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AssigneeAmerican Dental Laser, Inc.
InventorsArthur Vassiliadis, Joseph W. Shaffer, David J. Fullmer, Michael H. Brewer, David R. Hennings, Terry D. Myers
Estimating the term…
A dental laser assembly is disclosed for use in eradicating carious lesions in teeth, the treatment of sensitive teeth, as well as the removal of soft tissue, the incising of the frenum, opurculum, anesthesia of the tooth, etching enamel for restorations or orthodontic appliance fixation, the welding of fixed prosthesis, removal of bacterial flora periodontal pockets, removal and/or vaporization of healthy or necrotic pulp, the vertical and/or horizontal condensation of gutta percha or any other root canal sealant, the cauterization of blood vessels in the oral cavity, vaporizing bone tissue, removing tartar, apical fusion of foramina, enlarging and shaping root canal, removing carbon from surface of teeth, removal of enamel, bleaching teeth, etching dentin, separating orthodontic brackets, merging hydroxyapatite to bone and enamel, amalgam removal and undercutting of carious and/or healthy dentin and/or cementum. The laser assembly includes a housing having a cavity in which a pulsed laser is contained. The laser is excited so that the laser emits a laser beam along a predetermined axis that is in line with a fiber optic delivery system and at a pulse rate of one to 10,000 pulses per second and an average power variable from one tenth to 50 watts. A handpiece is dimensioned to be inserted into a human mouth while an optical fiber optically connects the laser output to the handpiece. The laser assembly also includes a continuous output aiming laser which, upon activation, provides a continuous laser aiming beam coaxial to the treatment beam. Both beams are then introduced into a fiber optic delivery system.
A method for the apical fusion of foramina of a tooth in a mouth, comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Dental machines for boring or cutting ; General features of dental machines or apparatus, e.g. hand-piece design: dental lasers
By applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves: using laser
Medicament applicators for teeth or gums, e.g. treatment with fluorides: bleaching devices; Whitening agent applicators for teeth, e.g. trays or…
Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body: sensing and controlling the…
Term ended 19 Jan 2010 (estimated)
USPTO file history isn’t available for this patent, so only indexed dates are shown.
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to laser assemblies and, more particularly, to a laser assembly particularly suited for dental applications such as the eradication of carious lesions, the treatment of sensitive teeth, and the removal of soft tissue.
II. Description of the Prior Art
A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the main unit of a preferred embodiment of the laser assembly of the present invention:
FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the delivery system for the preferred embodiment of the invention:
With reference first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the dental laser assembly 10 of the present invention is thereshown and comprises a main unit 12 and the fiber optic laser beam delivery system 14. The main unit 12 preferably includes rollers 16 at one end for mobility so that the main unit 12 can be moved as desired. The other end of the main unit rests on posts 17. The unit is lifted with a retractable handle 19 so as to be moved on the rollers 16.
Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the main unit 12 includes a fiber optic output connector 26 along one side. A control panel 20 is provided at the top of the main unit 12 to control the activation and use of the dental laser system 10.
Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 2, the fiber optic cable assembly comprises an elongated fiber optic 22 which is flexible. One end 24 of the fiber optic 22 is received within the fiber optic connector 26. A lock nut 28 adjacent the end 24 of the fiber optic 22 locks to the connector 18 in order to secure the fiber optic 22 to the main unit 12 for a reason to be subsequently described.