FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system for a liposuction and a fat layer measurement, and in particular to a system for a liposuction and a fat layer measurement which is capable of implementing an accurate operation in such a manner that a thickness of a fat layer which will be operated is measured using a fat layer measuring apparatus while a liposuction is performed based on a ultrasonic method using a liposuction apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A liposuction is directed to a plastic operation for removing a fat layer which is excessively accumulated in a human body, and the business of the same is rapidly increased. In particular, the liposuction is capable of easily removing a fat of a certain portion which is not easily removed by an exercise, dietary treatment, etc. Since a method such as an exercise, dietary treatment, etc. is known to decrease only the size of fat cells, it is difficult to prevent the growth of a fat layer. However, the liposuction is capable of decreasing the number of fat cells for thereby overcoming the problems of the conventional art.

The above liposuction is classified into a mechanical plastic operation and an electronic plastic operation. The mechanical plastic operation is classified into a dry type plastic operation and a wet type plastic operation. First, the mechanical plastic operation was developed in the early of 1980's. The mechanical plastic operation is implemented in such a manner that a cannula having a coarse surface is inserted into a

fat layer is moved forwardly and backwardly for thereby separating and destroying fat cells. However, in the above operation method, a patient feels a large pain, a large blood is bleed, and an operator has a lot work load, so that it is impossible to implement an accurate operation. In order to overcome the above problems, a wet type plastic operation is developed.

In the above wet type plastic operation, a physiological saline solution containing a local anesthetic, vasopressor, etc. is inserted into a fat layer which will be removed, so that a thickness of the fat layer is expanded by a few times. Thereafter, the fat is removed in the same method as the dry type plastic operation using the cannula. In the wet type plastic operation, since the thickness of the fat layer which will be operated is expanded by a few times, it is possible to enhance an accuracy of the operation, and since a capillary vessel is contracted by the vasopressor, the amount of bleeding blood is decreased. Namely, the wet type plastic operation has more advantages compared to the dry type plastic operation. However, in the wet type plastic operation, the fat cells are separated and destroyed by moving the cannula of the course surface forwardly and backwardly like the dry type plastic operation, it is impossible to overcome the problems such as a patient's pain, operator's over work, etc. Therefore, in order to overcome the above problems, an electronic type liposuction method using an ultrasonic wave was developed in the 1980s.

In the ultrasonic waveform liposuction which is an electronic type plastic operation, an apparatus capable of converting an ultrasonic wave electron energy into a mechanical oscillation energy is used. A probe which forms an ultrasonic wave oscillation using a piezoelectric crystal oscillating when an alternate current is supplied is inserted into a fat layer and is oscillated. Bubbles are formed in the fat layer by the ultrasonic wave oscillation of the probe. Therefore, the fat is separated by a cavitation, micromechanical destruction, thermal effect, etc. which are obtained by the formation of the bubbles. The thusly separated fat is sucked and removed. At this time, the thermal effect operates to melt the fat, but may cause a burn problem. In this case, the side effect

is decreased by injecting a physiological saline solution in the same manner as in the wet type plastic operation.

However, the ultrasonic wave liposuction which is known as most advanced method together with the wet type plastic operation which is the mechanical type plastic operation has the following problems.

First, it is impossible to know an accurate thickness of the removed fat layer. It is a primary object of the liposuction to prevent any damage in an outer appearance of the human body due to an over removal of the fat layer. An irregularity in a skin which occurs when the fat is excessively removed in a certain portion of the human body or a smaller amount of fat is removed compared to the other portions of the human body is one of the side effects of the liposuction. Since the mechanical wet type plastic operation and ultrasonic wave liposuction are performed in a state that the thickness of the fat layer is expanded by injecting a large amount of the physiological saline solution into the fat layer, it is impossible for the operator to judge whether a certain amount of the fat layer is removed or not from a certain portion of the human body.

Second, it is impossible for the patient and operator to discuss and agree on the contents of the operation. Generally, it is known that a patient who wants a liposuction asks an operator to just remove the fat, not asking the removing degree of the fat. In addition, since the operator does not measure the removing degree of the fat (in detail, the thickness of the fat) during the operation. Therefore, after the operation, there may be a legal problem due to a different opinion between the patient and operator.

Therefore, it is needed to perform an accurate operation and to obtain a certain evidence for a possible legal dispute between the patient and operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for a liposuction and fat layer measurement which overcomes the problems encountered in

the conventional art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system for a liposuction and fat layer measurement which is capable of checking a thickness of a fat layer from which a fat is removed during a lipsuction on the spot, so that it is possible to implement an accurate operation.

It is further another object of the present invention to provide a system for a liposuction and fat layer measurement which is capable of preventing a possible problem by recording all information concerning the changes of a fat layer during the operation.

In order to achieve the above objects, here is provided a system for a liposuction and fat layer measurement which includes (i) a liposuction apparatus which is adapted to convert an electric energy into an ultrasonic wave oscillation and destroy, to melt and to suck a fat using a ultrasonic wave and to remove the fat, (ii) a fat layer measuring apparatus which is adapted to convert an electric energy into an ultrasonic wave and express a thickness of a fat layer which is changed during an operation in an image and/or numeral value, and (iii) an operation control apparatus which is adapted to control the operations of the liposuction apparatus and the fat layer measuring apparatus.

It is a key object of the present invention to remove a fat layer of a certain portion of a patient using a liposuction apparatus and to accurately measure a thickness of a fat layer during an operation using the fat layer measuring apparatus if needed.

Therefore, the operator is capable of checking whether a fat layer is removed at a desired thickness in real time based on a fat layer measuring apparatus for thereby enhancing a convenience.

In the present invention, a range of an ultrasonic wave used in the liposuction apparatus is in about 20 through 30 kHz, and preferably a range of an ultrasonic wave used in the fat layer measuring apparatus is in about 7 through 10 MHz.

In addition, the liposuction apparatus is formed of (i) an ultrasonic oscillator which is adapted to convert an electric energy into an ultrasonic wave oscillation, (ii) a

cylindrical tip which is connected with the ultrasonic wave oscillator and has a hollow interior and a suction port in a side surface of the front portion of the same, (iii) a vacuum pump which is adapted to suck a fat from the cylindrical tip, and (iv) a saline solution supply pipe which is adapted to supply a saline solution to the fat layer from which a fat is removed.

The fat layer measuring apparatus is formed of (i) a transmitter which is adapted to transmit an electric energy to a transducer, (ii) an ultrasonic wave transducer which is adapted to convert an electric energy from the transmitter into an ultrasonic wave, to transmit to a fat layer, to receive an ultrasonic wave (echo) from the fat layer, to convert the ultrasonic wave into an electric energy and to transmit to a receiver, (iii) a receiver (processor) which is adapted to amplitude and operate an electric energy from the transducer for thereby displaying an image, and (iv) an image display unit which is adapted to analyze an ultrasonic wave image and material and to display in a proper type for a desired interpretation.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the fat layer measuring apparatus further includes an image storing unit for recording and storing an ultrasonic wave image during an operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a view illustrating an outer construction of a liposuction and fat layer measurement system according to the present invention. The liposuction and fat layer measurement system 100 according to the present invention includes a liposuction apparatus 200, a fat layer measuring apparatus 300, and an operation control apparatus 400 for controlling the same.

The liposuction apparatus 200 includes an ultrasonic wave suction unit 210

which separates and destroys a fat cell of a certain portion by inserting the same into a hypodermic fat layer for thereby sucking fat, a connection pipe 220 which is formed of a flexible pipe of a sucked fat, a supply pipe of a saline solution, and an electric wire for a current flow, a fat storing container 230 for storing the sucked fat, and a display unit 240 for monitoring an operation state of a liposuction.

The fat layer measuring apparatus 300 includes a transducer 310 for measuring a thickness of a fat layer and transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave, and an image display unit 320 for monitoring the operation.

The liposuction apparatus 200 and the fat layer measuring apparatus 300 are controlled by the operation control apparatus 400. The operation control apparatus 400 includes a plurality of switches 410 for controlling the above apparatuses 200 and 300 in an outer portion of the same.

Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the construction of an ultrasonic wave suction unit 210 engaged in a liposuction apparatus 200 of a liposuction and fat layer measurement system 100 according to the present invention.

The ultrasonic wave suction unit 210 includes a cylindrical tip 211 having a circular sealed front end, a piezoelectric crystal 212 engaged to a rear end of the cylindrical tip 210, a body 213 for stably engaging the piezoelectric crystal 212, an electric wire 214 for supplying a current to the piezoelectric crystal 212, a housing 215 for surrounding the above elements, a saline solution supply pipe 216 which is extended from the housing 215 and the cylindrical tip 210 and is opened at a front end of the cylindrical tip 210, and a switch 217 for controlling the supply of a current. A suction port 218 is formed at a side surface of a front portion of the cylindrical tip 211. As it is not shown in the drawings, a rear end of the cylindrical tip 210 is connected with a vacuum pump.

Therefore, a small part of the skin is cut for removing therefrom, and the cylindrical tip 211 of the ultrasonic wave suction unit 210 is inserted into a fat layer, and then the current is supplied. Thereafter, the piezoelectric crystal 212 is oscillated in a

ultrasonic wave, and the cylindrical tip 211 is oscillated in a forward and backward direction.

As the cylindrical tip 211 is oscillated in a forward and backward direction, the fat cells of the fat layer are separated and destroyed based on a cavitation by a bubble formation, a micromechanical destruction, a thermal effect, etc.

The thusly separated fat is sucked into the interior of the cylindrical tip 211 through the suction port 218 based on an operation of a vacuum pump (not shown) and is stored in the fat storing container (230 of Figure 1). While the ultrasonic wave is outputted before and after the insertion of the cylindrical tip 211, a saline solution is supplied through the saline solution supply pipe 216 for thereby preventing a burning problem due to an excessive heat. In any case, a saline solution containing a local anesthetic, vasopressor, etc. may be inserted into the fat layer before the insertion of the cylindrical tip 211. In this case, it is possible to prevent a burning problem based on a heat spreading effect by the saline solution previously inserted. Therefore, in another embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic wave suction unit 210 which does not include a saline solution supply pipe 216 may be provided. During the liposuction operation, the contents of the sucked amount of fat, ultrasonic wave oscillations, temperature, passed time, etc. are displayed on the display unit (240 of Figure 1).

Figure 3 is a bock diagram illustrating a schematic construction of the liposuction and fat layer measurement system according to the present invention.

The liposuction apparatus 200 and the fat layer measuring apparatus 300 are connected to the operation control unit 400, respectively. Since the liposuction apparatus 200 is implemented based on the conventional ultrasonic wave liposuction apparatus, the detailed descriptions of the constructions of the same will be omitted.

The transducer 310 which will be described in detail in the description of Figure 4 is connected with a ultrasonic wave transmission and receiving circuit 311, and the ultrasonic wave transmission and receiving circuit 311 and other modules include a transmitter and receiver. The transmitter is adapted to adjust the maximum output of an

electric energy applied to the transducer 310 through an attenuator for thereby decreasing the sound wave energy applied to the hypodermic fat layer below a permitted reference degree. In addition, the speed of the ultrasonic wave pulse, namely, a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) from the transducer 310 is adjusted thereby. The PRF determines the depth of a ultrasonic wave check, namely, the distance between the transducer 310 and the check destination by determining a time interval between the ultrasonic wave pulses. In addition, when an echo coming back from the fat layer is applied to the transducer 310, a small current occurs in the piezoelectric crystal of the transducer 310. At this time, the receiver is adapted to adjust a time gain compensation for thereby compensating the echo degree because the echo comes back from different depths. The other important functions of the receiver are to restrict a certain range so that the echoes are effectively adapted to display an image on the display unit because the echoes from the fat layers have a very wide amplitude difference.

The A/D converter 312 connected to the ultrasonic wave transmission and receiving circuit 311 is adapted to convert an analog signal into a digital signal, and a buffer memory 313 is adapted to alternately perform an alternating write and read operation of a digital signal from the A/D converter 312. An image memory 314 connected to the buffer memory 313 is a module for storing a plurality of time-sharing images transferred from the buffer memory 313. The above image memory 314 may be preferably formed of a semiconductor memory having a certain storing capacity enough for storing a plurality of frame images. The D/A converter 315 is adapted to convert an image data from the image memory 314 into an analog video signal, and an image display 316 is adapted to receive an analog video signal from the D/A converter 315 and displays an image in a display type such as a monitor of a computer. A memory controller 317 is adapted to synchronize a plurality of image data pieces from the reference time circuit (not shown) with a reference timing and to store into the image memory 314. In any cases, the time-based results stored in the image memory 314 are outputted to an additional module, and the information of an operation procedure may

be recorded.

Figure 4 is a view illustrating a schematic construction according to an embodiment of the transducer 310 of the liposuction and fat layer measurement system 100 according to the present invention.

In the transducer 310, the piezoelectric crystal 321 is positioned in a portion near the surface of the probe, and the electrodes 322 and 323 are attached to the front and back surfaces of the same. An outer electrode 322 is adapted to protect a patient from an electric shock, and an outer layer of the same is insulated. A rear side sound absorbing layer (324: backing block) is positioned behind the inner electrode 323 for absorbing an ultrasonic wave which may be transferred from the piezoelectric crystal 321 to the back side. An acoustic insulation 325 which surrounds the above module is adapted to prevent an ultrasonic wave from being transferred to the outside of the transducer 310, and the outer side of the same is surrounded by a plastic container 326 for preventing the same from a mechanical impact from the outside.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described examples are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustration and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein; Figure 1 is a view illustrating an outer construction of a liposuction and fat

layer measuring system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a view illustrating an ultrasonic wave suction unit used in a system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a liposuction and fat layer measuring system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 is a view illustrating the construction of a transducer used in a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTIONS OF MAJOR NUMERAL REFERENCES OF THE DRAWINGS 100: liposuction and fat layer measuring system 200: liposuction apparatus 210: ultrasonic wave suction unit 300: fat layer measuring apparatus 310 : transducer 400: operation control apparatus INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, in the liposuction and fat layer measurement system according to the present invention, while the ultrasonic wave liposuction operation is being performed by the liposuction apparatus, it is possible to easily check the thickness of the fat layer from which the fat is removed for thereby increasing an accuracy of the operation, and it is possible to prevent a possible medical accident which may occur, by storing an operation material.