Laser dental devices and methods

Patent 5846080 Issued on December 8, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date:

December 20, 2015. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3471215

3481340

3769963

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3858577

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Inventor

Schneider, Richard Theodore

Assignee

W&H Dentalwerk GmbH

Application

No. 578465 filed on 12/20/1995

US Classes:

433/215, METHOD OR MATERIAL FOR TESTING, TREATING, RESTORING, OR REMOVING NATURAL TEETH433/29, Having means to emit radiation or facilitate viewing of the work606/10, Systems606/11, Beam energy control or monitoring606/13Applicators

Examiners

Primary: Lewis, Ralph A.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Merchant, Gould, Smith, Edell, Welter & Schmidt, P.A.

Foreign Patent References

1 105 706 EP. 04/04/1984
WO 87/02884 WO. 11/04/1986

International Class

A61C 003/00

Abstract

This invention is a laser dental system for providing direct laser radiation to a desired location within a patient's mouth without the use of an optical fiber. The system directs the focal point of laser radiation to an exact location by a focus sensor and maintains focus by a positioning clamp. The focus sensor, laser pad termination system and positioning clamp also provides for control of laser radiation pulse firing. The system further includes a cooling system for cooling the surface to be engaged by laser radiation with a nonaqueous solution. The cooling system applies pulses of nonaqueous solution synchronously in between pulses of laser radiation. The system also provides for performance of surgical procedures such as root canals, whereby infected areas of a tooth are accessed through a hole drilled in the gums and jaw bone.