Laser Irrigation System Bubble Oscillation Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser irrigation methods for anatomical cavities, such as root canals, face limitations in achieving effective debriding, cleaning, and disinfection due to limited light-to-acoustic energy conversion efficiency and short acoustic transient durations, which can lead to incomplete removal of bacteria and residual heat issues, and require complex and costly fiber tips that may be damaged during treatment.
Innovation Solution
A laser system that delivers pulsed laser energy to a liquid with highly absorbing wavelengths, using temporal pulse sets synchronized with bubble oscillation dynamics to enhance light-to-acoustic energy conversion and extend acoustic transient duration, and employs an articulated arm for focused beam delivery to create channel-like or spherical vapor bubbles, reducing interaction with the liquid surface and increasing energy conversion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional laser irrigation methods are used with slow pulse repetition rates, then the system is simpler to operate, but the light-to-acoustic energy conversion efficiency is limited and acoustic transient duration is short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by delivering laser pulses in synchronized pulse trains matched to bubble oscillation periods. The laser pulse repetition rate is specifically tuned to resonate with the natural oscillation frequency of vapor bubbles in the liquid, creating enhanced acoustic transients through constructive interference. This periodic synchronization dramatically improves light-to-acoustic energy conversion efficiency compared to conventional continuous or unsynchronized pulsed methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting laser pulse duration, repetition rate, and energy based on the detected bubble oscillation characteristics. The system modifies these parameters in real-time to optimize the resonance condition between laser pulses and bubble oscillations, thereby maximizing acoustic transient generation while maintaining system adaptability to different liquid and cavity conditions.
2Reliability
If conventional laser irrigation with short acoustic transient duration is used, then the treatment time is shorter, but the bacterial kill rate is insufficient and debridement is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
By synchronizing laser pulses with bubble oscillation periods, the system generates prolonged acoustic transients that maintain high intensity for extended durations. This periodic resonance effect creates sustained cavitation and shock waves that thoroughly disrupt bacterial cell walls and membranes, ensuring complete bacterial kill while maintaining efficient treatment timing through optimized pulse sequencing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes mechanical vibration by generating intense acoustic transients through laser-induced bubble oscillations. These vibrations create powerful cavitation forces and shock waves that mechanically disrupt and destroy bacterial structures. The resonant enhancement of these vibrations through synchronized pulsing amplifies the mechanical destruction effect, achieving reliable bacterial elimination without requiring excessively long treatment times.
3Ease of operation
If fiber tips are used for laser beam delivery, then the beam can be delivered to the treatment site, but the fiber tips are susceptible to damage from strong acoustic transients and increase device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the vulnerable fiber tip component from the laser delivery system. By using free-space optical paths or alternative delivery mechanisms that do not require immersed fiber tips, the system avoids the problem of fiber damage from acoustic transients entirely. This extraction of the problematic component simplifies the overall device structure, reduces cost, and eliminates the reliability issue associated with fiber tip durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical system between the laser source and the treatment site that does not rely on immersed fiber tips. This intermediary may include free-space optical paths, articulated arms, or other non-contact delivery mechanisms that transmit laser energy to the liquid without requiring physical presence of fragile components in the high-stress acoustic environment, thereby protecting the system from fiber damage.
4Reliability
If high laser pulse energy is used to increase acoustic transient strength, then the debridement efficacy is improved, but thermal damage to surrounding tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by delivering laser pulses in synchronized trains that exploit bubble oscillation resonance. This approach allows the use of lower individual pulse energies while achieving cumulative acoustic transient effects through constructive interference over multiple pulses. The periodic delivery timing ensures that each pulse reinforces the previous bubble oscillations, building up strong acoustic transients without requiring high single-pulse energy that would cause thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by using initial laser pulses to create and establish vapor bubbles before delivering subsequent pulses. These pre-formed bubbles act as resonant cavities that amplify the acoustic effects of following pulses. By preparing the bubble structures in advance, the system maximizes the acoustic transient generation efficiency of each subsequent pulse, achieving strong debridement effects with lower overall energy input and reduced thermal risk.
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 improves the efficacy of debriding, cleaning, and disinfection by increasing the duration and strength of acoustic transients, reducing bacterial kill time, minimizing thermal damage, and eliminating the need for fiber tips, resulting in a safer, more efficient, and cost-effective treatment with lower output characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
laser-activated irrigation approaches that produce explosive vapor bubbles with acoustic transients effects
Implementation Method 2
The wavelength of the laser beam is in a range from above 0.4 μm, inclusive, to 11.0 μm, inclusive, such that the laser beam is highly absorbed in the liquid
Implementation Method 3
laser-activated irrigation approaches that produce explosive vapor bubbles with acoustic transients effects
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a Laser system (1) for irrigation, including debriding, cleaning and decontamination, of anatomical cavities (2) filled with a liquid (3). The laser system (1) comprises a laser source (4) for generating a laser beam (5), and an optical delivery system (6) for the laser beam (5), wherein the delivery system (6) includes a treatment handpiece (7) and an exit component (8). The treatment handpiece (7) and the exit component (8) are configured to irrigate the anatomical cavity (2). A wavelength of the laser beam (5) is in a range from above 0.4 µm to 11.0 µm inclusive. The laser system (1) is adapted to be operated in pulsed operation with pulse sets (21) containing at least two and maximally twenty individual pulses (p) of a temporally limited pulse length (tp), wherein a temporal separation (ts) between the pulse sets is ≥ 20 ms, and wherein the individual pulses (p) follow one another with a temporal pulse period (TP) within a range of 50 µs, inclusive, to 1000 µs, inclusive. The laser system (1) further comprises a feedback system (9) to determine a bubble oscillation intensity of at least one vapor bubble (18) generated within the liquid (3) when irradiated with the laser beam (5). Adjusting means (10) are provided for adjusting the temporal pulse period (TP) to achieve at least approximately a bubble oscillation intensity maximum.