U.S. patent application number 15/223476 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-17 for laser handpiece, exchangeable fiber-optic insert and control unit therefor.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sirona Dental Systems GmbH. Invention is credited to Thomas Bierbaum, Siegried Goisser, Thomas Jerger, Hermann Landgraf, Joachim Peuckert, Matthias Rein, Ralf Sutter.
Application Number | 20160331458 15/223476 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42237238 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160331458 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bierbaum; Thomas ; et
al. |
November 17, 2016 |
LASER HANDPIECE, EXCHANGEABLE FIBER-OPTIC INSERT AND CONTROL UNIT
THEREFOR
Abstract
The invention relates to a laser handpiece 1, an exchangeable
fiber-optic insert 10, and a control unit 70 therefor. The laser
handpiece 1 comprises a optical waveguide 35, which is connected to
a light coupling site in a base member 21 and in which the
application element 10 for laser light is exchangeably attached to
the base member 21. The base member 21 is mounted in a sleeve-type
grip 3 for axial displacement therein. The light guide 10 can be
wound around a control device 70 which has an annular gap 73 for
this purpose and a lower housing part 75 which is offset from an
upper housing part 74. An exchangeable fiber-optic insert 10, 27
acting as an application element is provided with a sleeve 80
serving as protection during transportation and as an assembling
tool.
Inventors: |
Bierbaum; Thomas; (Bensheim,
DE) ; Goisser; Siegried; (Einhausen, DE) ;
Landgraf; Hermann; (Lorsch, DE) ; Rein; Matthias;
(Lorsch, DE) ; Sutter; Ralf; (Weinheim, DE)
; Jerger; Thomas; (Mossingen, DE) ; Peuckert;
Joachim; (Bonnigheim, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sirona Dental Systems GmbH |
Bensheim |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
42237238 |
Appl. No.: |
15/223476 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12700367 |
Feb 4, 2010 |
9433475 |
|
|
15223476 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 1/18 20130101; A61B
18/22 20130101; A61B 2018/2285 20170501; A61C 1/0046 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 18/22 20060101
A61B018/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 6, 2009 |
DE |
10 2009 000 685.2 |
Claims
1-25. (canceled)
26. A laser handpiece, comprising an optical waveguide, wherein
said optical waveguide is fixed to a light coupling site in a base
member, an application element for laser light is attached to said
base member and the base member is mounted in a sleeve-type grip
for axial displacement therein.
27. The laser handpiece as defined in claim 26, wherein said
sleeve-type grip consists of several parts and comprises a finger
pad region, a supporting region, and an adjustment region.
28. The laser handpiece as defined in claim 26, wherein a position
of the base member in relation to the sleeve-type grip is locked or
restrained.
29. The laser handpiece as defined in claim 28, wherein said base
member has a sliding knob projecting through said sleeve-type
grip.
30. The laser handpiece as defined in claim 29, wherein said
sliding knob is movable against a force of a spring from a first,
restrained position to a second, displaced position.
31. The laser handpiece as defined in claim 26, wherein at least
one pushbutton for switching on the laser light is provided, which
can be actuated via a keypad having a length of at least 20 mm.
32. The laser handpiece as defined in claim 31, wherein the
pushbutton is mounted on said base member and is covered by a
rotatable lever mounted on said sleeve-type grip.
33. The laser handpiece as defined in claim 32, wherein said
pushbutton on said base member is secured against unintentional
actuation when said sleeve-type grip has been removed.
34. The laser handpiece as defined in claim 33, wherein a securing
mechanism for securing said pushbutton is formed by a raised
surface, by side ridges extending in a longitudinal direction and
having a height and spacing such that accidental actuation by a
user is not possible or substantially avoided.
35. The laser handpiece as defined in any one of claim 31, wherein
said pushbutton for switching on the laser light can be connected
to an evaluation unit.
36. The laser handpiece as defined in any one of claims 31, wherein
the at least one pushbutton includes a plurality of redundant
pushbuttons.
37. The laser handpiece as defined in claim 31, wherein the base
member has a sensor oriented toward the light path in said base
member and adapted to recognize light having a wavelength of the
light supplied by said waveguide and wherein a signal can be
transmitted to an evaluation unit.
38. The laser handpiece as defined in claim 31, wherein the at
least one pushbutton includes a plurality of redundant
pushbuttons.
39. The laser handpiece as defined in claim 26, wherein said
application element for laser light is exchangeably mounted in the
base member.
40. The laser handpiece as defined in any one of claim 26, wherein
said optical waveguide is accommodated in a handpiece hose, and the
handpiece hose is connected to said base member and is freely
movable relatively to said sleeve-type grip.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a laser handpiece, an exchangeable
fiber-optic insert, and a control unit for the same. For the
treatment of teeth or gums in the oral cavity of a patient, it is
known to produce laser light in a laser unit and to guide the same
into the patient's mouth and point it toward the site to be
treated.
PRIOR ART
[0002] Essentially two design forms are known for this purpose.
Thus, an up to 3 m long glass fiber is connected at its proximal
end to a laser unit and the distal end is used for treatment. After
each treatment, the glass fiber is shortened by a defined length
for hygienic reasons. When the distance between the laser unit and
the patient has fallen short of a minimum value, the remaining
glass fiber has to be replaced in its entirety. The handpiece is
used for the purpose of guiding the distal end of the glass fiber
and is pushed onto the glass fiber and pushed back along the same
every time the latter is shortened.
[0003] It is further known to connect the laser unit to a handpiece
by means of a light guide. Light is transmitted inside the
handpiece from the light guide to a glass fiber used for treating
the patient. Present-day said glass fibers are disposable and hence
they are exchangeably installed in the handpiece.
[0004] In both cases, the laser unit and thus the laser beam are
activated with the aid of a foot switch, as is common in dental
practice.
[0005] DE 693 27 187 T2 discloses a laser handpiece, to which laser
radiation has from an external laser source to a disposable or
consumable optical fiber. This single-use or disposable fiber is
connected to the handpiece and the need is eliminated for optical
components, particularly lenses, between an optical fiber installed
in the handpiece for delivering laser radiation to the handpiece
and an exchangeable optical output fiber, since there is additional
cooling of the light-transfer parts.
[0006] Furthermore, design forms are known in which a finger switch
is assigned to the handpiece for activating laser radiation.
[0007] For the desirable reuse of the glass fibers, the
contaminations on the glass fibers, particularly at the distal end
thereof used for treatment, during which it is in physical contact
with member tissues over a length of a few millimeters, cannot, as
a result of carbonation of said tissues, be removed without causing
malfunction of the glass fibers, so that the glass fibers are
typically shortened. The disadvantage of said design forms
comprising a handpiece mounted for displacement along the glass
fiber, particularly in conjunction with an electrical finger
switch, is that the length of the glass fiber diminishes from
treatment to treatment, while the length of the electrical supply
line typically remains constant. Radio transmission of the switch
signal would be complicated, since it would require a large amount
of space and an energy storage unit. Particular attention must be
paid to safety since possible false actuation or failure to switch
off the laser will result in considerable risk for the patient, the
user, or the assisting staff.
[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a laser handpiece
comprising a reusable application element, in which the length of
the handpiece and the optical and electrical supply lines between
the handpiece and the control unit and thus also the ergonomics in
the treatment itself remain substantially constant.
[0009] A further object is to provide an exchangeable glass fiber
which can be easily transported, sterilized and installed.
[0010] An additional object of the invention consists in designing
a control device for a laser handpiece such that the light guide
for supplying laser light to the handpiece can be wound up and
stored in a convenient manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] These objects are achieved by the features of the
independent claims, and preferred developments of the invention are
defined in the dependent claims.
[0012] A laser handpiece of the invention comprises an optical
waveguide which is attached to a light coupling site in a base
member, and an application element for laser light that is
replaceably attached to the base member. The base member is mounted
in a sleeve-type grip for axial displacement therein. The term
"optical waveguide" is to be understood herein to mean a supply
line from a control device providing laser light, while an
"application element" is an element used for treatment with laser
light.
[0013] The basic concept of a sleeve-type grip comprising a base
member mounted for displacement therein allows for the adjustment
of the distance of the distal end of the application
element--usually a glass fiber--from the distal end of the
sleeve-type grip usually formed by a guide cannula, also referred
to as a guide tube. This length adjustment is desirable since
different applications require different lengths of glass fiber.
For example, a free length of the glass fiber of approximately one
centimeter is usually sufficient for surgical treatments, while a
length of from two to three centimeters is necessary for root-canal
treatment. One particular advantage is that the holding position of
the laser handpiece in relation to the guide cannula is independent
of the length of the glass fiber, and the user can thus always
assume the same accustomed position.
[0014] Advantageously, the sleeve-type grip can consist of several
parts and comprise a finger pad region, a supporting region and an
adjusting region. The division of the sleeve-type grip into
different components makes for ease of assembly.
[0015] In order to assist displacement, the base member can
comprise a sliding knob protruding through the sleeve-type grip,
and the sleeve-type grip can comprise a slide path with a guide for
the sliding knob.
[0016] The sliding knob can be moved from a first, restrained
position against the force of a spring to a second, displaced
position. Accidental displacement of the sliding knob is thus
prevented.
[0017] Advantageously, a pushbutton for switching on the laser
light can be provided on the handpiece, for which purpose the
accommodation of the pushbutton in the finger pad region is
particularly advantageous. Particularly when a long keypad is
provided which extends in the longitudinal direction and the length
of which preferably ranges from 20 mm to 45 mm, it is possible to
provide different holding positions for the laser handpiece in the
longitudinal direction while ensuring actuation of the
pushbutton.
[0018] The possibility of providing the pushbutton on the base
member itself is of particular importance to the invention, since
it is then no longer necessary to provide electrical components on
the sleeve-type grip itself and the latter can be repeatedly
sterilized using, in particular, superheated steam. The pushbutton
can be covered by a rotatable lever mounted on the sleeve-type
grip, the length of the lever in relation to the swivel axis
preferably being at least twice and more preferably from three to
five times the actuation distance travelled by the sleeve-type grip
for actuation of the pushbutton. The term "actuation distance"
refers to the distance to be travelled by the sleeve-type grip to
ensure actuation of the pushbutton when the lever acts. This excess
distance of the lever in relation to the actuation length ensures
that there exist only small differences in the actuating distance
or in the actuating force.
[0019] The advantage of the special embodiment comprising a lever
acting on the pushbutton is that the pushbutton or, if more are
provided, the pushbuttons can be actuated with almost the same
force over the entire displacement path. It is thus possible to
provide a large keypad and ensure the actuation of the pushbuttons
in any position of the base member relative to the sleeve.
[0020] The pushbutton on the base member can be secured against
accidental actuation after the sleeve has been removed. For this
purpose, the pushbutton can be disposed, for example, in a
depression on the base member or raised areas can be provided in
the immediate vicinity of the pushbutton.
[0021] Accidental actuation of the pushbutton by the user is
regarded as not possible in the prior art when the design is such
that the standard test finger specified in the relevant standard
IEC 60601-1 cannot effect actuation. A mechanical safeguard for the
pushbutton can take the form of raised areas, preferably consisting
of side ridges extending in the longitudinal direction, the height
thereof in relation to the pushbuttons and the spacing thereof
preventing any actuation of the pushbutton by a standard test
finger.
[0022] For the purpose of switching on the laser light, the
pushbutton can be connected to an evaluating unit, for example, by
means of an electric circuit or a signal line which can also
transmit optical signals.
[0023] A number of redundant pushbuttons can be provided for
increasing operational reliability.
[0024] In a development of the invention, the base member comprises
a sensor which is oriented toward the optical path in the base
member and which detects light having the wavelength of the light
supplied via the light guide, and which, as also in the case of the
pushbuttons, can transmit a signal to an evaluating unit present in
the laser handpiece or in a control unit.
[0025] Particularly during operation with an exchangeable
fiber-optic insert, the detection of the presence of this
exchangeable fiber-optic insert by means of a sensor increases the
safety of operation of the laser handpiece. Furthermore, a fracture
of the glass fiber in the interior of the sleeve-type grip can also
be detected.
[0026] A number of redundant sensors can be provided for increasing
operational safety.
[0027] The laser handpiece can comprise an exchangeable application
element for laser light, whose proximal end remote from the
treatment end is connected to a light coupling site in the base
member. In particular, the application element can be an
exchangeable fiber-optic insert.
[0028] This exchangeable fiber-optic insert can be sterilizable and
the parts coming into contact with the patient can likewise be
sterilizable. Naturally, automated processes for cleaning,
disinfection, and sterilization can also be used for completing the
necessary measures. The provision of exchangeable fiber-optic
inserts reduces treatment costs, and ensures that the actual length
of the handpiece is always the same. In spite of the necessity for
shortening the glass fiber due to wear or contamination due to
burned-in tissue, the glass fiber can be used a number of times,
since the shortened length can be compensated.
[0029] Advantageously, the light guide can be accommodated in a
handpiece hose, which is connected to the base member and is freely
movable in relation to the sleeve-type grip. Furthermore, an
electric supply line pertaining to the electric circuit or other
lines such as optical signal lines can be provided that pass
together with the light guide to a control device.
[0030] Another object of the invention is an exchangeable
fiber-optic insert for a laser handpiece, which fiber-optic insert
comprises a connecting piece disposed at one end for connection to
the laser handpiece and a glass fiber extending away from the
connecting piece and comprising a treatment end remote from the
connecting piece, the connecting piece comprising a region for the
introduction and transfer of a torque to an additional retaining
region. Furthermore, a sleeve surrounding the glass fiber is
provided, which sleeve can be fitted on the torque-transferring
region of the connecting piece and the end of which comprises a
connecting region that cooperates with the torque-transferring
region of the connecting piece.
[0031] The slip-on sleeve also molded as a tool serves on the one
hand as transport protection for the glass fiber and also as a tool
for screwing the exchangeable fiber-optic insert into the laser
handpiece and as a container for the glass fiber during
sterilization.
[0032] Yet another object of the invention relates to a control
device for a laser handpiece, comprising an optical waveguide
connected to the control device. The housing has an annular gap
which extends on the peripheral side and at least optically divides
the housing into a lower housing half and an upper housing half,
which protrudes laterally beyond the lower housing half, when
regarded from the front, while the lower housing half protrudes at
the rear laterally beyond the upper housing half, when viewed from
the front.
[0033] The supply line to the handpiece is thus easy to handle in
spite of a length of approximately two meters. The different
spatial conditions in a dental practice can be taken into
consideration in that the user need not unwind the entire length of
the supply line to the handpiece.
[0034] The light guide can be disposed in a handpiece hose
connected to the control device. A signal line or a control line
can be additionally provided in the handpiece hose in order to
enable a signal to be transmitted from the laser handpiece to the
control device.
[0035] Advantageously, the width of the annular gap can be equal to
at least one diameter of the light guide or the handpiece hose but
less than two diameters and preferably less than 1.2 diameters to
make controlled winding possible.
[0036] Preferably, the light guide can pass from the housing
interior without buckling to the base of the annular gap.
[0037] According to a development of the invention, the light guide
or the handpiece hose can comprise electrical and/or optical
connections and it can be removed from the control device for
maintenance purposes.
[0038] Furthermore, retaining means in the form of a mechanical
stopper, a hook and loop fastener, or a magnetic retainer can be
provided in the annular gap.
[0039] A storage device for the handpiece can be provided on the
housing itself, in which case it will be possible, particularly
when a laser handpiece as described above is used, to carry out a
length adjustment of the light guide or handpiece hose when the
handpiece is located in the storage area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in the
drawings, in which:
[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the laser handpiece of the
invention,
[0042] FIG. 2 shows a displaceable base member disposed inside the
laser handpiece shown in FIG. 1,
[0043] FIG. 3 is a section of the base member shown in FIG. 2,
[0044] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a sleeve-type grip of the
laser handpiece shown in FIG. 1,
[0045] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section of the laser handpiece
shown in FIG. 1,
[0046] FIG. 6 is a side-view of a control device for the laser
handpiece shown in FIG. 1,
[0047] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic section of the control device shown
in FIG. 6,
[0048] FIG. 8 shows an exchangeable fiber-optic insert with a
storage tube,
[0049] FIG. 9A shows an embodiment of the cable rewinding means of
the control device shown in FIG. 6,
[0050] FIG. 9B shows a cable locking device incorporating a
mechanical lock,
[0051] FIG. 9C shows a magnetic cable locking device.
[0052] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laser handpiece of the
invention for dental usage. The laser handpiece 1 comprises a
handpiece hose 2 comprising a light guide (not shown) and
optionally electrical transmission lines (not shown), the handpiece
hose 2 being guided in a sleeve-type grip 3. The sleeve-type grip 3
can consist of a number of parts and comprises a finger pad region
4, a supporting region 5 and an adjusting region 6 disposed in line
when regarded in the longitudinal direction. A tip 7 comprising a
guide tube 8 and a connecting part 9 for connection to the
sleeve-type grip 3 are provided at that end of the sleeve-type grip
3 that is remote from the handpiece hose 2. An application element
for laser light in the form of a glass fiber 10, by means of which
laser light is guided to the treatment site, emerges from the guide
tube 8 of the tip 7. Such glass fibers are known for the treatment
of soft and hard tissue. After each use of the laser handpiece it
may be necessary to shorten the glass fiber 10 in order to remove
tissue residues burnt into the glass fiber 10 during treatment.
[0053] Furthermore, it is evident from FIG. 1 that the sleeve-type
grip 3 comprises a keypad 11 in the finger pad region 4, which
keypad extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the laser
handpiece and makes it possible to actuate a pushbutton that is
located thereunder, as explained below. This keypad 11 is between
20 and 45 mm long and enables activation of the pushbutton located
thereunder independently of the actual size thereof both during
treatment of front teeth, in which case the laser handpiece is
gripped toward the front, and during treatment of molars, in which
case the laser handpiece is gripped nearer its rear end.
[0054] Furthermore, a sliding knob 12, which is disposed in a
recess 13 in the adjusting region 6 of the sleeve-type grip 3, is
shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve-type grip comprising a slide path 14
displaying a guide for the sliding knob 12. The sliding knob 12 is
mounted on a base member (not shown in the figure), which is
disposed inside the sleeve-type grip 3, said base member being
displaceable longitudinally along the slide path 14 in the
sleeve-type grip 3 by means of the sliding knob 12. The cooperation
between the sliding knob 12 and the slide path 14 prevents rotation
in relation to the grip sleeve.
[0055] The adjusting region 6 of the sleeve-type grip 3 is formed
as a separate component in the form of an end sleeve 15 and it
comprises an end recess 16, which is disposed in the region of the
recess 13 and is connected to the same and into which the handpiece
hose 2 can be inserted.
[0056] FIG. 2 shows the aforementioned base member 21, which is
disposed inside the sleeve-type grip 3 shown in FIG. 1 and at the
end of which oriented toward the handpiece hose 2 the sliding knob
12 is provided and at the opposite end of which the glass fiber 10
is disposed. The sliding knob 12 is disposed on the top surface of
the housing 22 of the base member 21. Likewise, two pushbuttons 23,
24 are provided, which are offset in relation to each other, when
regarded in the longitudinal direction, and which are kept from
being accidentally actuated by laterally disposed ridges 25, 26.
The height and spacing of the ridges 25, 26 are such that the
standard test finger specified in the relevant IEC 60601-1 standard
cannot cause accidental actuation of the pushbuttons.
[0057] The glass fiber 10 disposed on the base member 21 comprises
a connecting piece 27, also referred to as a ferrule, which can be
releasably mounted in the housing 22 for example by way of a screw
thread in order to make it possible to replace the glass fiber 10
when it becomes worn or fractured. The glass fiber 10 and the
connecting piece 27 together form the exchangeable fiber-optic
insert. The top side of the housing 22 projects beyond this
connecting piece 27 toward the front so that a sensor for detecting
the presence of the exchangeable fiber-optic insert, can be
provided on that side of the housing projection 28 that is oriented
toward the connecting piece 27. The presence of the exchangeable
fiber-optic insert is detected, for example, by detection of light
in the wavelength range of a guiding laser beam or of the treatment
laser beam, in that the intensity of these wavelengths is detected
as a signal, for example.
[0058] The base member can alternatively be guided in the
sleeve-type grip by means of additional grooves and cams, of which
here a longitudinally extending cam 30 can be seen on the base
member.
[0059] FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section of the base member shown
in FIG. 2, the exchangeable fiber-optic insert being omitted. For
this reason, a sensor 31 disposed on the bottom surface of the
projection 28 will deliver an error signal when laser beams emerge
from the housing 22 of the base member 21.
[0060] The base member 21 is provided with the sliding knob 12,
which is disposed on the upper side of the housing 22 and is
mounted such that it can be pressed down in relation to the housing
22 against the force of a spring and which comprises a
circumferential O-ring 32, which cooperates with the slide path of
the sleeve-type grip shown in FIG. 1 for the purpose of blocking
movement thereof. By pushing down the sliding knob 12, the O-ring
32 is released relatively to the slide path so that displacement is
allowed. When the sliding knob 12 is released, it is pushed by
resilient elements 33, 34 against the slide path on the housing
22.
[0061] In the region of the sliding knob 12, the handpiece hose 2
also enters the housing 22 and is held there with the aid of a
strain relief. The handpiece hose 2 comprises firstly a light guide
35 and secondly transmission lines 36, the light guide 35 and the
transmission lines 36 being enclosed by common sheathing 37. The
transmission lines 36 can be signal or control transmission lines;
additional optical waveguides for signal transmission can also be
present.
[0062] In the interior of the housing 22, the light guide 35 passes
to an optical light injector 38 and it emerges from the optical
light injector 38, which can also contain optical components,
toward the application element.
[0063] The housing 22 further comprises a printed circuit board 41,
to which the electrical transmission lines 36 are connected and
which is electrically connected to the pushbuttons 23, 24 and the
sensor 31. An evaluating unit can also be provided on the printed
circuit board 41 in order to evaluate the electrical signals
originating from the pushbuttons 23, 24 and the sensor 31 and to
allow or prevent the flow of laser light through the control unit.
The printed circuit board 41 can also be used solely for forwarding
signals to the control device if the evaluating unit is
accommodated therein. The signals can be transmitted electrically
or optically.
[0064] The housing 22 of the base member is hermetically sealed off
from the environment.
[0065] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the sleeve-type grip 3
comprising the finger pad region 4 and supporting region 5, a
recess 51 being provided in the finger pad region 4 on the sleeve
member 50, by means of which recess the pushbuttons on the base
member (not shown) shown in FIG. 2 can be actuated. For this
purpose, the front end 52 of the sleeve member 50 comprises, on the
one hand, a removable cover 53 having a deformable keypad 11. On
the other hand, a lever 54 is provided which extends into the
interior of the sleeve member 50 and covers the recess 51. After
assembly, the lever 54 is mounted in the sleeve member 50 with the
aid of a swivel joint 55 and the front end 56 thereof is located
completely underneath the keypad 11. To ensure that the lever is
pressed down on the pushbuttons of the base member shown in FIG. 2,
longitudinal grooves 57, 58 are provided, the width of which is
such that safety ridges 25, 26 shown in FIG. 2 can engage at that
point.
[0066] In order to bring the lever 54 securely into the raised end
position, a resilient element 59 is further provided which is held
in the front part 52 and is connected to the lever 55. This
resilient element 59 is not strictly necessary, but it additionally
ensures resetting of the lever 54 over and above the reset effected
by the pushbuttons themselves.
[0067] The end of the front part 52 is formed as a Luer connector
so that a standard connection 60 can be used for attaching the
exchangeable tip 7 (not shown) shown in FIG. 1. Such connectors are
known from the prior art relating to the medical field.
[0068] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal view of the assembled laser
handpiece shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. The guide tube 8 of the tip 7 is
permanently held in the connecting part 9, and the connecting part
9 is formed with a Luer connector 60' at the front end 52 of the
sleeve member 50 shown in FIG. 4, which front end likewise
comprises a corresponding Luer standard connector 60.
[0069] In the inserted state of the glass fiber, the guide tube 8
can be bent with the aid of a bending tool without damaging the
inserted glass fiber. However, this bending is irreversible.
Furthermore, it is not possible to push the glass fiber 10 through
the tip 7 if the guide tube 8 is in a bent state.
[0070] The additional components illustrated correspond to those
shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. It should be pointed out here that the glass
fiber 10 is brought into a maximum advanced end position of the
housing 22 of the base member in relation to the sleeve member 50
and it thus protrudes beyond the guide tube by the maximum
distance. When the housing 22 of the base member is pushed back
into the end sleeve 15 by means of the sliding knob 12 pressed down
for this purpose, the housing 22 can cover an adjusting distance
`a`. Due to the recess 16 at that end of the end piece 15 which is
near the hose, the handpiece hose 2 is pushed out of the laser
handpiece by this distance `a`.
[0071] This sectional representation also shows the sensor 31,
which is disposed on the lower side of the projection 28 and is
oriented toward the exchangeable fiber-optic insert comprising the
glass fiber 10 and the connecting piece 27 and which is used for
detecting laser radiation and is electrically connected to the
printed circuit board 41.
[0072] FIG. 6 shows a control device for regulating the supply to
the laser handpiece described above, the laser handpiece 1 being
held in a storage region 71 on a housing part 72. The handpiece
hose 2 is inserted in an annular gap 73 and it leaves this annular
gap 73 just before the storage region 71. In order to prevent
bending, the housing part 72 can include a depression 74. The
length of hose 2 emerging from the annular gap 73 can be tensioned
by a movement of the sliding knob 12 on the laser handpiece 1 to a
position 12' such that the handpiece hose 2 does not fall out of
the annular gap 73, including when the control device 70 is being
transported.
[0073] It can be seen shown in FIG. 6 that the upper housing part
72 of the control device 70 is offset in relation to the lower
housing part 75, and the upper housing part 72 on the right of the
control unit oriented toward the user in the side-view shown, that
is to say, on the left-hand side of the drawing, protrudes beyond
the lower housing part 75, whereas on the side remote from the
user, that is to say, on the right-hand side of the drawing, the
lower housing part 75 protrudes beyond the upper housing part 72.
This is achieved, for example, when a cylinder is cross cut and the
two cylindrical parts are offset in relation to each other. The
advantage of this particular embodiment of the housing of the
control device is that, when winding up the handpiece hose 2, it
can be fitted on the lower housing part 75 in that region of the
control device that is remote from the user, whereas the handpiece
hose, on that side of the control device that is near the user,
passes underneath the upper housing half and into the
circumferential annular gap 73 when being guided around said
control device and is thus wound up.
[0074] It is clear from the diagrammatic cross section shown in
FIG. 7 that the handpiece hose 2 is spirally wound in the annular
gap 73 such that each winding of the hose rests against the
preceding winding. When tightly wound up, the handpiece hose 2 is
therefore always stored in the same position in the annular gap 73,
and that end of the handpiece stored in the storage region 71, as
shown in FIG. 5 that protrudes from the annular gap 73 always has
the same length.
[0075] A display device, formed in this case as a console 77, can
be mounted on the housing part 72. Likewise, input means (not
shown) such as keys or a control dial can be provided in order to
control a device (not shown) disposed in the interior of the
housing for the purpose of providing the laser beams. Furthermore,
a handle 76 can be provided above the console 77 to ensure that the
control device can be easily transported.
[0076] FIG. 8 shows an exchangeable fiber-optic insert 10, which is
attached to the connecting piece 27, and the connecting piece 27
has a retaining region provided with a male thread 29, and these
parts are together also referred to as an exchangeable fiber tip. A
bayonet lock or any other attachment means for producing a
connection by turning the connecting piece 27 can alternatively be
provided on the retaining region instead of a male thread 29.
[0077] In order to make it possible to attach the connecting piece
27 without damaging the glass fiber 10, for example, by screwing or
turning the same, a slip-on sleeve 80 is provided which surrounds
the glass fiber 10 and has a connecting region 81 leading to a
torque-transferring region 82 on the connecting piece 27. The
torque-transferring region 82 can be a kind of hexagonal nut for a
socket wrench, or more preferably a connection comprising only
punctiform bearing surfaces, for example, a unilateral flattened
portion or a pin mounted at right angles to the longitudinal axis,
for example. A rotationally symmetrical torque-transferring region
designed for being screwed tightly by friction lock can also be
used. The preferred solution is that which provides the possibility
of limiting the torque in a simple manner when screwing the
torque-transferring region tightly.
[0078] The slip-on sleeve 80 also having the form of a tool serves
as a transport protector for the glass fiber, as a tool for
screwing the exchangeable fiber-optic insert into the base member
21 shown in FIG. 2 and as a container for the glass fiber during
sterilization.
[0079] FIGS. 9A to 9C show various restraining means that enable
the handpiece hose 2 to be unwound winding by winding. Firstly,
FIG.
[0080] 9A shows two windings 2.1, 2.2 of the handpiece hose 2 wound
up in the annular gap 73 of the control device 70 provided in the
housing, a retaining element 91 being provided in the 9 o'clock
position. This holding element 91 prevents accidental loosening of
the wound up windings 2.1, 2.2 of the handpiece hose 2. This can be
achieved by providing a silicone bead or an elastic support 92 as a
retaining element 91 in the annular gap 73 between the upper and
lower housing parts 74, 75. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9C, a
magnet 93 disposed below the annular gap 73 in the lower housing
part 75 can be provided as the retaining element to cooperate with
a magnetic sleeve 94 on the handpiece hose 2, shown in FIG. 9A as
hose sleeves 94.1 and 94.2.
[0081] A hook and loop fastener can be alternatively provided in
place of the magnet and the sleeves.
[0082] The light guide or the handpiece hose passes from the
interior of the control device 70 into the annular gap 73 without
buckling and is connected to the control device 70 by means of a
connector 95. The optical waveguide 35 or the handpiece hose 2 can
be removed from the control device by means of the connector 95 for
purposes of repair and maintenance.
REFERENCE SIGNS
[0083] 1 laser handpiece
[0084] 2 handpiece hose
[0085] 2.1 winding
[0086] 2.2 winding
[0087] 3 sleeve-type grip
[0088] 4 finger pad region
[0089] 5 supporting region
[0090] 6 adjustment range
[0091] 7 tip
[0092] 8 guide tube
[0093] 9 connector
[0094] 10 glass fiber--application element
[0095] 11 keypad
[0096] 12, 12' sliding knob
[0097] 13 recess
[0098] 14 slide path
[0099] 15 end sleeve
[0100] 16 recess
[0101] 21 base member
[0102] 22 housing
[0103] 23 pushbutton
[0104] 24 pushbutton
[0105] 25 ridge/safety ridge
[0106] 26 ridge/safety ridge
[0107] 27 connecting piece
[0108] 28 projection
[0109] 29 male thread/retaining region
[0110] 30 cam
[0111] 31 sensor
[0112] 32 O-ring
[0113] 33 resilient element
[0114] 34 resilient element
[0115] 35 optical waveguide
[0116] 36 line/signal line/control line
[0117] 37 sheathing
[0118] 38 light injector
[0119] 41 printed circuit board/evaluation unit
[0120] 50 sleeve member
[0121] 51 recess/clearance
[0122] 52 front end/front part
[0123] 53 cover
[0124] 54 lever
[0125] 55 swivel joint/lever
[0126] 56 front end
[0127] 57 longitudinal groove
[0128] 58 longitudinal groove
[0129] 59 resilient element
[0130] 60 standard Luer connection on the housing
[0131] 60' Luer connection on the tip
[0132] 70 control device
[0133] 71 storage region
[0134] 72 housing part
[0135] 73 annular gap
[0136] 74 depression
[0137] 75 lower part/housing part
[0138] 76 handle
[0139] 77 console
[0140] 80 slip-on sleeve
[0141] 81 connecting region
[0142] 82 torque-transferring region
[0143] 83 retaining region
[0144] 91 retaining element
[0145] 92 support
[0146] 93 magnet
[0147] 94 collar
[0148] 94.1 hose collar
[0149] 94.2 hose collar
[0150] 95 connection for optical waveguide/hand piece hose
[0151] `a` slide path
* * * * *