Disposable Laser Insert With Radial Beam Shaping for Periodontal Pockets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser technologies in the 9-10 micron wavelength range face challenges in accessing periodontic and endodontic procedures due to inadequate beam delivery systems, leading to tissue damage and limited clinical applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of radially-firing laser tips and optical elements, such as ZnS glass and chalcogenide fibers, optimized for transmitting radiation in the 9-10 micron range, coupled with a hand piece that delivers laser energy efficiently to deep tissue areas, allowing for minimally invasive procedures without damaging healthy tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional laser beam delivery systems are used in the 9-10 micron wavelength range, then laser energy can be delivered to treat periodontal tissues, but healthy tissue beneath the treatment area is damaged due to inadequate beam control
Solution Approach 1:
The laser beam delivery is segmented into multiple discrete outlets arranged in a circular pattern, allowing the beam to be divided and directed along different paths to reach the periodontal pocket walls from multiple angles without damaging underlying healthy tissue
Solution Approach 2:
A water-cooled handpiece with a circular array of outlets acts as an intermediary device, delivering laser energy through multiple controlled pathways while cooling the surrounding tissue to prevent damage to healthy areas beneath the treatment site
2Ease of manufacture
If standard optical fibers are used for laser delivery, then beam transmission is achieved, but the fiber cannot be easily designed or cleaved to provide access to the periodontic pocket
Solution Approach 1:
The handpiece with its circular array of outlets is designed as a disposable component that can be easily manufactured and discarded, eliminating the need for complex, reusable optical fiber systems that require precise cleaving and design modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The laser delivery system transitions from a single-point fiber tip to a circular array of multiple outlets, adding spatial dimensionality that enables access to the periodontal pocket from multiple angles simultaneously
3Productivity
If high-power laser energy is delivered to achieve effective disinfection, then bacterial killing is improved, but the risk of damaging surrounding healthy tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The high-power laser beam is segmented into multiple lower-intensity beams delivered through separate outlets, maintaining overall disinfection effectiveness while distributing energy to prevent concentration-related damage to healthy tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The water-cooled handpiece serves as a thermal intermediary, absorbing excess heat from high-power laser delivery and preventing thermal damage to surrounding healthy tissue while maintaining disinfection effectiveness
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
Enables effective disinfection and healing of periodontal tissues with reduced risk of damage, facilitating faster healing and regrowth through precise energy delivery and photobiomodulation, while reducing the need for invasive surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
optical elements, such as ZnS glass and chalcogenide fibers, optimized for transmitting radiation in the 9-10 micron range
Implementation Method 2
laser energy efficiently to deep tissue areas, allowing for minimally invasive procedures
Implementation Method 3
facilitating faster healing and regrowth through precise energy delivery and photobiomodulation
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for dental or surgical treatment of oral tissue, the system including a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area), the device further including a disposable tube attachable to the hand piece and an optical element (e.g., a substantially cylindrical lens) mounted within the disposable tube and adapted to modify a profile and/or a direction of the radiation emitted from the tube.