U.S. patent application number 12/018192 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-12 for fluid and laser system.
Invention is credited to Ioana M. Rizoiu.
Application Number | 20080138764 12/018192 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38368989 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080138764 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rizoiu; Ioana M. |
June 12, 2008 |
Fluid and laser system
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.
Inventors: |
Rizoiu; Ioana M.; (San
Clamente, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kenton R. Mullins;Stout, Uxa, Buyan & Mullins, LLP
Suite 300, 4 Venture
Irvine
CA
92618
US
|
Family ID: |
38368989 |
Appl. No.: |
12/018192 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10435325 |
May 9, 2003 |
7320594 |
|
|
12018192 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
433/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 18/26 20130101;
A61M 3/0279 20130101; A61B 2218/005 20130101; B23K 26/144 20151001;
A61B 2017/22085 20130101; A61F 2210/0014 20130101; A61B 2018/1807
20130101; A61C 1/0007 20130101; A61B 17/3203 20130101; A61B
2018/00017 20130101; A61B 2018/00011 20130101; A61B 17/16 20130101;
A61B 2218/008 20130101; A61C 2201/007 20130101; A61C 17/02
20130101; A61C 17/0202 20130101; A61B 2018/00029 20130101; B23K
26/146 20151001; A61N 2005/0644 20130101; A61B 18/201 20130101;
A61B 18/20 20130101; A61C 1/0046 20130101; A61C 17/0217 20130101;
A61B 2090/0813 20160201; A61C 17/0208 20130101; A61C 1/0061
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
433/80 |
International
Class: |
A61C 17/02 20060101
A61C017/02 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for implementing a medical procedure, comprising: a
fluid router comprising a conditioned fluid and being constructed
to route the conditioned fluid, which comprises a conditioning
agent, into a volume relative to the apparatus; and an
electromagnetic energy source constructed to route electromagnetic
energy at a peak concentration through a portion of the conditioned
fluid and to emit the peak concentration of electromagnetic energy
into the volume; wherein the fluid router comprises an output for
directing the conditioned fluid into the volume, the conditioned
fluid being distributed in such a way that, when placed into the
volume and irradiated with the electromagnetic energy, a portion of
the conditioned fluid in the volume substantially absorbs a portion
of the electromagnetic energy, thereby causing the portion of the
conditioned fluid in the volume to expand, and when placed into the
volume above an operating site to expand and impart disruptive
forces onto the operating site.
2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the portion of
the conditioned fluid comprises a first portion of the conditioned
fluid; and a second portion of the conditioned fluid does not
absorb the electromagnetic energy and is deposited onto the
operating site.
3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein: the portion of
the electromagnetic energy comprises a first portion of the
electromagnetic energy, wherein the first portion of
electromagnetic energy is substantially absorbed into the first
portion of the conditioned fluid; and a second portion of the
electromagnetic energy from the electromagnetic energy source is
not substantially absorbed into the first portion of the
conditioned fluid and is directed onto the operating site.
4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein: a part of
conditioning agent in the first portion of the conditioned fluid
interacts with the electromagnetic energy; and conditioning agent
in the second portion of the conditioned fluid does not interact
with the electromagnetic energy and is deposited onto the operating
site.
5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein an amount of the
part of the conditioning agent in the first portion of the
conditioned fluid that interacts with the electromagnetic energy is
deposited onto the operating site.
6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the fluid output
places a combination of fluid particles into the volume, the
combination of fluid particles being sized, shaped and distributed
in such a way that, when placed into the volume and irradiated with
said electromagnetic energy source, a portion of the fluid
particles in the volume substantially absorb the electromagnetic
energy, thereby causing the portion of fluid particles to expand
and impart disruptive forces onto the operating site.
7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the fluid output
comprises an atomizer.
8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the conditioning
agent comprises a medicating agent.
9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the conditioning
agent comprises one of a medicating agent and a combination of
saline and water.
10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the medicating
agent comprises an antiseptic.
11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the medicating
agent comprises an astringent.
12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the medicating
agent comprises a disinfectant.
13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the medicating
agent comprises at least one of an antibiotic, iodine and a
steroid.
14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the conditioned
fluid comprises a sterile solution.
15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the conditioned
fluid comprises at least one of vitamins, herbs and minerals.
16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the
electromagnetic energy source is constructed to focus or direct a
peak concentration of electromagnetic energy into the volume, the
electromagnetic energy having a wavelength which is substantially
absorbed by the fluid particles in the volume.
17. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the
electromagnetic energy source comprises an Er, Cr:YSGG laser and
the conditioned fluid comprises water.
18. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the
electromagnetic energy source and the fluid router are configured
in a manner sufficient to effectuate an impartation of disruptive
forces to a target surface comprising hard tissue.
19. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the
electromagnetic energy source and the fluid router are configured
in a manner sufficient to effectuate an impartation of disruptive
forces to a target surface comprising soft tissue.
20. An apparatus for cutting a target surface, comprising: a fluid
router adapted to place fluid particles into an interaction zone,
the interaction zone being defined as a volume relative to the
fluid router; and an electromagnetic energy source adapted to
deliver a peak concentration of the electromagnetic energy into the
interaction zone, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength
which is substantially absorbed by the fluid particles in the
interaction zone, the absorption of the electromagnetic energy by
the fluid particles causing the fluid particles in the interaction
zone to expand, and when the interaction zone is disposed above a
target surface causing the fluid particles to expand and impart
disruptive mechanical forces onto the target surface, to thereby
cut the target surface; wherein an efficiency of cutting of the
apparatus is greatest when the peak concentration of
electromagnetic energy is delivered into the interaction zone, as
compared to what an efficiency of cutting of the apparatus would be
if a peak concentration of electromagnetic energy were delivered
onto the target surface.
21. An apparatus for cutting a target surface, comprising: a fluid
router adapted to place fluid particles into an interaction zone,
the interaction zone being defined as a volume relative to the
fluid router; and an electromagnetic energy source adapted to
deliver a peak concentration of electromagnetic energy into the
interaction zone, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength
which is substantially absorbed by the fluid particles in the
interaction zone, the absorption of the electromagnetic energy by
the fluid particles causing the fluid particles in the interaction
zone to expand, and when the interaction zone is disposed above a
target surface causing the fluid particles to expand and impart
disruptive mechanical forces onto the target surface, to thereby
cut the target surface; wherein an efficiency of cutting of the
apparatus is greatest when the fluid router places the fluid
particles into the interaction zone, as compared to what an
efficiency of cutting of the apparatus would be if the fluid router
did not place fluid particles into the interaction zone.
22. An apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target
surface comprising: an electromagnetic energy source adapted to
direct electromagnetic energy into an interaction zone, the
electromagnetic energy traveling through and defining an energy
path volume, which extends from the electromagnetic energy source
to and into the interaction zone; and a fluid output adapted to
place a plurality of fluid particles into the interaction zone, the
interaction zone being defined as a volume disposed both relative
to the fluid router and within the energy path volume, the
electromagnetic energy having a wavelength which is substantially
absorbed by given fluid particles of the plurality of fluid
particles within the interaction zone, the given fluid particles
being dispersed throughout the interaction zone, the absorption of
the electromagnetic energy by the given fluid particles causing the
given fluid particles in the interaction zone to expand, and when
the interaction zone is disposed above a target surface causing the
fluid particles to expand and impart disruptive mechanical forces
onto the target surface.
23. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
electromagnetic energy source emits electromagnetic energy having
one of a wavelength within a range from about 2.69 to about 2.80
microns and a wavelength of about 2.94 microns.
24. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
electromagnetic energy source comprises one of an Er:YAG, an
Er:YSGG, an Er, Cr:YSGG and a CTE:YAG laser.
25. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
electromagnetic energy source and the fluid router are configured
in a manner sufficient to effectuate an impartation of disruptive
forces to an operating site comprising one of tooth, bone,
cartilage and soft tissue.
26. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the conditioned
fluid includes fluid particles comprising water.
27. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the conditioned
fluid comprises an anesthetic.
28. The apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein the
electromagnetic energy source emits electromagnetic energy having
one of a wavelength within a range from about 2.69 to about 2.80
microns and a wavelength of about 2.94 microns.
29. The apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein the
electromagnetic energy source comprises one of an Er:YAG, an
Er:YSGG, an Er, Cr:YSGG and a CTE:YAG laser.
30. The apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein the
electromagnetic energy source and the fluid router are configured
in a manner sufficient to effectuate an impartation of disruptive
forces to a target surface comprising one of tooth, bone, cartilage
and soft tissue.
31. The apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein the fluid
particles comprise water and are output from an atomizer.
32. The apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein the fluid
particles comprises an anesthetic.
33. The apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein the
electromagnetic energy source emits electromagnetic energy having
one of a wavelength within a range from about 2.69 to about 2.80
microns and a wavelength of about 2.94 microns.
34. The apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein the
electromagnetic energy source comprises one of an Er:YAG, an
Er:YSGG, an Er, Cr:YSGG and a CTE:YAG laser.
35. The apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein the
electromagnetic energy source and the fluid router are configured
in a manner sufficient to effectuate an impartation of disruptive
forces to a target surface comprising one of tooth, bone, cartilage
and soft tissue.
36. The apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein: the fluid
router comprises an atomizer; and the fluid particles comprise
water.
37. The apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein the fluid
particles comprise an anesthetic.
38. The apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein the
electromagnetic energy source emits electromagnetic energy having
one of a wavelength within a range from about 2.69 to about 2.80
microns and a wavelength of about 2.94 microns.
39. The apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein the
electromagnetic energy source comprises one of an Er:YAG, an
Er:YSGG, an Er, Cr:YSGG and a CTE:YAG laser.
40. The apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein the
electromagnetic energy source and the fluid output are configured
in a manner sufficient to effectuate an impartation of disruptive
forces to a target surface comprising one of tooth, bone, cartilage
and soft tissue.
41. The apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein the fluid
particles comprise water.
42. The apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein the fluid
particles comprises an anesthetic.
43. The apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein: the fluid
output comprises an atomizer; and the fluid particles are atomized
fluid particles.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/435,325, filed May 9, 2003, the entire contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to medical cutting,
irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, and drilling techniques and, more
particularly to a system for introducing conditioned fluids into
the cutting, irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, and drilling
techniques.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] A prior art dental/medical work station 11 is shown in FIG.
1. A vacuum line 12 and an air supply line 13 supply negative and
positive pressures, respectively. A water supply line 14 and an
electrical outlet 15 supply water and power, respectively. The
vacuum line 12, the air supply line 13, the water supply line 14,
and the power source 15 are all connected to the dental/medical
unit 16.
[0006] The dental/medical unit 16 may comprise a dental seat or an
operating table, a sink, an overhead light, and other conventional
equipment used in dental and medical procedures. The dental/medical
unit 16 provides water, air, vacuum and/or power to the instruments
17. These instruments may include an electrocauterizer, an
electromagnetic energy source, a mechanical drill, a mechanical
saw, a canal finder, a syringe, and/or an evacuator.
[0007] The electromagnetic energy source is typically a laser
coupled with a delivery system. The laser 18a and delivery system
19a, both shown in phantom, as well as any of the above-mentioned
instruments, may be connected directly to the dental/medical unit
16. Alternatively, the laser 18b and delivery system 19b, both
shown in phantom, may be connected directly to the water supply 14,
the air supply 13, and the electric outlet 15. Other instruments 17
may be connected directly to any of the vacuum line 12, the air
supply line 13, the water supply line 14, and/or the electrical
outlet 15.
[0008] The laser 18 and delivery system 19 may typically comprise
an electromagnetic cutter for dental use. A conventional prior art
electromagnetic cutter is shown in FIG. 2. According to this prior
art apparatus, a fiber guide tube 30, a water line 31, an air line
32, and an air knife line 33 (which supplies pressurized air) may
be fed from the dental/medical unit 16 into the hand-held apparatus
34. A cap 35 fits onto the hand-held apparatus 34 and is secured
via threads 36. The fiber guide tube 30 abuts within a cylindrical
metal piece 37. Another cylindrical metal piece 38 is a part of the
cap 35. When the cap 35 is threaded onto the hand-held device 34,
the two cylindrical metal tubes 37 and 38 are moved into very close
proximity of one another. The pressurized air from the air knife
line 33 surrounds and cools the laser as the laser bridges the gap
between the two metal cylindrical objects 37 and 38. Air from the
air knife line 33 flows out of the two exhausts 39 and 41 after
cooling the interface between elements 37 and 38.
[0009] The laser energy exits from the fiber guide tube 42 and is
applied to a target surface within the patient's mouth, according
to a predetermined surgical plan. Water from the water line 31 and
pressurized air from the air line 32 are forced into the mixing
chamber 43. The air and water mixture is very turbulent in the
mixing chamber 43, and exits this chamber through a mesh screen
with small holes 44. The air and water mixture travels along the
outside of the fiber guide tube 42, and then leaves the tube 42 and
contacts the area of surgery. The air and water spray coming from
the tip of the fiber guide tube 42 helps to cool the target surface
being cut and to remove materials cut by the laser.
[0010] Water is generally used in a variety of laser cutting
operations in order to cool the target surface. Additionally, water
is used in mechanical drilling operations for cooling the target
surface and removing cut or drilled materials therefrom. Many prior
art cutting or drilling systems use a combination of air and water,
commonly combined to form a light mist, for cooling a target
surface and/or removing cut materials from the target surface.
[0011] The use of water in these prior art systems has been
somewhat successful for the limited purposes of cooling a target
surface or removing debris therefrom. These prior art uses of water
in cutting and drilling operations, however, have not allowed for
versatility, outside of the two functions of cooling and removing
debris. In particular, during cutting or drilling operations,
medication treatments, preventative measure applications, and
aesthetically pleasing substances, such as flavors or aromas, have
not been possible or used. A conventional drilling operation may
benefit from the use of an anesthetic near the drilling operation,
for example, but during this drilling operation only water and/or
air has so far been used. In the case of a laser cutting operation,
a disinfectant, such as iodine, could be applied to the target
surface during drilling to guard against infection, but this
additional disinfectant has not been applied during such laser
cutting operations. In the case of an oral drilling or cutting
operation, unpleasant tastes or odors may be generated, which may
be unpleasing to the patient. The conventional use of only water
during this oral procedure does not mask the undesirable taste or
odor. A need has thus existed in the prior art for versatility of
applications and of treatments during drilling and cutting
procedures.
[0012] Compressed gases, pressurized air, and electrical motors are
commonly used to provide the driving force for mechanical cutting
instruments, such as drills, in dentistry and medicine. The
compressed gases and pressurized water are subsequently ejected
into the atmosphere in close proximity to or inside of the
patient's mouth and/or nose. The same holds true for electrically
driven turbines when a cooling spray (air and water) is typically
ejected into the patient's mouth, as well. These ejected fluids
commonly contain vaporous elements of burnt flesh or drilled tissue
structure. This odor can be quite uncomfortable for the patient,
and can increase trauma experienced by the patient during the
drilling or cutting procedure. In a such a drilling or cutting
procedure, a mechanism for masking the smell and the odor generated
from the cutting or drilling may be advantageous.
[0013] Another problem exists in the prior art with bacteria growth
on surfaces within a dental operating room. The interior surfaces
of air, vacuum, and water lines of the dental unit, for example,
are subject to bacteria growth. Additionally, the air and water
used to cool the tissue being cut or drilled within the patient's
mouth is often vaporized into the air to some degree. This
vaporized air and water condensates on surfaces of the dental
equipment within the dental operating room. These moist surfaces
can also promote bacteria growth, which is undesirable. A system
for reducing the bacteria growth within air, vacuum, and water
lines, and for reducing the bacteria growth resulting from
condensation on exterior surfaces, is needed to reduce sources of
contamination within a dental operating room.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The fluid conditioning system of the present invention is
adaptable to most existing medical and dental cutting, irrigating,
evacuating, cleaning, and drilling apparatuses. Flavored fluid is
used in place of regular tap water during drilling operations. In
the case of a laser surgical operation, electromagnetic energy is
focused in a direction of the tissue to be cut, and a fluid router
routes flavored fluid in the same direction. The flavored fluid may
appeal to the taste buds of the patient undergoing the surgical
procedure, and may include any of a variety of flavors, such as a
fruit flavor or a mint flavor. In the case of a mist or air spray,
scented air may be used to mask the smell of burnt or drilled
tissue. The scent may function as an air freshener, even for
operations outside of dental applications.
[0015] The fluids used for cooling a surgical site and/or removing
tissue may further include an ionized solution, such as a
biocompatible saline solution, and may further include fluids
having predetermined densities, specific gravities, pH levels,
viscosities, or temperatures, relative to conventional tap water.
Additionally, the fluids may include a medication, such as an
antibiotic, a steroid, an anesthetic, an anti-inflammatory, an
antiseptic or disinfectant, adrenaline, epinephrine, or an
astringent. The fluid may also include vitamins, herbs, or
minerals. Still further, the fluid may include a tooth-whitening
agent that is adapted to whiten a tooth of a patient. The
tooth-whitening agent may comprise, for example, a peroxide, such
as hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, or carbamide peroxide. The
tooth-whitening agent may have a viscosity on an order of 0.1 poise
or less.
[0016] Introduction of any of the above-mentioned conditioning
agents to the conventional water of a cutting or drilling operation
may be controlled by a user input. Thus, for example, a user may
adjust a knob or apply pressure to a foot pedal in order to
introduce iodine into the water after a cutting operation has been
performed. The amount of conditioning applied to the air, water, or
mist may be a function of the position of the foot pedal, for
example.
[0017] According to one broad aspect of the present invention, a
mist of atomized particles is placed into a volume of air above the
tissue to be cut, and a source of electromagnetic energy, such as a
laser, is focused into the volume of air. The electromagnetic
energy has a wavelength, which is substantially absorbed by the
atomized particles in the volume air. This absorption of the
electromagnetic energy by the atomized particles causes the
atomized particles to explode and impart mechanical cutting forces
onto the tissue. According to this feature, the electromagnetic
energy source does not directly cut the tissue but, rather, the
exploded fluid particles are used to cut the tissue. These fluid
particles may be conditioned with flavors, scents, ionization,
medications, disinfectants, and other agents, as previously
mentioned.
[0018] Since the electromagnetic energy is focused directly on the
atomized, conditioned fluid particles, the cutting forces are
changed, depending upon the conditioning of the atomized fluid
particles. The mechanical cutting efficiency is proportional
(related) to the absorption of the electromagnetic energy by the
fluid spray. The absorption characteristic can be modified by
changing the fluid composition. For example, introduction of a salt
into the water before atomization, resulting in an ionized
solution, will exhibit slower cutting properties than does regular
water. This slower cutting may be desirable, or the laser power may
be increased to compensate for the ionized, atomized fluid
particles. Additionally, the atomized fluid particles may be
pigmented to either enhance or retard absorption of the
electromagnetic energy, to thereby additionally control the cutting
power of the system. Two sources of fluid may be used, with one of
the sources having a pigment and the other not having a
pigment.
[0019] Another feature of the present invention places a
disinfectant in the air, mist, or water used for dental
applications. This disinfectant can be periodically routed through
the air, mist, or water lines to disinfect the interior surfaces of
these lines. This routing of disinfectant can be performed between
patients, daily, or at any other predetermined intervals. A
mouthwash may be used, for example, at the end of each procedure to
both clean the patient's mouth and clean the air and water
tubes.
[0020] According to another feature of the present invention, when
disinfectant is routed through the lines during a medical
procedure, the disinfectant stays with the water or mist, as the
water or mist becomes airborne and settles on surrounding surfaces
within the dental operating room. Bacteria growth within the lines,
and from the condensation, is significantly attenuated, since the
disinfectant retards bacteria growth on the moist surfaces.
[0021] While the apparatus and method have or will be described for
the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it
is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly
formulated under 35 USC .sctn. 112, are not to be construed as
necessarily limited in any way by the construction of "means" or
"steps" limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the
meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims
under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where
the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC .sctn. 112 are to
be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC .sctn. 112.
[0022] Any feature or combination of features described herein are
included within the scope of the present invention provided that
the features included in any such combination are not mutually
inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this
specification, and the knowledge of one skilled in the art. In
addition, any feature or combination of features may be
specifically excluded from any embodiment of the present invention.
For purposes of summarizing the present invention, certain aspects,
advantages and novel features of the present invention are
described. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily
all such aspects, advantages or features will be embodied in any
particular implementation of the present invention. Additional
advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the
following detailed description and claims that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional dental/medical work
station;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a conventional optical cutter apparatus;
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a dental/medical work station according
to the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an
electromagnetic cutter using conditioned fluid, according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 5a illustrates one embodiment of the electromagnetic
cutter of FIG. 2;
[0028] FIG. 5b illustrates another embodiment of the
electromagnetic cutter of FIG. 2;
[0029] FIG. 6a illustrates a mechanical drilling apparatus
according to the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 6b illustrates a syringe according to the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates the fluid conditioning system of the
present invention;
[0032] FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the fluid conditioning
unit of the present invention; and
[0033] FIG. 9 illustrates the air conditioning unit of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0034] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same or similar reference numbers are used in the drawings and the
description to refer to the same or like parts. It should be noted
that the drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise
scale. In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of
convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as, top,
bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear,
and front, are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. Such
directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the
invention in any manner.
[0035] Although the disclosure herein refers to certain illustrated
embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are
presented by way of example and not by way of limitation. The
intent of this disclosure, while discussing exemplary embodiments,
is that the following detailed description be construed to cover
all modifications, alternatives, and equivalents of the embodiments
as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined
by the appended claims. The present invention may be practiced in
conjunction with various techniques that are conventionally used in
the art, and only so much of the commonly practiced steps are
included herein as are necessary to provide an understanding of the
present invention.
[0036] The dental/medical work station 111 of the present invention
is shown in FIG. 3, with elements similar to those shown in FIG. 1
proceeded by a "1". The dental/medical work station 111 comprises a
conventional air line 113 and a conventional water line 114 for
supplying air and water, respectively. A vacuum line 112 and an
electrical outlet 115 supply negative air pressure and electricity
to the dental/medical unit 116, similarly to the vacuum 12 and
electrical 15 lines shown in FIG. 1. The fluid conditioning unit
121 may, alternatively, be placed between the dental/medical unit
116 and the instruments 117, for example. According to the present
invention, the air line 113 and the water line 114 are both
connected to a fluid conditioning unit 121.
[0037] A controller 125 allows for user inputs, to control whether
air from the air line 113, water from the water line 114, or both,
are conditioned by the fluid conditioning unit 121. A variety of
agents may be applied to the air or water by the fluid conditioning
unit 121, according to a configuration of the controller 125, for
example, to thereby condition the air or water, before the air or
water is output to the dental/medical unit 116. Flavoring agents
and related substances, for example, may be used, such as disclosed
in 21 C.F.R. Sections 172.510 and 172.515, the details of which are
incorporated herein by reference. Colors, for example, may also be
used for conditioning, such as disclosed in 21 C.F.R. Section 73.1
to Section 73.3126.
[0038] Similarly to the instruments 17 shown in FIG. 1, the
instruments 117 may comprise an electrocauterizer, an
electromagnetic energy source, a laser, a mechanical drill, a
mechanical saw, a canal finder, a syringe, and/or an evacuator. All
of these instruments 117 use air from the air line 113 and/or water
from the water line 114, which may or may not be conditioned
depending on the configuration of the controller 125. Any of the
instruments 117 may alternatively be connected directly to the
fluid conditioning unit 121 or directly to any of the air 113,
water 114, vacuum 112, and/or electric 115 lines. For example, a
laser 118 and delivery system 119 is shown in phantom connected to
the fluid conditioning unit 121. The laser 118a and delivery system
119a may be connected to the dental/medical unit 116, instead of
being grouped with the instruments 117.
[0039] The block diagram shown in FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment
of a laser 51 directly coupled with, for example, the air 113,
water 114, and power 115 lines of FIG. 3. A separate fluid
conditioning system is used in this embodiment. As an alternative
to the laser, or any other tool being connected directly to any or
all of the four supply lines 113-115 and having an independent
fluid conditioning unit, any of these tools may instead, or
additionally, be connected to the dental/medical unit 116 or the
fluid conditioning unit 121, or both.
[0040] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, an
electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter is used for cutting.
Details of this cutter are disclosed in co-pending U.S. Pat. No.
5,741,247 assigned to the assignee of this application. The
electromagnetic cutter energy source 51 is connected directly to
the outlet 115 (FIG. 3), and is coupled to both a controller 53 and
a delivery system 55. The delivery system 55 routes and focuses the
laser 51. In the case of a conventional laser system, thermal
cutting forces are imparted onto the target 57. The delivery system
55 preferably comprises a fiberoptic guide for routing the laser 51
into an interaction zone 59, located above the target surface 57.
The fluid router 60 preferably comprises an atomizer for delivering
user-specified combinations of atomized fluid particles into the
interaction zone 59. The atomized fluid particles are conditioned,
according to the present invention, and may comprise flavors,
scents, saline, tooth-whitening agents, and other agents, as
discussed below.
[0041] In the case of a conventional laser, a stream or mist of
conditioned fluid is supplied by the fluid router 60. The
controller 53 may control various operating parameters of the laser
51, the conditioning of the fluid from the fluid router 60, and the
specific characteristics of the fluid from the fluid router 60.
[0042] Although the present invention may be used with conventional
drills and lasers, for example, one preferred embodiment is the
above-mentioned electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter.
Other preferred embodiments include an electrocauterizer, a
syringe, an evacuator, or any air or electrical driver, drilling,
filling, or cleaning mechanical instrument. FIG. 5a shows a simple
embodiment of the electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter, in
which a fiberoptic guide 61, an air tube 63, and a fluid tube 65
are placed within a hand-held housing 67. Although a variety of
connections are possible, the air tube 63 and water tube 65 are
preferably connected to either the fluid conditioning unit 121 or
the dental/medical unit 116 of FIG. 3. The fluid tube 65 is
preferably operated under a relatively low pressure, and the air
tube 63 is preferably operated under a relatively high
pressure.
[0043] According to the present invention, either the air from the
air tube 63 or the fluid from the fluid tube 65, or both, are
selectively conditioned by the fluid conditioning unit 121, as
controlled by the controller 125. The laser energy from the
fiberoptic guide 61 focuses onto a combination of air and fluid,
from the air tube 63 and the fluid tube 65, at the interaction zone
59. Atomized fluid particles in the air and fluid mixture absorb
energy from the laser energy of the fiberoptic tube 61, and
explode. The explosive forces from these atomized fluid particles
impart mechanical cutting forces onto the target 57.
[0044] Turning back to FIG. 2, a conventional optical cutter
focuses laser energy on a target surface at an area A, for example,
and the electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter focuses laser
energy into an interaction zone B, for example. The conventional
optical cutter uses the laser energy directly to cut tissue, and
the electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter uses the laser
energy to expand atomized fluid particles to thus impart mechanical
cutting forces onto the target surface. The atomized fluid
particles are heated, expanded, and cooled before contacting the
target surface.
[0045] FIG. 5b illustrates a preferred embodiment of the
electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter. The atomizer for
generating atomized fluid particles comprises a nozzle 71, which
may be interchanged with other nozzles (not shown) for obtaining
various spatial distributions of the atomized fluid particles,
according to the type of cut desired. A second nozzle 72, shown in
phantom lines, may also be used. In a simple embodiment, a user
controls the air and water pressure entering into the nozzle 71.
The nozzle 71 is thus capable of generating many different
user-specified combinations of atomized fluid particles and
aerosolized sprays.
[0046] Intense energy is emitted from the fiberoptic guide 23. This
intense energy is preferably generated from a coherent source, such
as a laser. In the presently preferred embodiment, the laser
comprises an erbium, chromium, yttrium, scandium, gallium garnet
(Er, Cr:YSGG) solid state laser. When fluids besides mere water are
used, the absorption of the light energy changes and cutting
efficiency is thus affected. Alternatively, when using certain
fluids containing pigments or dyes, laser systems of different
wavelengths such as Neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet-Nd:YAG
wavelengths may be selected to allow for high absorption by the
fluid.
[0047] The delivery system 55 for delivering the electromagnetic
energy includes a fiberoptic energy guide or equivalent which
attaches to the laser system and travels to the desired work site.
Fiberoptics or waveguides are typically long, thin and lightweight,
and are easily manipulated. Fiberoptics can be made of calcium
fluoride (CaF), calcium oxide (CaO.sub.2), zirconium oxide
(ZrO.sub.2), zirconium fluoride (ZrF), sapphire, hollow waveguide,
liquid core, TeX glass, quartz silica, germanium sulfide, arsenic
sulfide, germanium oxide (GeO.sub.2), and other materials. Other
delivery systems include devices comprising mirrors, lenses and
other optical components where the energy travels through a cavity,
is directed by various mirrors, and is focused onto the targeted
cutting site with specific lenses.
[0048] The preferred embodiment of light delivery for medical
applications of the present invention is through a fiberoptic
conductor, because of its light weight, lower cost, and ability to
be packaged inside of a handpiece of familiar size and weight to
the surgeon, dentist, or clinician. Non-fiberoptic systems may be
used in both industrial applications and medical applications, as
well. The nozzle 71 is employed to create an engineered combination
of small particles of the chosen fluid. The nozzle 71 may comprise
several different designs including liquid only, air blast, air
assist, swirl, solid cone, etc. When fluid exits the nozzle 71 at a
given pressure and rate, it is transformed into particles of
user-controllable sizes, velocities, and spatial distributions. A
mechanical drill 60 is shown in FIG. 6a, comprising a handle 62, a
drill bit 64, and a water output 66. The mechanical drill 60
comprises a motor 68, which may be electrically driven, or driven
by pressurized air.
[0049] When the motor 68 is driven by air, for example, the fluid
enters the mechanical drill 60 through the first supply line 70.
Fluid entering through the first supply line 70 passes through the
motor 68, which may comprise a turbine, for example, to thereby
provide rotational forces to the drill bit 64. A portion of the
fluid, which may not appeal to a patient's taste and/or smell, may
exit around the drill bit 64, coming into contact with the
patient's mouth and/or nose. The majority of the fluid exits back
through the first supply line 70.
[0050] In the case of an electric motor, for example, the first
supply line 70 provides electric power. The second supply line 74
supplies fluid to the fluid output 66. The water and/or air
supplied to the mechanical drill 60 may be selectively conditioned
by the fluid conditioning unit 121, according to the configuration
of the controller 125.
[0051] The syringe 76 shown in FIG. 6b comprises an air input line
78 and a water input line 80. A user control 82 is movable between
a first position and a second position. The first position supplies
air from the air line 78 to the output tip 84, and the second
position supplies water from the water line 80 to the output tip
84. Either the air from the air line 78, the water from the water
line 80, or both, may be selectively conditioned by the fluid
conditioning unit 121, according to the configuration of the
controller 125, for example.
[0052] Turning to FIG. 7, a portion of the fluid conditioning unit
121 (FIG. 3) is shown. This fluid conditioning unit 121 is
preferably adaptable to existing water lines 114, for providing
conditioned fluid to the dental/medical unit 116 as a substitute
for regular tap water in drilling and cutting operations, for
example. The interface 89 connects to an existing water line 114
and feeds water through the fluid-in line 81 and the bypass line
91. The reservoir 83 accepts water from the fluid-in line 81 and
outputs conditioned fluid to the fluid-out line 85. The fluid-in
line 81, the reservoir 83, and the fluid-out line 85 together
comprise a fluid conditioning subunit 87.
[0053] Conditioned fluid is output from the fluid conditioning
subunit 87 into the combination unit 93. The fluid may be
conditioned by conventional means, such as the addition of a
tablet, liquid syrup, or a flavor cartridge. Also input into the
combination unit 93 is regular water from the bypass line 91. A
user input 95 into the controller 125, for example, determines
whether fluid output from the combination unit 93 into the fluid
tube 65 comprises only conditioned fluid from the fluid-out line
85, only regular water from the bypass line 91, or a combination
thereof. The user input 95 comprises a rotatable knob, a pedal, or
a foot switch, operable by a user, for determining the proportions
of conditioned fluid and regular water. These proportions may be
determined according to the pedal or knob position. In the pedal
embodiment, for example, a full-down pedal position corresponds to
only conditioned fluid from the fluid outline 85 being output into
the fluid tube 65, and a full pedal up position corresponds to only
water from the bypass line 91 being output into the fluid tube 65.
The bypass line 91, the combination unit 93, and the user input 95
provide versatility, but may be omitted, according to preference. A
simple embodiment for conditioning fluid would comprise only the
fluid conditioning subunit 87.
[0054] An alternative embodiment of the fluid conditioning subunit
87 is shown in FIG. 8. The fluid conditioning subunit 187 inputs
air from air line 113 via an air input line 181, and outputs
conditioned fluid via a fluid output line 185. The fluid output
line 185 preferably extends vertically down into the reservoir 183
into the fluid 191 located therein. The lid 184 may be removed and
conditioned fluid inserted into the reservoir 183. Alternatively, a
solid or liquid form of fluid conditioner may be added to water
already in the reservoir 183. The fluid is preferably conditioned,
using either a scent fluid drop or a scent tablet (not shown), and
may be supplied with fungible cartridges, for example.
[0055] The fluid 191 within the reservoir 183 may be conditioned to
achieve a desired flavor, such as a fruit flavor or a mint flavor,
or may be conditioned to achieve a desired scent, such as an air
freshening smell. In one embodiment wherein the reservoir is
conditioned to achieve a desired flavor, the flavoring agent for
achieving the desired flavor does not consist solely of a
combination of saline and water and does not consist solely of a
combination of detergent and water. A conditioned fluid having a
scent, a scented mist, or a scented source of air, may be
particularly advantageous for implementation in connection with an
air conditioning unit, as shown in FIG. 9 and discussed below. In
addition to flavor and scents, other conditioning agents may be
selectively added to a conventional water line, mist line, or air
line. For example, an ionized solution, such as saline water, or a
pigmented solution may be added, as discussed below. Additionally,
agents may be added to change the density, specific gravity, pH,
temperature, or viscosity of water and/or air supplied to a
drilling or cutting operation. These agents may include a
tooth-whitening agent for whitening a tooth of a patient. The
tooth-whitening agent may comprise, for example, a peroxide, such
as hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, or carbamide peroxide. The
tooth-whitening agent may have a viscosity on an order of 0.1 poise
or less. Medications, such as antibiotics, steroids, anesthetics,
anti-inflammatories, disinfectants, adrenaline, epinephrine, or
astringents may be added to the water and/or air used in a drilling
or cutting operation. In one embodiment the medication does not
consist solely of a combination of saline and water and does not
consist solely of a combination of detergent and water. For
example, an astringent may be applied to a surgical area, via the
water line to reduce bleeding. Vitamins, herbs, or minerals may
also be used for conditioning the air or water used in a cutting or
drilling procedure. An anesthetic or anti-inflammatory applied to a
surgical wound may reduce discomfort to the patient or trauma to
the wound, and an antibiotic or disinfectant may prevent infection
to the wound.
[0056] The air conditioning subunit shown in FIG. 9 is connectible
into an existing air line 113, via interfaces 286 and 289.
Conventional air enters the conditioning subunit via the air input
line 281, and exits an air output line 285. The air input line 281
preferably extends vertically into the reservoir 283 into a fluid
291 within the reservoir 283. The fluid 291 is preferably
conditioned, using either a scent fluid drop or a scent tablet (not
shown). The fluid 291 may be conditioned with other agents, as
discussed above in the context of conditioning water. According to
the present invention, water in the water line 31 or air in the air
line 32 of a conventional laser cutting system (FIG. 2) is
conditioned. Either the fluid tube 65 or the air tube 63 (FIG. 5a)
of the electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter is
conditioned. In addition to laser operations, the air and/or water
of a dental drilling, irrigating, suction, or electrocautery system
may also be conditioned.
[0057] Many of the above-discussed conditioning agents may change
the absorption of the electromagnetic energy into the atomized
fluid particles in the electromagnetically induced mechanical
cutting environment of the presently preferred embodiment.
Accordingly, the type of conditioning may effect the cutting power
of an electromagnetic or an electromagnetically induced mechanical
cutter. Thus, in addition to the direct benefits achievable through
these various conditioning agents discussed above, such as flavor
or medication, these various conditioning agents further provide
versatility and programmability to the type of cut resulting from
the electromagnetic or electromagnetically induced mechanical
cutter. For example, introduction of a saline solution will reduce
the speed of cutting. Such a biocompatible saline solution may be
used for delicate cutting operations or, alternatively, may be used
with a higher laser-power setting to approximate the cutting power
achievable with regular water.
[0058] Pigmented fluids may also be used with the electromagnetic
or the electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter, according to
the present invention. The electromagnetic energy source may be set
for maximum absorption of atomized fluid particles having a certain
pigmentation, for example. These pigmented atomized fluid particles
may then be used to achieve the mechanical cutting. A second water
or mist source may be used in the cutting operation, but since this
second water or mist is not pigmented, the interaction with the
electromagnetic energy source is minimized. As just one example of
many, this secondary mist or water source could be flavored.
[0059] According to another configuration, the atomized fluid
particles may be unpigmented, and the electromagnetic or the
electromagnetically induced energy source may be set to provide
maximum energy absorption for these unpigmented atomized fluid
particles. A secondary pigmented fluid or mist may then be
introduced into the surgical area, and this secondary mist or water
would not interact significantly with the electromagnetic energy
source. As another example, a single source of atomized fluid
particles may be switchable between pigmentation and
non-pigmentation, and the electromagnetic energy source may be set
to be absorbed by one of the two pigment states to thereby provide
a dimension of controllability as to exactly when cutting is
achieved.
[0060] When the fluids (e.g., pigmented fluids) are atomized and
placed into the interaction zone, a portion of them absorb the
electromagnetic energy and expand to impart disruptive mechanical
forces onto the target surface. The expansions of the fluid
particles can generate "explosive ejection" effects and "explosive
propulsion" effects, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,247, the
contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by
reference.
[0061] In another embodiment, the source of atomized fluid
particles may comprise a tooth whitening agent that is adapted to
whiten a tooth of a patient. The tooth-whitening agent may
comprise, for example, a peroxide, such as hydrogen peroxide, urea
peroxide, or carbamide peroxide. The tooth-whitening agent may have
a viscosity on an order of 0.1 poise or less. The source of
atomized fluid particles is switchable by a switching device
between a first configuration wherein the atomized fluid particles
comprise the tooth-whitening agent and a second configuration
wherein the atomized fluid particles do not comprise the
tooth-whitening agent. In this configuration, the electromagnetic
or electromagnetically induced energy source may comprise, for
example, a laser that is operable between an on condition and an
off condition, independently of the configuration of the switching
device. Thus, regardless of whether the switching device is in the
first configuration or the second configuration, the laser can be
operated in either the on or off condition.
[0062] Disinfectant may be added to an air or water source in order
to combat bacteria growth within the air and water lines, and on
surfaces within a dental operating room. The air and water lines of
the dental unit 116, for example, may be periodically flushed with
a disinfectant selected by the controller 125 and supplied by the
fluid conditioning unit 121. An accessory tube disinfecting unit
123 may accommodate disinfecting cartridges and perform
standardized or preprogrammed periodic flushing operations.
[0063] Even in a dental or medical procedure, an appropriate
disinfectant may be used. The disinfectant may be applied at the
end of a dental procedure as a mouthwash, for example, or may be
applied during a medical or dental procedure. The air and water
used to cool the tissue being cut or drilled within the patient's
mouth, for example, is often vaporized into the air to some degree.
According to the present invention, a conditioned disinfectant
solution will also be vaporized with air or water, and condensate
onto surfaces of the dental equipment within the dental operating
room. Any bacteria growth on these moist surfaces is significantly
attenuated, as a result of the disinfectant on the surfaces.
[0064] The above-described embodiments have been provided by way of
example, and the present invention is not limited to these
examples. Multiple variations and modification to the disclosed
embodiments will occur, to the extent not mutually exclusive, to
those skilled in the art upon consideration of the foregoing
description. Additionally, other combinations, omissions,
substitutions and modifications will be apparent to the skilled
artisan in view of the disclosure herein. Accordingly, the present
invention is not intended to be limited by the disclosed
embodiments, but is to be defined by reference to the appended
claims.
* * * * *