Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to producing optical pulses for use on a transmission link. A light source is configured to produce an optical signal. A pulse generator is coupled to the light source. The pulse generator is configured to receive, for a first channel, the optical signal and a clock signal. The pulse generator is also configured to modify the optical signal based on the clock signal to produce an optical pulse having a predetermined pulse shape. The clock signal is associated with the predetermined pulse shape.

Abstract: Laser radiation having a selected wavelength and in the form of pulses having a selected pulse duration, repetition rate and energy content per pulse, is employed for performing a variety of dental and medical procedures, including cutting of enamel, dentin, cementum, dental root material, bone and metal. Cavities and openings in teeth and bones can be filled with a mixture containing hydroxyapatite and phosphoric acid, mixed together to form a paste, and the resulting mixture, after being introduced into the opening or cavity, can be cured and hardened by application of pulses of defocused laser radiation.

Abstract: Laser radiation having a selected wavelength and in the form of pulses having a selected pulse duration, repetition rate and energy content per pulse, is employed for performing a variety of dental and medical procedures, including cutting of enamel, dentin, cementum, dental root material, bone and metal. Cavities and openings in teeth and bones can be filled with a mixture containing hydroxyapatite and phosphoric acid, mixed together to form a paste, and the resulting mixture, after being introduced into the opening or cavity, can be cured and hardened by application of pulses of defocused laser radiation.

Abstract: Laser radiation having a selected wavelength and in the form of pulses having a selected pulse duration, repetition rate and energy content per pulse, is employed for performing a variety of dental and medical procedures, including treatment of cysts and granulomas in the gum, and cutting of dentin, cementum, dental root material, bone and metal. Cavities and openings in teeth and bones can be filled with a mixture containing hydroxyapatite and phosphoric acid, mixed together to form a paste, and the resulting mixture, after being introduced into the opening or cavity, can be cured and hardened by application of pulses of defocussed laser radiation.

Abstract: The cutting of tooth or bone tissue with laser radiation is enhanced by giving the radiation a polarization P parallel to the surface of the tissue being cut. For enlarging a tooth canal, laser radiation is delivered via an optical fiber which is introduced into the canal and is tapered in the region of its distal end. To fill a canal, an optical fiber having a low melting point is introduced into the canal and radiation is conducted through the fiber to melt the fiber and form the filling. The fiber may be coated with a material which will be melted by the radiation and will bond to the canal wall.

Abstract: A medical or dental handpiece for the performance of laser radiation treatments, composed of: an elongate housing constructed to be held in the hand, the housing having a radiation delivery end and enclosing a chamber which is adjacent the radiation delivery end; a radiation conducting element disposed in the housing for conducting laser radiation from a laser source into the chamber and toward the radiation delivery end; and a gas flow path in the chamber for guiding a flow of cooling gas through the chamber in a direction from the radiation conducting element toward the radiation delivery end.

Abstract: An opening in bone or tooth tissue is repaired by at least partially filling the opening with a calcium-containing material in a moldable state and a protein gel; and applying to the gel laser radiation in a manner to weld that material to one of the bone or tooth tissue adjacent the opening and the calcium-containing material without causing harmful side effects to the bone or tooth tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a medical or dental treatment by: providing radiation at two different wavelengths and at respective power levels such that the radiation at each wavelength is individually capable of cutting a given organic tissue; simultaneously applying the laser radiation at the two different wavelengths to a single body region which is composed of the given tissue; and directing a cooling fluid at the single body fluid region simultaneously with the step of applying radiation.

Abstract: A method of eliminating bacteria from water without resort to chemicals. The method is carried out by: mixing into the water a dye which stains bacteria contained in the water; and irradiating the water containing the dye with radiation at a wavelength which is absorbed more highly by the dye than by water and at a radiation power density sufficient to vaporize at least a significant proportion of the dye and the bacteria stained by the dye.

Abstract: Laser radiation having a selected wavelength and in the form of pulses having a selected pulse duration, repetition rate and energy content per pulse, is employed for performing a variety of dental and medical procedures, including cutting of enamel, dentin, cementum, dental root material, bone and metal. Cavities and openings in teeth and bones can be filled with a mixture containing hydroxyapatite and phosphoric acid, mixed together to form a paste, and the resulting mixture, after being introduced into the opening or cavity, can be cured and hardened by application of pulses of defocused laser radiation.

Abstract: An optical member for transmission of laser radiation, the fiber comprising a light transmitting element containing calcium fluoride.

Abstract: A method of cutting physiologic tissue in the mouth of a patient, comprising: providing a tunable laser which is tunable to produce laser radiation at any one of at least two different wavelengths, including a first wavelength which is effective for cutting physiologic tissue of a first type and a second wavelength for cutting physiologic tissue of a second type; tuning the laser to produce radiation at one first and second wavelengths; emitting the radiation being produced by the laser and directing the emitted radiation at physiologic tissue of the type corresponding to the radiation wavelength which the laser is tuned to produce; and at least when the laser is tuned to produce radiation at a selected wavelength, directing a cooling liquid at the physiologic tissue at which the emitted radiation is being directed simultaneously with performance of the directing step.

Abstract: Laser radiation having a selected wavelength and in the form of pulses having a selected pulse duration, repetition rate and energy content per pulse, is employed for performing a variety of dental and medical procedures, including treatment of cysts and granulomas in the gum, and cutting of dentin, cementum, dental root material, bone and metal. Cavities and openings in teeth and bones can be filled with a mixture containing hydroxyapatite and phosphoric acid, mixed together to form a paste, and the resulting mixture, after being introduced into the openign or cavity, can be cured and hardened by application of pulses of defocussed laser radiation.

Abstract: The cutting of tooth or bone tissue with laser radiation is enhanced by giving the radiation a polarization P parallel to the surface of the tissue being cut. For enlarging a tooth canal, laser radiation is delivered via an optical fiber which is introduced into the canal and is tapered in the region of its distal end. To fill a canal, an optical fiber having a low melting point is introduced into the canal and radiation is conducted through the fiber to melt the fiber and form the filling. The fiber may be coated with a material which will be melted by the radiation and will bond to the canal wall.

Abstract: A process for cleaning and/or shaping passages, comprising providing an optical fiber having a diameter sufficiently small to be introduced into the passage and having a free end provided with a radiation focussing element; introducing the free end of the fiber into the passage so that the focal point defined by the radiation focussing element is located adjacent the region to be cleaned or shaped; providing a liquid in the passage at the location of the focal point of the radiation focussing element; and supplying pulses of laser radiation to the fiber so that the radiation exits the fiber via the free end to provoke a cavitation of vapor at the interior of the irrigating liquid.

Abstract: Laser radiation having a selected wavelength and in the form of pulses having a selected pulse duration, repetition rate and energy content per pulse, is employed for performing a variety of dental and medical procedures, including cutting of enamel, dentin, cementum, dental root material, bone and metal. Cavities and openings in teeth and bones can be filled with a mixture containing hydroxyapatite and phosphoric acid, mixed together to form a paste, and the resulting mixture, after being introduced into the opening or cavity, can be cured and hardened by application of pulses of defocused laser radiation.

Abstract: A thermoplastic optical fiber for use in treatments requiring filling of openings, recesses, passages, or crevices in mineralized physiologic tissue, the fiber having at least a portion composed of at least one ingredient which is capable of being placed in a flowable state when heated by application of selected laser radiation, is physiologically compatible with the mineralized physiologic tissue and bonds with the mineralized tissue.

Abstract: The cutting of tooth or bone tissue with laser radiation is enhanced by giving the radiation a polarization P parallel to the surface of the tissue being cut. For enlarging a tooth canal, laser radiation is delivered via an optical fiber which is introduced into the canal and is tapered in the region of its distal end. To fill a canal, an optical fiber having a low melting point is introduced into the canal and radiation is conducted through the fiber to melt the fiber and form the filling. The fiber may be coated with a material which will be melted by the radiation and will bond to the canal wall.

Abstract: The cutting of tooth or bone tissue with laser radiation is enhanced by giving the radiation a polarization P parallel to the surface of the tissue being cut. For enlarging a tooth canal, laser radiation is delivered via an optical fiber which is introduced into the canal and is tapered in the region of its distal end. To fill a canal, an optical fiber having a low melting point is introduced into the canal and radiation is conducted through the fiber to melt the fiber and form the filling. The fiber may be coated with a material which will be melted by the radiation and will bond to the canal wall.

Abstract: The cutting of tooth or bone tissue with laser radiation is enhanced by giving the radiation a polarization P parallel to the surface of the tissue being cut. For enlarging a tooth canal, laser radiation is delivered via an optical fiber which is introduced into the canal and is tapered in the region of its distal end. To fill a canal, an optical fiber having a low melting point is introduced into the canal and radiation is conducted through the fiber to melt the fiber and form the filling. The fiber may be coated with a material which will be melted by the radiation and will bond to the canal wall.