Laser Dental Cooling Fluid Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser-based dental treatment systems using mid to far-infrared wavelengths for cutting tooth enamel are inefficient due to excessive coolant interference with the laser beam, leading to slow material removal rates and enamel melting, which is exacerbated by the absorption characteristics of hydroxyapatite and non-apatite CaP phases.
Innovation Solution
A system that regulates the flow of a coolant fluid to minimize enamel melting while maximizing laser energy absorption, using a combination of liquid and gas delivery with adjustable pressure and flow control to prevent coolant interference with the laser beam, ensuring sufficient cooling without attenuating the laser power, and employing computer-controlled laser beam delivery and nozzle orientation to direct the coolant effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If coolant fluid is provided to cool the treatment area during laser cutting, then thermal damage to enamel is prevented, but the coolant absorbs laser radiation and reduces material removal rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the coolant delivery system by adjusting flow rate, pressure, and delivery timing to optimize the balance between cooling effectiveness and laser beam transmission. By controlling these parameters, the system provides adequate cooling while minimizing coolant interference with the laser beam, thus maintaining high material removal rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic delivery of coolant fluid in synchronization with laser pulse delivery. The coolant is delivered during intervals between laser pulses or in coordinated cycles, allowing the laser beam to pass through with minimal obstruction while still providing continuous cooling to prevent enamel melting and thermal damage.
2Temperature
If coolant flow rate is increased to prevent enamel melting, then thermal protection is improved, but laser energy absorption by coolant increases and cutting efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts coolant flow rate, pressure, and delivery timing parameters to achieve optimal temperature control with minimal energy loss. By fine-tuning these parameters, the patent ensures sufficient cooling to prevent enamel melting while keeping coolant absorption of laser energy at acceptable levels, thereby maintaining cutting efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If coolant is delivered between laser pulses, then cooling is provided during treatment, but the treated surface experiences thermal cycles causing melting during laser pulses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a periodic coolant delivery system synchronized with the laser pulse sequence. Coolant is delivered during intervals between laser pulses and withheld during pulse delivery, creating a coordinated rhythm that provides cooling when needed while allowing laser energy to effectively ablate material without causing thermal cycles that lead to melting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system delivers coolant in advance during intervals between laser pulses, preparing the tissue for the next laser pulse by removing heat accumulated during previous pulses. This preliminary cooling action prevents excessive temperature buildup that would cause melting during subsequent laser pulses.
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
This approach enhances the efficiency of dental tissue removal by maintaining peak absorption of laser energy, minimizing enamel melting, and preventing coolant pooling, thereby achieving faster and more precise cutting with reduced thermal damage.
Implementation Method 1
Some systems that deliver coolant between laser pulses do not provide forced convective cooling from the surface of the dental region being treated at or nearly at the time the surface is being heated.
Implementation Method 2
Lasers have also been found to be useful in the removal of dental material with less amount of local anesthetic than that required when the procedure is performed with a drill.
Implementation Method 3
Laser wavelengths in the range of 5 to 15 μm are strongly absorbed by the hydroxyapatite that makes up to about 96% of tooth enamel by weight.
Implementation Method 4
the applied laser energy is absorbed in water in tooth enamel (about 4% by volume), causing the water to vaporize, and the resulting steam causing to facture the hard tissue/enamel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A
AI summary
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.