Patents by Inventor Ki Joo PAHK

Ki Joo PAHK has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11752687
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a completely new type of 3-dimensional (3D) printing method for producing an object by focusing ultrasound onto material that changes in state by stimulation to solidify it into a desired shape. The method for 3D printing according to an embodiment includes providing material which changes in state by stimulation, setting a target focal point in the material, focusing ultrasound onto the target focal point using at least one ultrasound transducer, and applying stimulation to the material using the focused ultrasound to induce a change in state of the material. According to the embodiments, it is possible to control the precision of the output by controlling the frequency of the ultrasound transducer or the size of the target focal point on system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hyung Min Kim, Ki Joo Pahk, Byung Chul Lee, Inchan Youn
  • Patent number: 11638575
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis and therapy apparatus according to an embodiment may include an ultrasound output unit including a plurality of ultrasound output elements, a circuit board that can be attached and detached through a connecting board connected to the ultrasound output unit to determine a function of the ultrasound output unit, and a control unit configured to control a setting value of each of the plurality of ultrasound output elements, wherein therapy and diagnosis functions are selectively or simultaneously implemented by changing the circuit board. With the ultrasonic diagnosis and therapy apparatus, it is possible to selectively or simultaneously implement the therapy and diagnosis functions by selectively mounting different types of circuit boards that determine the type and function of ultrasound outputted from the ultrasonic transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Byung Chui Lee, Hyung Min Kim, Ki Joo Pahk, Hyunsu Lee, Nakwon Choi, Hong Nam Kim
  • Patent number: 11524182
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a non-invasive treatment system using intermedium, and an exemplary treatment system is configured to output high-intensity focused ultrasound to remove bone tissue, inject an acoustically-transparent medium into a part where the bone tissue is removed to generate an intermedium, and output therapeutic ultrasound that passes through the intermedium. Accordingly, the bone tissue is removed in a non-invasive way using high-intensity focused ultrasound, and the intermedium is generated at the bone tissue removed site, to increase the penetration of therapeutic ultrasound or generate ultrasound itself, thereby improving an ultrasound treatment effect while minimizing the side effect (for example, infection of dura mater) of invasive surgery methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Byung Chul Lee, Hyung Min Kim, Ki Joo Pahk
  • Publication number: 20220387826
    Abstract: The tissue removal device using focused ultrasound includes a focused ultrasound output unit, a mode setting unit to set an output mode of the focused ultrasound, and a control unit to control output characteristics of the focused ultrasound according to the set mode, wherein the output mode is selected from a first mode for removing a tissue in a local area using a vapor bubble formed by the focused ultrasound, a second mode for removing a tissue in a narrower area than the first mode by controlling the output characteristics of the focused ultrasound immediately after the vapor bubble is formed by the focused ultrasound, and a third mode for obtaining a skin tightening effect by generating heating in a subcutaneous fat layer using focused ultrasound of lower intensity and a longer pulse length than the first mode and the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Ki Joo PAHK, Jeong Min HEO, Jun Hong PARK
  • Patent number: 11491352
    Abstract: A high-low intensity focused ultrasound treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of ultrasound sources, and a controller to control a center frequency and intensity of focused ultrasound outputted from the ultrasound sources, wherein each of the ultrasound sources includes a first ultrasound transducer to output low-intensity focused ultrasound to detect a lesion, and a second ultrasound transducer to output high-intensity focused ultrasound to ablate or remove the detected lesion. The low-intensity focused ultrasound outputted from the first transducer may be used to detect a lesion in a patient's brain by applying a stimulus to the brain, and at the same time, investigating a response, and the high-intensity focused ultrasound outputted from the second transducer may be used to ablate or remove the detected lesion by applying a thermal or mechanical stimulus to the lesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ki Joo Pahk, Hyung Min Kim, Byung Chul Lee, Inchan Youn
  • Publication number: 20220234301
    Abstract: A mesh type atomizer according to an embodiment includes a porous thin film having a multi-hole structure, a metal layer covering a remaining area except a nozzle area in which droplets are sprayed through the holes on a surface of the porous thin film, and an ultrasonic transducer to output ultrasonic waves to vibrate the porous thin film. According to an embodiment, it is possible to atomize a liquid into nanometer-level fine particles using the porous thin film including nanometer sized holes. It is possible to precisely adjust the sprayed droplet size by setting the shape, size and cycle of the nozzle in the manufacturing process, and it is possible to selectively increase the strength of the mesh by growing the metal material in the hole of the porous thin film through electroplating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Byung Chul LEE, Dong-Hyun KANG, Shinyong SHIM, Dong Jun KIM, Jin Soo PARK, Ki Joo PAHK, Hyejeong SEONG
  • Publication number: 20220047245
    Abstract: A flexible ultrasound transducer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a substrate having a central part and a plurality of extended parts extending from the central part; an ultrasound probe disposed at the central part of the substrate to acquire an ultrasound image of a region of interest; and a focused ultrasound output unit disposed at the extended parts of the substrate to output a focused ultrasound to the region of interest, wherein the focused ultrasound output unit disposed at the extended parts of the substrate has a flexible property and is deformable. According to the structure of an embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously achieve ultrasound imaging and ultrasonic therapy such as lesion stimulation or removal through focused ultrasound, and adjust the focal position of focused ultrasound or improve the focal sensitivity through flexible movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Byung Chul LEE, Shinyong SHIM, Dong-Hyun KANG, Hae Youn KIM, Hyung Min KIM, Ki Joo PAHK, Maesoon IM
  • Publication number: 20210244972
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device capable of removing senescent cells by facilitating the phagocytosis of the senescent cells by specifically stimulating the senescent cells using an ultrasound output unit, a kit for removing senescent cells and a method for specifically removing senescent cells, and by selectively and specifically stimulating senescent cells by irradiating ultrasound under a specific condition, thereby promoting the secretion of various cytokines recruiting immune cells, only the senescent cells can be removed specifically and, furthermore, cell regeneration can be promoted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: So Yeon KIM, Hyung Min KIM, Ki Joo PAHK, In Woo KIM, Su Hyun LEE
  • Publication number: 20210169515
    Abstract: An apparatus for tissue ablation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an ultrasound output unit to output focused ultrasound, and a control unit to control an intensity of the focused ultrasound, wherein the control unit may be configured to control the intensity of the focused ultrasound below a setting value, when a first condition in which a vapor bubble is formed in a tissue or a second condition in which a temperature of the tissue reaches a threshold is accomplished during the output of the focused ultrasound to the tissue. According to this embodiment, it is possible to precisely control vapor bubble dynamics without generating the shockwave scattering effect by instantaneously controlling the acoustic pressure and the intensity of the focused ultrasound, and prevent damage to a tissue other than a lesion to be removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ki Joo PAHK, Hyung Min KIM, Byung Chul LEE, Inchan YOUN
  • Publication number: 20210169456
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis and therapy apparatus according to an embodiment may include an ultrasound output unit including a plurality of ultrasound output elements, a circuit board that can be attached and detached through a connecting board connected to the ultrasound output unit to determine a function of the ultrasound output unit, and a control unit configured to control a setting value of each of the plurality of ultrasound output elements, wherein therapy and diagnosis functions are selectively or simultaneously implemented by changing the circuit board. With the ultrasonic diagnosis and therapy apparatus, it is possible to selectively or simultaneously implement the therapy and diagnosis functions by selectively mounting different types of circuit boards that determine the type and function of ultrasound outputted from the ultrasonic transducers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Byung Chul LEE, Hyung Min KIM, Ki Joo PAHK, Hyunsu LEE, Nakwon CHOI, Hong Nam KIM
  • Publication number: 20200121959
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a non-invasive treatment system using intermedium, and an exemplary treatment system is configured to output high-intensity focused ultrasound to remove bone tissue, inject an acoustically-transparent medium into a part where the bone tissue is removed to generate an intermedium, and output therapeutic ultrasound that passes through the intermedium. Accordingly, the bone tissue is removed in a non-invasive way using high-intensity focused ultrasound, and the intermedium is generated at the bone tissue removed site, to increase the penetration of therapeutic ultrasound or generate ultrasound itself, thereby improving an ultrasound treatment effect while minimizing the side effect (for example, infection of dura mater) of invasive surgery methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Byung Chul LEE, Hyung Min KIM, Ki Joo PAHK
  • Publication number: 20200061904
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a completely new type of 3-dimensional (3D) printing method for producing an object by focusing ultrasound onto material that changes in state by stimulation to solidify it into a desired shape. The method for 3D printing according to an embodiment includes providing material which changes in state by stimulation, setting a target focal point in the material, focusing ultrasound onto the target focal point using at least one ultrasound transducer, and applying stimulation to the material using the focused ultrasound to induce a change in state of the material. According to the embodiments, it is possible to control the precision of the output by controlling the frequency of the ultrasound transducer or the size of the target focal point on system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hyung Min Kim, Ki Joo Pahk, Byung Chul Lee, Inchan Youn
  • Publication number: 20190366126
    Abstract: A high-low intensity focused ultrasound treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of ultrasound sources, and a controller to control a center frequency and intensity of focused ultrasound outputted from the ultrasound sources, wherein each of the ultrasound sources includes a first ultrasound transducer to output low-intensity focused ultrasound to detect a lesion, and a second ultrasound transducer to output high-intensity focused ultrasound to ablate or remove the detected lesion. The low-intensity focused ultrasound outputted from the first transducer may be used to detect a lesion in a patient's brain by applying a stimulus to the brain, and at the same time, investigating a response, and the high-intensity focused ultrasound outputted from the second transducer may be used to ablate or remove the detected lesion by applying a thermal or mechanical stimulus to the lesion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ki Joo PAHK, Hyung Min KIM, Byung Chul LEE, Inchan YOUN
  • Publication number: 20190029561
    Abstract: An image registration system using a subject-specific tracker includes: a photographing unit for obtaining a scanning image; a fabricated tracker based on anatomical data of the user including tracking markers for defining relative positions; a recognizing unit configured to recognize positions of the tracking markers and an image registration unit configured to register the scanning image based on the positions of the tracking markers. According to the system, a body part of the user and a scanning image may be automatically registered without a conventional image registration process such as an attachment of a fiducial marker and a confirmation of the fiducial marker position using CT/MRI imaging. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize an error caused by human, ensure precise registration, allow trackers to be attached or detached as necessary during surgery operation, and keep the accuracy of registration after the trackers are attached or detached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hyung Min KIM, Hae Young JOE, Ki Joo PAHK, Inchan YOUN, Seung-Jong KIM
  • Publication number: 20190022424
    Abstract: A focused ultrasound stimulation apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a transducer which outputs low intensity/high intensity ultrasound, an acoustic lens which is placed in close contact with a user's skin and is customized to focus the ultrasound onto a target focal point, and a fixture for fixing the transducer and the acoustic lens to each other. The acoustic lens is customized using a 3-dimensional (3D) printer based on the pre-captured user's cranial shape, to focus the ultrasound a desired focus target for each user, thereby improving accuracy compared to conventional ultrasound stimulation apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hyung Min KIM, Ki Joo PAHK, Inchan YOUN, Seung-Jong KIM, Yoha HWANG