skin temperature corresponding to the temperature of blood vessels under the skin where blood vessels are not contracted is targeted. You can adjust the temperature. On the other hand, the control module 1400 adjusts the spray amount of the coolant to be sprayed through the flow control unit 1210 to target the skin temperature corresponding to the temperature of blood vessels in which blood vessels are constricted during at least a portion of the post-cooling section P3. You can adjust the temperature.

The control module 1400 may receive and store the temperature measured by the sensor unit 1300 (eg, the temperature of the skin surface and the temperature of the coolant), and the temperature measured by the sensor unit 1300 may be related to the vascular relaxation temperature. It is possible to determine whether or not the temperature corresponds to the corresponding temperature.

If the temperature measured by the sensor unit 1300 does not correspond to the vascular relaxation temperature, the control module 1400 controls the operation of the coolant condition controller 1220 and/or the flow controller 1210 to determine the coolant temperature and/or Alternatively, the flow rate can be controlled.

Specifically, if the temperature measured by the sensor unit 1300 does not correspond to the vascular relaxation temperature, the control module 1400 adjusts the amount of current applied to the coolant condition control unit 1220 and/or the coolant condition control unit ( 1220), the temperature of the coolant may be adjusted by adjusting whether power is turned on or off. Alternatively, if the temperature measured by the sensor unit 1300 does not correspond to the vascular relaxation temperature, the control module 1400 adjusts the amount of current applied to the coolant condition control unit 1220 and/or the coolant condition control unit 1220. ), it is possible to adjust the flow rate of the coolant by adjusting whether the power is turned on or off.

For example, if the temperature measured by the sensor unit 1300 does not correspond to the blood vessel relaxation temperature, the coolant condition control unit 1220 applies different thermal energy to the coolant in the pre-cooling section P1 and the post-cooling section P3. can do.

For example, if the temperature measured by the sensor unit 1300 does not correspond to the vascular relaxation temperature, the opening/closing period or opening/closing time of the flow control unit 1210 in the pre-cooling section P1 is the same as in the post-cooling section P3. It may be controlled to be different from the opening/closing cycle or the opening/closing time.

On the other hand, if the temperature measured by the sensor unit 1300 corresponds to the blood vessel relaxation temperature, the control module 1400 may transmit a laser irradiation start signal to the laser module 1100 . The laser module 1100 may be configured to receive the laser irradiation start signal and output the laser. However, it is not limited thereto, and the temperature measured by the sensor unit 1300 is displayed on the additional display of the laser treatment device 100 to indicate that the temperature corresponding to the blood vessel relaxation temperature is configured so that the user directly inputs the laser irradiation. can

Additionally, when the laser is output, a laser irradiation signal is transmitted to the control module 1400, and the control module 1400 receives the laser irradiation signal and sprays a coolant so that at least a portion of the laser irradiation section is included. 1200, in particular, a coolant injection signal may be transmitted to the injection unit 1230. The cooling module 1200, in particular, the dispensing unit 1230 may receive the coolant injection signal and inject the coolant so that at least a portion of the laser irradiation section is included.

In addition, when the laser is started to output, a laser irradiation signal is transmitted to the control module 1400, and the control module 1400 receives the laser irradiation signal and controls the temperature and/or Alternatively, it is possible to control the amount of current applied to the coolant condition control unit 1220 and/or ON-OFF of power to control the flow rate of the coolant. Alternatively, when the laser is started to output, a laser irradiation signal is transmitted to the control module 1400, and the control module 1400 receives the laser irradiation signal to control the flow rate of the coolant sprayed on at least a portion of the laser irradiation section. The opening/closing time and opening/closing cycle of the flow control unit 1210 may be controlled.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24 , a method for treating and/or treating a vascular lesion of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a method (S11000) of treating and/or treating a vascular lesion of the laser treatment apparatus 100 disclosed herein.

24 is a graph illustrating changes in skin surface temperatures controlled according to an exemplary embodiment of a method for treating/treating a blood vessel lesion of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present application. Here, “T_surface1” in FIG. 24 may refer to the temperature of the skin surface according to an embodiment of the present specification. Also, “T_surface2” in FIG. 24 may refer to the temperature of the skin surface according to an embodiment of the present specification. In addition, “T_damage” in FIG. 24 may refer to a skin damage temperature in the present specification. In addition, “R2” in FIG. 24 may refer to a temperature range of the skin surface in which blood vessels contract in the present specification.

Referring to FIG. 23 , a method for treating/treating a vascular lesion of the laser treatment device 100 disclosed in the present application includes the steps of spraying a coolant and measuring the temperature of a skin surface (S11100); determining whether blood vessels are relaxed based on the measured skin surface temperature (S11200); Controlling the coolant temperature and/or injection amount (S11300); laser irradiation step (S11400); and controlling the characteristics of the sprayed coolant so that the temperature of the skin surface approaches a preset temperature ( S11500 ).

Spraying the coolant in step S11100 may mean free cooling. That is, the coolant may be sprayed before the start of laser irradiation. Accordingly, contents described in relation to pre-cooling in FIGS. 4 to 6 may be inferred.

In the step S11100, the coolant may be sprayed at a coolant temperature corresponding to a temperature at which blood vessels are not constricted. In addition, the coolant may be sprayed at a flow rate of the coolant for applying cooling energy so that the temperature of the skin surface becomes a temperature at which blood vessels are not constricted.

In addition, measuring the temperature of the skin surface in step S11100 may be measured by the sensor unit 1300. The sensor unit 1300 may measure the temperature of the skin surface and transmit data related to temperature information to the control module 1400 . Data related to the temperature information of the skin surface may be used as a basis for determining whether blood vessels are relaxed in step S11200 to be described later.

In the block diagram of step S11100 of FIG. 23, only measuring the temperature of the skin surface is shown, but this is only an example. , The temperature of the 'coolant' corresponding to the temperature at which blood vessels do not constrict can be estimated based on the information on the temperature of the coolant, and can be used as a basis for determining whether blood vessels are dilated in step S11200 to be described later. In addition, based on the information on the temperature of the 'coolant', it can be used to determine the temperature of the coolant to be controlled in step S11300 to be described later or in the same vascular lesion procedure.

In addition, the flow rate of the coolant may also be measured by the sensor unit 1300 in various ways, and information related to the flow rate of the coolant is transmitted to the control module 1400 so that blood vessels are not constricted based on the information on the flow rate of the coolant. It can be used as a basis for determining whether blood vessels are relaxed in step S11200, which will be described later, by estimating the flow rate of the coolant corresponding to the temperature at which the temperature does not match. Also, based on the information related to the flow rate of the coolant, it can be used to determine the temperature of the coolant to be controlled in step S11300 to be described later or in the same vascular lesion procedure.

In the step S11200, the control module 1400 may determine whether blood vessels are relaxed based on the temperature information related to the skin surface temperature measured in the step S11100. Specifically, whether or not the blood vessels are relaxed may be determined based on whether the measured skin surface temperature corresponds to the blood vessel relaxation temperature (eg, a temperature of 2 degrees or less or a temperature of 18 degrees or more). In other words, based on whether the temperature of the skin surface is measured as the temperature of the skin surface corresponding to the temperature range in which blood vessels are constricted (eg, a temperature other than 2 ° C to 18 ° C), whether blood vessels are contracted / relaxed can be determined. there is. In addition, the control module 1400 may store information about the determination result of blood vessel relaxation according to the skin surface temperature measured in step S11100 and related temperature information in step S11200. Here, the information on the determination result of blood vessel relaxation may be used as a basis for controlling the temperature or injection amount of the coolant in step S11300.

According to the foregoing, it has been described that vascular relaxation is determined based on 'skin surface temperature', but this is only an example and may be implemented in various ways, such as measuring blood pressure, blood flow, blood oxygen concentration, and the like.

In step S11200, if the measured temperature of the skin surface does not correspond to the temperature corresponding to the vasodilation temperature, that is, if the measured temperature of the skin surface corresponds to the temperature corresponding to the vasoconstriction temperature, step S11300 may proceed.

According to the foregoing, step S11200 is shown as 'determining' whether blood vessels are relaxed based on the skin surface temperature measured in step S11100, but this is only an example and whether blood vessel relaxation is 'determined' based on skin surface temperature ' may be implemented so that the step is omitted. For example, the skin temperature may be preset to a specific temperature that does not correspond to the temperature range of the skin where blood vessels are constricted (eg, R2 in FIG. 24 ) before the laser treatment starts. In this case, the control module 1400 may be implemented to control the temperature or injection amount of the coolant in consideration of the skin surface temperature measured in step S11100 and a preset skin temperature, even without 'determining' whether blood vessels are relaxed. Specifically, the control module 1400 may control the temperature or injection amount of the coolant in consideration of the difference between the skin surface temperature measured in step S11100 and the preset skin temperature, even if it does not determine whether blood vessels are relaxed. . In this case, laser irradiation (S11400) may be irradiated by a user's laser irradiation input. Alternatively, the laser may be irradiated after a preset time has elapsed from the point at which the coolant starts to be sprayed in step S11100.

In the step S11300, the control module 1400 determines information on the temperature of the coolant measured in step S11100, information on the flow rate of the coolant, and information on the temperature of the skin surface, and accordingly whether blood vessel dilation performed in step S11200 is performed. Based on the information, the temperature and/or injection amount of the coolant may be controlled.

Specifically, in the step S11300, the control module 1400 may control the temperature of the coolant through the coolant condition controller 1220 so that the temperature of the skin surface corresponds to the temperature at which blood vessels do not constrict. there is. In this case, the temperature of the coolant may be a temperature corresponding to 2° C. or less, which is the temperature of the skin surface at which blood vessels are not constricted, or a temperature of the coolant corresponding to 18° C. or more. Alternatively, the control module 1400 may adjust the flow rate of the coolant through the coolant condition controller 1220 so that the temperature of the skin surface is controlled to a temperature corresponding to a temperature at which blood vessels are not constricted. By adjusting the flow rate of the coolant, cooling energy applied to the skin surface can be adjusted, so that the temperature of the skin surface can be controlled to a temperature corresponding to the temperature condition at which blood vessels relax.

In addition, in step S11300, the flow rate of the coolant may be adjusted so that cooling energy corresponding to the temperature of the skin surface at which blood vessels are not constricted is applied to the skin surface through the flow rate controller 1210.

For example, the control module 1400 may control the temperature and/or the injection amount of the coolant based on the information on whether blood vessels are relaxed or not determined in step S11200 according to the 'skin surface temperature' measured in step S11100.

For example, if the measured temperature of the skin surface is a temperature corresponding to the vasoconstriction temperature condition (eg, the temperature of the skin surface is 2° C. or more and 18° C. or less), the control module 1400 sets the “coolant condition control unit” (1220 ), the temperature of the coolant is increased to a temperature corresponding to the vasodilation temperature condition to control the temperature of the skin surface to a temperature corresponding to the vasodilation temperature condition (eg, controlling the temperature of the skin surface to a temperature of 18 ° C or higher). can Alternatively, the control module 1400 reduces the temperature of the coolant to a temperature corresponding to the vasodilation temperature condition through the "coolant condition controller" 1220, thereby reducing the temperature of the skin surface to a temperature corresponding to the vasodilation temperature condition (eg, The temperature of the skin surface can be controlled to a temperature of 2 ° C or less).

For another example, if the measured temperature of the skin surface is a temperature corresponding to the vasoconstriction temperature condition (eg, the temperature of the skin surface is 2 ° C or more and 18 ° C or less), the control module 1400 is a “flow control unit” 1210 ), it is possible to increase the cooling energy applied to the skin surface by increasing the flow rate of the coolant so that the "temperature of the skin surface" (eg, the temperature of the skin surface is 2 ° C or less) corresponding to the vascular relaxation temperature condition. . Alternatively, the control module 1400 reduces the flow rate of the coolant through the "flow control unit" 1210 so that the temperature of the skin surface corresponds to the vascular relaxation temperature condition (eg, the temperature of the skin surface is 18 ° C or higher), Cooling energy applied to the skin surface can be reduced.

In an embodiment, the control module 1400 may control the temperature of the coolant and/or the injection amount based on the information on whether blood vessels are relaxed or not determined in step S11200 according to the "temperature of the coolant" measured in step S11100. Since the temperature of the coolant is a direct variable with respect to the temperature of the skin surface, the temperature of the coolant and/or the amount of injection may be controlled through not only the temperature of the skin surface but also the temperature of the coolant. For example, if the temperature of the coolant is a temperature corresponding to the vasoconstriction temperature condition, the control module 1400 increases the temperature of the coolant to a temperature corresponding to the vasodilation temperature condition or decreases it to a temperature corresponding to the vasodilation temperature condition. can make it

For example, if the "coolant temperature" measured in step S11000 is a temperature corresponding to the vasoconstriction temperature condition, the control module 1400, through the "coolant condition control unit" 1220, corresponds to the vasodilation temperature condition. The "temperature of the coolant" may be adjusted so that the temperature of the skin surface (eg, the temperature of the skin surface is 2 ° C or less or the temperature of the skin surface is 18 ° C or more). Alternatively, the control module 1400, through the "coolant condition control unit" 1220, controls the temperature of the skin surface corresponding to the vascular relaxation temperature condition (eg, the temperature of the skin surface is 2 ° C or less or the temperature of the skin surface is 18 ° C or more). ), it is possible to control the cooling energy applied to the skin surface by adjusting the flow rate of the coolant to be.

For example, if the “temperature of the coolant” measured in step S11000 is a temperature corresponding to the vasoconstriction temperature condition, the control module 1400, through the “flow control unit” 1210, controls the skin temperature corresponding to the vasoconstriction temperature condition. Cooling energy applied to the skin surface may be increased by increasing the “coolant flow rate” so that the surface temperature (eg, the temperature of the skin surface is 2° C. or less). Alternatively, the control module 1400 reduces the flow rate of the coolant through the flow control unit 1210 so that the temperature of the skin surface corresponds to the vascular relaxation temperature condition (eg, the temperature of the skin surface is 18 ° C or higher), The cooling energy applied to can be reduced.

For example, the control module 1400, through the "coolant condition control unit" 1220, the control module 1400 relaxes the blood vessels based on the information on whether the blood vessels are relaxed or not determined in step S11200 according to the "flow rate of coolant" measured in step S11100. The “cooling agent temperature” may be adjusted so that the skin surface temperature corresponds to the temperature condition (eg, the skin surface temperature is 2° C. or less or the skin surface temperature is 18° C. or more). Alternatively, the control module 1400, through the "coolant condition control unit" 1220, controls the temperature of the skin surface corresponding to the vascular relaxation temperature condition (eg, the temperature of the skin surface is 2 ° C or less or the temperature of the skin surface is 18 ° C or more). ), it is possible to control the cooling energy applied to the skin surface by adjusting the flow rate of the coolant.

For example, the control module 1400, through the "flow rate controller" 1210, based on the information on whether or not blood vessels are relaxed determined in step S11200 according to the "flow rate of coolant" measured in step S11100, vascular relaxation temperature Cooling energy applied to the skin surface may be increased by increasing the “coolant flow rate” so that the skin surface temperature corresponds to the condition (eg, the skin surface temperature is 2° C. or less). Alternatively, the control module 1400 responds to the vascular relaxation temperature condition through the "flow rate controller" 1210 based on the information on whether the blood vessels are relaxed or not determined in step S11200 according to the flow rate of the coolant measured in step S11100. The cooling energy applied to the skin surface may be reduced by reducing the "flow rate of the coolant" so that the temperature of the skin surface becomes the desired temperature (eg, the temperature of the skin surface is 18 ° C. or higher).

After the step S11300, the coolant is sprayed according to the temperature and/or flow rate of the coolant adjusted by the control module 1400 through the coolant condition controller 1220 and/or the flow controller 1210, An operation of measuring the temperature of the skin surface (S11100) and a series of steps may proceed. Additionally, information on the change in the temperature of the skin surface, the temperature of the coolant, and the flow rate of the coolant in the step S11000 according to the change in the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant in the step S11300 is transmitted to the control module 1400 and the control module It is stored in 1400 and can be used as information for determining whether blood vessels are relaxed in step S11200. In addition, information on the change in the temperature of the skin surface, the temperature of the coolant, and the flow rate of the coolant in the step S11000 according to the change in the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant in the step S11300 is transmitted to the control module 1400, and the control module It is stored in 1400 and can be used as a basis for controlling the temperature or injection amount of the coolant in step S11300 to be performed later.

In the step S11200, if the measured temperature of the skin surface corresponds to the temperature corresponding to the vasodilation temperature, that is, if the measured temperature of the skin surface does not correspond to the temperature corresponding to the vasoconstriction temperature, the step S11400 of irradiating the laser can proceed The laser in step S11400 may be a laser having high absorption in blood vessels, and may be selected as any appropriate laser having a wavelength band capable of reaching a depth where blood vessels are located. Regarding laser irradiation, the description of any suitable principles and advantages in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 can be analogically applied.

In the step S11500, the control module 1400 may control characteristics of the coolant such as the temperature and flow rate of the sprayed coolant so that the temperature of the skin surface approaches a preset temperature.

In the step S11500, there may be a possibility of skin damage due to an increase in the temperature of the skin surface due to laser irradiation. Therefore, inter-cooling may proceed in the step S11500. In the step S11500, when inter-cooling is performed, any appropriate principle and Advantages can be applied by analogy. In other words, in order to achieve the purpose of preventing the skin temperature from reaching the skin damage temperature due to laser irradiation during intercooling, the above-described operation of the control module 1400, the cooling module 1200, the laser module 1100, etc. and a driving method may be appropriately applied.

For example, referring to FIGS. 23 and 24 , when the measured skin temperature in step S11200 corresponds to the vasodilation temperature (eg, 2° C. or less), the vasoconstriction range while the temperature of the skin surface increases according to laser irradiation (eg, in the case of the skin surface temperature (T_surface1) indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 24), blood vessels contract during laser irradiation, which may cause side effects and inefficiency of the procedure. Accordingly, when the measured skin temperature in step S11200 corresponds to the vascular relaxation temperature (eg, 2° C. or less), the preset temperature of the skin surface in step S11500 may be set to a temperature of 2° C. or less.

For example, when the measured skin temperature in step S11200 corresponds to the vascular relaxation temperature (eg, 2° C. or less), the preset temperature may be set in consideration of a laser interference substance such as frost on the skin surface. Specifically, if there is a laser interfering substance such as frost on the skin surface during laser irradiation, the laser can be scattered, resulting in an inefficient laser procedure. A set temperature of the surface can be set.

For another example, when the measured skin temperature in step S11200 corresponds to the vascular relaxation temperature (eg, 2° C. or less), the preset temperature is set in consideration of laser interfering substances such as ice on the laser irradiation path. can be set. Specifically, if there are a large number of laser blocking substances such as ice on the laser irradiation path during laser irradiation, laser scattering may result in inefficient laser treatment. A set temperature of the skin surface can be set to a temperature at which interfering substances are minimized.

For another example, when the measured skin temperature in step S11200 corresponds to the vascular relaxation temperature (eg, 2° C. or less), the temperature of the skin surface is controlled by adjusting the temperature and/or flow rate of an additional coolant immediately before starting the laser irradiation. It may be implemented to irradiate the laser after adjusting to 18 ℃ or more. Specifically, in FIG. 23, when the measured skin temperature in step S11200 corresponds to the vascular relaxation temperature (eg, 2 ° C or less), it is shown that laser irradiation proceeds (S11400), but as laser irradiation proceeds, There is a possibility that heat is accumulated on the skin surface and the temperature of the skin surface falls within the vasoconstriction temperature range (2 ° C or more and 18 ° C or less). Therefore, in order to minimize this possibility, before the start of the laser irradiation step (S11400), the control module 1400 adjusts the temperature of the skin surface through the coolant condition control unit 1220 and/or the flow rate control unit 1210 so that blood vessels relax. It may be configured to irradiate the laser after adjusting to 18 ° C. or higher, which is one temperature condition corresponding to the temperature.

For example, referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, when the measured skin temperature in step S11200 corresponds to the vasodilation temperature (eg, 18° C. or higher), the vasoconstriction range while the temperature of the skin surface increases according to laser irradiation (eg, in the case of the skin surface temperature (T_surface2) indicated by the solid line in FIG. 24), the possibility may be relatively small. However, as the temperature of the skin surface increases according to laser irradiation, there may be a possibility of reaching the skin damage temperature. Therefore, in this case, in step S11500, the set temperature of the skin surface may be set in consideration of the skin damage temperature, and the control module 1400 controls the temperature of the sprayed coolant so that the skin surface temperature approaches the set temperature in consideration of the skin damage temperature. and/or flow rate can be controlled. Through this, it is possible to minimize the possibility of skin damage by setting a set temperature so as not to reach the skin damage temperature. In this regard, the content of the second set temperature Ts2 described with reference to FIG. 7 may be applied by analogy.

For example, in the step S11500, a set temperature may be set in consideration of a temperature at which thermal damage can be applied to the target blood vessel. For this, the target target temperature described with reference to FIG. inference can be applied.

In the step S11500, the control module 1400 may be configured to spray the coolant by controlling the characteristics of the coolant in consideration of an appropriate set temperature selected in consideration of the various factors described above.

Also, although not shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 , the step S11500 may be related to post cooling after laser irradiation is completed. In this case, any suitable principles and advantages of post-cooling and post-cooling, such as the set temperature and set temperature conditions of post-cooling described with reference to FIGS. In other words, during post-cooling, the above-described control module 1400, cooling module 1200, etc. are operated and driven to achieve the purpose of returning the increased skin temperature due to laser irradiation to normal skin temperature or minimizing pain. method can be applied appropriately.

The features, structures, effects, etc. described in the embodiments above are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to only one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects, etc. illustrated in each embodiment can be combined or modified with respect to other embodiments by those skilled in the art in the field to which the embodiments belong. Therefore, contents related to these combinations and variations should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

In addition, although the embodiment has been described above, this is only an example and does not limit the present invention, and those skilled in the art to the present invention pertain to the above to the extent that does not deviate from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. It will be appreciated that various modifications and applications not exemplified are possible. That is, each component specifically shown in the embodiment can be implemented by modifying it. And differences related to these modifications and applications should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

10: skin 100: laser treatment device
1100: laser module 1200: cooling module
1500: storage unit 1600: tube

Claims (14)

In the laser treatment device used for laser therapy and equipped with a cooling function,
A laser module for irradiating a laser onto the patient's skin;
a sensor that obtains skin temperature information by detecting the temperature of the skin surface of the patient before being heated by the laser;
a cooling module comprising a nozzle for injecting a coolant on the skin surface and a coolant condition regulator for controlling a temperature of the coolant by applying thermal energy to the coolant;
a trigger that receives a user's input; and
A control module for controlling the laser module and the cooling module;
The control module,
controlling the cooling module to initiate spraying of the coolant to the skin based on a first user input, wherein the first user input is an input instructing spraying of the coolant through the cooling module;
Based on a second user input, controlling the laser module to start irradiation of the laser to the skin, wherein the second user input is an input instructing irradiation of the laser through the laser module;
Performing laser irradiation on the skin through the laser module after spraying the coolant based on the first user input and the second user input;
Forbidding the irradiation of the laser to the skin when the first user input is not received and the second user input is received,
laser treatment device.
According to claim 1,
The cooling module,
Controlling the temperature of the coolant so that the temperature of the skin surface reaches a first set temperature before the laser irradiation,
Controlling the temperature of the coolant so that the temperature of the skin surface reaches a second set temperature different from the first set temperature after the laser irradiation,
laser treatment device.
According to claim 1,
The cooling module controls the temperature of the coolant so that the temperature of the skin surface becomes a first set temperature in a preset section before the laser irradiation,
laser treatment device.
According to claim 1,
When the laser irradiation is started, the cooling module stops spraying the coolant to the skin surface.
laser treatment device.
According to claim 4,
The cooling module sprays the coolant on the skin surface so that the temperature of the skin surface becomes a set temperature different from the first set temperature after the laser irradiation is finished.
laser treatment device.
delete delete delete delete According to claim 1,
The cooling module maintains spraying the coolant to the skin surface during the spraying period,
The injection section includes a section in which the laser module irradiates the laser to the skin surface.
laser treatment device.
In the laser treatment device used for laser therapy and equipped with a cooling function,
A laser module for irradiating a laser onto the patient's skin;
a sensor that obtains skin temperature information by detecting the temperature of the skin surface of the patient before being heated by the laser;
a cooling module comprising a nozzle for injecting a coolant on the skin surface and a coolant condition regulator for controlling a temperature of the coolant by applying thermal energy to the coolant;
a notification module providing a notification to guide a user in providing the laser therapy to the skin;
a trigger for acquiring a user input related to the laser irradiation; and
A control module for controlling the laser module and the cooling module;
The control module,
controlling the cooling module to initiate spraying of the coolant to the skin surface based on a first user input, wherein the first user input is an input instructing spraying of the coolant through the cooling module;
Performing laser irradiation to the skin through the laser module based on a second user input, wherein the second user input is an input instructing irradiation of the laser through the laser module;
Controlling the cooling module to start spraying the coolant to the skin before the laser irradiation based on the first user input and the second user input;
Adjusting at least one of an injection amount and temperature of the coolant based on the skin temperature information while spraying the coolant;
outputting the notification through the notification module when the temperature of the skin surface reaches a first set temperature;
Receiving the second user input after the notification is output and outputting the laser through the laser module,
laser treatment device.
According to claim 11,
The control module prohibits the laser irradiation when the user input is received in a state where the temperature of the skin surface is equal to or higher than the first set temperature,
laser treatment device.
According to claim 11,
The notification includes at least one of a visual notification, an auditory notification, and a tactile notification.
laser treatment device.
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