Abstract: A laser device that includes a dual pulse-width laser-pumping circuit generates long and short laser pulses. The laser-pumping circuit employs a single power supply with dual high voltage outputs that are selectable under control of a user. The laser device conveniently generates long and short laser pulses or a mix of the two for performing specialized surgical procedures.

Abstract: A laser device is disclosed that directs light to a tooth and analyzes scattered light reflected from the tooth. The device measures a time delay between excitation and reflections of light. Reflected light is analyzed to determine a presence and extent of dental caries on the tooth.

Abstract: A system and method are described for controlling acceptance of a fiber connector. A configurable adapter is employed for connecting fiber connectors to a laser housing. A specific version of the adapter permits connecting both general-purpose and specific-purpose fiber connectors to the laser housing. A less versatile configuration of the adapter permits connecting general-purpose fiber connectors to the laser housing, but rejects specific-purpose fiber connectors.

Abstract: A laser handpiece is disclosed, including a shaped fiber optic tip having a side-firing output end with a non-cylindrical shape. The shaped fiber optic tip can be configured to side-fire laser energy in a direction away from a laser handpiece and toward sidewalls of a treatment or target site.

Abstract: An illumination device for medical and dental procedures is described. The illumination device includes an elongate body configured to contain two or more optical fibers to transmit electromagnetic energy from a power source toward a target surface. The distal end of the illumination device is illustrated as a unitary structure, and the proximal end is illustrated as having multiple proximal end members. The illumination device includes two or more optical fibers for transmitting energy toward the distal end, and at least one optical fiber for transmitting energy from the distal end toward the proximal end of the device.

Abstract: A cutting device that uses electromagnetic energy to create a cutting effect on or within a target surface is disclosed. The cutting device includes an optic guide and three or more nozzles located on a body member. The nozzles direct a volume of particles of air and liquid away from the body member, and the volume of particles of air and liquid can facilitate one or more of a disruptive effect and a cooling effect on the target surface. Energy emitted from the optic guide can interact with the particles to impart disruptive forces onto or within a target surface.

Abstract: A non Q-switched erbium laser operating on the I11/2→I13/2 transition produces laser output pulses characterized by a single spike containing approximately 90% of the energy, rather than a series of multiple spikes. The laser includes an optical gain medium with erbium being the lasing species, such as an erbium doped YAG rod. The gain medium is pumped with a flashlamp, with the voltage applied to the flashlamp and the duration of the applied voltage being carefully controlled to produce the single spike laser output. Depending upon the operating conditions, the full width half maximum (FWHM) of the spikes can be varied between 0.1 and 10 microseconds. The output of the erbium has fewer than 10 transverse modes. Output from the erbium laser may be directed onto corneal tissue in a preferred corneal sculpting procedure, in which the ablation rate is limited to no more than about 3 microns per laser pulse.

Abstract: A device for attenuating thermal lensing in an optical resonator is disclosed. The device includes a laser rod having an optical axis, a first high-reflectivity element disposed within a path of the optical axis, an outcoupling element disposed within a path of the optical axis, a second high-reflectivity element disposed within a path of the optical axis, and a potential source coupled to the second high-reflectivity element. Application of a first potential from the potential source onto the second high-reflectivity element causes the second high-reflectivity element to be substantially reflective, and application of a second potential from the potential source onto the second high-reflectivity element causes the second high reflectivity element to be substantially transmissive, to preserve a TEM00 beam quality within the optical resonator under varying thermal conditions.

Abstract: A non Q-switched erbium laser operating on the I11/2→I13/2 transition produces laser output pulses characterized by a single spike containing approximately 90% of the energy, rather than a series of multiple spikes. The laser includes an optical gain medium with erbium being the lasing species, such as an erbium doped YAG rod. The gain medium is pumped with a flashlamp, with the voltage applied to the flashlamp and the duration of the applied voltage being carefully controlled to produce the single spike laser output. Depending upon the operating conditions, the full width half maximum (FWHM) of the spikes can be varied between 0.1 and 10 microseconds. The output of the erbium has fewer than 10 transverse modes. Output from the erbium laser may be directed onto corneal tissue in a preferred corneal sculpting procedure, in which the ablation rate is limited to no more than about 3 microns per laser pulse.

Abstract: An optical device includes a diode light source which is preferably in the form of an array of diode elements such as laser diodes or light emitting diodes (LEDs). The light emitted from the diode elements is directed towards a reflector which directs the emitted light through a heat sink member for controlling the temperature of the diode elements. The heat sink member preferably has a plurality of fins for dissipating heat, and the emitted light passes through these fins and away from the optical device. An optical lightguide may be integrated with the optical device to give the user better control over how the emitted light is imaged. The diode elements preferably emit in either the blue or ultraviolet region of the optical spectrum. In one embodiment of the invention, the output from the diode elements has a cross section that is variable in shape, permitting a composite material within a cavity of a tooth to be cured in such a way that microgaps between the tooth and the composite are not formed.

Abstract: A non Q-switched erbium laser operating on the I11/2→I13/2 transition produces laser output pulses characterized by a single spike containing approximately 90% of the energy, rather than a series of multiple spikes. The laser includes an optical gain medium with erbium being the lasing species, such as an erbium doped YAG rod. The gain medium is pumped with a flashlamp, with the voltage applied to the flashlamp and the duration of the applied voltage being carefully controlled to produce the single spike laser output. Depending upon the operating conditions, the full width half maximum (FWHM) of the spikes can be varied between 0.1 and 10 microseconds. The output of the erbium has fewer than 10 transverse modes. Output from the erbium laser may be directed onto corneal tissue in a preferred corneal sculpting procedure, in which the ablation rate is limited to no more than about 3 microns per laser pulse.

Abstract: An optical device includes a diode light source which is preferably in the form of an array of diode elements such as laser diodes or light emitting diodes (LEDs). The light emitted from the diode elements is directed towards a reflector which directs the emitted light through a heat sink member for controlling the temperature of the diode elements. The heat sink member preferably has a plurality of fins for dissipating heat, and the emitted light passes through these fins and away from the optical device. An optical lightguide may be integrated with the optical device to give the user better control over how the emitted light is imaged. The diode elements preferably emit in either the blue or ultraviolet region of the optical spectrum. In one embodiment of the invention, the output from the diode elements has a cross section that is variable in shape, permitting a composite material within a cavity of a tooth to be cured in such a way that microgaps between the tooth and the composite are not formed.