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: Architectures and techniques for treating conditions of the eye, such as presbyopia, utilize sources of treatment energy, such as electromagnetic energy emitting devices, to implement non-corneal manipulations. According to these devices and methods, the sources of treatment energy are activated to direct energy onto parts of the eye, such as the conjunctiva and sclera, to treat presbyopia. The treatments can affect at least one property of the eye and enhance an accommodation of the eye.

Abstract: An electromagnetically induced cutting mechanism provides accurate cutting operations on soft tissues. The electromagnetically induced cutter is adapted to interact with atomized fluid particles. A tissue remover comprises an aspiration cannula housing a fluid and energy guide for conducting electromagnetically induced cutting forces to the site within a patient's body for aspiration of soft tissue. An endodontic probe is used to perform disinfection procedures on target tissues within root canal passages and tubules. The endodontic probe can include an electromagnetic radiation emitting fiber optic tip having a distal end and a radiation emitting region disposed proximally of the distal end.

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: Output optical energy pulses having relatively high energy magnitudes and short durations are combined with optical energy pulses having relatively low energy magnitudes and long durations.

Abstract: A graphical user interface is described that controls an electromagnetic energy output system. A touchscreen presents control icons and receives input from a user; the input being used to control the electromagnetic energy output system. The interface permits modifying stored values of preset operating parameters.

Abstract: A medical laser device is described that generates a laser beam controllable with presets as to pulse duration, pulse repetition rate, power and energy per pulse. The device also provides presets with respect to water and air outputs. Parametric values for power, pulse duration, pulse repetition rate, and energy per pulse as well as for water and air settings may be programmed by an end user and stored as presets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for controlling temperature of a fluid used with electromagnetic energy in medical and dental laser procedures. Received fluid is passed through a heat exchanger, and heat is added to or removed from the fluid depending upon a desired effect, which may be influenced by a temperature setting. Temperature of output fluid is sensed, and heating or cooling is controlled in order to maintain output fluid temperature in a desired range. Ultraviolet radiation is used to sterilize the fluid.

Abstract: A fluid conditioning system is adapted to condition the fluid used in medical and dental cutting, irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, and drilling operations. The fluid may be conditioned by adding flavors, antiseptics and/or tooth whitening agents such as peroxide, medications, and pigments. In addition to the direct benefits obtained from introduction of these agents, the laser cutting properties may be varied from the selective introduction of the various agents.

Abstract: A medical apparatus is constructed to have a proximal end and a distal end, with the distal end including a source of mechanical tissue disruption that is configured to treat or ablate a target surface. The source of mechanical tissue disruption includes a tissue-disrupting distal end, and the medical apparatus further includes a flavored particle output for directing flavored particles in a direction toward the tissue-disrupting distal end. Another feature of the present invention includes a medical apparatus having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the medical apparatus includes a source of tissue displacement that is configured to move or displace a portion of the target surface, and that is formed to have a tissue-displacing distal end. The medical apparatus can be configured to have a flavored particle output for directing flavored particles in a direction toward the tissue-displacing distal end.

Abstract: An endodontic probe is used to perform disinfection procedures on target tissues within root canal passages and tubules. The endodontic probe can include an electromagnetic radiation emitting fiber optic tip having a distal end and a radiation emitting region disposed proximally of the distal end. According to one aspect, the endodontic probe can include a porous structure that encompasses a region of the fiber optic tip excluding the radiation emitting region and that is loaded with biologically-active particles, cleaning particles, biologically-active agents, or cleaning agents for delivery from the porous structure onto the target tissues.

Abstract: A fiber tip fluid output device is provided for holding a fiber tip in an electromagnetic energy cutting apparatus and for directing water particles over a radiation delivery end of the fiber tip. The fiber tip fluid output device includes a generally cylindrical body having an outer surface, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The lumen is sized and shaped to accommodate a fiber tip therethrough so that the fiber tip extends through the lumen from the proximal end to the distal end of the generally cylindrical body. The fiber tip fluid output device further includes a plurality of apertures extending around the generally cylindrical body, with each of the apertures of the plurality of apertures fluidly connecting the outer surface to the lumen. Fluid is mixed around the cylindrical body, before entering the lumen through the plurality of apertures for additional mixing.

Abstract: An illumination device is described containing optical fibers that transmit electromagnetic energy from a source to a target. Additional optical fibers return reflected electromagnetic energy from the target. High-level electromagnetic energy can be used for cutting, reforming, or treating a surface. Low-level electromagnetic energy illuminates the surface.

Abstract: A device includes a handle coupled with an activated textured surface that can be implemented using a repetitive movement mechanism and a treatment energy source, such as an electromagnetic radiation source. The handle may be used to provide detection, treatment and/or management of sundry conditions including, for example, tooth discoloration, tissue damage, periodontal disease, tumors, pain, halitosis, and bronchitis. The activated textured surface may include a surface topography including corrugations, bristles, protuberances, or pits, or other surfaces for facilitating agitation, cleaning or other surface treatments.

Abstract: Architectures and techniques for treating conditions of the eye, such as presbyopia, utilize sources of treatment energy, such as electromagnetic energy emitting devices, to implement non-corneal and other manipulations. According to these devices and methods, the sources of treatment energy are activated to direct energy onto parts of the eye, such as the conjunctiva and sclera, to treat presbyopia. The treatments can affect at least one property of the eye and enhance an accommodation of the eye.

Abstract: An endodontic probe is used to perform disinfection procedures on target tissues within root canal passages and tubules. The endodontic probe can include an electromagnetic radiation emitting fiber optic tip having a distal end and a radiation emitting region disposed proximally of the distal end. According to one aspect, the endodontic probe can include a porous structure that encompasses a region of the fiber optic tip excluding the radiation emitting region and that is loaded with biologically-active particles, cleaning particles, biologically-active agents, or cleaning agents for delivery from the porous structure onto the target tissues.

Abstract: Output optical energy pulses including relatively high energy magnitudes at the beginning of each pulse are disclosed. As a result of the relatively high energy magnitudes which lead each pulse, the leading edge of each pulse includes a relatively large slope. This slope is preferably greater than or equal to 5. Additionally, the full-width half-max value of the output optical energy distributions are between 0.025 and 250 microseconds and, more preferably, are about 70 microseconds. A flashlamp is used to drive the laser system, and a current is used to drive the flashlamp. A flashlamp current generating circuit includes a solid core inductor which has an inductance of 50 microhenries and a capacitor which has a capacitance of 50 microfarads.

Abstract: A cleaning and whitening system for teeth having an electromagnetic radiation emitting toothbrush and a dentifrice with a photosensitive agent is disclosed. The toothbrush has a cleaning surface, such as bristles. The toothbrush is also adapted to direct electromagnetic radiation toward the cleaning surface. The electromagnetic radiation may be monochromatic or polychromatic. Further, the electromagnetic radiation may be substantially free of ultraviolet radiation. Additionally, the electromagnetic radiation may consist essentially of wavelengths within a range of 300 to 750 nanometers. The photosensitive agent is dispersed throughout the dentifrice. The dentifrice transmits the electromagnetic radiation through a varying thickness disposed over a target surface during use of the system. As a result, a significant portion of the photosensitive agent reacts, resulting in whitening stains, removing and/or disclosing undesired substances, and/or foaming.

Abstract: A cleaning and whitening system for teeth having an electromagnetic radiation emitting toothbrush and a dentifrice with a photosensitive agent is disclosed. The toothbrush has a cleaning surface, such as bristles. The toothbrush is also adapted to direct electromagnetic radiation toward the cleaning surface. The electromagnetic radiation may be monochromatic or polychromatic. Further, the electromagnetic radiation may be substantially free of ultraviolet radiation. Additionally, the electromagnetic radiation may consist essentially of wavelengths within a range of 300 to 750 nanometers. The photosensitive agent is dispersed throughout the dentifrice. The dentifrice transmits the electromagnetic radiation through a varying thickness disposed over a target surface during use of the system. As a result, a significant portion of the photosensitive agent reacts, resulting in whitening stains, removing and/or disclosing undesired substances, and/or foaming.

Abstract: A device includes a handle coupled with an activated textured surface that can be implemented using a repetitive movement mechanism and a treatment energy source, such as an electromagnetic radiation source. The handle may be used to provide detection, treatment and/or management of sundry conditions including, for example, tooth discoloration, tissue damage, periodontal disease, tumors, pain, halitosis, and bronchitis. The activated textured surface may include a surface topography including corrugations, bristles, protuberances, or pits, or other surfaces for facilitating agitation, cleaning or other surface treatments.