WO2006074486A2 - Systeme de conditionnement de liquide - Google Patents

Systeme de conditionnement de liquide Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006074486A2
WO2006074486A2 PCT/US2006/000989 US2006000989W WO2006074486A2 WO 2006074486 A2 WO2006074486 A2 WO 2006074486A2 US 2006000989 W US2006000989 W US 2006000989W WO 2006074486 A2 WO2006074486 A2 WO 2006074486A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fluid
set forth
electromagnetic energy
conditioned
target
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2006/000989
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2006074486A3 (fr
Inventor
Ioana M. Rizoiu
Jeffrey W. Jones
Andrew I. Kimmel
Original Assignee
Biolase Technology, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/522,503 external-priority patent/US5741247A/en
Priority claimed from US09/256,697 external-priority patent/US6350123B1/en
Priority claimed from US10/435,325 external-priority patent/US7320594B1/en
Priority claimed from US11/033,044 external-priority patent/US20050281887A1/en
Application filed by Biolase Technology, Inc. filed Critical Biolase Technology, Inc.
Priority to EP06718103.2A priority Critical patent/EP1842076A4/fr
Publication of WO2006074486A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006074486A2/fr
Publication of WO2006074486A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006074486A3/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C1/00—Dental machines for boring or cutting ; General features of dental machines or apparatus, e.g. hand-piece design
    • A61C1/0046—Dental lasers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
    • A61C17/02—Rinsing or air-blowing devices, e.g. using fluid jets or comprising liquid medication
    • A61C17/024—Rinsing or air-blowing devices, e.g. using fluid jets or comprising liquid medication with constant liquid flow
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
    • A61B18/18—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves
    • A61B18/20—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser
    • A61B18/22—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser the beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit, e.g. an optical fibre; Couplings or hand-pieces therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
    • A61B2018/00005—Cooling or heating of the probe or tissue immediately surrounding the probe
    • A61B2018/00011—Cooling or heating of the probe or tissue immediately surrounding the probe with fluids
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C1/00—Dental machines for boring or cutting ; General features of dental machines or apparatus, e.g. hand-piece design
    • A61C1/0007—Control devices or systems

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to medical cutting, irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, and drilling techniques and, more particularly to a device for cutting both hard and soft materials and a system for introducing conditioned fluids into the cutting, irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, and drilling techniques.
  • FIG. 1 A prior art dental/medical work station 11 is shown in FIG. 1.
  • a vacuum line 12 and an air supply line 13 supply negative and positive pressures, respectively.
  • a water supply line 14 and an electrical outlet 15 supply water and power, respectively.
  • the vacuum line 12, the air supply line 13, the water supply line 14, and the electrical outlet 15 are all connected to the dental/medical (e.g., dental or medical) unit 16.
  • the electromagnetic energy source is typically a laser device coupled with a delivery system.
  • the laser device 18a and delivery system 19a both shown in phantom, as well as any of the above-mentioned instruments, may be connected directly to the dental/medical unit 16.
  • the laser device 18b and delivery system 19b both shown in phantom, may be connected directly to the water supply line 14, the air supply line 13, and the electric outlet 15.
  • the mentioned and other instruments 17 may be connected directly to any of the vacuum line 12, the air supply line 13, the water supply line 14, and/or the electrical outlet 15.
  • the laser device 18 and delivery system 19 may typically comprise an electromagnetic cutter for dental or medical use, although a variety of other types of electromagnetic energy devices operating with fluids (e.g., jets, sprays, mists, or nebulizers) may also be used.
  • An example of one of many varying types of conventional prior art electromagnetic cutters is shown in FIG. 2.
  • a fiber guide tube 30, a water line 31, an air line 32, and an air knife line 33 (which supplies pressurized air) may be fed from the dental/medical unit 16 into a handheld apparatus 34.
  • a cap 35 fits onto the hand-held apparatus 34 and is secured via threads 36.
  • the fiber guide tube 30 abuts within a cylindrical metal piece 37.
  • Another cylindrical metal piece 38 is a part of the cap 35.
  • the two cylindrical metal tubes 37 and 38 are moved into very close proximity of one another.
  • the pressurized air from the air knife line 33 surrounds and cools a laser beam produced by the laser device as the laser bridges a gap or interface between the two metal cylindrical objects 37 and 38.
  • Air from the air knife line 33 flows out of the two exhausts 39 and 41 after cooling the interface between the two metal cylindrical objects 37 and 38.
  • Energy from the laser device exits from a fiber guide tube 42 and is applied to a target surface of a treatment/surgical site, which can be within a patient's mouth, for example, according to a predetermined surgical plan.
  • Water from the water line 31 and pressurized air from the air line 32 are forced into the mixing chamber 43 wherein an air and water mixture is formed.
  • the air and water mixture is very turbulent in the mixing chamber 43, and exits the mixing chamber 43 through a mesh screen with small holes 44.
  • the air and water mixture travels along the outside of the fiber guide tube 42, and then leaves the tube 42 and contacts the area of surgery.
  • the air and water spray coming from the tip of the fiber guide tube 42 helps to cool the target surface being cut and to remove materials cut by the laser.
  • a disinfectant such as iodine
  • iodine could be applied to the target surface during drilling to guard against infection, but this additional disinfectant may not be commonly applied during such laser cutting operations.
  • unpleasant tastes or odors which may be unpleasing to the patient, may be generated.
  • the common use of only water during this oral procedure does not mask the undesirable taste or odor.
  • Compressed gases, pressurized air, and electrical motors are commonly used to provide a driving force for mechanical cutting instruments, such as drills, in dentistry and medicine.
  • the compressed gases and pressurized water are subsequently ejected into the atmosphere in close proximity to or inside of the patient's mouth and/or nose or any other treatment/surgical site.
  • electrically driven turbines when a cooling spray (air and water) is typically ejected into the patient's mouth, as well.
  • These ejected fluids commonly contain vaporous elements of tissue fragments, burnt flesh, and ablated or drilled tissue.
  • the odor of these vaporous elements can be quite uncomfortable for the patient, and can increase trauma experienced by the patient during treatment, drilling, or cutting procedures. In such drilling or cutting procedures, a mechanism for masking smells and odors generated from the cutting or drilling may be advantageous.
  • a system for reducing the bacteria growth within air, vacuum, and water lines, and for reducing the bacteria growth resulting from condensation on exterior surfaces (e.g., instruments, devices, or tissue), is needed to reduce sources of contamination of the treatment site as well as contamination of equipment adjacent to the treatment area within a dental/surgical operating room.
  • An embodiment of the present invention comprises a fluid conditioning system adaptable to existing medical and dental apparatuses, including those used for cutting, irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, drilling, and therapeutic procedures.
  • the fluid conditioning system may employ flavored fluid in place of or in addition to regular tap water or other types of water (e.g., distilled water, deionized water, sterile water, or water with a controlled number of colony forming units (CFU) per milliliter, and the like), during various clinical operations.
  • regular tap water or other types of water e.g., distilled water, deionized water, sterile water, or water with a controlled number of colony forming units (CFU) per milliliter, and the like
  • CFU colony forming units
  • the flavored fluid which may appeal to the taste buds of a patient undergoing the surgical operation, may include any of a variety of flavors, such as a fruit flavor or a mint flavor.
  • flavors such as a fruit flavor or a mint flavor.
  • scented air may be used to mask a smell of burnt or drilled tissue.
  • the scent may function as an air freshener, even for operations outside of dental applications.
  • Conditioned fluids may be used for hydrating and cooling a surgical site and/or for removing tissue.
  • the conditioned fluids may include an ionized solution, such as a biocompatible saline solution, and may further include fluids having predetermined densities, specific gravities, pH levels, viscosities, or temperatures, relative to conventional tap water or other types of water.
  • the conditioned fluids may include a medication, such as an antibiotic, a steroid, an anesthetic, an anti-inflammatory, an antiseptic or disinfectant (e.g., antibacterial or antiseptic), adrenaline, epinephrine, or an astringent.
  • a typical conditioned fluid may also include vitamins (e.g., vitamin C (ascorbic acid) , vitamin E, vitamin B-i (thiamin), B- 2 (riboflavin), B- 3 (niacin), B- 5 (pantothenic acid), B- 6 (pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, pyridoxine), B- 12 (cobalamine), biotin or B complex, bioflavonoids, folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin K), aloe vera, a natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant or anti-histamine remedy and other such ingredients and solutions, herbs, remedies or minerals. Still further, the conditioned fluid may include a tooth-whitening agent that is adapted to whiten teeth of patients.
  • vitamins e.g., vitamin C (ascorbic acid) , vitamin E, vitamin B-i (thiamin), B- 2 (riboflavin), B- 3 (niacin), B- 5 (pantothenic acid), B- 6 (pyridoxal, pyri
  • the tooth-whitening agent may comprise, for example, a peroxide, such as hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, or carbamide peroxide, or any other whitening agent.
  • the tooth-whitening agent may have a viscosity on an order of about 1 to 15 centipoises (cps).
  • fluid conditioning agents additionally may comprise anticaries, antiplaque, antigingivitis, and/or antitartar agents in fluid or solid (i.e., tablet) form.
  • any of the above-mentioned conditioning agents to conventional fluid such as tap water ' (or other types of water such as distilled water, deionized water, sterile water, or water with a controlled number of CFU/ml, and the like) used in a cutting, drilling, or therapeutic operation may be controlled by a user input.
  • a user may adjust a knob or apply pressure to a foot pedal in order to introduce iodine into water before, during (continuously or intermittently), or after a cutting operation (including ablation or vaporization) has been performed.
  • an apparatus using conditioned fluid to treat a target comprises a fluid output pointed in a general direction of an interaction region (e.g., interaction zone), the fluid output being constructed to place conditioned fluid (e.g., conditioned fluid particles) into the interaction region, the interaction region being defined at a location (e.g., volume) adjacent to (e.g., on, or if interaction zone above) the target and the conditioned fluid being compatible with the target, and further comprises an electromagnetic energy source pointed in a direction of the interaction region, the electromagnetic energy source being constructed to deliver into the interaction region a concentration (e.g., a peak concentration) of electromagnetic energy (e.g., that is greater than a concentration of electromagnetic energy delivered onto the target), the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength which is substantially absorbed by the conditioned fluid in the interaction region, wherein the absorption of the electromagnetic energy by the conditioned fluid energizes the fluid (e.g., causes the fluid to expand) and wherein disruptive forces are
  • absorption of the electromagnetic energy by the atomized particles causes the atomized particles to expand or explode and disruptive/removing cutting forces are imparted onto the tissue.
  • the expanding or exploding can cause an effect, whereby, at least to some extent, the electromagnetic energy does not directly cut the tissue but, rather, or additionally, expanding or exploding fluid and fluid particles are used, at least in part, to disrupt and/or cut the tissue.
  • exploding atomized fluid particles may not affect at all, or may affect a percentage but not all of, the cutting of tissue. Examples of such embodiments are disclosed in U.S. Application No.
  • the atomized fluid particles may be formed from fluid conditioned with flavors, scents, ionization, medications, disinfectants (e.g., antibacterial agents and antiseptics), and other agents such as anticaries, antiplaque, antigingivitis, and antitartar agents in fluid or solid (tablet) form, as previously mentioned.
  • disinfectants e.g., antibacterial agents and antiseptics
  • other agents such as anticaries, antiplaque, antigingivitis, and antitartar agents in fluid or solid (tablet) form, as previously mentioned.
  • An efficiency of disruptive and/or cutting can be related (e.g., proportional) to an absorption of the electromagnetic energy by the fluid (e.g., atomized fluid particles). Characteristics of the absorption can be modified by changing a composition of the fluid. For example, introduction of a salt into the fluid (e.g., water) before atomization, thereby creating an ionized solution, may cause changes in absorption -resulting in cutting properties different from those associated with regular water. These different cutting properties, which may be associated with changes in cutting power, may be desirable.
  • Another feature of the present invention places a disinfectant into air, spray, mist, nebulizer mist, jet, or water used for dental or surgical applications.
  • This disinfectant can be periodically routed through air, mist, or fluid (e.g., water) lines to disinfect interior surfaces of these lines.
  • This routing of disinfectant e.g., antibacterial or antiseptic agents
  • the disinfectant may be applied (e.g., to the target surface) before, during (continuously or intermittently), or immediately following patient procedures.
  • the disinfectant when disinfectant is routed through the lines before, during, and/or after a medical procedure, the disinfectant stays with the water or mist, as the water or mist becomes airborne and settles (i.e., condenses) on a target tissue site or on surrounding surfaces, which may include adjacent equipment within a dental/medical operating room. Bacteria growth within the lines, and from the condensation, is thereby significantly attenuated, since the disinfectant kills, stops and/or retards bacteria growth inside fluid (e.g., water) lines and/or on any moist surfaces.
  • fluid e.g., water
  • FIG. 13 is a plot of particle size versus fluid pressure in accordance with one implementation of the present invention.
  • FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating a combination of FIGS. 16-18;
  • FIG. 3 An embodiment of a dental/medical work station 111 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 3. Elements similar to those shown in FIG. 1 are preceded by a "1".
  • the illustrated embodiment of the dental/medical work station 111 comprises a conventional air line 113 and a conventional biocompatible fluid (e.g., water) line 114 for supplying air and water, respectively.
  • a conventional biocompatible fluid e.g., water
  • water is intended to encompass various modified embodiments of biocompatible fluids such as distilled water, deionized water, sterile water, tap water, carbonated water, and/or fluid (e.g., water) that has a controlled number of colony forming units (CFU) per milliliter for a bacterial count, and the like.
  • CFU colony forming units
  • the fluid conditioning unit 121 is typically placed between the dental/medical unit 116 and the instruments 117, but may in other embodiments be placed (1) at, on or in the dental/medical unit 116, (2) upstream of the dental/medical unit 116, (3) downstream of the dental/medical unit 116, or (4) at, on or in one or more of the instruments 117, lasers 118/118a or delivery systems 119/119a.
  • one or more of the air line 113 and the biocompatible fluid (e.g., water) line 114 may be provided and fluid conditioning may be introduced into one or more of the provided lines 113 and 114.
  • the line or lines to be provided with fluid conditioning may connect to a fluid conditioning unit 121 and/or may be provided with fluid conditioning using any other structure or method disclosed herein, such as a fluid-conditioning cartridge being coupled to the line or lines to thereby condition fluid passing through the line(s).
  • the embodiment likewise can comprise a controller 125 that may be configured to accept user inputs, which may control whether air from the air line 113, water from the biocompatible fluid (e.g., water) line 114, or both, are conditioned by the fluid conditioning unit 121.
  • a controller 125 may be configured to accept user inputs, which may control whether air from the air line 113, water from the biocompatible fluid (e.g., water) line 114, or both, are conditioned by the fluid conditioning unit 121.
  • air and/or water are intended to encompass various modified embodiments of the invention, including various biocompatible fluids used with or without the air and/or water, and including equivalents, substitutions, additives, or permutations thereof.
  • other biocompatible fluids may be used instead of air and/or water.
  • a variety of agents may be applied to the air or water by the fluid conditioning unit 121, according to a configuration of the controller 125, for example, to thereby condition the air or water, before the air or water is output to the dental/medical unit 116.
  • the air can be supplied from a nitrogen source instead of a regular air line.
  • Flavoring agents and related substances for example, may be used, as disclosed in 21 C.F.R. Sections 172.510 and 172.515, details of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • Colors for example, may also be used for conditioning, such as disclosed in 21 C.F.R. Section 73.1 to Section 73.3126, details of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • the instruments 117 may comprise an electrocauterizer, an electromagnetic energy source, for example, a laser device, a mechanical drill, a sonic/ultrasonic device, a mechanical saw, a canal finder, a syringe, an irrigator and/or an evacuator.
  • an electromagnetic energy source for example, a laser device, a mechanical drill, a sonic/ultrasonic device, a mechanical saw, a canal finder, a syringe, an irrigator and/or an evacuator.
  • the above instruments may be incorporated in a handpiece or an endoscope. All of these instruments 117 use air from the air line 113 and/or fluid (e.g., water) from the biocompatible fluid line 114.
  • the biocompatible fluid may or may not be conditioned depending on the configuration of the controller 125.
  • any of the instruments 117 may be connected directly to any or all of the vacuum line 112, the air line 113, the biocompatible fluid line 114 and the electrical outlet 115 and may have, for example, an independent fluid conditioning unit (e.g., in the form of a cartridge that intercepts and conditions fluid from one or more of the air line 113 and the biocompatible fluid line 114). Instead or additionally, any of these instruments 117 may be connected to the dental/medical unit 116 or the fluid conditioning unit 121, or both.
  • an independent fluid conditioning unit e.g., in the form of a cartridge that intercepts and conditions fluid from one or more of the air line 113 and the biocompatible fluid line 114.
  • any of these instruments 117 may be connected to the dental/medical unit 116 or the fluid conditioning unit 121, or both.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a laser device 51 that may be directly coupled with, for example, the air line 113 or with a line supplying another gas such as nitrogen, biocompatible fluid line 114, and electrical outlet 115 of FIG. 3.
  • a separate fluid conditioning system is used in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.
  • an electromagnetically induced disruptive (e.g., mechanical) cutter is used for cutting and/or coagulation.
  • the laser device 51 i.e. an electromagnetic cutter energy source
  • the laser device 51 is connected directly to the electrical outlet 115 (FIG. 3), and is coupled to both a controller 53 and a delivery system 55.
  • the delivery system 55 routes and focuses a laser beam produced by the laser device 51.
  • thermal cutting forces may be imparted onto a target 57 by the laser beam.
  • the delivery system 55 of the present invention can comprise a fiberoptic energy guide for routing the laser beam into an interaction zone 59, located above a surface of the target 57.
  • the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 further includes a fluid router 60 that may comprise an atomizer for delivering for example user-specified combinations of atomized fluid particles into the interaction zone 59 continuously or intermittently.
  • the atomized fluid particles and/or spray, jet, mist or nebulizer mist) fluids which may absorb energy from the laser beam, thereby generating disruptive (e.g., cutting) forces as described below, may be conditioned, according to the present invention, and may comprise flavors, scents, medicated substances, disinfectant (e.g., antibacterial or antiseptic agents), saline, tooth-whitening agents, pigment particles or other gaseous or solid particles (e.g., bio-ceramics, bio-glass, medical grade polymers, pyrolitic carbon, encapsulated water based gels, particles or water based gel particles encapsulated into microspheres or microparticles) and other actions or agents such as anticaries, antiplaque, antigingivitis, and antitartar agents in fluid or solid (e.g., tablet) form, as described below.
  • disinfectant e.g., antibacterial or antiseptic agents
  • saline e.g., tooth-whitening agents
  • the delivery system 55 may include a fiberoptic energy guide or equivalent that attaches to the laser device 51 and travels to a desired work site.
  • the fiberoptic energy guide typically is long, thin and lightweight, and is easily manipulated.
  • the fiberoptic energy guides can be made of calcium fluoride (CaF), calcium oxide (CaO 2 ), zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ), zirconium fluoride (ZrF), sapphire, hollow waveguide, liquid core, TeX glass, quartz silica, germanium sulfide, arsenic sulfide, germanium oxide (GeO 2 ), and other materials.
  • Other implementations of the delivery system 55 may include devices comprising mirrors, lenses and other optical components whereby the laser beam travels through a cavity, is directed by various mirrors, and is focused onto the targeted tissue site with specific lenses.
  • FIG.10 is a block diagram, similar to FIG. 4 as discussed above, illustrating one electromagnetically induced disruptive cutter of the present invention.
  • the block diagram may be identical to that disclosed in FIG. 4 except that the fluid router 60 may not be necessary.
  • an electromagnetic energy source for example, a laser device 351, which may produce a laser beam 350 (FIGS. 15-18) is coupled to both a controller 353 and a delivery system 355.
  • the delivery system 355 imparts disruptive and/or cutting forces onto a target surface 357.
  • the delivery system 355 comprises a fiberoptic guide 23 (FIG. 5b, infra) for routing the laser beam 350 through an optional interaction zone 359 and toward the target surface 357.
  • the focusing optic 235 may be implemented/modified in other embodiments.
  • the focusing optic 235 may be employed to couple fiber guide tubes having non-parallel optical axes (e.g., two fiber guide tubes having perpendicularly aligned optical axes).
  • the focusing optic 235 may facilitate rotation of one or both of two fiber guide tubes about their respective optical axes.
  • the focusing optic 235 may comprise one or more of a mirror, a pentaprism, and/or other light directing or transmitting media.
  • the delivery system 355 of FIG.10 can further comprise a fluid output, which may or may not differ from the fluid router 60 of FIG. 4.
  • a fluid output water can be chosen as a preferred fluid because of its biocompatibility, abundance, and low cost.
  • the actual fluid used may vary as long as it is properly matched to the wavelength, ⁇ , of a selected electromagnetic energy source (e.g., a laser device) meaning that the fluid is capable of partially or highly absorbing electromagnetic energy having a wavelength, ⁇ , of the selected electromagnetic energy source.
  • a selected electromagnetic energy source e.g., a laser device
  • the fluid e.g., fluid particles and/or other substances including, for example, anticaries, antiplaque, antigingivitis, and antitartar agents in fluid or solid (e.g., tablet) form
  • the fluid can be conditioned to be compatible with a surface of the target 57.
  • the fluid particles comprise water that is conditioned by for example mild chlorination and/or filtering to render the fluid particles compatible (e.g., containing no harmful parasites) with a tooth or soft tissue target surface in a patient's mouth.
  • other types of conditioning may be performed on the fluid as discussed previously.
  • the delivery system 355 can comprise an atomizer, a sprayer, mister or nebulizer mister for delivering user-specified combinations of atomized fluid particles into the interaction zone 359.
  • the controller 353 controls various operating parameters of the laser device 351, and further controls specific characteristics of a user-specified combination of atomized fluid particles output from the delivery system 355, thereby mediating cutting effects on and/or within the target 357.
  • FIG. 5 a shows another embodiment of an electromagnetically induced disruptive cutter, in which a fiberoptic guide 61, an air tube 63, and a fluid tube 65, such as a water tube, are placed within a hand-held housing 67.
  • a fiberoptic guide 61 an air tube 63
  • a fluid tube 65 such as a water tube
  • the air tube 63 and water tube 65 can be connected to either the fluid conditioning unit 121 or the dental/medical unit 116 of FIG. 3.
  • the fluid tube 65 can be operated under a relatively low pressure, and the air tube 63 can be operated under a relatively high pressure.
  • either the air from the air tube 63 or fluid from the fluid tube 65, or both, are selectively conditioned by the fluid conditioning unit 121 (FIG. 3) as controlled by the controller 125.
  • laser energy from the fiberoptic guide 61 focuses onto a combination of air and fluid, from the air tube 63 and the fluid tube 65, at the interaction zone 59.
  • Atomized fluid particles in the air and fluid mixture absorb energy from the laser energy received from the fiberoptic tube 61.
  • the atomized fluid particles may then expand and explode. Explosive forces from these atomized fluid particles can, in certain implementations, impart disruptive (e.g., mechanical) cutting forces onto a surface of the target 57 (FIG,. 4).
  • a conventional optical cutter focuses laser energy onto a target surface at an area A, for example, and in comparison, a typical embodiment of an electromagnetically induced disruptive cutter of the present invention focuses laser energy into an interaction zone B, for example.
  • the conventional optical cutter uses the laser energy directly to cut tissue, and in comparison, the electromagnetically induced disruptive cutter of the present invention uses the laser energy to expand atomized fluid particles to thus impart disruptive cutting forces onto the target surface.
  • the atomized fluid particles and other particles (above, on the surface, or within the target) are heated, expanded, and cooled before or during contacting the target surface or while on or within the target.
  • the prior art optical cutter may use a large amount of laser energy to cut the area of interest, and also may use a large amount of water to both cool this area of interest and remove cut tissue.
  • the electromagnetically induced disruptive cutter of the present invention can use a relatively small amount of fluid (e.g., water) and, further, can use only a small amount of laser energy to expand atomized fluid particles generated from the water.
  • fluid e.g., water
  • additional water may not be needed to cool an area of surgery, since some of the exploded atomized fluid particles are cooled by exothermic reactions before or while they contact the target surface.
  • atomized fluid particles of the present invention are heated, expanded, and cooled before contacting the target surface.
  • the electromagnetically induced disruptive cutter of the present invention is thus capable of cutting without charring or discoloration.
  • FIG. 5b illustrates another embodiment of the electromagnetically induced disruptive cutter.
  • the fluid When fluid exits the nozzle 71 at a given pressure and rate, the fluid may be transformed into particles of user-controllable sizes, velocities, and spatial distributions.
  • a cone angle may be controlled, for example, by changing a physical structure of the nozzle 71.
  • various nozzles 71 may be interchangeably placed on the electromagnetically induced disruptive cutter.
  • a physical structure of a single nozzle 71 may be changed.
  • the fiberoptic guide 23 may emit electromagnetic energy having an optical energy distribution that may be useful for achieving or maximizing a cutting effect of an electromagnetic energy source, such as a laser device, directed toward a target surface.
  • Ablating effects and/or the cutting effect created by the electromagnetic energy may occur on or at the target surface, within the target surface, and/or above the target surface.
  • it is possible to disrupt a target surface by directing electromagnetic energy toward the target surface so that a portion of the electromagnetic energy is absorbed by fluid.
  • the fluid absorbing the electromagnetic energy may be on the target surface, within the target surface, above the target surface, or a combination thereof.
  • the fluid absorbing the electromagnetic energy may comprise water and/or may comprise hydroxyl (e.g., hydroxy lapatite).
  • hydroxyl e.g., hydroxy lapatite
  • the fluid comprises hydroxyl and/or water, which may highly absorb the electromagnetic energy
  • molecules within the fluid may begin to vibrate. As the molecules vibrate, the molecules heat and can expand, leading to, for example, thermal cutting with certain output optical energy distributions. Other thermal cutting or thermal effects may occur by absorption of impinging electromagnetic energy by, for example, other molecules of the target surface.
  • the cutting effects from the electromagnetic energy absorption associated with certain output optical energy distributions may be due to thermal properties (e.g., thermal cutting) and/or to absorption of the electromagnetic energy by molecules (e.g., water above, on, or within the target surface) that does not significantly heat the target surface.
  • thermal properties e.g., thermal cutting
  • molecules e.g., water above, on, or within the target surface
  • the use of certain desired optical energy distributions can reduce secondary damage, such as charring or burning, to the target surface in embodiments, for example, wherein cutting is performed in combination with a fluid output and also in other embodiments that do not use a fluid output.
  • another portion of the cutting effects caused by the electromagnetic energy may be due to thermal energy
  • still another portion of the cutting effects may be due to disruptive (e.g., mechanical) forces generated by the molecules absorbing the electromagnetic energy, as described herein.
  • Outputs from the filter may comprise any of the fluid outputs and other structures/methods described in U.S. Patent No. 6,231,567, entitled MATERIAL REMOVER AND METHOD, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference to the extent compatible and not mutually exclusive.
  • an output optical energy distribution includes a plurality of high-intensity leading micropulses (one of which may assume a maximum value) that impart relatively high peak amounts of energy .
  • the energy is directed toward the target surface to obtain desired disruptive and/or cutting effects.
  • the energy may be directed into atomized fluid particles, as described above, and into fluid (e.g., water and/or hydroxide (OH) molecules) present on or in material of the target surface, which, in some instances, can comprise water, to thereby expand the fluid and induce disruptive cutting forces to or a disruption (e.g., mechanical disruption) of the target surface.
  • the output optical energy distribution may also include one or more trailing micropulses after a maximum-valued leading micropulse that may further help with removal of material.
  • a single large leading micropulse may be generated or, alternatively, two or more large leading micropulses may be generated.
  • relatively steeper slopes of the micropulses and shorter durations of the micropulses may lower an amount of residual heat produced in the material.
  • a device of the present invention By controlling characteristics of output optical energy, such as pulse intensity, duration, and number of micropulses, a device of the present invention, for example, an embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 5b, can be adjusted to provide a desired treatment for multiple conditions.
  • the energy emitted from the devices disclosed herein may be effective to cut a target surface, as discussed above, but may also be effective to remodel a target surface.
  • a surface of a tooth can be remodeled without removing any of the tooth structure.
  • the output optical energy is selected to have properties that are effective to make a surface of a tooth relatively harder and more resistant to attack from acid or bacteria when compared to a level of resistance extant before treatment with one or more of the devices disclosed herein.
  • the output optical energy may include a pulse with a relatively longer duration than the pulse described herein that is used for cutting.
  • the pulse may include a series of steep micropulses, as discussed herein, and a longer tail of micropulses where pulse energy is maintained at a desired level for extended periods of time.
  • two modes of operation may be utilized, such as, for example, a first pulse as described above with one or more intense micropulses, and a second pulse that has a relatively slower leading and trailing slope. Two mode embodiments may be particularly useful when both cutting and remodeling are desired.
  • a control panel 377 for allowing user-programmability of atomized fluid particles is illustrated.
  • the control panel 377 may comprise, for example, a fluid particle size control 378, a fluid particle velocity control 379, a cone angle control 380, an average power control 381, a repetition rate 382, and a fiber selector 383.
  • the fiberoptic guide 23 (e.g., FIG. 5b) can be placed into close proximity of a target surface.
  • a purpose of the fiberoptic guide 23 can thus be to place laser energy deep into a distribution of fluid particles into close proximity of a target surface and into the interaction zone 59.
  • a feature of the present invention is the formation of the fiberoptic guide 23 of sapphire. Regardless of the composition of the fiberoptic guide 23, however, another feature of the present invention is a cleaning effect on the fiberoptic guide 23 resulting from air and water that may be emitted from the nozzle 71 onto the fiberoptic guide 23. Applicants have found that this cleaning effect is optimal when the nozzle 71 is pointed somewhat directly at the target surface. For example, debris from the disruptive cutting can be removed by a spray from the nozzle 71.
  • Each atomized fluid particle typically contains a small amount of initial kinetic energy in a direction of the target surface.
  • a spherical exterior surface of the fluid particle e.g., a water particle
  • FIG. 15 illustrates a fluid (e.g., water) particle 401 having a side with an illuminated surface 403, a shaded side 405, and a particle velocity 408.
  • Electromagnetic energy which may be a laser beam 350 generated by, for example, a laser device 351 (FIG. 10) focused directly on atomized, conditioned fluid particles as described above, may be absorbed by the fluid particle 401, causing an interior portion of the fluid particle 401 to heat rapidly and to explode. This explosion, which is exothermic, cools remaining portions of the exploded fluid particle 401. Surrounding atomized fluid particles further enhance cooling of portions of the exploded fluid particle 401. The explosion of the fluid particle 401 may generate a pressure wave.
  • This pressure wave, and portions of the exploded fluid particle 401 having increased kinetic energy, are directed toward the target surface 407.
  • These high-energy (e.g., high-velocity) portions of the exploded fluid particle 401, in combination with the pressure wave, may impart strong, concentrated, disruptive (e.g., mechanical) forces onto the target surface 407.
  • FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 illustrate various types of absorptions of electromagnetic energy by atomized fluid particles according to the present invention.
  • the nozzle 71 (FIG. 5b) can be configured to produce atomized sprays with a range of fluid (e.g., water) particle sizes narrowly distributed about a mean value.
  • a user input device for controlling cutting efficiency or a type of cut may comprise a simple pressure and flow rate gauge or may comprise a control panel 377 as shown in FIG. 12, for example.
  • Receiving a user input for a high resolution cut may cause the nozzle 71 to generate relatively small fluid particles. Relatively large fluid particles may be generated in response to a user input specifying a low resolution cut.
  • a user input specifying a deep penetration cut may cause the nozzle 71 to generate a relatively low density distribution of fluid particles, and a user input specifying a shallow penetration cut may cause the nozzle 71 to generate a relatively high density distribution of fluid particles.
  • the user input device comprises the simple pressure and flow rate gauge, then a relatively low density distribution of relatively small fluid particles can be generated in response to a user input specifying a high cutting efficiency. Similarly, a relatively high density distribution of relatively large fluid particles can be generated in response to a user input specifying a low cutting efficiency.
  • Other variations are also possible.
  • Hard tissues may include, for example, tooth enamel, tooth dentin, tooth cementum, bone, and cartilage.
  • Soft tissues which embodiments of the electromagnetically induced disruptive cutter of the present invention also may be adapted to cut, may include skin, mucosa, gingiva, muscle, heart, liver, kidney, brain, eye, and vessels as examples.
  • Other materials appropriate to industrial applications that may be cut may include glass and semiconductor chip surfaces, for example.
  • a user may also adjust a combination of atomized fluid particles exiting the nozzle 71 to efficiently implement cooling and cleaning of the fiberoptic guide 23 (FIG. 5b).
  • the combination of atomized fluid particles may comprise a distribution, velocity, and mean diameter, to effectively cool the fiberoptic guide 23, while simultaneously keeping the fiberoptic guide 23 free of particulate debris, which may be introduced thereon from the target surface 357 (FIG. 10).
  • electromagnetic energy typically contacts each atomized fluid particle 401 on the illuminated surface 403 and penetrates the atomized fluid particle 401 to a certain depth.
  • the electromagnetic energy which may be focused into an interior portion of the fluid (e.g., water) particle as described above, may be absorbed by the fluid particle 401, thereby inducing explosive vaporization of the atomized fluid particle 401.
  • Diameters of atomized fluid particles can be less than, almost equal to, or greater than the wavelength, ⁇ , of the incident electromagnetic energy corresponding, respectively, to a first, second, and third case of interest. In each of these three cases, a different interaction may occur between the electromagnetic energy and the atomized fluid particle 401.
  • FIG. 16 illustrates the first case, wherein the diameter, d, of the atomized fluid particle 401 is less than the wavelength of the electromagnetic energy (d ⁇ ⁇ ). This first case causes a complete volume of fluid inside the fluid particle 401 to absorb the electromagnetic (e.g., laser) energy, thereby inducing explosive vaporization.
  • electromagnetic e.g., laser
  • the fluid particle 401 explodes, ejecting its contents radially.
  • Applicants refer to this phenomenon as an "explosive grenade" effect.
  • radial pressure waves from the explosion are created and projected in a direction of propagation of the electromagnetic energy.
  • the direction of propagation is toward the target surface 407, and in one embodiment, both the electromagnetic (e.g., laser) energy and the atomized fluid particles are traveling substantially in the direction of propagation.
  • Explosion of the fluid particle 401 produces portions that, acting in combination with the pressure wave, produce a "chipping away” effect of cutting and removing of materials from the target surface 407.
  • a relatively small diameter of the fluid particle 401 allows electromagnetic energy from the laser beam 350 to penetrate and to be absorbed violently within an entire volume of the fluid particle 401.
  • Explosion of the fluid particle 401 can be analogized to an exploding grenade, which radially ejects energy and shrapnel. Water content of the fluid particle 401 may be vaporized due to strong absorption within a small volume of fluid, and the pressure waves created during this process produce the cutting process, which may remove material.
  • FIG. 17 illustrates the second case introduced above, wherein the fluid particle 401 has a diameter, d, approximately equal to the wavelength of the electromagnetic energy (d « ⁇ ).
  • an "explosive ejection" effect may be produced, according to which the electromagnetic (e.g., laser) energy travels through the fluid particle 401 before becoming absorbed by the fluid therein. Once the electromagnetic energy is absorbed, the shaded side of the fluid particle heats up, and explosive vaporization occurs.
  • internal particle fluid is violently ejected through the fluid particle's shaded side, and the ejected fluid moves rapidly with the explosive pressure wave referenced above toward the target surface. As shown in FIG.
  • the electromagnetic (e.g., laser) energy is able to penetrate the fluid particle 401 and to be absorbed within a depth close to the size of the diameter of the fluid particle 401.
  • a center of explosive vaporization in the second case illustrated in FIG. 17 is closer to the shaded side 405 of the moving fluid particle 401. According to this "explosive ejection" effect shown in FIG. 17, the vaporized fluid is violently ejected through the shaded side of the particle toward the target surface 407.
  • a third case introduced above and shown in FIG. 18 generates an "explosive propulsion" effect.
  • the diameter, d, of the fluid particle is larger than the wavelength of the electromagnetic (e.g., laser) energy (d > ⁇ ).
  • the electromagnetic (e.g., laser) energy in this third case penetrates the fluid particle 401 only a small distance through the illuminated surface 403 causing this illuminated surface 403 to vaporize.
  • the vaporization of the illuminated surface 403 tends to propel a remaining portion of the fluid particle 401 toward the target surface 407.
  • a portion of mass of the fluid particle 401 gains kinetic energy, thereby propelling a remaining portion of the fluid particle 401 toward the target surface 407 with a high kinetic energy.
  • This high kinetic energy is additive to the initial kinetic energy of the fluid particle 401.
  • the effects shown in FIG. 18 can be visualized as a micro-hydro rocket having a jet tail, which helps to propel the fluid particle 401 with high velocity toward the target surface 407. Exploding vapor on a side having the illuminated surface 403 thus supplements a velocity corresponding to the initial kinetic energy of the fluid particle 401.
  • FIG. 19 A combination of FIGS. 16-18 is shown in FIG. 19.
  • the nozzle 71 (see also FIG. 5b) produces a combination of atomized fluid particles that are transported into the interaction zone 59.
  • the laser beam 350 (FIGS. 15-18) can be focused (intermittently or continuously) on this interaction zone 59.
  • Relatively small fluid particles 431 vaporize according to the explosive grenade effect described above, and relatively large fluid particles 433 explode via the "explosive propulsion" effect likewise described above.
  • medium sized fluid particles having diameters approximately equal to the wavelength of the electromagnetic energy (e.g., the laser beam 350) and shown by the reference number 435, explode via the explosive ejection" effect.
  • Resulting pressure waves 437 and exploded fluid particles 439 impinge upon the target surface 407.
  • FIG. 20 illustrates the clean, high resolution cut which can be produced by the electromagnetically induced disruptive (e.g., mechanical) cutter of the present invention.
  • the cut of the present invention can be clean and precise.
  • the cut of the present invention can provide one or more of an ideal bonding surface, accuracy, and attenuation of stress on remaining materials surrounding the cut.
  • FIG. 6a An example of such a mechanical drill 160 is shown in FIG. 6a, comprising a handle 62, a drill bit 64, and a water output 66.
  • the mechanical drill 160 comprises a motor 68, which may be electrically driven, or which may be driven by pressurized air.
  • the instruments 117 further may comprise a syringe 76 as shown in FIG. 6b.
  • the illustrated embodiment of a syringe 76 comprises an air input line 78 and a water input line 80.
  • a user control 82 is movable between a first position and a second position. The user control 82, when placed into the first position , causes air from the air input line 78 to be supplied to an output tip 84. When the user control 82 is placed in the second position, water is supplied from the water line 80 to the output tip 84. Either the air from the air line 78, the water from the water line 80, or both, may be selectively conditioned by a fluid conditioning unit, for example, the fluid conditioning unit 121 of FIG.
  • FIG. 7 a portion of an embodiment of the fluid conditioning unit 121 (FIG. 3), which may be provided, for example, in the form of a removable cartridge, is shown.
  • the illustrated embodiment of the fluid conditioning unit 121 can be adaptable to an existing fluid line or lines (e.g., air, water and/or air/water lines), such as an existing water line 114 (FIG. 3), for providing conditioned fluid to the dental/medical unit 116 as a substitute for regular tap water in drilling and cutting operations, for example.
  • An interface 89 may connect to an existing fluid line, such as an existing water line 114, and may feed fluid (e.g., water) through a fluid-in line 81 and a bypass line 91.
  • the fluid conditioning unit 121 may include a reservoir 83 that accepts water from the fluid-in line 81 and outputs conditioned fluid to a fluid-out line 85.
  • the fluid-in line 81, the reservoir 83, and the fluid-out line 85 together comprise a fluid conditioning subunit 87 in the form of, for example, a cartridge that can be connected to an existing line or lines.
  • conditioned fluid is output from the fluid conditioning subunit 87 into a combination unit 93.
  • the fluid may be conditioned by conventional means, such as addition of a tablet, liquid syrup, or a flavor cartridge.
  • Also input into the combination unit 93 is regular water from the bypass line 91. Conditioned fluid may exit the combination unit 93 through a fluid tube 65.
  • a user input 95 into the controller 125 for example, dete ⁇ nines whether fluid output from the combination unit 93 into the fluid tube 65 comprises only conditioned fluid from the fluid-out line 85, only regular water from the bypass line 91, or a combination thereof.
  • the user input 95 may comprise, as examples, a push button, a touch screen, a rotatable knob, a pedal, or a foot switch, or the like, operable by a user, for determining proportions and amounts of conditioned and/or non-conditioned fluid (e.g., water). These proportions may be determined according to a position of the pedal or knob position or ranges programmed on the screen, for example.
  • a full-down pedal position may correspond to only conditioned fluid from the fluid-out line 85 being output into the fluid tube 65
  • a full pedal up position may correspond to only water from the bypass line 91 being output into the fluid tube 65.
  • the switching between modes and amount of fluid conditioned or non-conditioned delivered to the site can be accomplished through controls on the touch screen (e.g., push buttons or touch buttons).
  • mode switching and selection of a fluid type may be voice activated.
  • One or more of the bypass line 91, the combination unit 93, and the user input 95 may provide versatility, but may be omitted, according to preference.
  • a simple embodiment for conditioning fluid comprises only the fluid conditioning subunit 87.
  • one or more of the bypass line 91 and the combination unit 93 may be omitted.
  • a cartridge may be coupled to an existing line to inject conditioning agents into the existing line, wherein the cartridge does not include a bypass line 91 or a combination unit 93.
  • FIG. 8 An alternative embodiment of the fluid conditioning subunit 87 (FIG. 7) is shown in FIG. 8 identified by reference designator 187.
  • the fluid conditioning subunit 187 may input air from an air line 113 (FIG. 3), which may connect to an air input line 181.
  • Conditioned fluid may be provided via a fluid output line 185.
  • the fluid output line 185 can extend vertically down into a reservoir 183 and into a fluid 191 located therein. A lid 184 of the reservoir 183 may be removed, and conditioned fluid may be inserted into the reservoir 183.
  • a conditioning substance such as anticaries, antiplaque, antigingivitis, and antitartar agents, in a form of a solid (e.g., a tablet or capsule) or liquid form of fluid conditioner may be added to water already in the reservoir 183.
  • the solid may release the conditioning substance either slowly or quickly into the fluid depending on the application.
  • the solid is an effervescent tablet which can dissolve and mix with fluid at the same time.
  • the fluid can also be conditioned, using a scent, a flavor, an antiseptic, an antibacterial, a disinfectant, or a medication.
  • the medication may take a form of a fluid drop or a tablet (not shown).
  • the fluid 191 further may be supplied with fungible cartridges, for example.
  • the entire reservoir 183 may be disposable or replaceable to accommodate the aforementioned fluid conditioners or different disinfectants, antiseptics, antibacterials, vitamins, flavors or medications.
  • the fluid 191 within the reservoir 183 may be conditioned to achieve a desired flavor, such as a fruit flavor or a mint flavor, or may be conditioned to achieve a desired scent, such as an air freshening smell.
  • a flavoring agent for achieving the desired flavor does not consist solely of a combination of saline and water and does not consist solely of a combination of detergent and water.
  • Conditioning the fluid 191 to create a scent, a scented mist, or a scented source of air may be particularly advantageous for implementation in connection with an air conditioning unit, as shown in FIG. 9 and as described below.
  • conditioning agents may be selectively added through a conventional water line, mist line, or air line, for example, air line 113 and/or water line 114 as illustrated in FIG 3.
  • an ionized solution such as saline water, or a pigmented or particulate solution (containing for example bio-ceramics, bio-glass, medical grade polymers, pyrolitic carbon, encapsulated water based gels, particles or water based gel particles encapsulated into microspheres or microparticles) may be added.
  • agents may be added to change a density, specific gravity, pH, temperature, or viscosity of water and/or air supplied to a drilling or cutting operation.
  • These agents may include a tooth-whitening agent for whitening a tooth of a patient.
  • the tooth-whitening agent may comprise, for example, a peroxide, such as hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, carbamide peroxide or any other agents known to whiten.
  • the tooth-whitening agent may have a viscosity on an order of about 1 to 15 centipoises (cps).
  • Medications such as antibiotics, steroids, anesthetics, anti-inflammatories, disinfectants, adrenaline, epinephrine, or astringents may be added to the water and/or air used in a therapeutic, drilling, or cutting operation.
  • the medication does not consist solely of a combination of saline and water and does not consist solely of a combination of detergent and water.
  • an astringent may be applied to a surgical area via the water line 114 (FIG. 3) to reduce bleeding.
  • Vitamins, herbs, or minerals may also be used for conditioning air or water used before, during (continuously or intermittently), or after a therapeutic, cutting or drilling procedure.
  • An anesthetic or anti-inflammatory introduced into a conditioned fluid and applied to a surgical wound may reduce discomfort to a patient or trauma to the wound, and application of an antibiotic or disinfectant before, during (continuously or intermittently) or after a procedure may prevent infection to the wound.
  • the air conditioning subunit may comprise an air input line 281, a reservoir 283, and an air output line 285.
  • Conventional air from, for example, air line 113 enters the air conditioning subunit via the air input line 281, which may be connected to the air line 113, and exits through the air output line 285.
  • the air input line 281 can extend vertically into the reservoir 283 and into a fluid 291 within the reservoir 283.
  • the fluid 291 can be conditioned, using either a scent fluid drop or a scent tablet (not shown).
  • the fluid 291 may be conditioned with other agents, as discussed above in the context of conditioning water.
  • conditioning agents may change absorptions of electromagnetic energy by atomized fluid particles in electromagnetically induced disruptive (e.g., mechanical) cutting environments as described herein. Accordingly, a type of conditioning may effect the cutting power of an electromagnetic or an electromagnetically induced disruptive cutter.
  • these various conditioning agents further provide versatility and programmability to the type of cut resulting from use of the electromagnetic or electromagnetically induced disruptive cutter. For example, introduction of a saline solution may change the speed of cutting. Such a biocompatible saline solution may be used for delicate cutting operations or, alternatively, may be used with a variable laser power setting to approximate or exceed the cutting power achievable with regular water.
  • Pigmented and/or particulate fluids may also be used with the electromagnetic or the electromagnetically induced disruptive cutter according to the present invention.
  • An electromagnetic energy source may be set for maximum absorption of atomized fluid particles having a certain pigmentation, for example. These pigmented atomized fluid particles may then be used to achieve disruptive cutting.
  • a second water or mist source may be used in a cutting operation. When water or mist from this second water or mist source is not pigmented, the interaction with the electromagnetic energy source may be minimized.
  • water or mist produced by the secondary mist or water source could be flavored.
  • a source of atomized fluid particles may comprise a tooth whitening agent that is adapted to whiten a tooth of a patient as described above.
  • the source of atomized fluid particles may be switchable by a switching device (e.g., by the controller 125 of FIG. 3) between a first configuration, wherein the atomized fluid particles comprise the tooth-whitening agent and a second configuration wherein the atomized fluid particles do not comprise the tooth-whitening agent.
  • the electromagnetic or electromagnetically induced energy source may comprise, for example, a laser device that is operable between an on condition and an off condition, independently of the configuration of the switching device. Thus, regardless of whether the switching device is in the first configuration or the second configuration, the laser can be operated in either the on or off condition.
  • Disinfectant e.g., antibacterial, antiseptic and other such agents
  • an air or fluid e.g., water
  • the disinfectant further, may minimize bacteria growth on surfaces adjacent to a location where a procedure is performed.
  • Disinfectant may be applied either continuously or intermittently.
  • disinfectant is intended to encompass various modified embodiments of the present invention, including those embodiments using disinfectants having one or more of chlorine dioxide, stable chlorine dioxide, sodium chlorite, peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, alkaline peroxides, iodine, providone iodine, peracetic acid, acetic acid, chlorite, sodium hypochlorite, hypochlorous acid, sodium chlorate, sodium percarbonate, citric acid, chlorohexidine gluconate, silver nitrate, silver ions, copper ions, zinc ions, equivalents thereof, and combinations thereof, including those that may or may not include biocompatible base or carrier mediums (e.g., water and other forms of water-based products for surgical procedures).
  • biocompatible base or carrier mediums e.g., water and other forms of water-based products for surgical procedures.
  • a disinfectant may be introduced continuously or intermittently, for example, into air, mist, or water used for a dental or medical (e.g., surgical) procedure or application.
  • the disinfectant may be introduced to reduce one or more of a biofilm content within the fluid line and/or a bacterial count of a fluid supplied by the line.
  • This disinfectant can be periodically routed through air, mist, or water lines to disinfect interior surfaces thereof.
  • a canister or cartridge e.g., dispensing housing
  • components e.g., disinfectants and/or medicaments
  • a fluid- conditioning air and/or water reservoir c.f., 281 of FIG. 9 or 185 of FIG. 8
  • fluid supply lines such as one or more of an existing air (c.f., 113 of FIG. 3), water (c.f., 114 of FIG. 3), or air/water line
  • the canister or cartridge may be disposed at any point (e.g., from a supply-line source to a handpiece output) along one or more fluid supply lines of, for example, a conventional, non- conditioning medical or dental system).
  • the canister or cartridge in one embodiment may be placed, for example, downstream of a reservoir, or reservoir location in embodiments without a reservoir, to feed components to for example a handpiece output either continuously or intermittently.
  • the downstream placement may include positioning a replaceable canister within the handpiece or securing the canister to an external surface of the handpiece, so that when the handpiece emits fluid the canister may add a conditioning effect. If, for example, an optional upstream reservoir is also used the downstream placement may add a further conditioning effect to the fluid.
  • the canister or cartridge is disposed adjacent to or within, for example, a laser handpiece, removal of the handpiece from a trunk fiber assembly can provide access to the canister or cartridge for maintenance or replacement.
  • any conditioning agent such as, for example, medications, disinfectants (antibacterial and antiseptic agents), flavors, remedies, or vitamins may be applied to a tissue site from, for example, a cartridge or cassette disposed within a handpiece or endoscope according to assorted embodiments of the present invention
  • the cartridge or cassette may be located adjacent to the handpiece or endoscope.
  • a fluid conditioning agent solid or liquid
  • Such a conditioning agent may also be applied as part of a sterile water system connected to a surgical/treatment handpiece or endoscope.
  • a canister or canisters may be placed in, on, or in proximity to, one or more of an air tube 63 (FIGS. 5a, 5b), fluid tube 65 (FIGS. 5a, 5b, 7), fluid-in line 81 (FIG. 7), reservoir 83 (FIG. 7), fluid-out line 85 (FIG. 7), bypass line 91 (FIG. 7), combination unit 93 (FIG. 7), air input line 181 (FIG. 8), reservoir 183 (FIG. 8), fluid output line 185 (FIG. 8), air input line 281 (FIG. 9), reservoir 283 (FIG. 9), and air output line 285 (FIG. 9).
  • the position of the canister or cartridge and reservoir can be made substantially the same, and the canister or cartridge and reservoir may be combined.
  • the canister may be removably placed outside, or within, the reservoir.
  • the canister can serve to time release predetermined amounts of, for example, silver ions, vitamins, remedies, disinfectants, antiseptics, flavors or medications into the liquid within the reservoir.
  • the canister or cartridge may be disposed within the reservoir by, for example, attachment to an internal surface of the reservoir, and/or attachment to or around one or more elements positioned within the reservoir.
  • the canister or cartridge may be disposed around or in-line with either the fluid output line 185 (FIG. 8) or air input line 281 (FIG. 9).
  • the canister or cartridge is positioned and configured to release medicaments and/or disinfectant ions (to be embedded at predetermined concentrations) over a predetermined period of time either continuously, intermittently, or both.
  • a supply source e.g., canister
  • one or more of the fluid outputs may be configured in accordance with the present invention to emit, continuously or intermittently, in gas, liquid or solution (spray), a substance or quantity that differs in some respect from that emitted from another fluid output or outputs.
  • one of the fluid outputs may be configured to emit a substance (e.g., silver ions) that differs in, for example, concentration from the other fluid output.
  • one fluid output may emit the substance with the other not emitting the substance.
  • embodiments incorporating greater numbers of fluid outputs such as disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
  • one or more of the fluid outputs may be configured to emit, continuously or intermittently, in gas, liquid or solution (spray), for example, a substance than has a greater disinfecting, cosmetic and/or medicating property than that emitted from the other fluid output or outputs.
  • Routing of disinfectant can be performed between patient procedures, daily, or at any other predetermined intervals.
  • the disinfectant may be applied before, during (continuously or intermittently) or immediately following patient procedures, wherein concentrations of disinfectant may be varied accordingly
  • a given one or more of those fluid outputs may be configured in accordance with the present invention to emit, continuously or intermittently, in gas, liquid and/or solution (e.g., spray), a substance or quantity that differs in some respect from that emitted from (a) another fluid output or outputs and/or (b) the given fluid output or outputs at another point in time.
  • a given fluid output may be configured to emit a substance (e.g., silver ions) that differs in, for example, one or more of quantity, composition, or concentration from an emission of the given fluid output at a prior or subsequent point in time.
  • a given fluid output may be configured to emit, continuously or intermittently, in gas, liquid or solution (spray), a substance than has a greater disinfecting, cosmetic and/or medicating property than that emitted from the given fluid output at a different (e.g., immediately preceding or following) point in time when the given fluid output is emitting the same or the same type (e.g., similar but not identical in one or more properties, or substantially identical) of substance or outputs.
  • the disinfectant, antiseptic and/or antibacterial may consist of or include one or more of chlorine dioxide, stable chlorine dioxide, sodium chlorite, peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, alkaline peroxides, iodine, providone iodine, peracetic acid, acetic acid, chlorite, sodium hypochlorite, citric acid, chlorohexadine gluconate, disinfectant ions (e.g., silver ions, copper ions and zinc ions), equivalents thereof, and combinations thereof which may or may not include biocompatible base or carrier mediums (e.g., water).
  • Exemplary concentrations (by volume) of the above-listed items may be chosen as listed in Table 1 when used, for example, between procedures.
  • item concentrations (by volume) may be chosen as listed in Table 2.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)
  • Cosmetics (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne un système de conditionnement de liquide utilisé à des fins médicales, pour le fraisage dentaire, l'irrigation, l'évacuation, le nettoyage et les opérations de perçage. Le liquide peut être traité par adjonction d'arômes, de produits antiseptiques et /ou d'agents blanchissants tels que du peroxyde, des médicaments et des pigments. Abstraction faite des avantages directs liés à l'introduction de ces agents, il est possible de faire varier les propriétés de coupe au laser par l'apport sélectif de divers agents.
PCT/US2006/000989 1995-08-31 2006-01-10 Systeme de conditionnement de liquide WO2006074486A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06718103.2A EP1842076A4 (fr) 2005-01-10 2006-01-10 Systeme de conditionnement de liquide

Applications Claiming Priority (14)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/522,503 US5741247A (en) 1995-08-31 1995-08-31 Atomized fluid particles for electromagnetically induced cutting
US98551397A 1997-12-05 1997-12-05
US09/256,697 US6350123B1 (en) 1995-08-31 1999-02-24 Fluid conditioning system
US09/997,550 US6561803B1 (en) 1995-08-31 2001-11-27 Fluid conditioning system
US10/435,325 US7320594B1 (en) 1995-08-31 2003-05-09 Fluid and laser system
US53511004P 2004-01-08 2004-01-08
US11/033,044 US20050281887A1 (en) 1995-08-31 2005-01-10 Fluid conditioning system
US11/033,044 2005-01-10
US64542705P 2005-01-19 2005-01-19
US60/645,427 2005-01-19
US69647505P 2005-07-01 2005-07-01
US60/696,475 2005-07-01
US70971405P 2005-08-19 2005-08-19
US60/709,714 2005-08-19

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006074486A2 true WO2006074486A2 (fr) 2006-07-13
WO2006074486A3 WO2006074486A3 (fr) 2006-09-28

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US11202674B2 (en) 2018-04-03 2021-12-21 Convergent Dental, Inc. Laser system for surgical applications

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