Laser apparatus for periodontal treatment

Claim 2

In a laser apparatus for periodontal treatment, comprising: a surgical laser for producing a beam of laser light, and a handpiece coupled to the laser and containing: directing means for directing the laser beam as a focused beam on to tissues within a periodontal pocket; the improvement whereby there is further provided: a protective shield at an end of the handpiece shaped and dimensioned for insertion into a periodontal pocket and displaceable from a first position preventing passage of the laser beam to a second position allowing the laser beam to pass therethrough, and displacing means coupled to the shield for displacing the shield relative to the handpiece from the first position to the second position.

Claim 3

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein the shield includes: two prongs located at the end of the handpiece and capable of relative lateral displacement, such that in said first position the prongs are in contact with each other and in said second position the prongs are displaced apart; said displacing means being coupled to at least one of the prongs.

Claim 4

The improvement according to claim 2, wherein the two prongs are adapted for insertion into the base of the pocket space between a diseased pocket wall and the corresponding tooth, whereby operation of the displacing means expands the periodontal pocket.

Claim 5

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein there are further provided spring biasing means coupled to the displacing means for biasing the protective shield into the first position.

Claim 6

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein there is further provided: at least one pivot rigidly connected to the handpiece, and two jaws, at least one of which is pivotally coupled to the handpiece about said at least one pivot, so as to be relatively displaceable from the first position to the second position.

Claim 7

The improvement according to claim 5, wherein the displacing means is constituted by a lever coupled to said at least one jaw and pivoted at an intermediate point thereof to the handpiece.

Claim 8

The improvement according to claim 5, wherein the displacing means is constituted by a plunger assembly articulatedly coupled to said at least one jaw and axially displaceable with respect to the handpiece.

Claim 9

The improvement according to claim 7, wherein each one of said at least one jaw is provided with a slot sloping inwardly from the pivotally coupled end of the jaw towards the free end of the jaw and slidably engageable with a bolt provided on the plunger assembly, whereby axial displacement of the plunger assembly is adapted to rotate the jaw about the corresponding pivot.

Claim 10

The improvement according to claim 1, further including optical means for focussing the laser beam at a point on the protective shield, whereby in use said tissues are adapted to be cut when contacted by said point.

Claim 11

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein the directing means includes an optical fiber having a first end for receiving the laser beam and a second end for emitting said focussed beam.

Claim 12

In a laser apparatus for periodontal treatment, comprising: a surgical laser for producing a beam of laser light, and a handpiece coupled to the laser and containing: directing means for directing the laser beam as a focussed beam on to tissues within a periodontal pocket; the improvement whereby there is further provided: a protective shield at an end of the handpiece displaceable from a first position preventing passage of the laser beam to a second position allowing the laser beam to pass therethrough, and displacing means coupled to the shield for displacing the shield relative to the handpiece from the first position to the second position, wherein: the directing means includes an optical fiber having a first end for receiving the laser beam and a second end for emitting said focussed beam, the laser is a Nd-YAG laser, and a sapphire tip is fused to a point on the protective shield proximate said second end of the optical fiber; whereby in use said tissues are cut when contacted by said point.

Claim 13

In a laser apparatus for periodontal treatment, comprising: a surgical laser for producing a beam of laser light, and a handpiece coupled to the laser and containing: directing means for directing the laser beam as a focussed beam on to tissues within a periodontal pocket; the improvement whereby there is further provided: a protective shield at an end of the handpiece displaceable from a first position preventing passage of the laser beam to a second position allowing the laser beam to pass therethrough, and displacing means coupled to the shield for displacing the shield relative to the handpiece from the first position to the second position, wherein: the directing means includes an optical fiber having a first end for receiving the laser beam and a second end for emitting said focussed beam, the laser is a Nd-YAG laser, and a sapphire tip is fused to a point on the protective shield proximate said second end of the optical fiber; whereby in use said tissues are cut when contacted by said point.