Other

American Dental Technologies, Inc.

American Dental Laser, Inc.

William D Myers

Terry D Myers

Arthur Vassiliadis

David R Hennings

Michael H Brewer

David J Fullmer

William S Parker

Joseph W Shaffer

Daniel S Goldsmith

Michael P Howell

Joseph W Schaffer

A dual wavelength laser is disclosed for use in dental therapeutic applications. The dual wavelength laser includes a laser cavity in which a laser crystal is disposed and preferably the laser crystal is an Nd:YAG laser, which, upon excitation, lases at two different wavelengths, each of which has a different gain. A shutter, or alternatively an optical filter, is selectively disposed within the optical path of the laser crystal whereupon the higher gain wavelength is selectively suppressed. Thus, with the shutter or optical filter removed from the optical path, the laser lases at its higher gain wavelength. Conversely, with the shutter or filter positioned within the optical path, the higher gain wavelength is effectively suppressed so that the laser crystal lases at the lower gain wavelength.

Dental laser

An apparatus for removing dental enamel and dentin. This apparatus is also capable of cutting soft tissue. The apparatus includes a laser which, when activated, produces a laser pulse having a wavelength of between 1.5 and 3.5 microns, a beam diameter at the target site in the range of 10 to 5,000 microns, a pulse duration of between several picoseconds and several milliseconds, an energy level of between 0.1 millijoules and five joules per pulse, and pulse repetition rates from one pulse per second to 10,000 pulses per second. The pulse is focused on the dental enamel or dentin thereby reaching high enough energy densities to vaporize the material. In the case of soft tissues, a special tip is used to concentrate the laser on the tissue so that cutting action can be easily executed.

A keratome is disclosed for use in eye surgery. The keratome includes an elongated handle having two ends. A blade is secured to one end of the handle so that the blade has a cutting edge spaced from and facing outwardly from the end of the handle. The blade is curvilinear in shape and has a radius of curvature substantially the same as the radius of curvature of the eye immediately adjacent the outer periphery of the cornea of the eye.

Keratome

A dental laser system is disclosed having an erbium doped YAG laser which is excited so that the YAG laser produces a plurality of laser pulses. A novel delivery system for the YAG laser is disclosed which includes an elongated sapphire strand which consists of a single crystal. The sapphire strand has a diameter between 10 and 1000 microns so that it maintains its flexibility and the sapphire strand is encased within a flexible protective coating. The sapphire strand is also essentially devoid of water content.

Dental laser system

An apparatus for removing dental enamel and dentin. This apparatus is also capable of cutting soft tissue. The apparatus includes a laser which, when activated, produces a laser pulse having a wavelength of between 1.5 and 3.5 microns, a beam diameter at the target site in the range of 10 to 5,000 microns, a pulse duration of between several picoseconds and several milliseconds, an energy level of between 0.1 millijoules and five joules per pulse, and pulse repetition rates from one pulse per second to 10,000 pulses per second. The pulse is focussed on the dental enamel or dentin thereby reaching high enough energy densities to vaporize the material. In the case of soft tissues, a special tip is used to concentrate the laser on the tissue so that cutting action can be easily executed.

A handpiece assembly is disclosed for use with a dental laser assembly of the type having a laser and an elongated optical fiber assembly. The optical fiber assembly has a proximal end which receives radiation from the laser and a distal end which delivers the laser radiation to a target site. The handpiece assembly includes an elongated handpiece which is dimensioned to be held in a human hand. A longitudinal throughbore is formed in the handpiece and is dimensioned to slidably receive the optical fiber assembly so that the distal end of the optical fiber assembly extends outwardly from one end of the handpiece. A locking assembly removably locks the other end of the handpiece against longitudinal movement to the optical fiber assembly. Furthermore, the entire handpiece assembly is discarded after use on a single patient to prevent disease transmission by the handpiece.

Handpiece assembly for a dental laser

The present invention provides a method for removing dental decay and carious lesions from human teeth. The method of the present comprises the steps of aiming a pulsed laser so that its output impinges upon the decay and thereafter repeatedly activating the laser in pulse mode until the decay is eradicated from the tooth.

Method for removing decay from teeth

The present invention provides a scleral dissector for use in implanting artificial lens in human eyes. The dissector includes an elongated handle having a substantially planar cutting blade secured to and extending laterally outwardly from one end. A substantially planar guide is also attached to the handle so that the guide is spaced from and generally parallel to the blade. The guide is adapted to abut against the outer surface of the sclera during a scleral dissection. The spacing between the guide and the blade is preferably adjustable.

Scleral dissector

The present invention provides a method for removing incipient carious lesions and/or stain from human teeth. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of aiming a yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser so that its output inpinges upon the lesion and/or stain and thereafter repeatedly activating the laser in pulse mode until the incipient carious lesion and/or stain is removed from the tooth.

Method for removing incipient carious lesions and/or stain from teeth

A posterior chamber lens implant is disclosed for use after extracapsular surgery. In extracapsular surgery the interior of the lens of the human eye is evacuated through a surgical opening formed in the front membrane of the lens while leaving the rear membrane of the lens or posterior capsule intact. The lens implant comprises an optic having a front surface and a rear surface and the implant is secured within the posterior chamber of the eye. In one form of the invention, a ridge spaces the rear surface of the optic forwardly from the posterior capsule while in a second form of the invention, the rear surface of the optic is concavely formed to space the rear surface of the optic forwardly of the posterior capsule. The implant of the present invention thus facilitates laser posterior capsulotomy in the event of clouding of the posterior capsule following the extracapsular surgery.

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Birmingham, MI, United States of America

William D Myers