Patent ID: 7697814
Filing Date: 2010-04-13
Classification: A61B,G02B

Abstract:
1. A laser handpiece, comprising a fiber optic having a fiber optic end disposed in proximity to a reflector, which is shaped to direct output radiation emitted from the fiber optic end in a direction away from the laser handpiece and toward a treatment site, the output radiation (a) having a spatial energy distribution, which is relatively uniform across a non-planar geometric surface that intersects and is orthogonally disposed relative to the output radiation, (b) having an illumination-area shape and distribution required for one of (i) whitening teeth, (ii) caries prevention, (iii) caries detection, (iv) nonthermally altering cellular function, (v) nondestructively altering cellular function, (vi) desensitizing teeth, (vii) pain reduction when directed at acupuncture points, (viii) pain reduction when directed at muscular trigger points, (ix) pain reduction when used to treat chronic tendinopathies, degenerative arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, muscle pain, tendonitis, tension myalgia, chronic radiculopathy, chronic neuropathy, or acute soft tissue pain, (x) reducing tissue swelling, (xi) reducing bruising, (xii) reducing TMJ, (xiii) treatment of myofacial pain, (xiv) treatment of postoperative pain, (xv) treatment of muscle tears, (xvi) treatment of hematomas, (xvii) treatment of tendonitis, (xviii) treatment of shingles, (xix) treatment of herpes simplex, (xx) treatment of scarring, (xxi) burn healing, (xxii) wound healing, and (xxiii) composite curing, and (c) having an energy density or power density on any part of the geometrical surface that is within plus or minus about 50% of the average energy or power density of the geometrical surface, the non-planar geometric surface having a topography corresponding to one of a row of teeth, an elbow, a wrist, any of (i)-(xxiii), and a portion of a jaw.