Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130165849 | Hand Held Irrigation And Suction Tool - An irrigation tool that includes a handle configured for grasping by a hand of a user of the tool having a handgrip displaceable using the hand in a manner that selectively controls the rate of flow of irrigation fluid discharged from the tool. The handgrip includes a compressible chamber mounted to the handle via at least one fluid coupling with the chamber compressible by manually squeezing the handgrip to discharge irrigation fluid. The chamber can be provided by a bulb in operable cooperation with a fluid coupling that provides an irrigation fluid flow-modulating control valve arrangement responsive to the magnitude and rate of applied squeezing force. The tool can include an aspirator having a suction passage integrally formed in the handle with a suction control valve operable using the same hand used to control irrigation fluid flow producing a hand-held hand operated combination irrigation and suction tool. | 06-27-2013 |
20140026904 | Recirculating pet fountain - A snubber having a cigarette chamber and cap that releasably holds a cigarette inserted into the chamber during extinguishment or snuffing that communicates with an ash trap that accumulates ash from an extinguished cigarette. One or more vent ports allow the cigarette and cap to displace atmosphere within the chamber during insertion preventing blowback and ash scatter while facilitating ash collection. The cap can include an orifice through which a cigarette held by the cap can be smoked. When inserted into the chamber, a user can blow through the orifice to purge ash from the cigarette into the trap. Purging can also remove stale air and smoke from the cigarette and snubber helping clean the cigarette for later reuse. When removed from the chamber, a user can blow through the one or more ports to purge accumulated ash from the trap blowing it out of the chamber cleaning the snubber. | 01-30-2014 |
20150217041 | Combination Suction and Irrigation Tool - An irrigation fluid dispensing tool well suited for use in a combination suction and irrigation tool has a frame carrying a surge flow pump formed of a flow controller of a manipulable handgrip of the tool handle, compressible irrigation fluid reservoir, and frame where the flow controller preferably is formed of a handle lever of the handgrip that is displaceable, preferably pivotable, between one or more of a surge flow actuation position, flow obstructing actuation position, and flow initiating position. The lever actuates a valve, preferably a pinch valve, when displaced toward the flow obstructing actuation position. The lever actuates the surge pump by compressing the reservoir, preferably squeeze bulb, against the frame when the handgrip is squeezed. The lever can be assembled to the frame in a protective shipping and storage position and is movable to a tool operating position providing irrigation fluid flow control during tool operation. | 08-06-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140272767 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTICAL IMAGING, MAGNIFICATION, FLUORESCENCE, AND REFLECTANCE - A laser-based dental treatment system also provides for imaging of the treatment area during treatment thereof, without requiring the operator to switch between different devices. A laser beam delivery subsystem and an imaging system are coupled such that at least a portion of the path along which the light reflected from the treatment area propagates towards the imaging system is substantially the same as at least a portion of the path along which the laser beam propagates. Optionally, an illumination system that can direct light to a candidate treatment area for diagnosis thereof, and/or to provide adequate light to the treatment area for imaging, is also be integrated with the treatment system. | 09-18-2014 |
20140272775 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGING IN LASER DENTAL TREATMENT - A device for determining a contour of a dental treatment area during treatment thereof includes a laser beam guidance system and an imaging system. The laser beam guidance system can guide a laser beam and, optionally, a scanning light to a dental treatment area, and the imaging system, which can include an adjustable focus image sensor, can obtain an image of the dental treatment area based on light rays reflected therefrom. The device also includes a computation system to compute a contour, e.g., a 2D contour, of a surface of the dental treatment area based on the image obtained by the imaging system and, optionally, geometries of one or more components of the laser beam guidance system and/or optical components associated with the imaging system. | 09-18-2014 |
20140363784 | DENTAL LASER APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE HAND PIECE AND VARIABLE FOOT PEDAL - A dental laser system for treatment of hard and/or soft tissue includes a main chamber housing optical and primary fluid supply subsystems, for directing a laser beam and fluid to a treatment area. A hand piece affixable to the main chamber, includes mating optical and secondary fluid supply subsystems. The hand piece can be rotatable or re-orientable about an optical axis within the hand piece. A lock can maintain a selectable angular orientation of the hand piece relative to the main chamber. A coupling can maintain a fluidic communication between the primary and secondary fluid supply subsystems even when the hand piece is rotated or re-oriented. A sensor and controller can sense a selected angular orientation of the hand piece and adjust the main optical subsystem according to the sensed angular orientation, to align the two optical subsystems. The laser may be controlled using a variable speed foot pedal. | 12-11-2014 |
20150150648 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GROUNDING OR ISOLATING A DENTAL HAND PIECE - An electrically safe treatment system for use in treating a patient includes two or more sections coupled with a joint that permits any one section to rotate relative to another coupled section. At least one of the sections includes an electrical component. An electrical contact associated with the joint is designed to maintain an electrical connection between a pair of sections throughout an angular range of motion of one of the sections relative to the other, coupled section. The electrical contact can also maintain a total resistance of a series connection including the two sections and the contact below a specified threshold. Alternatively, one or more insulator joints may be employed to meet safety requirements. | 06-04-2015 |
20150150649 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR PROTECTION OF OPTICAL SYSTEM OF LASER-BASED APPARATUS - In an apparatus for directing a laser beam to a dental treatment area, where the apparatus includes a hand piece having an optical subsystem including a turning mirror for directing a laser beam to a treatment area via an orifice of the hand piece, a fluid supply subsystem creates a fluid flow within the hand piece proximate the turning mirror so as to mitigate contamination thereof. | 06-04-2015 |
20150153485 | COATED MIRRORS FOR USE IN LASER-BASED DENTAL TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MAKING SUCH MIRRORS - A reflective device disposable within a hand piece or other housing for directing a laser beam toward a treatment area includes a substrate, a first layer above the substrate, and a second layer above the first layer, and lacks a reflective dielectric layer. The second layer may have a hardness of at least about 120 Knoop, and the combination of transmissive and reflective properties in the first layer and the second layer can provide reflection of light wavelengths ranging from about 380 nm to about 12,000 nm. Reflective devices according to other constructions are also described. | 06-04-2015 |
20150238261 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TREATMENT USING A LASER BEAM DELIVERED VIA AN OPTICAL FIBER - A laser system can efficiently direct a laser beam to a treatment area via an optical fiber. The laser beam is produced using a CO | 08-27-2015 |
20150282893 | Systems and Methods for Grounding or Isolating a Dental Hand Piece - An electrically safe treatment system for use in treating a patient includes two or more sections coupled with a joint that permits any one section to rotate relative to another coupled section. At least one of the sections includes an electrical component. An electrical contact associated with the joint is designed to maintain an electrical connection between a pair of sections throughout an angular range of motion of one of the sections relative to the other, coupled section. The electrical contact can also maintain a total resistance of a series connection including the two sections and the contact below a specified threshold. Alternatively, one or more insulator joints may be employed to meet safety requirements. | 10-08-2015 |
20150342703 | DENTAL LASER APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE HAND PIECE AND VARIABLE FOOT PEDAL - A dental laser system for treatment of hard and/or soft tissue includes a main chamber housing optical and primary fluid supply subsystems, for directing a laser beam and fluid to a treatment area. A hand piece affixable to the main chamber, includes mating optical and secondary fluid supply subsystems. The hand piece can be rotatable or re-orientable about an optical axis within the hand piece. A lock can maintain a selectable angular orientation of the hand piece relative to the main chamber. A coupling can maintain a fluidic communication between the primary and secondary fluid supply subsystems even when the hand piece is rotated or re-oriented. A sensor and controller can sense a selected angular orientation of the hand piece and adjust the main optical subsystem according to the sensed angular orientation, to align the two optical subsystems. The laser may be controlled using a variable speed foot pedal. | 12-03-2015 |
20150342704 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR PROTECTION OF OPTICAL SYSTEM OF LASER-BASED APPARATUS - In an apparatus for directing a laser beam to a dental treatment area, where the apparatus includes a hand piece having an optical subsystem including a turning mirror for directing a laser beam to a treatment area via an orifice of the hand piece, a fluid supply subsystem creates a fluid flow within the hand piece proximate the turning mirror so as to mitigate contamination thereof | 12-03-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130059264 | LASER BASED COMPUTER CONTROLLED DENTAL PREPARATION SYSTEM - A dental tissue treatment apparatus and associated methods includes a feedback-controlled beam guidance system for directing treatment to a defined area of dental tissue. | 03-07-2013 |
20130323672 | Apparatus and Method for Controlled Fluid Cooling During Laser Based Dental Treatments - A system for dental tissue treatment includes a system for directing a laser beam to an area of dental tissue to be treated, and a fluid-delivery system for directing and controlling a flow of a fluid. The fluid is directed to at least a portion of the area to be treated and the fluid flow is controlled to substantially prevent both a change in laser energy absorption by the dental tissue and attenuation of treatment efficiency due to fluid interference with the laser beam. The fluid present in at least a portion of the area to be treated may prevent or reduce the likelihood of melting of enamel in that area. | 12-05-2013 |
20130323675 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLED FLUID COOLING DURING LASER BASED DENTAL TREATMENTS - A system for dental tissue treatment includes a system for directing a laser beam to an area of dental tissue to be treated, and a fluid-delivery system for directing and controlling a flow of a fluid. The fluid is directed to at least a portion of the area to be treated and the fluid flow is controlled to substantially prevent both a change in laser energy absorption by the dental tissue and attenuation of treatment efficiency due to fluid interference with the laser beam. The fluid present in at least a portion of the area to be treated may prevent or reduce the likelihood of melting of enamel in that area. | 12-05-2013 |
20130323684 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLED FLUID COOLING DURING LASER BASED DENTAL TREATMENTS - A system for dental tissue treatment includes a system for directing a laser beam to an area of dental tissue to be treated, and a fluid-delivery system for directing and controlling a flow of a fluid. The fluid is directed to at least a portion of the area to be treated and the fluid flow is controlled to substantially prevent both a change in laser energy absorption by the dental tissue and attenuation of treatment efficiency due to fluid interference with the laser beam. The fluid present in at least a portion of the area to be treated may prevent or reduce the likelihood of melting of enamel in that area. | 12-05-2013 |
20140080087 | LASER BASED COMPUTER CONTROLLED DENTAL PREPARATION SYSTEM - A dental tissue treatment apparatus and associated methods includes a feedback-controlled beam guidance system for directing treatment to a defined area of dental tissue. | 03-20-2014 |