Abstract: A laser beam treatment system that delivers laser beam pulses to a dental treatment area according to a particular pattern is described. In various instances, the spacing of the pattern (e.g., locations at which pulses are delivered and the distances therebetween) and/or the timing of the pattern (e.g., amount of time between the delivery of pulses to a first location and a later location that abuts the first location) can have a demonstrable effect on ablation performance. The effects can include, for example: improved ablation efficiency, improved surface smoothness, improved material removal rate, and/or the absence of melt, carbonization or other negative surface features.

Abstract: A dental laser system for treatment of hard and/or soft tissue includes a main chamber housing optical and primary fluid supply subsystems, for directing a laser beam and fluid to a treatment area. A hand piece affixable to the main chamber, includes mating optical and secondary fluid supply subsystems. The hand piece can be rotatable or re-orientable about an optical axis within the hand piece. A lock can maintain a selectable angular orientation of the hand piece relative to the main chamber. A coupling can maintain a fluidic communication between the primary and secondary fluid supply subsystems even when the hand piece is rotated or re-oriented. A sensor and controller can sense a selected angular orientation of the hand piece and adjust the main optical subsystem according to the sensed angular orientation, to align the two optical subsystems. The laser may be controlled using a variable speed foot pedal.

Abstract: A laser beam treatment system that delivers laser beam pulses to a dental treatment area according to a particular pattern is described. In various instances, the spacing of the pattern (e.g., locations at which pulses are delivered and the distances therebetween) and/or the timing of the pattern (e.g., amount of time between the delivery of pulses to a first location and a later location that abuts the first location) can have a demonstrable effect on ablation performance. The effects can include, for example: improved ablation efficiency, improved surface smoothness, improved material removal rate, and/or the absence of melt, carbonization or other negative surface features.

Abstract: A laser beam treatment system that delivers laser beam pulses to a dental treatment area according to a particular pattern is described. In various instances, the spacing of the pattern (e.g., locations at which pulses are delivered and the distances therebetween) and/or the timing of the pattern (e.g., amount of time between the delivery of pulses to a first location and a later location that abuts the first location) can have a demonstrable effect on ablation performance. The effects can include, for example: improved ablation efficiency, improved surface smoothness, improved material removal rate, and/or the absence of melt, carbonization or other negative surface features.

Abstract: A laser beam treatment system that delivers laser beam pulses to a dental treatment area according to a particular pattern is described. In various instances, the spacing of the pattern (e.g., locations at which pulses are delivered and the distances therebetween) and/or the timing of the pattern (e.g., amount of time between the delivery of pulses to a first location and a later location that abuts the first location) can have a demonstrable effect on ablation performance. The effects can include, for example: improved ablation efficiency, improved surface smoothness, improved material removal rate, and/or the absence of melt, carbonization or other negative surface features.

Abstract: A dental laser system for treatment of hard and/or soft tissue includes a main chamber housing optical and primary fluid supply subsystems, for directing a laser beam and fluid to a treatment area. A hand piece affixable to the main chamber, includes mating optical and secondary fluid supply subsystems. The hand piece can be rotatable or re-orientable about an optical axis within the hand piece. A lock can maintain a selectable angular orientation of the hand piece relative to the main chamber. A coupling can maintain a fluidic communication between the primary and secondary fluid supply subsystems even when the hand piece is rotated or re-oriented. A sensor and controller can sense a selected angular orientation of the hand piece and adjust the main optical subsystem according to the sensed angular orientation, to align the two optical subsystems. The laser may be controlled using a variable speed foot pedal.

Abstract: An electrically safe treatment system for use in treating a patient includes two or more sections coupled with a joint that permits any one section to rotate relative to another coupled section. At least one of the sections includes an electrical component. An electrical contact associated with the joint is designed to maintain an electrical connection between a pair of sections throughout an angular range of motion of one of the sections relative to the other, coupled section. The electrical contact can also maintain a total resistance of a series connection including the two sections and the contact below a specified threshold. Alternatively, one or more insulator joints may be employed to meet safety requirements.

Abstract: An electrically safe treatment system for use in treating a patient includes two or more sections coupled with a joint that permits any one section to rotate relative to another coupled section. At least one of the sections includes an electrical component. An electrical contact associated with the joint is designed to maintain an electrical connection between a pair of sections throughout an angular range of motion of one of the sections relative to the other, coupled section. The electrical contact can also maintain a total resistance of a series connection including the two sections and the contact below a specified threshold. Alternatively, one or more insulator joints may be employed to meet safety requirements.

Abstract: A dental laser treatment system includes a treatment laser beam and a pilot (e.g., aiming/marking) laser beam sharing a collinear beam path, where the beam path is guided by a guidance system through a handpiece/main chamber assembly having a beam exit. A laser beam presence detector is removably affixed to or within the handpiece/main chamber assembly. The laser beam presence detector provides feedback to a computer which can control actuation of the treatment laser beam and the pilot laser beam, and the beam guidance system. The computer performs a search for determining the center location of the beam exit based on the feedback and controls the beam guidance system to guide the beam path approximately to the center of the beam exit, thereby providing automatic alignment of the laser beam with the beam exit or an optional hollow waveguide.

Abstract: A laser beam treatment system that delivers laser beam pulses to a dental treatment area according to a particular pattern is described. In various instances, the spacing of the pattern (e.g., locations at which pulses are delivered and the distances therebetween) and/or the timing of the pattern (e.g., amount of time between the delivery of pulses to a first location and a later location that abuts the first location) can have a demonstrable effect on ablation performance. The effects can include, for example: improved ablation efficiency, improved surface smoothness, improved material removal rate, and/or the absence of melt, carbonization or other negative surface features.

Abstract: A dental laser system for treatment of hard and/or soft tissue includes a main chamber housing optical and primary fluid supply subsystems, for directing a laser beam and fluid to a treatment area. A hand piece affixable to the main chamber, includes mating optical and secondary fluid supply subsystems. The hand piece can be rotatable or re-orientable about an optical axis within the hand piece. A lock can maintain a selectable angular orientation of the hand piece relative to the main chamber. A coupling can maintain a fluidic communication between the primary and secondary fluid supply subsystems even when the hand piece is rotated or re-oriented. A sensor and controller can sense a selected angular orientation of the hand piece and adjust the main optical subsystem according to the sensed angular orientation, to align the two optical subsystems. The laser may be controlled using a variable speed foot pedal.

Abstract: A dental laser system is configured to provide high peak laser power, low duty cycle laser pulses, yielding a low average laser power and thus a reduced need for cooling. The laser power system may be configured to provide the electrical power required to produce the low average laser power and not the high peak laser power, and may include a capacitor bank section configured to provide the electrical power needed to produce the high peak power laser pulses. The cooling system may be configured to provide laser cooling for the low average power level and thus may not require a refrigeration unit.

Abstract: A dental laser treatment system includes a treatment laser beam and a pilot (e.g., aiming/marking) laser beam sharing a collinear beam path, where the beam path is guided by a guidance system through a handpiece/main chamber assembly having a beam exit. A laser beam presence detector is removably affixed to or within the handpiece/main chamber assembly. The laser beam presence detector provides feedback to a computer which can control actuation of the treatment laser beam and the pilot laser beam, and the beam guidance system. The computer performs a search for determining the center location of the beam exit based on the feedback and controls the beam guidance system to guide the beam path approximately to the center of the beam exit, thereby providing automatic alignment of the laser beam with the beam exit or an optional hollow waveguide.

Abstract: A dental laser system is configured to provide high peak laser power, low duty cycle laser pulses, yielding a low average laser power and thus a reduced need for cooling. The laser power system may be configured to provide the electrical power required to produce the low average laser power and not the high peak laser power, and may include a capacitor bank section configured to provide the electrical power needed to produce the high peak power laser pulses. The cooling system may be configured to provide laser cooling for the low average power level and thus may not require a refrigeration unit.

Abstract: A dental laser system for treatment of hard and/or soft tissue includes a main chamber housing optical and primary fluid supply subsystems, for directing a laser beam and fluid to a treatment area. A hand piece affixable to the main chamber, includes mating optical and secondary fluid supply subsystems. The hand piece can be rotatable or re-orientable about an optical axis within the hand piece. A lock can maintain a selectable angular orientation of the hand piece relative to the main chamber. A coupling can maintain a fluidic communication between the primary and secondary fluid supply subsystems even when the hand piece is rotated or re-oriented. A sensor and controller can sense a selected angular orientation of the hand piece and adjust the main optical subsystem according to the sensed angular orientation, to align the two optical subsystems. The laser may be controlled using a variable speed foot pedal.

Abstract: A dental laser system for treatment of hard and/or soft tissue includes a main chamber housing optical and primary fluid supply subsystems, for directing a laser beam and fluid to a treatment area. A hand piece affixable to the main chamber, includes mating optical and secondary fluid supply subsystems. The hand piece can be rotatable or re-orientable about an optical axis within the hand piece. A lock can maintain a selectable angular orientation of the hand piece relative to the main chamber. A coupling can maintain a fluidic communication between the primary and secondary fluid supply subsystems even when the hand piece is rotated or re-oriented. A sensor and controller can sense a selected angular orientation of the hand piece and adjust the main optical subsystem according to the sensed angular orientation, to align the two optical subsystems. The laser may be controlled using a variable speed foot pedal.

Abstract: An easily added extender for existing electric outlets with at least one electric outlet of its own which can be positioned beyond the reach of children and pets.