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US5458594A
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Method and apparatus for the treatment of hard biological material, such as hard dental material, using lasers
Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
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Filing: 1994-03-23
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Granted: 1995-10-17
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Expires: 2014-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for the ablation of hard biological material, such hard dental material, using a rapidly pulsed laser employ a crystal or absorber film disposed in the propagation path of the laser radiation, the crystal or absorber film being disposed at the laser output and serving as an interface with an optical conductor which conveys the laser radiation to the treatment site. The crystal or absorber film smooths the time/intensity characteristics of the pulsed laser radiation to the extent that transmission to the treatment site using optical wave guides is possible. Additional protective features are provided to prevent the ablated biological material to destroy the exposed optical end surfaces of the treatment applicator. Additional design features improve the ergonomic efficiency of the handpiece and its ability to be sterilized.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerhard Mueller
- 👤 Thomas Ertl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C1/00; A61C1/0046; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00137; A61B2017/00154; A61B90/00; A61B90/08; A61B2090/0813; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61B2218/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
An apparatus for ablating hard biological materials, comprising: a pulsed laser which emits pulsed laser radiation in the form of laser pulses each having a time-varying intensity profile and a fundamental frequency having an associated wavelength in a wavelength range selected from the group of wavelength ranges consisting of 200 through 400 nm, 1.3 through 3 microns, and 9.0 through 11 microns, said intensity profile containing intensity spikes which cause generation of harmonics of said fundamental frequency in said pulsed laser radiation; an optical waveguide which transmits said pulsed laser radiation along a propagation path to a treatment site; and means for coupling said pulsed laser radiation to said optical waveguide including an absorber film which smooths the intensity profile of said laser pulses with respect to time by removing harmonics in said pulsed laser radiation which exceed a predetermined threshold, and which permits passage of pulsed laser radiation at said fundamental frequency therethrough unchanged.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
An apparatus for ablating hard biological materials, comprising: a pulsed laser which emits pulsed laser radiation in the form of laser pulses each having a time-varying intensity profile and a fundamental frequency having an associated wavelength in a wavelength range selected from the group of wavelength ranges consisting of 200 through 400 nm, 1.3 through 3 microns, and 9.0 through 11 microns, said intensity profile containing intensity spikes which cause generation of harmonics of said fundamental frequency in said pulsed laser radiation; an optical waveguide which transmits said pulsed laser radiation along a propagation path to a treatment site; and means for coupling said pulsed laser radiation to said optical waveguide including an absorber film which smooths the intensity profile of said laser pulses with respect to time by removing harmonics in said pulsed laser radiation which exceed a predetermined threshold, and which permits passage of pulsed laser radiation at said fundamental frequency therethrough unchanged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said laser is a solid-state laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said laser is an Cr:Er:YSGG laser operating at a wavelength of 2.78 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said laser is an Er:YAG laser operating at a wavelength of 2.94 microns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said optical waveguide is formed by at least one optical fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said at least one optical fiber consists of zirconium fluoride.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said optical waveguide further includes an elastomeric inner jacket surrounding said at least one optical fiber and a torsion resistant outer protective jacket surrounding said inner jacket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
103 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a manipulable applicator for directing said pulsed laser radiation onto a treatment site, wherein said optical waveguide is a flexible optical waveguide having a laser-proximate end and an applicator-proximate end and has two rotary quick connectors respectively disposed at said ends for mechanically and optically coupling said laser-proximate end of said flexible optical waveguide to said laser and for optically and mechanically coupling said applicator-proximate end of said flexible optical waveguide to said applicator, each of said rotary quick connectors forming means for preventing torsion forces to be transmitted to said flexible optical waveguide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
96 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a manipulable handpiece optically coupled to said optical waveguide, said handpiece having an applicator endpiece from which said pulsed laser radiation exits onto a treatment site at which said pulsed radiation produced ablation products, said applicator endpiece having surfaces, and said apparatus further comprising means for delivering media into the propagation path of said pulsed laser radiation exiting from said applicator endpiece for preventing said ablation products produced from the treatment site by said pulsed laser radiation from damaging said radiation transmitting surfaces of said applicator endpiece.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said applicator endpiece comprises: an optical hollow guide having an interior channel through which said pulsed laser radiation proceeds to a treatment site; and a gas container, connectable to a source of gas, and in fluid communication with said channel in said optical hollow guide for creating a gas flow through said channel for preventing ablated material from said treatment site from coming into contact with said applicator endpiece.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said gas container has a first side through which said pulsed laser radiation enters said gas container and a second side through which said pulsed laser radiation exits said gas container, and said gas container having, at least on said first surface, a window closing said gas container consisting of material transmissive for said pulsed laser radiation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said window consists of mica.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said applicator endpiece consists of a solid conical sapphire tip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said means for delivering media is a means for delivering an aerosol consisting of said media.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said means for delivering aerosol includes separate means for delivering air and means for delivering fluid and means for mixing said air and fluid to form said aerosol, and means for setting an air-to-fluid ratio and a fluid volume in said aerosol based on the energy and repetition rate of the pulses of said pulsed laser radiation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said absorber film consists of self-healing material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said absorber film comprises a solid material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said solid material is selected from the group consisting of methacrylate-hydroxy ethylmethacrylate copolymer, poly (2,3-dihydroxypropylmethacrylate), and mica.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said absorber film consists of a liquid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said liquid contains molecules with OH groups.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said liquid is selected from the group consisting of distilled water, ethanol and glycerol.
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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) | 1998-10-16 | 1999-04-17 | 1999-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-16 | 2003-04-17 | 2003-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-16 | 2007-04-17 | 2007-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |