US5334016A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combination air abrasive system and laser system for dental applications
Assignee: TEXAS AIRSONICS Inc
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Filing: 1992-06-22
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Granted: 1994-08-02
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Expires: 2012-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A combination air abrasive system and laser system are provided for dental applications. The air abrasive system creates an abrasive material laden gas flow and then directs this gas flow towards a target site in the patient's mouth. The air abrasive system also includes a vacuum system which creates an air flow to remove the abrasive material after impingement on the target site. The abrasive material is filtered from the air flow and the resulting clean air is then used to create a positive pressure within the housing for the dental laser system to prevent the entry of debris and other contaminants within the laser system. Additionally, the clean air flow is used to clean the lens system for the laser. Also, the air abrasive system and laser system include a common control system and may also utilize a common aiming and illumination mechanism. Further, the combination unit has a common light source that not only illuminates the target area, but can be used as a curing light for dental materials, which light source may or may not be a laser. Further, the combination unit has a single common footswitch that allows the performance of more than one task.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel S. Goldsmith
- 👤 William S. Parker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C3/00; A61C3/02; A61C3/025; A61C1/00; A61C1/0046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
In combination: an air abrasive system for dental applications comprising means for creating an abrasive material laden gas flow, means for directing said gas flow toward a target site in a patient's mouth, means for creating an air flow to remove abrasive material after impingement on the target sight and means for filtering abrasive material from said air flow to create a clean air flow, and a laser system for dental applications comprising a housing containing a laser, means for exciting said laser to generate a laser output and means for delivering said laser output to a target area in a patient's mouth, and means for fluidly communicating said clean air flow to said laser housing so that said clean air flow creates a positive pressure in said laser housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
In combination: an air abrasive system for dental applications comprising means for creating an abrasive material laden gas flow, means for directing said gas flow toward a target site in a patient's mouth, means for creating an air flow to remove abrasive material after impingement on the target sight and means for filtering abrasive material from said air flow to create a clean air flow, and a laser system for dental applications comprising a housing containing a laser, means for exciting said laser to generate a laser output and means for delivering said laser output to a target area in a patient's mouth, and means for fluidly communicating said clean air flow to said laser housing so that said clean air flow creates a positive pressure in said laser housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said laser system comprises a heat exchanger contained in said laser housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for delivering said laser output comprises a lens secured to said housing so that one side of said lens faces exteriorly of said housing, and comprising at least one opening in said housing adjacent said lens, whereby positive air pressure in said housing flows outwardly through said at least one opening to clean said exteriorly facing side of said lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
In combination: an air abrasive system for dental applications comprising a housing containing said air abrasive system, means for creating an abrasive material laden gas flow and means for directing said gas flow toward a target site in a patient's mouth, a laser system for dental applications comprising said housing also containing a laser, means for exciting said laser to generate a laser output and means for delivering said laser output to a target area in a patient's mouth, and common means for controlling both said air abrasive system and said laser system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
In combination: an air abrasive system for dental applications comprising a housing containing said air abrasive system, means for creating an abrasive material laden gas flow and means for directing said gas flow toward a target site in a patient's mouth, a laser system for dental applications comprising said housing also containing a laser, means for exciting said laser to generate a laser output and means for delivering said laser output to a target area in a patient's mouth, and common means for controlling both said air abrasive system and said laser system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said controlling means comprises a microprocessor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim wherein said common controlling means comprises a foot pedal assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
89 words
In combination: an air abrasive system for dental applications comprising a housing containing said air abrasive system, means for creating an abrasive material laden gas flow and means for directing said gas flow toward a target site in a patient's mouth, a laser system for dental applications comprising said housing containing a laser, means for exciting said laser to generate a laser output and means for delivering said laser output to a target area in a patient's mouth, and means for illuminating said target site and said target area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
In combination: an air abrasive system for dental applications comprising a housing containing said air abrasive system, means for creating an abrasive material laden gas flow and means for directing said gas flow toward a target site in a patient's mouth, a laser system for dental applications comprising said housing containing a laser, means for exciting said laser to generate a laser output and means for delivering said laser output to a target area in a patient's mouth, and means for illuminating said target site and said target area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said illuminating means comprises a source of illumination and means for selectively delivering light from said source to either said target area or said target sight.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said source of illumination comprises a laser.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for delivering said laser output comprises an optical fiber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
In combination: an air abrasive system for dental applications comprising a housing containing said air abrasive system, means for creating an abrasive material laden gas flow and means for directing said gas flow toward a target site in a patient's mouth, a laser system for dental applications comprising said housing also containing a laser, means for exciting said laser to generate a laser output and means for delivering said laser output to a target area in a patient's mouth, and means for selectively aiming said abrasive material laden gas flow or said laser output.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
94 words
In combination: an air abrasive system for dental applications comprising a housing containing said air abrasive system, means for creating an abrasive material laden gas flow and means for directing said gas flow toward a target site in a patient's mouth, a laser system for dental applications comprising said housing also containing a laser, means for exciting said laser to generate a laser output and means for delivering said laser output to a target area in a patient's mouth, and means for selectively aiming said abrasive material laden gas flow or said laser output.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 11 wherein said aiming means comprises means for generating a visible laser beam and means for delivering said laser beam to said target site or said target area.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein said means for generating a visible laser beam comprises a helium-neon laser.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as defined in claim 13 wherein said means for delivering said laser beam to said target site or target area comprises an optical fiber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
99 words
In combination: an air abrasive system for dental applications comprising a housing containing said air abrasive system, means for creating an abrasive material laden gas flow and means for directing said gas flow toward a target site in a patient's mouth, a laser system for dental applications comprising said housing also containing a laser, means for exciting said laser to generate a laser output and means for delivering said laser output to a target site in a patient's mouth, and means for illuminating said target site with said laser and means for supplying curing materials to said target site.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
99 words
In combination: an air abrasive system for dental applications comprising a housing containing said air abrasive system, means for creating an abrasive material laden gas flow and means for directing said gas flow toward a target site in a patient's mouth, a laser system for dental applications comprising said housing also containing a laser, means for exciting said laser to generate a laser output and means for delivering said laser output to a target site in a patient's mouth, and means for illuminating said target site with said laser and means for supplying curing materials to said target site.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein said laser is an argon laser.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
96 words
In combination: an air abrasive system for dental applications comprising a housing containing said air abrasive system: means for creating an abrasive material laden gas flow and means for directing said gas flow toward a target site in a patient's mouth, a laser system for dental applications comprising said housing also containing a laser, means for exciting said laser to generate a laser output and means for delivering said laser output to a target area in a patient's mouth, and means for controlling said air abrasive system and said laser system comprising a foot pedal assembly.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
96 words
In combination: an air abrasive system for dental applications comprising a housing containing said air abrasive system: means for creating an abrasive material laden gas flow and means for directing said gas flow toward a target site in a patient's mouth, a laser system for dental applications comprising said housing also containing a laser, means for exciting said laser to generate a laser output and means for delivering said laser output to a target area in a patient's mouth, and means for controlling said air abrasive system and said laser system comprising a foot pedal assembly.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 17 wherein said laser system further comprises an illuminating light and wherein said foot pedal assembly controls activation of said light.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 18, wherein said foot pedal assembly only has an activation position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 18, wherein said foot pedal assembly only has a neutral position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
90 words
In combination: an air abrasive system for dental applications comprising means for creating an abrasive material laden gas flow, means for directing said gas flow toward a target site in a patient's mouth, a laser system for dental applications comprising a housing containing a laser, means for exciting said laser to generate a laser output and means for delivering said laser output to a target area in a patient's mouth, and means for illuminating said target site with a light and means for supplying curing materials to said target site.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
90 words
In combination: an air abrasive system for dental applications comprising means for creating an abrasive material laden gas flow, means for directing said gas flow toward a target site in a patient's mouth, a laser system for dental applications comprising a housing containing a laser, means for exciting said laser to generate a laser output and means for delivering said laser output to a target area in a patient's mouth, and means for illuminating said target site with a light and means for supplying curing materials to said target site.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
110 words
In combination: an air abrasive system for dental applications comprising means for creating an abrasive material laden gas flow, means for directing said gas flow toward a target site in a patient's mouth and a vacuum system for removing grit after impingement on the target site, a laser system for dental applications comprising a housing containing a laser, means for exciting said laser to generate a laser output and means for delivering said laser output to a target area in a patient's mouth, and means for controlling said air abrasive system and said laser system comprising a foot pedal assembly, said foot pedal assembly controlling activation of said vacuum system.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
110 words
In combination: an air abrasive system for dental applications comprising means for creating an abrasive material laden gas flow, means for directing said gas flow toward a target site in a patient's mouth and a vacuum system for removing grit after impingement on the target site, a laser system for dental applications comprising a housing containing a laser, means for exciting said laser to generate a laser output and means for delivering said laser output to a target area in a patient's mouth, and means for controlling said air abrasive system and said laser system comprising a foot pedal assembly, said foot pedal assembly controlling activation of said vacuum system.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as defined in claim 22 wherein said foot pedal assembly comprises a foot lever having at least two different positions which selectively control activation of the air abrasive system, the laser system and the vacuum system.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 23 wherein said foot lever has a neutral position and an activation position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-01 | 1998-01-31 | 1998-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-01 | 2002-01-31 | 2002-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-01 | 2006-01-31 | 2006-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |