Abstract: A Minimally Invasive Surgical Laser Hand-piece (“MISLH”) for use with a probe is described. The MISLH has a MISLH proximal end and MISLH distal end, and the MISLH may include an optical coupler located at the MISLH proximal end, a substantially straight central bore within the MISLH, and an internal beam stop aperture within the central bore adjoined to the optical coupler. The central bore may extend from the optical coupler to the MISLH distal end and the central bore may be configured to accept the insertion of the probe within the central bore at the MISLH distal end. Additionally, the central bore may be configured to accept the insertion of the probe such that the probe is adjoined to the internal beam stop aperture.

Abstract: A surgical tool that can be used for both cauterizing and cutting during a surgical procedure. The surgical tool may include a tip having an edge for cutting and electrodes formed at or near the edge for cauterizing. The electrodes are configured to be in electrical contact with a contact electrode passing through a handle of the surgical tool. An electrical current may be passed through the contact electrode to the electrodes formed at or near the edge of the tip.

Abstract: A device for removing material from a workpiece, in particular for removing a hard substance, such as tooth enamel or dentine from a tooth, or for removing ceramic materials, has a laser for irradiating the workpiece in a locally limited ablation area where material is removed, and a handling part (1) which receives the laser or is connected thereto by an optical fiber element or by a mirror arrangement. The handling part (1) is used to position the laser beam (3) in the ablation area and has a distance measurement device (11 to 15, D1, D2) to monitor the depth of material removal. While the material is being removed, the distance measurement device (11 to 15, D1, D2) measures the distance to the workpiece surface in the ablation area and therefore the depth of material removal by means of the material-removing laser or of a measurement beam (11) generated by another laser.

Abstract: The system and method of delivery of laser radiation comprises a flexible hollow waveguide connectable at a first end to a low power laser source, such as a CO.sub.2 laser, a rigid hollow waveguide having a proximal end and a distal end, a coupler for coupling the second end of the flexible hollow waveguide to the proximal end of the rigid hollow waveguide and a diamond tip partially disposed within and extending from the distal end of the rigid waveguide. The diamond tip has an entrance face for receiving laser radiation and at least one exit face for transmitting laser radiation toward an area of biological tissue. The exit end of the diamond tip may be flat, parallel to the entrance face, curved, to act as a lens providing a focusing function, or beveled, to create one or more blade edges to limit the point(s) of exit of the laser radiation and to provide a cutting edge which may be used in combination with the radiation to simultaneously create and photocoagulate the tissue at an incision.