US5169318A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber for use with dental laser
Assignee: Endo Technic Corp
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Filing: 1991-12-11
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Granted: 1992-12-08
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Expires: 2011-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A thermoplastic optical fiber for use in treatments requiring filling of openings, recesses, passages, or crevices in mineralized physiologic tissue, the fiber having at least a portion composed of at least one ingredient which is capable of being placed in a flowable state when heated by application of selected laser radiation, is physiologically compatible with the mineralized physiologic tissue and bonds with the mineralized tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 Guy Levy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C1/00; A61C1/0046; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/24; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/06; A61N5/0601; A61N5/0603; B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/0006; B23K26/14; B23K26/144; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00137; A61B2017/00154; A61B2017/00181; A61B2017/00185; A61B18/00; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00017; A61B2018/00029; A61B2018/00035; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00601; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B2018/2035; A61B2018/20553; B23K2103/00; B23K2103/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A thermoplastic optical fiber for use in treatments requiring filling of openings, recesses, passages, or crevices in mineralized physiologic tissue, said fiber having at least a portion which consists of a composition comprising at least one ingredient which is capable of being placed in a flowable state when heated by application of selected laser radiation, is physiologically compatible with the mineralized physiologic tissue and bonds with the mineralized tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A thermoplastic optical fiber for use in treatments requiring filling of openings, recesses, passages, or crevices in mineralized physiologic tissue, said fiber having at least a portion which consists of a composition comprising at least one ingredient which is capable of being placed in a flowable state when heated by application of selected laser radiation, is physiologically compatible with the mineralized physiologic tissue and bonds with the mineralized tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fiber as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one ingredient is a calcium-containing substance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A fiber as defined in claim 1 wherein said calcium-containing substance is at least one of hydroxyapatite, apatite, fluorapatite, calcium triphosphate and dibasic calcium phosphate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A fiber as defined in claim 3 wherein said composition further comprises a second ingredient which is capable of absorbing energy contained in the selected laser radiation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fiber as defined in claim 4 wherein said second ingredient is present in a finely divided form.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A fiber as defined in claim 1 wherein said composition further comprises a calcium-containing substance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A fiber as defined in claim 6 wherein said calcium-containing substance is at least one of hydroxyapatite, apatite, fluorapatite, calcium triphosphate and dibasic calcium phosphate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A fiber as defined in claim 1 wherein said composition further comprises a second ingredient which is capable of absorbing energy contained in the selected laser radiation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fiber as defined in claim 8 wherein said second ingredient is present in a finely divided form.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fiber as defined in claim 1 wherein said composition consists substantially entirely of a calcium-containing substance.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A fiber as defined in claim 10 wherein said composition consists substantially entirely of hydroxyapatite.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
A device for filling an opening, recess, passage, or crevice in mineralized physiologic tissue by application of selected laser radiation, said device comprising: a source of such selected laser radiation; and an optical fiber as defined in claim 1, said optical fiber having a proximal end disposed to receive radiation produced by said source and a distal end arranged to be placed at a location of the mineralized tissue which is to be filled, said portion of said fiber being disposed at said distal end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as defined in claim 12 wherein said at least one ingredient is a calcium-containing substance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as defined in claim 12 wherein said composition further comprises a second ingredient which is capable of absorbing energy contained in the selected laser radiation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as defined in claim 12 wherein said composition further comprises a calcium-containing substance.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
95 words
A method for filling an opening, recess, passage or crevice in mineralized physiological tissue, using the device defined in claim 12, comprising: placing the distal end of the optical fiber in contact with the physiological tissue at a location to be filled; conducting laser radiation from the source and through the optical fiber to the distal end at an energy level and for a duration sufficient to place the at least one ingredient of the optical fiber in the flowable state; and allowing the ingredient which has been placed in the flowable state to solidify.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-12-08 | 1996-06-08 | 1996-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-08 | 2000-06-08 | 2000-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-08 | 2004-06-08 | 2004-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |