Apparatus and method for controlled fluid cooling during laser based dental treatments

摘要

A system for dental tissue treatment includes a system for directing a laser beam to an area of dental tissue to be treated, and a fluid-delivery system for directing and controlling a flow of a fluid. The fluid is directed to at least a portion of the area to be treated and the fluid flow is controlled to substantially prevent both a change in laser energy absorption by the dental tissue and attenuation of treatment efficiency due to fluid interference with the laser beam. The fluid present in at least a portion of the area to be treated may prevent or reduce the likelihood of melting of enamel in that area.

主权项

1. An apparatus for dental tissue treatment, the apparatus comprising:
a laser source for generating a laser beam at a wavelength in a range from 5 μm up to 15 μm that is absorbed by hydroxyapatite in dental tissue; a system for directing the laser beam to an area of dental tissue to be treated; and a fluid-delivery system comprising:
a nozzle comprising a plurality of orifices that are configured to direct a flow of fluid in a direction toward the area to be treated and to form a coolant film on the area to be treated, while avoiding fluid interaction and intersection with the laser beam prior to impingement thereof on the dental tissue to be treated; anda controller adapted to direct and control a flow of a fluid to at least a portion of the area to be treated to prevent a change in laser energy absorption by the dental tissue resulting in a volumetric removal rate of less than fifteen percent of a peak removal rate, due to fluid interaction and interference with the laser beam.