Fluid conditioning system

• US 5,785,521 A
• Filed: 12/20/1995
• Issued: 07/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Biolase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Biolase Technology Inc
• Inventors: Kimmel, Andrew I., Rizoiu, Ioana M.
• Primary Examiner(s): WEHNER, CARY ELLEN
• Application Number:
  US08/575,775
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: 433/101, 433/80, 433/81, 433/82, 433/84, 433/85, 433/86, 433/87, 433/104, 433/29, 606/3, 606/33, 606/10, 606/13, 219/121.84
• US Class Current: 433/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/16 Bone cutting, breaking or removal means other than saws, e.g. Osteoclasts; Drills or chisels for bones; Trepans arthroscopic bone cutters A61B17/320016; dental implant drills potentially for other surgical use A61C8/0089; bone grinders A61F2/4644, A22C17/06; A61B17/1662 takes precedence over all other subgroups except A61B17/17
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3203 Fluid jet cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/26 for producing a shock wave, e.g. laser lithotripsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22085 light-absorbing A61B2017/22087 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/263 the conversion of laser energy into mechanical shockwaves taking place in a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/008 for smoke evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/0046 Dental lasers surgical lasers A61B18/20; working by laser beam in general B23K26/00; lasers per se H01S3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2201/007 using shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0279 Cannula; Nozzles; Tips; their connection means
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/144 the fluid stream containing particles, e.g. powder
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/146 the fluid stream containing a liquid

Abstract

A fluid conditioning system is adaptable to condition the water or air used in medical and dental cutting, irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, and drilling operations. The air or water may be conditioned by adding flavor, scent, saline, medications, and disinfectants. In addition to the direct benefits obtained from introduction of these agents, the laser cutting properties may be varied from the selective introduction of the various agents.

Claims

1. An apparatus for implementing a medical procedure, comprising:

a medical instrument comprising an electromagnetic energy source, the medical instrument being adapted to perform a medical-treatment function on an operating site located inside of or connected to a human body;

a fluid router for routing atomized flavored fluid particles in a direction of the operating site;

wherein the fluid router routes the atomized flavored fluid particles into a volume of air above the operating site; and

wherein the electromagnetic energy source focuses electromagnetic energy into the volume of air, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength which is substantially absorbed by the atomized flavored fluid particles in the volume of air, the absorption of the electromagnetic energy by the atomized flavored fluid particles causing the atomized flavored fluid particles to explode and impart disruptive mechanical forces onto the operating site.

2. The apparatus for implementing a medical procedure according to claim 1, further comprising means for switching between a first mode and a second mode, whereby the fluid router is operable between the first mode wherein the routed fluid is flavored, and the second mode wherein the routed fluid is not flavored.

3. An apparatus for implementing a medical procedure, comprising:

a medical instrument for performing a medical-treatment function on an operating site located inside of or connected to a human body;

a router comprising a scented substance and being adapted to route a scented medium in a direction of the operating site; and

wherein the medical instrument comprises one of an electrocauterizer, an electromagnetic energy source for directing electromagnetic energy in a direction of the operating site, and a laser.

4. The apparatus for implementing a medical procedure according to claim 3, wherein the electromagnetic energy source focusses the electromagnetic energy on the operating site,

wherein the scented medium comprises scented water, and

wherein the router routes the scented water onto the operating site, to thereby cool the operating site as the operating site is being cut by the electromagnetic energy.

5. The apparatus for implementing a medical procedure according to claim 4, further comprising means for switching between a first mode and a second mode;

wherein

the router is operable between the first mode where the routed medium is scented, and the second mode where the routed medium is not scented.

6. The apparatus for implementing a medical procedure according to claim 3, wherein the electromagnetic energy source focusses the electromagnetic energy on the operating site, and

wherein the scented medium comprises a scented mist, and

wherein the router routes the scented mist onto the operating site, to thereby cool the operating site as the operating site is being cut by the electromagnetic energy.

7. The apparatus for implementing a medical procedure according to claim 3, wherein the router comprises an atomizer for atomizing the scented medium before routing the scented medium in the direction of the operating site.

8. An apparatus for implementing a medical procedure, comprising:

a medical instrument for performing a medical-treatment function on an operating site located inside of or connected to a human body;

a router comprising a scented substance and being adapted to route a scented medium in a direction of the operating site; and

wherein the scented medium comprises scented air.

9. An apparatus for implementing a medical procedure, comprising:

a medical instrument for performing a medical-treatment function on an operating site located inside of or connected to a human body;

a router comprising a scented substance and being adapted to route a scented medium in a direction of the operating site;

wherein the medical instrument comprises one of an electrocauterizer, an electromagnetic energy source for directing electromagnetic energy in a direction of the operating site, and a laser;

wherein the router comprises an atomizer for atomizing the scented medium before routing the scented medium in the direction of the operating site;

wherein the atomizer routes the atomized scented medium into a volume of air above the operating site; and

wherein the electromagnetic energy source focuses electromagnetic energy into the volume of air, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength which is substantially absorbed by portions of the atomized scented medium in the volume of air, the absorption of the electromagnetic energy by the portions of the atomized scented medium causing the portions of the atomized scented medium to explode and impart disruptive mechanical forces onto the operating site.

10. The apparatus for implementing a medical procedure according to claim 9, further comprising means for switching between a first mode and a second mode;

wherein

the router is operable between the first mode where the routed medium is scented, and the second mode where the routed medium is not scented.

11. An apparatus for implementing a medical procedure, comprising:

a medical instrument for performing a medical-treatment function on an operating site located inside of or connected to a human body;

a fluid router comprising an ionizing substance and being adapted to route an ionized solution in a direction of the operating site;

wherein the medical instrument comprises one of an electrocauterizer, an electromagnetic energy source for directing electromagnetic energy in a direction of the operating site, and a laser;

wherein the fluid router comprises an atomizer for atomizing the ionized solution into atomized particles before routing the atomized particles in the direction of the operating site;

wherein the atomizer routes the atomized particles into a volume of air above the operating site, and

wherein the electromagnetic energy source focuses electromagnetic energy into the volume of air, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength which is substantially absorbed by the atomized particles in the volume of air, the absorption of the electromagnetic energy by the atomized particles causing the atomized particles to explode and impart disruptive mechanical forces onto the operating site.

12. An apparatus for implementing a medical procedure, comprising:

a medical instrument for performing a medical-treatment function on an operating site located inside of or connected to a human body;

a fluid router comprising an ionizing substance and being adapted to route an ionized solution in a direction of the operating site;

means for switching among a first mode, a second mode, and any of a plurality of modes between the first mode and the second mode;

wherein the medical instrument comprises one of an electrocauterizer, an electromagnetic energy source for directing electromagnetic energy in a direction of the operating site, and a laser;

whereby the fluid router is operable between the first mode wherein solution routed therefrom is ionized, and the second mode wherein solution routed therefrom is not ionized; and

whereby the fluid router is operable in a plurality of modes between the first mode and the second mode to thereby continuously control a cutting power of the electromagnetic energy source.

13. The apparatus for implementing a medical procedure according to claim 12, wherein the cutting power of the electromagnetic energy source decreases as the fluid from the fluid router becomes more ionized.

14. The apparatus for implementing a medical procedure according to claim 13, wherein a strength of the electromagnetic energy source is adjustable to control the cutting power of the electromagnetic energy source.

15. The apparatus for implementing a medical procedure according to claim 14, wherein the strength of the electromagnetic energy source is adapted to be increased when the fluid from the fluid router becomes more ionized, to thereby maintain a constant cutting power of the electromagnetic energy source, and

wherein the strength of the electromagnetic energy source is adapted to be decreased when the fluid from the fluid router becomes less ionized, to thereby maintain a constant cutting power of the electromagnetic energy source.

16. An apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surface, comprising:

an atomizer assembly comprising a pigmented substance and being adapted to place pigmented atomized fluid particles into a volume of air above the target surface; and

an electromagnetic energy source for directing electromagnetic energy into the volume of air, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength which is substantially absorbed by the pigmented atomized fluid particles in the volume of air, the absorption of the electromagnetic energy by the pigmented atomized fluid particles causing the pigmented atomized fluid particles to explode and impart disruptive mechanical forces onto the target surface.

17. An apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surface, comprising:

an atomizer for placing atomized fluid particles into a volume of air above the target surface;

an electromagnetic energy source for directing electromagnetic energy into the volume of air, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength which is substantially absorbed by the atomized fluid particles in the volume of air, the absorption of the electromagnetic energy by the atomized fluid particles causing the atomized fluid particles to explode and impart disruptive mechanical forces onto the target surface; and

a fluid source comprising a pigmented substance and being adapted to deliver pigmented fluid to an approximate vicinity of the target surface, the pigmented fluid having a color which is substantially unabsorbed by the electromagnetic energy.

18. An apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surface, comprising:

an atomizer for placing atomized fluid particles into a volume of air above the target surface;

an electromagnetic energy source for directing electromagnetic energy into the volume of air, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength which is substantially absorbed by the atomized fluid particles in the volume of air, the absorption of the electromagnetic energy by the atomized fluid particles causing the atomized fluid particles to explode and impart disruptive mechanical forces onto the target surface; and

supplying means connected to the atomizer, for selectively supplying a pigmentation to the atomized fluid particles.

19. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surface according to claim 18 wherein the pigmentation is selectively supplied to the atomized fluid particles according to a user input.

20. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surface according to claim 18, wherein the electromagnetic energy has a wavelength that is substantially absorbed by the atomized fluid particles when the pigmentation is supplied to the atomized fluid particles.

21. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surface according to claim 18, wherein the electromagnetic energy has a wavelength that is substantially absorbed by the atomized fluid particles when the pigmentation is not supplied to the atomized fluid particles.

22. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surface according to claim 18, wherein the atomizer comprises a water source line and an air source line, and

wherein the pigmentation is selectively supplied to the atomized fluid particles via one of the air source line and the water source line.

23. An apparatus for implementing a medical procedure comprising:

a medical instrument for performing a medical-treatment function on an operating site located inside of or connected to a human body;

means for switching between a first mode and a second mode;

a router comprising a medication substance and being adapted to route a medication medium in a direction of the operating site, whereby the router is operable between the first mode wherein fluid routed therefrom is medicated, and the second mode wherein fluid routed therefrom is not medicated; and

wherein the medication medium comprises one of a steroid, an anti-inflammatory, adrenaline, and epinephrine.

24. An apparatus for implementing a medical procedure comprising:

a medical instrument for performing a medical-treatment function on an operating site located inside of or connected to a human body;

means for switching between a first mode and a second mode;

a router comprising a medication substance and being adapted to route a medication medium in a direction of the operating site, whereby the router is operable between the first mode wherein fluid routed therefrom is medicated, and the second mode wherein fluid routed therefrom is not medicated; and

wherein the medication medium comprises vitamins.

25. An apparatus for implementing a medical procedure comprising:

a medical instrument for performing a medical-treatment function on an operating site located inside of or connected to a human body;

means for switching between a first mode and a second mode;

a router comprising a medication substance and being adapted to route a medication medium in a direction of the operating site, whereby the router is operable between the first mode wherein fluid routed therefrom is medicated, and the second mode wherein fluid routed therefrom is not medicated; and

wherein the medical instrument comprises one of an electrocauterizer, an electromagnetic energy source for directing electromagnetic energy in a direction of the operating site, and a laser.

26. The apparatus for implementing a medical procedure according to claim 25, wherein:

the medical instrument comprises an electromagnetic energy source;

the electromagnetic energy source focuses the electromagnetic energy on the operating site; and

the router routes the medication medium onto the operating site to thereby cool and medicate the operating site as the operating site is being cut by the electromagnetic energy.

27. The apparatus for implementing a medical procedure according to claim 25, wherein the router comprises an atomizer for atomizing the medication medium into atomized particles before routing the medication medium in the direction of the operating site.

28. The apparatus for implementing a medical procedure according to claim 27, wherein the atomizer routes the atomized particles into a volume of air above the operating site, and

wherein the electromagnetic energy source focuses electromagnetic energy into the volume of air, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength which is substantially absorbed by the atomized particles in the volume of air, the absorption of the electromagnetic energy by the atomized particles causing the atomized particles to explode and impart disruptive mechanical forces onto the operating site.

29. An apparatus for implementing a medical procedure, comprising:

a medical instrument for performing a medical-treatment function on an operating site located inside of or connected to a human body;

receiving means for receiving an instruction from a user to supply a first type of fluid and for receiving an instruction from a user to supply a conditioned fluid;

a fluid router for selectively routing pigmented fluid in a direction of the tissue, the fluid router being adapted to route pigmented fluid upon receipt of an instruction into the receiving means to supply conditioned fluid; and

wherein the medical instrument comprises one of an electrocauterizer, an electromagnetic energy source for directing electromagnetic energy in a direction of the operating site, and a laser.

30. The apparatus for implementing a medical procedure according to claim 29, further comprising means for switching between a first mode and a second mode;

wherein

the fluid router is operable between the first mode where the routed fluid is pigmented, and the second mode where the routed fluid is not pigmented.

31. The apparatus for implementing a medical procedure according to claim 30, wherein a wavelength of the electromagnetic energy source is substantially absorbed by the pigmented fluid.

32. An apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surface, comprising:

an atomizer assembly comprising a medicated substance and being adapted to place medicating atomized fluid particles into a volume of air above the target surface; and

an electromagnetic energy source for directing electromagnetic energy into the volume of air, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength which is substantially absorbed by the medicating atomized fluid particles in the volume of air, the absorption of the electromagnetic energy by the medicating atomized fluid particles causing the medicating atomized fluid particles to impart disruptive mechanical forces onto the target surface.

33. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surface according to claim 32, wherein the medicated substance comprises an anesthetic substance.

34. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surface according to claim 32, wherein the medicating atomized fluid particles comprise a sterile substance.

35. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surface according to claim 32, wherein the medicating atomized fluid particles comprise at least one of an antibiotic, iodine, a steroid, an anesthetic, an anti-inflammatory, a disinfectant, adrenaline, epinephrine, and a stringent.

36. An apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surface, comprising:

an atomizer assembly comprising a disinfectant substance and being adapted to place disinfecting atomized fluid particles into a volume of air above the target surface; and

an electromagnetic energy source for directing electromagnetic energy into the volume of air, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength which is substantially absorbed by the disinfecting atomized fluid particles in the volume of air, the absorption of the electromagnetic energy by the disinfecting atomized fluid particles causing the disinfecting atomized fluid particles to impart disruptive mechanical forces onto the target surface.

37. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surface according to claim 36, wherein the sterile substance comprises sterilized water.

38. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surface according to claim 36, wherein the disinfectant substance comprises a sterile substance.