Thermo-Optical Tip Feedback for Dental Laser Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical lasers operating in the near infrared spectral range face challenges with inefficient tissue cutting and collateral damage due to low light absorption in soft oral tissues, leading to unpredictable cutting efficiency and potential tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A surgical laser device with a thermo-optical tip that absorbs laser radiation, emitting secondary radiation indicative of its temperature, allowing for real-time control of the laser power to maintain a predetermined temperature, thereby optimizing tissue cutting and coagulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If near infrared laser radiation (810-1100 nm) is used for dental surgery, then the laser can be generated with low cost, simple structure, and high reliability using semiconductor GaAs lasers, but the light absorption in biotissue is relatively low leading to insufficient localized tissue cutting and excessive collateral damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optically absorbing tip as an intermediary component between the laser source and the tissue. This tip absorbs the near-infrared laser radiation and converts it to heat, which is then conducted to the tissue to achieve cutting and coagulation. The tip acts as a mediator that enables effective tissue interaction with low-absorption near-infrared wavelengths while maintaining the advantages of semiconductor laser sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct optical interaction (light cutting tissue) with thermal conduction (heat from hot tip conducting to tissue). Instead of relying on direct laser absorption by tissue, the system uses a heated tip that conducts thermal energy to the tissue, substituting the optical-mechanical cutting mechanism with a thermal conduction mechanism.
2Power
If the distal tip absorbs laser light to perform surgical action, then tissue cutting and coagulation can be achieved, but the tip temperature can be elevated to 1500°C or higher causing the tip to melt and be destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that monitors the distal tip temperature using a detector (such as an infrared sensor) and adjusts the laser power accordingly. The control system receives temperature information from the detector and modulates the laser source to maintain the tip temperature within a safe operating range, preventing tip destruction while ensuring sufficient surgical power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the laser power dynamic rather than static. The laser power is continuously adjusted based on real-time temperature feedback, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions during surgery. This dynamic control enables the tip to maintain optimal temperature for surgical performance without exceeding the threshold that would cause tip destruction.
3Manufacturing precision
If non-contact surgery is used to avoid tip destruction, then more predictable cutting can be achieved, but it requires lasers with wavelengths in the range of 1.8-11 microns which are substantially more expensive than GaAs diode lasers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an optically absorbing tip as an intermediary that enables near-infrared laser radiation to effectively interact with tissue through thermal conduction. This approach allows the use of inexpensive GaAs diode lasers (wavelengths 810-1100 nm) while achieving predictable cutting results similar to non-contact surgery, avoiding the need for expensive mid-infrared lasers (1.8-11 microns).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanism of tissue interaction from direct optical absorption to thermal conduction. By introducing the absorbing tip, the system transforms how energy is transferred to the tissue, enabling predictable cutting with near-infrared wavelengths that would otherwise be ineffective, thereby avoiding the need for expensive alternative wavelength lasers.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides consistent and predictable tissue cutting with minimized collateral damage by controlling the tip temperature, enhancing surgical precision and reducing post-surgery complications.
Implementation Method 1
the distal end comprising a tip and serving to at least partially absorb direct the laser radiation
Implementation Method 2
emit secondary radiation indicative of a temperature of the distal end
Implementation Method 3
a detector optically coupled to the proximal end for receiving the secondary radiation and generating an output signal indicative of a distal tip temperature
Implementation Method 4
means responsive to the output signal for controlling the source of laser radiation to maintain the output signal at a predetermined level
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical device based on the concept of controlling the laser power during laser surgery based on optical and other signals from the tip and the tissue is described. A laser surgical system generally comprises several basic components, such as a laser, a delivery system, a tip and a control system. A tip may be considered as a particular case of a thermo-optical tip (TOT). TOT is an optical and mechanical element which could be used to modify or treat soft and hard tissues, including cutting, coagulation, vaporization, carbonization, and ablation of tissues.