KR20240141883A - Electrode member, and energy based device including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrode member for an energy-based device according to the present invention can be achieved by including: a body part formed of a material that can be deformed and restored according to the curvature of the human body; a plurality of microelectrodes arranged on an upper portion of the body part so that a stimulation part facing the human body is exposed to the outside and arranged spaced apart from each other; and a connector arranged on a lower portion of the body part and including a contact part electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of microelectrodes.

Description

{ELECTRODE MEMBER, AND ENERGY BASED DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to an electrode member used in an energy-based device.

Recently, Energy Based Devices (EBD) are widely used for medical or cosmetic purposes. Energy Based Devices (EBD) are devices that apply various types of energy to the human body and utilize them for skin beauty and medical treatment. For example, EBD can be used to promote and absorb effective ingredients contained in drugs or cosmetics into the human skin, thereby enhancing effects such as regeneration, wrinkle improvement, whitening, moisturizing, and hair loss treatment.

This transdermal drug delivery (TDD) using EBD is a method for delivering drugs through the skin to deliver active ingredients into the skin, and uses electroporation, iontophoresis, arcporation, microneedle, sonophoresis, etc. Among these, electroporation, iontophoresis, and arc discharge poration can control the promotion of skin absorption of active ingredients by changing the parameter values of the electrical signal (voltage, current, frequency) used. In addition, the electrical stimulation itself, such as microcurrent, high voltage, low frequency, high frequency, and pulse electric field output from EBD, can exhibit effects such as regeneration, whitening, wound healing, and pain relief.

As an example, a conventional skin care device is illustrated in Fig. 1. The skin care device (100) illustrated in Fig. 1 may be composed of a head portion (120) equipped with an electrode (130) that applies electrical stimulation to the human body, and a main body portion (110) that accommodates a predetermined driving circuit and power unit that generates an electrical signal.

Meanwhile, EBD includes electrodes that apply electrical signals to the human body, and in order to efficiently stimulate the human body, the electrode surface must be in contact with the human body. However, since the human body has many curved areas, there are areas where the electrodes are not in sufficient contact with the human body and thus cannot be electrically stimulated. In addition, in terms of efficiency, the electrodes should be formed as large as possible so that one stimulation area is sufficient. However, as the electrode area increases, the relative ratio of the contact area that comes into contact with the curved part of the human body decreases, and there is a problem that the user experiences pain due to the concentration of skin stimulation on a local area.

KR 10-2389659 B

The present invention is intended to solve the problems of the above-described prior art, and aims to provide an electrode member capable of securing a sufficient stimulation area even when applied to various parts of the human body, and an energy-based device including the same.

The purposes of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other purposes not mentioned will be clearly understood from the description below.

An electrode member for an energy-based device according to the present invention can be achieved by including: a body part formed of a material that can be deformed and restored according to the curvature of the human body; a plurality of microelectrodes arranged on an upper portion of the body part so that a stimulation part facing the human body is exposed to the outside and arranged spaced apart from each other; and a connector arranged on a lower portion of the body part and including a contact part electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of microelectrodes.

Here, it is preferable that the body part is formed of an electrically insulating material. In addition, the body part may include an outer shell made of an elastic material and a buffer part filled in the outer shell. In addition, the body part may be formed in a tube shape with an air layer provided inside.

It is preferable that each of the plurality of microelectrodes is formed with a stimulating portion in a flat shape. In addition, it is more preferable that the stimulating portion is arranged on substantially the same plane as the upper surface of the body portion. In addition, the plurality of microelectrodes may be formed in a needle-like structure facing the human body.

In addition, the electrode member according to the present invention may further include an electric conductor that electrically connects the microelectrode and the contact portion via the inside of the body portion. It is preferable that the electric conductor be formed to be elastic according to a change in the distance between the microelectrode and the contact portion.

Furthermore, the plurality of microelectrodes are divided into a plurality of electrode groups each including at least one microelectrode, and the plurality of microelectrodes included in the same electrode group can be electrically connected by a bridge provided between neighboring microelectrodes.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an energy-based device comprising the electrode member described above.

Furthermore, the present invention can be achieved by including an energy-based device, including: an electrically insulating body formed of a material that can be deformed and restored according to the curvature of the human body; a plurality of microelectrodes arranged on an upper portion of the body so that a stimulating portion facing the human body is exposed to the outside and arranged spaced apart from each other; a contact portion electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of microelectrodes; and a driving circuit that applies an electrical signal to the plurality of microelectrodes through the contact portion.

According to the present invention, an electrode member capable of securing a sufficient stimulation area even when applied to a curved part of the human body and an energy-based device including the same can be provided. Since a sufficient contact area can be secured even in a curved part of the human body, user pain due to skin stimulation being concentrated on a local area can be prevented.

Figure 1 is a drawing illustrating an example of a conventional skin care device.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of an electrode member for an energy-based device according to the present invention.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line II of Figure 2.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating another embodiment of an electrode member for an energy-based device according to the present invention in a state of use when in contact with a curved part of the human body.
FIG. 5 is a drawing schematically illustrating the arrangement of a plurality of microelectrodes as another embodiment of an electrode member for an energy-based device according to the present invention.

The present invention can have various modifications and various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail through detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

In describing the present invention, if it is judged that a detailed description of a related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, numbers (e.g., first, second, etc.) used in the description of this specification are merely identifiers for distinguishing one component from another.

Hereinafter, specific details for implementing the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an electrode member for an energy-based device according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state of use when in contact with a curved part of a human body as another embodiment of an electrode member for an energy-based device according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a drawing schematically illustrating a state of arrangement of a plurality of microelectrodes as another embodiment of an electrode member for an energy-based device according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an electrode member (200) for an energy-based device according to the present invention may be configured to include a body part (210) formed of a material that can be deformed and restored according to the curvature of the human body, a plurality of microelectrodes (220) positioned on the upper portion of the body part (210) so that a stimulation part (221) facing the human body is exposed to the outside and spaced apart from each other, and a connector (230) positioned on the lower portion of the body part (210) and including a plurality of contact parts (231) electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of microelectrodes (220).

Here, the meaning that the body part (210) is formed of a 'material that can be deformed and restored according to the curvature of the human body' means that when the contact surface (210a) is brought into contact with the human body, it is deformed along the curvature thereof, and also restored to its original shape when the contact is released. As a material that can be used for the body part (210), for example, soft synthetic resin, natural rubber, latex, sponge, urethane, etc. can be used. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the body part (210) may form an outer shell (211) using an elastic material such as soft silicone, and fill the interior with porous foam or sponge using foam resin, etc. to form a buffer part (212). Furthermore, the buffer part (212) may be formed of an air layer without filling it with a filler such as foam or sponge. That is, the body part (210) may be formed in a tube shape with an air layer (212) provided inside the outer shell (211). When the body part (210) is formed in a tube shape with an air layer (212), the electrical conductor (232) for electrically conducting the microelectrodes (220) and the contact part (231) can be prevented from being short-circuited due to interference by the filler. In addition, it is preferable that the body part (210) be formed of an electrically insulating material so that a plurality of microelectrodes (220) arranged on one surface can be electrically insulated from each other.

In addition, a plurality of microelectrodes (220) are arranged spaced apart from each other on one side (210a) of the body portion (210), and the stimulation portion (221) facing the human body is arranged so as to be exposed to the outside. The microelectrodes (220) may be formed of a metal material having excellent electrical conductivity, or may use a synthetic resin material base coated with an electrically conductive metal. In addition, the shape of the microelectrodes (220) may be formed in a square or circular shape, and there is no limitation on the shape. The microelectrodes (220) may be aligned along the curved surface (300) of the human body so as to be in close contact with the curved area when the body portion (210) is deformed according to the curve of the human body. In addition, the stimulation portion (221) of the microelectrodes (220) may be formed in a flat shape at a portion that comes into contact with the human body. In addition, it is preferable that the stimulation portion (221) of the microelectrode (220) be arranged substantially on the same plane as the upper surface (210a) of the body portion (210). If there is a gap between the stimulation portion (221) and the body portion (210), foreign substances may adhere between the neighboring microelectrodes (220), in which case cleaning is not easy and an electrical short circuit may occur between the neighboring microelectrodes (220).

Meanwhile, the electrode member (200) according to the present invention can also be applied to a device for hair loss alleviation or hair loss treatment. In this case, in order to apply electrical stimulation to the scalp, the electrode must contact the scalp while avoiding the hair. To this end, a plurality of microelectrodes (220) can form a needle structure (222) in the stimulation portion (221). When the body portion (210) is deformed according to the shape of the human head, the microelectrodes (220) are aligned according to the curvature of the head, and thus, as many needle structures (220) of the microelectrodes (220) as possible can contact the scalp (300).

Next, a connector (230) is arranged on the other side (210b) of the body part (210). A plurality of contact parts (231) are provided on the connector (230), and each of the contact parts (231) is electrically connected to a plurality of microelectrodes (220). The connector (230) may be attached to the other side (210b) of the body part (210) by a chemical method such as adhesive, or may be physically joined by forming an interlocking structure. In addition, a separate joining structure may be formed on the connector (230) so as to be joined to the main body of the energy-based device. There is no limitation on the shape of the connector (230), and it may be formed as a part of the energy-based device, or it may be formed as a separate member so as to be detachably attached to the main body of the device. An electrical signal transmitted from a predetermined driving circuit provided on the main body of the energy-based device may be transmitted to the microelectrodes (220) through the contact parts (231).

In addition, the contact portion (231) and the microelectrode (230) are connected by an electric conductor (232). In order to smoothly maintain electrical conduction when the body portion (210) is deformed and restored, the electric conductor (232) may be formed of a material that can be stretched according to changes in the distance between the microelectrode (230) and the contact portion (231), or may be formed in a spring structure such as a coil shape or a plate spring so that the length can be stretched. For example, FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate examples in which the electric conductor (232) is formed in a spring structure such as a coil, and FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which it is formed in a plate spring structure. In particular, the electric conductor (232) of the plate spring structure illustrated in Fig. 5 can be stretched by the relative displacement between the portion (232a) connected to the microelectrode and the portion (232b) connected to the contact portion (231) as the body portion (210) is deformed according to the curvature of the human body. When the electric conductor (232) is formed with the plate spring structure illustrated in Fig. 5, the microelectrode (220) and the electric conductor (232) can be formed integrally using a metal material, so there is an advantage of easy manufacturing.

Meanwhile, a contact portion (231) may be formed to correspond one-to-one to each of a plurality of microelectrodes (220). In this case, an electrical signal may be independently applied to each microelectrode (220). In addition, the plurality of microelectrodes (220) may be divided into a plurality of electrode groups each including at least one microelectrode. In this case, a plurality of microelectrodes belonging to the same electrode group may be electrically connected by a bridge (223). Fig. 5 schematically illustrates the arrangement of grouped microelectrodes. For example, a first electrode group may include one microelectrode (220a), and a second electrode group may include six microelectrodes (220b). Here, the microelectrodes (220b) belonging to the second electrode group are electrically connected by a bridge (223) provided between neighboring microelectrodes. Here, when the microelectrodes (220b) are aligned according to the deformation of the body part (210), it is preferable that the bridge (223) be elastically deformed and restored according to the displacement of the microelectrodes (220b). Through the arrangement of the microelectrodes as shown in Fig. 5, the polarities of the electrical signal applied to the first electrode group (220a) and the electrical signal applied to the second electrode group (220b) can be applied differently, and the number of electrical wires (232) for applying the electrical signal to each electrode group can be reduced, making it easy to manufacture. In addition, the second electrode group (220b) can be formed integrally by pressing a metal sheet by multiple microelectrodes and electrical wires having a plate spring structure, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.

The electrode member for the energy-based device described above can be provided in the device body, or can be formed as a separate member and detachably formed. When the electrode member according to the present invention is formed detachably, it can be applied to various parts of the human body as a single device through electrode members of various dimensions. The energy-based device in which the electrode member according to the present invention is provided in the device body can be configured to include an electrically insulating body part formed of a material that can be deformed and restored according to the curvature of the human body, a plurality of microelectrodes arranged on the upper part of the body part so that a stimulation part facing the human body is exposed to the outside and arranged spaced apart from each other, a contact part electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of microelectrodes, and a driving circuit that applies an electrical signal to the plurality of microelectrodes through the contact part. Here, the contact part can be exposed to the outside of the body part through the side or the lower part of the body part, and the exposed contact part can be electrically connected to the driving circuit provided in the device body. Thus, an electrical signal generated in the driving circuit can be applied to multiple microelectrodes through the contact portion.

The electrode member according to the present invention and the energy-based device including the same can be applied to various energy-based devices such as an electroporator, an electroiontophoresis device, an arc discharge electroporator, a microcurrent device, a low-frequency stimulator, a high-frequency stimulator, a pulse electric field stimulator, or a device combining two or more of these device technologies.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, those skilled in the art will be able to implement the present invention in a modified form within a scope that does not depart from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention described herein should be considered from an illustrative rather than a restrictive viewpoint, and the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description, and all differences within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the present invention.

Claims (12)

As an electrode material for energy-based devices,
A body formed of a material that can be deformed and restored according to the curves of the human body;
A plurality of microelectrodes arranged on the upper part of the body part so that the stimulation portion facing the human body is exposed to the outside and arranged spaced apart from each other;
An electrode member, characterized by including a connector disposed at the lower portion of the body portion and including a contact portion electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of microelectrodes.
In paragraph 1,
An electrode member, characterized in that the body part is formed of an electrically insulating material.
In paragraph 1,
An electrode member, characterized in that the body part includes an outer shell made of a flexible material and a buffer part filled in the outer shell.
In paragraph 1,
An electrode member characterized in that the body part is formed in a tube shape with an air layer provided inside.
In paragraph 1,
An electrode member, wherein each of the plurality of microelectrodes is characterized in that the stimulation portion is formed in a flat shape.
In paragraph 5,
An electrode member, characterized in that the above-mentioned stimulation portion is arranged on substantially the same plane as the upper surface of the above-mentioned body portion.
In paragraph 1,
An electrode member, characterized in that the plurality of microelectrodes are formed in a needle-like structure facing the human body.
In paragraph 1,
An electrode member characterized by further including an electrical conductor that electrically connects the microelectrode and the contact portion via the inside of the body portion.
In Article 8,
An electrode member, characterized in that the electric conductor is formed to be elastic according to changes in the distance between the microelectrode and the contact portion.
In paragraph 1,
An electrode member characterized in that the plurality of microelectrodes are divided into a plurality of electrode groups each including at least one microelectrode, and the plurality of microelectrodes included in the same electrode group are electrically connected by a bridge provided between neighboring microelectrodes.
An energy-based device comprising an electrode member according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
As an energy-based device,
An electrically insulating body formed of a material that can be deformed and restored according to the curves of the human body;
A plurality of microelectrodes arranged on the upper part of the body part so that the stimulation portion facing the human body is exposed to the outside and arranged spaced apart from each other;
A contact portion electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of microelectrodes;
A driving circuit that applies an electrical signal to the plurality of microelectrodes through the contact portion;
Energy-based devices including: