US5281141A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental laser apparatus and method for treating tooth decay
Assignee: Medical Laser Technology Inc
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Filing: 1992-03-16
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Granted: 1994-01-25
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Expires: 2012-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A dental laser apparatus and method is disclosed for removing tooth decay. A substance which selectively attaches to tooth decay is applied to the tooth. This substance has a predetermined absorption band. A laser having an output wavelength which corresponds to the absorption band is supplied and is absorbed primarily by the decayed portions of the tooth. The use of Acid Red 52 dye as the substance and a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser as the source is disclosed as one embodiment.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Kowalyk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C1/00; A61C1/0046; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22082; A61B2017/22085; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B2018/2015; A61B2018/2025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of treating a tooth having tooth decay, said method comprising the steps of: a. applying a predetermined substance to at least a portion of said tooth, said substance having a selected wavelength absorption property; b. subjecting said substance to a laser output having a wavelength selected to correspond to said wavelength absorption property of said substance to destroy at least a portion of said tooth decay; and c. repeating steps a-b until substantially all of the tooth decay is removed; wherein said step f applying a predetermined substance comprises applying to said tooth Acid Red 52.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of treating a tooth having tooth decay, said method comprising the steps of: a. applying a predetermined substance to at least a portion of said tooth, said substance having a selected wavelength absorption property; b. subjecting said substance to a laser output having a wavelength selected to correspond to said wavelength absorption property of said substance to destroy at least a portion of said tooth decay; and c. repeating steps a-b until substantially all of the tooth decay is removed; wherein said step f applying a predetermined substance comprises applying to said tooth Acid Red 52.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of subjecting said substance to a laser output comprises subjecting said substance to a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser output.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of subjecting said substance to a laser output comprises subjecting said substance to approximately a 532 nm laser output.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of treating a tooth having tooth decay, said method comprising the steps of: a. applying a predetermined substance to at least a potion of said tooth, said substance having a selected wavelength absorption property; b. subjecting said substance to a laser output having a wavelength selected to correspond to said wavelength absorption property of said substance to destroy at least a portion of said tooth decay; and c. repeating steps a-b until substantially all of the tooth decay is removed; wherein said step of applying a predetermined substance comprises applying to said tooth Acid Red 52 in solution with propylene glycol.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of treating a tooth having tooth decay, said method comprising the steps of: a. applying a predetermined substance to at least a potion of said tooth, said substance having a selected wavelength absorption property; b. subjecting said substance to a laser output having a wavelength selected to correspond to said wavelength absorption property of said substance to destroy at least a portion of said tooth decay; and c. repeating steps a-b until substantially all of the tooth decay is removed; wherein said step of applying a predetermined substance comprises applying to said tooth Acid Red 52 in solution with propylene glycol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said step of subjecting said substance to a laser output comprises subjecting said substance to a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser output.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said step of subjecting said substance to a laser output comprises subjecting said substance to approximately a 532 nm laser output.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of treating a tooth having tooth decay, said method comprising the steps of: a. applying a predetermined substance to at least a portion of said tooth, said substance having a selected wavelength absorption property; b. subjecting said substance to a laser output having a wavelength selected to correspond to said wavelength absorption property of said substance to destroy at least a portion of said tooth decay; and c. repeating steps a-b until substantially all of the tooth decay is removed; wherein said step of applying a predetermined substance comprises applying to said tooth a substance which selectively attaches to a breakdown of collagen fibers.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of treating a tooth having tooth decay, said method comprising the steps of: a. applying a predetermined substance to at least a portion of said tooth, said substance having a selected wavelength absorption property; b. subjecting said substance to a laser output having a wavelength selected to correspond to said wavelength absorption property of said substance to destroy at least a portion of said tooth decay; and c. repeating steps a-b until substantially all of the tooth decay is removed; wherein said step of applying a predetermined substance comprises applying to said tooth a substance which selectively attaches to a breakdown of collagen fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said step of subjecting said substance to a laser output comprises subjecting said substance to a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser output.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said step of subjecting said substance to a laser output comprises subjecting said substance to approximately a 532 nm laser output.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said laser output wavelength is approximately 532 nm and said substance has an absorption band including 532 nm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said substance has an absorption peak of approximately 532 nm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said laser output is a frequency doubled Nd:YAG output and said substance has a absorption band including 532 nm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said substance has an absorption peak of approximately 532 nm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said substance is Acid Red 52 and said laser output wavelength is approximately 532 nm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said substance is Acid Red 52 and said laser output is the output of a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said substance has at least one absorption peak at a predetermined wavelength and said laser output comprises a wavelength corresponding to said predetermined wavelength.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of treating a tooth having tooth decay, said method comprising the steps of: a. applying a predetermined substance to at least a portion of said tooth, said substance having a selected wavelength absorption property; b. subjecting said substance to a laser output having a wavelength selected to correspond to said wavelength absorption property of said substance to destroy at least a portion of said tooth decay; and c. repeating steps a-b until substantially all of the tooth decay is removed; wherein said step of applying a substance comprises applying Acid Red 52 which selectively attaches to tooth decay and which has a wavelength absorption band which includes 532 nm, and said step of subjecting said substance to a laser output comprises subjecting said Acid Red 52 to a laser output having a wavelength of approximately 532 nm.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of treating a tooth having tooth decay, said method comprising the steps of: a. applying a predetermined substance to at least a portion of said tooth, said substance having a selected wavelength absorption property; b. subjecting said substance to a laser output having a wavelength selected to correspond to said wavelength absorption property of said substance to destroy at least a portion of said tooth decay; and c. repeating steps a-b until substantially all of the tooth decay is removed; wherein said step of applying a substance comprises applying Acid Red 52 which selectively attaches to tooth decay and which has a wavelength absorption band which includes 532 nm, and said step of subjecting said substance to a laser output comprises subjecting said Acid Red 52 to a laser output having a wavelength of approximately 532 nm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-24 | 1997-07-26 | 1998-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-24 | 2001-07-26 | 2002-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-24 | 2005-07-26 | 2006-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |