US5236360A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical members for laser transmission
Assignee: Laser Medical Technology Inc
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Filing: 1992-07-23
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Granted: 1993-08-17
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Expires: 2012-07-23
Abstract
Abstract An optical member for transmission of laser radiation, the fiber comprising a light transmitting element containing calcium fluoride.
Inventors
- 👤 Guy Levy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61C; A61C1/00; A61C1/0046; C; C03; C03C; C03C13/00; C03C13/008; C03C13/04; C03C13/041; C03C13/042; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/241; A61B2018/2205; A61B2018/2222; A61B2018/2244
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A device for delivering laser radiation to an opening in tooth or bone tissue, said device comprising a laser and an optical member comprising a light transmitting element having a distal end containing calcium fluoride connected for conducting radiation from said laser to the opening, wherein said laser is operable to supply radiation to the distal end of said light transmitting element at an intensity sufficient to cause heat generated by interaction of the radiation with the tooth or bone tissue to melt the distal end of said light transmitting element to cause material of said light transmitting element, including calcium fluoride, to flow into the opening in the tooth or bone tissue to provide a dense, void-free, biologically compatible filling or coating.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A device for delivering laser radiation to an opening in tooth or bone tissue, said device comprising a laser and an optical member comprising a light transmitting element having a distal end containing calcium fluoride connected for conducting radiation from said laser to the opening, wherein said laser is operable to supply radiation to the distal end of said light transmitting element at an intensity sufficient to cause heat generated by interaction of the radiation with the tooth or bone tissue to melt the distal end of said light transmitting element to cause material of said light transmitting element, including calcium fluoride, to flow into the opening in the tooth or bone tissue to provide a dense, void-free, biologically compatible filling or coating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said optical member is in the form of an optical fiber comprising a core and a cladding layer surrounding said core.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device as defined in claim 2 wherein said core constitutes said element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as defined in claim 2 wherein both said core and said cladding contain fluoride.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said core contains at least 50% calcium fluoride, by weight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device as defined in claim 2 wherein said cladding contains at least 50% calcium fluoride, by weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said core consists substantially entirely of calcium fluoride.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as defined in claim 2 wherein said cladding consists substantially entirely of calcium fluoride.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the distal end of said element consists substantially entirely of calcium fluoride.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the distal end of said element contains at least 50% calcium fluoride, by weight.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said optical member is an optical fiber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said light transmitting element is an optical fiber dimensioned for introduction into the opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said light transmitting element constitutes a contact tip for emitting radiation to the opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
107 words
A method for filling or coating an opening in tooth or bone tissue using the device defined in claim 1, comprising: positioning the distal end of the light transmitting element at the opening; and operating the laser to deliver radiation via the light transmitting element to the tissue in the opening at an intensity sufficient to cause heat to be generated by interaction of the radiation with the tissue to melt the distal end of the light transmitting element to cause material of light transmitting element, including calcium fluoride, to flow into the opening in the tissue to provide a dense, void-free, biologically compatible filling or coating.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-16 | 1997-02-15 | 1997-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-16 | 2001-02-15 | 2001-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-16 | 2005-02-15 | 2005-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |