US5342198A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental laser
Assignee: AMERICAN DENTAL TECHNOLOGIES Inc
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Filing: 1993-05-10
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Granted: 1994-08-30
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Expires: 2013-05-10
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for removing dental enamel and dentin. This apparatus is also capable of cutting soft tissue. The apparatus includes a laser which, when activated, produces a laser pulse having a wavelength of between 1.5 and 3.5 microns, a beam diameter at the target site in the range of 10 to 5,000 microns, a pulse duration of between several picoseconds and several milliseconds, an energy level of between 0.1 millijoules and five joules per pulse, and pulse repetition rates from one pulse per second to 10,000 pulses per second. The pulse is focused on the dental enamel or dentin thereby reaching high enough energy densities to vaporize the material. In the case of soft tissues, a special tip is used to concentrate the laser on the tissue so that cutting action can be easily executed.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur Vassiliadis
- 👤 William D. Myers
- 👤 Terry D. Myers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C1/00; A61C1/0046; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B2018/00636
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for removing dental enamel, dentin and/or soft tissue, sterilization in a mouth and/or for endodontic applications at a target site comprising: a laser, means for activating said laser so that said laser produces a pulsed output having a wavelength of between 1.5 and 3.5 microns, a beam diameter at the target site in the range of 10-5000 microns, and an energy of 0.1 millijoules to five joules, means for delivering said pulse to dental enamel, dentin and/or soft tissue and/or sterilization site and/or endodontic treatment area to thereby eradicate the dental enamel, dentin and/or soft tissue and/or sterilization and/or perform endodontic procedures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for removing dental enamel, dentin and/or soft tissue, sterilization in a mouth and/or for endodontic applications at a target site comprising: a laser, means for activating said laser so that said laser produces a pulsed output having a wavelength of between 1.5 and 3.5 microns, a beam diameter at the target site in the range of 10-5000 microns, and an energy of 0.1 millijoules to five joules, means for delivering said pulse to dental enamel, dentin and/or soft tissue and/or sterilization site and/or endodontic treatment area to thereby eradicate the dental enamel, dentin and/or soft tissue and/or sterilization and/or perform endodontic procedures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the laser has a pulse repetition rate of 1 to 10,000 pulses per second.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said laser is a yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said laser is a Holmium doped laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said laser has a wavelength of substantially 2.06 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said laser is a glass laser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said laser is a crystal laser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said laser is an Erbium doped laser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said laser has a wavelength of substantially 2.94 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said laser is a glass laser.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said laser is a crystal laser.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said delivering means comprises means for focussing said pulse on one end of an optical fiber strand.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 12 and comprising a contact tip adjacent the other end of said strand.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as defined in claim 13 Wherein said tip is conical in shape.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein at least a portion of said optical fiber strand is flexible.
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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) | 1997-08-29 | 1998-02-28 | 1998-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-29 | 2002-02-28 | 2002-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-29 | 2006-02-28 | 2006-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |