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US5832013A
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Intracavity modulated pulsed laser and methods of using the same
Assignee: Biolase Inc
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Filing: 1996-12-17
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Granted: 1998-11-03
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Expires: 2016-12-17
Abstract
Abstract An intracavity modulated pulsed laser and methods of using the same. In one preferred form, an intracavity modulated pulsed laser comprises an amplification medium, a pulsed pumping source, a beam modulator, and two mirrors, one totally reflective and one partially reflective for generating at least one laser output burst comprising a plurality of sub-pulses having variably controllable peak powers. In another preferred form, a non-linear crystal is utilized to double the frequency of each laser output burst. In still another preferred form, a fluorescence feedback control circuit is utilized to control the beam modulator.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Yessik
- 👤 Richard G. Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 01:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/13; H01S3/131; H01S3/1312; H01S3/09; H01S3/091; H01S3/0915; H01S3/092; H01S3/11; H01S3/1123; H01S3/117; H01S3/136
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for generating a laser output comprising a plurality of multi-pulsed bursts having variably controllable peak powers, said method comprising the steps of: intermittently delivering pulses of pump energy to an amplification medium disposed along an optical axis between a totally reflective mirror and a partially reflective mirror; allowing a beam to oscillate between said mirrors upon the delivery of each pulse of pump energy to said amplification medium; modulating the oscillation of said beam between said mirrors at a controllable modulation frequency such that a laser output comprising a multi-pulsed burst results from the delivery of each pulse of energy to said amplification medium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for generating a laser output comprising a plurality of multi-pulsed bursts having variably controllable peak powers, said method comprising the steps of: intermittently delivering pulses of pump energy to an amplification medium disposed along an optical axis between a totally reflective mirror and a partially reflective mirror; allowing a beam to oscillate between said mirrors upon the delivery of each pulse of pump energy to said amplification medium; modulating the oscillation of said beam between said mirrors at a controllable modulation frequency such that a laser output comprising a multi-pulsed burst results from the delivery of each pulse of energy to said amplification medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of modulating the oscillating of said beam is performed by an acousto-optical Q-switch driven by an RF driver under microprocessor control.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said amplification medium comprises a Nd:YAG rod, and wherein a flash lamp delivers said pulses of energy to said Nd:YAG rod.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for generating a laser output, said method comprising the steps of: generating multiple Q-switched output sub-pulses during a single flash of a pulsed pumping source, and adjusting a temporal spacing between said output sub-pulses to achieve predetermined sub-pulse power levels of a resulting laser output.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for generating a laser output, said method comprising the steps of: generating multiple Q-switched output sub-pulses during a single flash of a pulsed pumping source, and adjusting a temporal spacing between said output sub-pulses to achieve predetermined sub-pulse power levels of a resulting laser output.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said power levels of said sub-pulses are substantially equal and below a damage threshold of a laser output delivery system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said laser output delivery system comprises a fiber optic laser output delivery system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said step of adjusting a temporal spacing between said output sub-pulses also achieves a maximum average power of said laser output.
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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) | 2001-11-02 | 2002-05-04 | 2002-11-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-02 | 2006-05-04 | 2006-11-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-02 | 2010-05-04 | 2010-11-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |