Abstract: A method for treating dental hard tissue to decrease sensitivity by occluding dentin tubules. A CO2 laser source generates a pulsed laser beam having a wavelength of 9-11 microns. A laser beam width is defined and the pulsed laser beam focused at or near the dental hard tissue. A pulse energy is controlled with at least one beam pulse having a fluence profile in a working range of the laser beam having: a maximum local fluence less than a minimum fluence that causes damage of the dental hard tissue, and at least one other local fluence greater than a fluence that causes a minimum amount of occlusion of the dentin tubules. The pulsed laser beam is directed to respective dental hard tissue locations to occlude the dentin tubules, without delivery of cooling fluid while directing the pulsed laser beam to respective tissue locations.

Abstract: A laser-based system and method for treatment of hard tissue enhances remineralization and fluoride uptake to improve resistance to demineralization. The system can include a laser source, an optic, and a controller for controlling the laser source and/or the optic to deliver radiation to a treatment region with desirable characteristics (e.g., to remove carbonate without damaging the tissue surface). In some cases, the system includes a handpiece having an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam to render the beam non-ablative, prior to the laser beam's delivery to the treatment region. In some embodiments, treatment with the laser can be combined with a fluoride treatment for enhanced therapeutic effect.

Abstract: A system and method for dental or surgical treatment of oral tissue, the system including a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area), the device further including a disposable tube attachable to the hand piece and an optical element (e.g., a substantially cylindrical lens) mounted within the disposable tube and adapted to modify a profile and/or a direction of the radiation emitted from the tube.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an improved system and method for treatment of soft tissue, e.g., for treatment of a snoring condition. The system can include a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area). In some cases, the handpiece can include an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam such that it is non-ablative, prior to its delivery to a treatment region. In various embodiments, the system includes a CO2 laser capable of performing treatment in a more efficient manner than conventional techniques.

Abstract: A laser-based system and method for treatment of hard tissue enhances remineralization and fluoride uptake to improve resistance to demineralization. The system can include a laser source, an optic, and a controller for controlling the laser source and/or the optic to deliver radiation to a treatment region with desirable characteristics (e.g., to remove carbonate without damaging the tissue surface). In some cases, the system includes a handpiece having an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam to render the beam non-ablative, prior to the laser beam's delivery to the treatment region. In some embodiments, treatment with the laser can be combined with a fluoride treatment for enhanced therapeutic effect.

Abstract: A system and method for dental or surgical treatment of oral tissue, the system including a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area), the device further including a disposable tube attachable to the hand piece and an optical element (e.g., a substantially cylindrical lens) mounted within the disposable tube and adapted to modify a profile and/or a direction of the radiation emitted from the tube.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an improved system and method for treatment of soft tissue, e.g., for treatment of a snoring condition. The system can include a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area). In some cases, the handpiece can include an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam such that it is non-ablative, prior to its delivery to a treatment region. In various embodiments, the system includes a CO2 laser capable of performing treatment in a more efficient manner than conventional techniques.

Abstract: A laser-based system and method for treatment of hard tissue enhances remineralization and fluoride uptake to improve resistance to demineralization. The system can include a laser source, an optic, and a controller for controlling the laser source and/or the optic to deliver radiation to a treatment region with desirable characteristics (e.g., to remove carbonate without damaging the tissue surface). In some cases, the system includes a handpiece having an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam to render the beam non-ablative, prior to the laser beam's delivery to the treatment region. In some embodiments, treatment with the laser can be combined with a fluoride treatment for enhanced therapeutic effect.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an improved system and method for treatment of soft tissue, e.g., for treatment of a snoring condition. The system can include a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area). In some cases, the handpiece can include an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam such that it is non-ablative, prior to its delivery to a treatment region. In various embodiments, the system includes a CO2 laser capable of performing treatment in a more efficient manner than conventional techniques.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a system and method for treatment of root canals, e.g., to clean, decontaminate and remove the smear layer. The system can include a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a liquid creating pressure that result in irrigation. In some cases, the handpiece can include an optical element adapted to modulate a laser beam such that it is dispersive or focused.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a system and method for treatment of a dental hard tissue. The system can include a laser source for generating a laser beam; at least one optic in optical communication with the laser source and adapted to define and direct a non-ablative laser radiation to a treatment surface of the hard dental tissue; and a conduit adapted to apply a whitening treatment to the treatment surface, wherein application of both the non-ablative laser radiation and the whitening treatment results in a ?E measurement of at least 2.5 times greater than a treatment surface without application of the non-ablative laser radiation.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an improved system and method for treatment of soft tissue, e.g., for treatment of a snoring condition. The system can include a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area). In some cases, the handpiece can include an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam such that it is non-ablative, prior to its delivery to a treatment region. In various embodiments, the system includes a CO2 laser capable of performing treatment in a more efficient manner than conventional techniques.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an improved system and method for treatment of soft tissue, e.g., for treatment of a snoring condition. The system can include a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area). In some cases, the handpiece can include an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam such that it is non-ablative, prior to its delivery to a treatment region. In various embodiments, the system includes a CO2 laser capable of performing treatment in a more efficient manner than conventional techniques.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for performing laser based treatment of hard and soft tissues, e.g., bone, skin, and connective tissue, are described. The system can feature a laser adapted to produce a peak output power significantly higher than the output power produced by conventional laser-based dental treatment systems. In some instances, the system features high definition imagers for real-time, on-axis visualization and spatial measurement of the surgical region, which can include rendering 3D images. In some implementations, the system is adapted to deliver a laser beam polarized to align with the collagen fibers of bone tissue, to enhance cutting performance. In some implementations, the system is adapted to image the treatment region with polarized light, which can enable improved visualization of nerves and other anatomical structures.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an improved system and method for treatment of soft tissue, e.g., for treatment of a snoring condition. The system can include a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area). In some cases, the handpiece can include an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam such that it is non-ablative, prior to its delivery to a treatment region. In various embodiments, the system includes a CO2 laser capable of performing treatment in a more efficient manner than conventional techniques.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting in an eye, in particular the retina, of a mammal, tau protein, such as neurofibrillary tangles (NFT). The system and method can use fluorescence imaging in the visible or near-infrared spectral region, for example as a non-invasive method for in vivo imaging of tau protein in ocular tissue. In preferred embodiments, in vivo imaging of tau protein in ocular tissue involves tau-binding compounds such as FDDNP, T807 and T808.

Abstract: A laser-based system and method for treatment of hard tissue enhances remineralization and fluoride uptake to improve resistance to demineralization. The system can include a laser source, an optic, and a controller for controlling the laser source and/or the optic to deliver radiation to a treatment region with desirable characteristics (e.g., to remove carbonate without damaging the tissue surface). In some cases, the system includes a handpiece having an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam to render the beam non-ablative, prior to the laser beam's delivery to the treatment region. In some embodiments, treatment with the laser can be combined with a fluoride treatment for enhanced therapeutic effect.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an improved system and method for treatment of soft tissue, e.g., for treatment of a snoring condition. The system can include a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area). In some cases, the handpiece can include an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam such that it is non-ablative, prior to its delivery to a treatment region. In various embodiments, the system includes a CO2 laser capable of performing treatment in a more efficient manner than conventional techniques.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an improved system and method for treatment of soft tissue, e.g., for treatment of a snoring condition. The system can include a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area). In some cases, the handpiece can include an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam such that it is non-ablative, prior to its delivery to a treatment region. In various embodiments, the system includes a CO2 laser capable of performing treatment in a more efficient manner than conventional techniques.

Abstract: A system and method for dental or surgical treatment of oral tissue, the system including a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area), the device further including a disposable tube attachable to the hand piece and an optical element (e.g., a substantially cylindrical lens) mounted within the disposable tube and adapted to modify a profile and/or a direction of the radiation emitted from the tube.