Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth while protecting non-targeted tissue by cyclically applying cooling to the patients skin, and preferably to the region, and by applying radiation to the patient's skin above the region to selectively heat tissue during and/or after cooling is applied. At least one of cooling and radiation may be applied by successively passing a continuous output applicator over the patient's skin. Treatment may also be enhanced by applying mechanical, acoustic or electrical stimulation to the region.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth while protecting non-targeted tissue by cyclically applying cooling to the patients skin, and preferably to the region, and by applying radiation to the patient's skin above the region to selectively heat tissue during and/or after cooling is applied. At least one of cooling and radiation may be applied by successively passing a continuous output applicator over the patient's skin. Treatment may also be enhanced by applying mechanical, acoustic or electrical stimulation to the region.

Abstract: A laser induced thermo-acoustical system has a waveguide for propagating laser radiation to an absorbing layer of a tip. The tip has an absorbing layer serving to absorb the laser radiation propagating through the waveguide. The absorbing layer has such an absorption coefficient that upon absorbing the laser radiation the absorbing layer heats up to boil a quantity of a liquid when the tip is surrounded by the liquid. A laser induced thermo-acoustical method calls for providing a waveguide for propagating laser radiation to the absorbing layer of the tip to be at least partially absorbed by the absorbing layer and to boil a quantity of the liquid surrounding the tip and generating the stream of liquid. The laser induced thermo-acoustical streaming of the liquid is used, in particular, for the treatment of a root canal and periodontal pockets.

Abstract: A laser induced thermo-acoustical system has a waveguide for propagating laser radiation to an absorbing layer of a tip. The tip has an absorbing layer serving to absorb the laser radiation propagating through the waveguide. The absorbing layer has such an absorption coefficient that upon absorbing the laser radiation the absorbing layer heats up to boil a quantity of a liquid when the tip is surrounded by the liquid. A laser induced thermo-acoustical method calls for providing a waveguide for propagating laser radiation to the absorbing layer of the tip to be at least partially absorbed by the absorbing layer and to boil a quantity of the liquid surrounding the tip and generating the stream of liquid. The laser induced thermo-acoustical streaming of the liquid is used, in particular, for the treatment of a root canal and periodontal pockets.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth while protecting non-targeted tissue by cyclically applying cooling to the patients skin, and preferably to the region, and by applying radiation to the patient's skin above the region to selectively heat tissue during and/or after cooling is applied. At least one of cooling and radiation may be applied by successively passing a continuous output applicator over the patient's skin. Treatment may also be enhanced by applying mechanical, acoustic or electrical stimulation to the region.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth while protecting non-targeted tissue by cyclically applying cooling to the patients skin, and preferably to the region, and by applying radiation to the patient's skin above the region to selectively heat tissue during and/or after cooling is applied. At least one of cooling and radiation may be applied by successively passing a continuous output applicator over the patient's skin. Treatment may also be enhanced by applying mechanical, acoustic or electrical stimulation to the region.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth while protecting non-targeted tissue by cyclically applying cooling to the patients skin, and preferably to the region, and by applying radiation to the patient's skin above the region to selectively heat tissue during and/or after cooling is applied. At least one of cooling and radiation my be applied by successivly passing a continuous output applicator over the patient's skin. Treatment may also be enhanced by applying mechanical, acoustic or electrical stimulation to the region.

Abstract: A surgical device based on the concept of controlling the laser power during laser surgery based on optical and other signals from the tip and the tissue is described. A laser surgical system generally comprises several basic components, such as a laser, a delivery system, a tip and a control system. A tip may be considered as a particular case of a thermo-optical tip (TOT). TOT is an optical and mechanical element which could be used to modify or treat soft and hard tissues, including cutting, coagulation, vaporization, carbonization, and ablation of tissues.

Abstract: A laser induced thermo-acoustical system has a waveguide for propagating laser radiation to an absorbing layer of a tip. The tip has an absorbing layer serving to absorb the laser radiation propagating through the waveguide. The absorbing layer has such an absorption coefficient that upon absorbing the laser radiation the absorbing layer heats up to boil a quantity of a liquid when the tip is surrounded by the liquid. A laser induced thermo-acoustical method calls for providing a waveguide for propagating laser radiation to the absorbing layer of the tip to be at least partially absorbed by the absorbing layer and to boil a quantity of the liquid surrounding the tip and generating the stream of liquid. The laser induced thermo-acoustical streaming of the liquid is used, in particular, for the treatment of a root canal and periodontal pockets.

Abstract: A device and method for forming a texture on a surface of a hard material. Spatial patterns, such as an array of microbeams, are delivered to the tissue through the handpiece. The plurality of microbeams illuminate and ablate the hard material simultaneously. Each of the microbeams has of a sufficient fluence and pulse width to ablate the surface of the hard material and form the texture. Alternatively, one microbeam of a sufficient fluence and pulse width to ablate the surface of the hard material and form the texture is scanned over the surface either manually or in an automatic fashion.

Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of dental tissue has a first laser source optically connected to a first channel and the same first laser source optically connected to a second channel. The second laser source is optically connected to the first channel. That second laser source is designed to be pumped via the first channel by the diode laser to generate a power of radiation sufficient to cut hard dental tissue. The second channel is connected to a device for treatment of soft dental tissue and is designed to transmit radiation sufficient for treating soft dental tissue. The first laser source can be a diode laser designed to emit radiation of a wavelength selected from a range of 700 nm to 2700 nm. The second laser source can be a solid-state or fiber laser designed to emit a wavelength from a range of 2700 nm to 3000 nm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing a hard material, for example a hard biological material such as dental enamel or bone, with optical radiation. A treatment zone of the material is selectively cleaned of ablation products and other dirt to enhance processing efficiency, and a tip through which the optical radiation is applied to the treatment zone of the hard material is spaced slightly from the treatment zone during at least a portion of the time that hydrating fluid is being applied to the zone and/or while air or another gas is applied to the zone to clean the surface thereof.

Abstract: A device and method for forming a texture on a surface of a hard material. Spatial patterns, such as an array of microbeams, are delivered to the tissue through the handpiece. The plurality of microbeams illuminate and ablate the hard material simultaneously. Each of the microbeams has of a sufficient fluence and pulse width to ablate the surface of the hard material and form the texture. Alternatively, one microbeam of a sufficient fluence and pulse width to ablate the surface of the hard material and form the texture is scanned over the surface either manually or in an automatic fashion.

Abstract: A surgical device based on the concept of controlling the laser power during laser surgery based on optical and other signals from the tip and the tissue is described. A laser surgical system generally comprises several basic components, such as a laser, a delivery system, a tip and a control system. A tip may be considered as a particular case of a thermo-optical tip (TOT). TOT is an optical and mechanical element which could be used to modify or treat soft and hard tissues, including cutting, coagulation, vaporization, carbonization, and ablation of tissues.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for treating connective tissue. The method and apparatus can be used for treating and/or reducing the appearance of cellulite.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for dental applications that allow for cost effective, expedient surgical, microsurgical, cosmetic and diagnostics procedures. The system includes a console with no optical connector in it for high optical power and one or more handpiece assemblies detachably connected with the console via electrical connectors. The converter of electrical power to optical power is made as a semiconductor converter, such as a light emitting diode, a diode laser, a diode pumped solid state laser, a diode pumped fiber laser, and the like. The elements of the semiconductor converter in the embodiments of the invention are capable of being positioned in different parts of the handpiece assembly. In one embodiment, the console is adaptive and is capable of executing an executable code stored in a handpiece during its manufacture enabling corresponding performance of the system.

Abstract: A device and method for forming a texture on a surface of a hard material. Spatial patterns, such as an array of microbeams, are delivered to the tissue through the handpiece. The plurality of microbeams illuminate and ablate the hard material simultaneously. Each of the microbeams has of a sufficient fluence and pulse width to ablate the surface of the hard material and form the texture. Alternatively, one microbeam of a sufficient fluence and pulse width to ablate the surface of the hard material and form the texture is scanned over the surface either manually or in an automatic fashion.

Abstract: The present invention is a number of methods and devices for tooth rejuvenation and hard tissue modification comprising applying a layer of a peroxide-free composition to a tooth surface. The applied composition comprises an aqueous solution of one or more edible acids. The composition has a pH selected from the range of about 0.5 to 5. After the treatment the composition is removed from the tooth surface. In various embodiments of the invention the pH of the composition can range between about 0.5 and 3, a narrower range being between 1 and 1.75. After treatment, the enamel may be restored chemically or by means of a porous layer. If the enamel is restored chemically, then an aqueous solutions of one or more edible acids with particles selected from the group of Ca, Cr, Ba, Cd, Mg, P, As, Si, F, or Na is used.

Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of dental tissue has a first laser source optically connected to a first channel and the same first laser source optically connected to a second channel. The second laser source is optically connected to the first channel. That second laser source is designed to be pumped via the first channel by the diode laser to generate a power of radiation sufficient to cut hard dental tissue. The second channel is connected to a device for treatment of soft dental tissue and is designed to transmit radiation from the diode laser sufficient for treating soft dental tissue. In that apparatus the first laser source can be a diode laser designed to emit radiation of a wavelength selected from a range of 700 nm to 2700 nm. The second laser source can be a solid-state or fiber laser designed to emit a wavelength from a range of 2700 nm to 3000 nm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing a hard material, for example a hard biological material such as dental enamel or bone, with optical radiation. A treatment zone of the material is selectively cleaned of ablation products and other dirt to enhance processing efficiency, and a tip through which the optical radiation is applied to the treatment zone of the hard material is spaced slightly from the treatment zone during at least a portion of the time that hydrating fluid is being applied to the zone and/or while air or another gas is applied to the zone to clean the surface thereof.