Patent Abstract:
Laser emission systems for surgical and other therapeutic uses are herein disclosed. In the preferred embodiments, different laser control systems are disclosed and disposable tips and fiber with a unique connection structure are utilized. By being disposable, the tips are manufactured to minimize material loss while also providing the confidence patients desire for their health which comes from knowing the tips are sterile. One end of the fiber is encased in a ferrule, which provides the permanent connection. A lens structure may also be utilized to focus laser light as it passes from a waveguide into the tip. The laser generation module may emit laser light in multiple wavelengths simultaneously and may also feature remote operation.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority on and is a continuing-in-part application of prior filed application number 10/947,055 filed on Sep. 22, 2004, published as publication number 2006-0064080, on Mar. 23, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference. This application also claims priority on prior filed Provisional U.S. application No. 60/891,037, filed Feb. 21, 2007, and incorporates the same by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of surgical and therapeutic devices and more particularly relates to the field of laser surgical and therapeutic devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Surgical and therapeutic lasers using semiconductor laser as light source have been widely used in the medicine, dentistry and other areas. In order to increase the usage by practitioners, features of laser system need to be improved. A surgical laser with a fiber management system and disposable tips was described in the parent application. The present invention, an improvement over the Parent, utilizes a modular system with wireless control, touch screen programming, a removable fiber cable, autoclaveable hand piece, and versatile surgical tips. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of laser systems, this invention provides an improved laser system with a laser module capable to provide multiple wavelengths, wireless remote control, an improved fiber optic coupling system for laser delivery, auto cleavable handpiece, replaceable tip structure. As such, the present invention&#39;s general purpose is to provide a new and improved laser system that is effective in use and easy and intuitive in that use. 
         [0005]    To accomplish these objectives, the laser system according to the invention is practiced in two embodiments, both of which comprise a control module and a remote foot pedal operation control. In a first embodiment, the control module is a battery powered remote module which is easily maneuverable to a desired location. In the second, the control module is a relatively fixed consol and a separate handpiece is instead battery powered and movable. Both embodiments feature a laser module with multiple wavelength emission capability, a touch screen consol, a new fiber coupling system and replaceable therapeutic/surgical tips. 
         [0006]    The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
         [0007]    Many objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. 
         [0008]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0009]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the first embodiment of the surgical laser system according to the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention, utilizing a wireless handpiece. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  depicts electronic architect of modular laser system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  depicts electronic architect of modular laser system illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a schematic depicting a laser module to provide multiple wavelengths for the laser system. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6(   a ) is a schematic depicting one of laser beam delivery mechanism designed for laser system. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6(   b ) depicts a coupler housing 
           [0017]      FIG. 6(   c ) depicts the assembled laser beam delivery in  FIG. 6   a    
           [0018]      FIG. 6(   d ) depicts the optical beam trace mechanism for laser beam delivery described in  FIG. 6(   a ). 
           [0019]      FIG. 6(   e ) depicts a different laser beam delivery mechanism for designed laser system. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6(   f ) depicts the assembled laser beam deliver in  FIG. 6   e.    
           [0021]      FIG. 6(   g ) depicts the optical beam trace mechanism for laser beam delivery described in  FIG. 6   e.    
           [0022]      FIG. 6(   h ) depicts another laser beam delivery system 
           [0023]      FIG. 6(   i ) depicts assembled laser beam delivery described in  FIG. 6   h.    
           [0024]      FIG. 6(   j ) depicts the optical beam trace mechanism for laser beam delivery described in  FIG. 6   h.    
           [0025]      FIGS. 7(   a ) and  7 ( b ) are schematics depicting alternate laser tips for the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 8(   a )- 8 ( e ) depict sample tips, of the design shown in  FIG. 7   b , set at different angles. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the improved prophy cup is herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an” and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  depicts a modular system laser with a main consol and a wireless footswitch where control consol  100  has a touch screen  101 , a main electrical switch  102 , a handpiece holder  103 , an emergency stop button  104 , a battery pack  105  to make the unit operable by battery, a USB port  106  to update system operating software, a remote control port  107  to control laser emission remotely if needed, a fiber cable  108  extending from control consol  100 , a handpiece  109  connected to fiber cable  108  generally opposite the consol  100  and a disposable tip  110  connected to handpiece  109 . The preferred embodiment of the system as a whole likewise comprises a cradle  111  to house the control consol  100 . The cradle  111  has an open slot  112  for consol  100  to sit. A connection pin  113  is disposed within the slot  112  to connect electrical power from cradle  111  to control consol  100 . There is a secondary slot  114  to allow fiber cable in the consol  100  to go through cradle  111  when the consol  100  sits in the cradle. An electrical cord  115 , with an appropriate power supply  116 , is connected to the cradle  111  and is in operable connection to the connector pin  113 . The electrical power supply  116  and  115  can also connect to consol  100  directly without a cradle. The preferred embodiment of the system also comprises a wireless footswitch  117  to control the laser emission. The wireless footswitch contains a footswitch  118 , a multiple color LED indicator  119  for battery and signal status, and a reset button  120 . 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 2 , the laser system has a wireless laser handpiece  201  with a disposable tip  202 . The handpiece  201  is battery operated. Handpiece  201  also features an emergency stop button  203  and a laser emission indicator  204 . There is also a laser intensity adjustment control  205  on the laser handpiece  201 . Like the previous embodiment, the system contains a control consol  206  with a touch screen  207 , a main power switch  208 , a USB port  209  for programming updates, an emergency stop button  210 , a battery pack  211  and a remote control switch  212 . In this embodiment, the consol  206  also comprises a hand piece holder  213 , an open slot  214  in  213  for handpiece to sit, a removable electrical cable  215  attached to control consol  206  for charging purposes (actual connection means between the cable  215  and the open slot  214 , for charging the handpiece  201 , is not shown), and a switch power supply  216  to provide electrical power. The system also include a wireless footswitch  217  including a main footswitch  218 , a multiple color LED indicator  219  for battery and signal status and a reset button  220 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  depicts the electrical architecture of the first embodiment where block (a) contains electrical design for wireless footswitch. The footswitch is powered by battery and is operated by a control logic circuit which process signals for an electronic signal emitter and receiver (denoted as ES receiver and ES emitter in the Figures). It should be noted that, as used in this application, the term “electronic signal” includes any means of wireless communication now known or later developed, including but not limited to Laser, IR, RF, and BLUETOOTH communications. Block (b) illustrates the architectural design for main control. There is a battery charging section as the unit is operated by battery. The signal is processed through control logic circuit. The information is input by touch screen through a graphic user interface. The signal from foot switch controls laser emission by sending electronic signals to the system as a whole. The control program can be updated through a USB port. 
         [0031]    Similarly in  FIG. 4 , where the architecture is for the system in  FIG. 2 , block (a) illustrates electrical design for wireless footswitch. The footswitch is powered by battery to operate a control logic which process signals for the electronic signal emitter and receivers. Block (b) illustrates the architectural design for main control. There is a battery charging section as the control console and handpiece are operated by battery. The signal is processed through a control logic circuit. The information is inputted by touch screen through a graphic user interface. The control program can be updated by a USB port. Block (c) illustrates the architect design for a laser handpiece which is operated by battery. There is an electronic signal emitter and receiver in the handpiece to receive/send signals from and to main control unit. The information is processed by control logic circuit to control laser emission. The laser emission is controlled by wireless signal from footswitch. 
         [0032]    Both embodiments use a laser module to generate a multiple wavelength laser beam for emission through a single fiber. It should be noted that the laser module is located in the consol in the first embodiment ( FIG. 3 ) and the handpiece in the second ( FIG. 4 ).  FIG. 5  depicts a laser module used in both embodiments. The laser module depicted in  FIG. 5  can be either a laser module capable of emitting a single wavelength or multiple wavelengths, dependent upon the types of laser chips used in the module. The laser module is encased in a metal housing  501 . Inside housing  501 , a heat sink  502  carries a laser chip  503  and a detector chip  504 . The detector chip  504  detects the laser signal so that the emission of laser power can be controlled. The laser chip  503  and detector chip  504  are bonded by conduction wires  505 ,  506 ,  507  respectively to the electrodes  505   a ,  506   a , and  507   a  on the housing  501 , respectively. In front of laser chip  504 , there is an optical lens  508  to make the emitted laser beam become a parallel beam  509  for transport. 
         [0033]    Another heat sink  510  carries a laser chip  511  and a detector chip  512 . The laser chip and detector chips are bonded by conduction wires  513 ,  514 , and  515  to the electrodes  513   a ,  514   a , and  515   a  respectively. There is an optical lens  516  to make the emitted laser beam become a parallel beam  517 . Both beam  509  and  517  meet with a filter/reflector  518  which is 100% transparent to beam  509  and 100% reflective to beam  517 , reflecting beam  517  to make create beam  517   a . The reflectivity and transparency of this filter/reflector  518  is due to one side of the filter/reflector  518  being transparent to all or at least most wavelengths of laser light while the other is reflective of all or most wavelengths of laser light. 
         [0034]    Yet another heat sink  519  carries laser chip  520  and detector chip  521 . The laser chip and detector chips are bonded by conductive wires  522 ,  523 , and  524  to the electrodes  522   a ,  523   a , and  524   a  respectively. There is an optical lens  525  to make the emitted laser beam become a parallel beam  526 . Beam  526 ,  509 ,  517   a  meet with a filer/reflector  527  which are 100% transparent to  509  and  517   a  and 100% reflective to beam  526 , reflecting bean  526  to create beam  526   a . All three beams,  509 ,  517   a ,  526   a  reach an optical lens  528  housed by holder  529 . Lens  528  focuses all three beams into a single fiber  530 . Thus, with three generated laser beams merged into a single beam, the fiber can emit a single laser beam with three different wavelengths. It is conceivable that additional laser sources may be used to add more wavelengths to the final emitted beam. 
         [0035]    Delivering a laser beam to a surgical surface is a key for the laser system. Several laser beam delivery mechanisms will be disclosed herein. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6(   a ) describes one of the delivery mechanisms for a laser beam. Given a laser module  6001  as described in  FIG. 5 , the system according to the present invention is then assembled with the laser module  6001  as a centerpiece, shown in  FIG. 6(   a ). Fiber  6002  exits module  6001  to connect to other components. A ferrule  6003  is provided to the fiber  6002  so as to connect the fiber  6002  to the next stage. A nut  6004  connected to ferrule  6003  facilitates the connection of ferrule  6003  to other connections. The fiber  6002  is finished at end of ferrule  6005  with standard fiber finish. Then, there is a housing  2007  with an opening  2008  at proximal end and another opening  2009  at distal end. There are precision spacers  2010  and  2011  at both ends of an optical lens  2012 , inside housing  2007 . The details for housing  6007  will be described in  FIG. 6(   b ). A coupler  6013  is provided for further light transportation. The coupler  6013  with opening  6014  at proximal end opening  6015  at distal end, and a stop point  6016  contains housing  2007 . Then, a ferrule  6017  contains another fiber  6018 . A nut  6019  is connected to  6017  for attachment. Fiber  6018  has a standard finish  6020  for at end  6017 . At another end of fiber  6018 , there is a ferrule  6021  to make fiber to connect to next stage. A nut  6022  is attached to ferrule  6021  and a fiber finish surface  6023  at end of ferrule  6020 . Another housing  6024  with opening  6025  at proximal end and opening  6026  at distal end contains a precision spacer  6027  and  6028  at both end of an optical lens  6028 , respectively. A coupler  6030  with opening  6031  at proximal end, opening  6032  at distal end, and a stop point  6033  to house  6024 . Another ferrule  6034  to contain fiber  6035  with fiber finish  6036  can be fit to coupler  6030 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6(   b ) depicts details the housing  6007  and  6024 . A cylindrical housing  6101  which can be made of metal or plastic with elastic properties has an opening  6102  at proximal end, opening  6103  at distal end, and an open slot  6104  from proximal end to distal end. The important feature is the open slot  6104  to allow any ferrules with size larger than inside diameter of  6101  to get in from both ends and to automatically align the ferrules. This is important to accommodate the variance of the ferrule, as even they are in precise relation to each other. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6(   c ) depicts assembled fiber conduction mechanism as layout in  FIG. 6(   a ). A laser beam from laser module  6201  is transported through a fiber cable  6202  to a connection point  6203 , which contains a coupler, a housing with one lens and spacers, and a ferrule for another fiber  6204 . The laser beam is coupled from one fiber to another fiber utilizing connection points  6203 . The mechanism of coupler, spacers and lens make the coupling efficiency from one fiber to another fiber to the optimum. The connection  6203  can be the transporting point to transport laser beam from inside the laser system to outside the laser system as depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  Then, laser beam is transported to another connection point  6205 , contains a coupler, a housing with one lens and spacers, and a ferrule for another fiber  6206 , which may deliver the laser beam to the surgical surface. The connection point  6205  can also be the transporting point from the handpiece to the replaceable tip for laser system as depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 6(   d ) depicts the optical system for laser transportation described in  FIG. 6(   a ). A laser beam  6301  inputs to a fiber  6302 , then exits from fiber  6302 , then focused by lens  6303  to another fiber  6304 , then exits fiber  6304 , then focused by lens  6305  to another fiber  6306 , finally exits at end of  6306  as a beam  6307  to an application surface. 
         [0040]    The laser beam deliver mechanism depicted in  FIG. 6(   d ) can be used for a laser system with power output range from 1 to 10 watt. 
         [0041]      FIG. 6(   e ) describes another of the delivery mechanisms for a laser beam. Given a laser module  6401  as described above, the system according to the present invention is then assembled with the laser module  6401  as a centerpiece, shown in  FIG. 6(   e ). Fiber  6402  exits module  6401  to connect to other components. A ferrule  6403  is provided to the fiber  6402  so as to connect the fiber  6402  to the next stage. A nut  6404  connected to ferrule  6403  facilitates the connection of ferrule  6403  to other connections. The fiber  6402  is finished at end of ferrule  6405 . Then, there is a housing  2406  with an opening  2407  at proximal end and another opening  2408  at distal end. There is a precision spacer  2409 , an optical lens  2410 , and another precision spacer  2411  inside housing  2406 . The housing  6406  is identical to housing  6007  described in  FIG. 6(   b ). A coupler  6413  is provided for further light transportation. The coupler  6413  with opening  6412  at proximal end opening  6414  at distal end. While housing  6406  is inserted within coupler  6413  at proximal end  6412 , an identical housing  6415  is likewise inserted into coupler distal end  6414 . The structure inside housing  6415  mirrors the structure in housing  6406  in that it contains a precision spacer  2418 , an optical lens  2419 , and another precision spacer  2420  inside housing  6415 . Housing  6415  also presents proximal opening  6416  and distal opening  6417 . Distal opening  6417  receives a ferrule  6422  containing fiber  6421 , which is finished at the end of ferrule  6424 . Ferrule  6422  likewise is attached to a nut  6423  to facilitate connection. This is the first part of connection fiber  6421 , which has an identical structure at its other end, specifically there is a ferrule  6425  to make fiber to connect to next stage. A nut  6426  is attached to ferrule  6425  and a fiber finish surface  6427  at end of ferrule  6425 . Another housing  6428  with opening  6429  at proximal end and opening  6430  at distal end contains a precision spacer  6431 , an lens  6432 , and a precision spacer  6433 . A coupler  6434  with opening  6435  at proximal end, opening  6436  at distal end, and a stop point  6437  to house  6428 . Another ferrule  6439  to contain fiber  6438  with fiber finish  6440  can be fit to coupler  6434 . This construction had the added utility of an extra focusing lens over the first embodiment described in  FIG. 6(   a ). 
         [0042]      FIG. 6(   f ) depicts assembled fiber conduction mechanism as layout in  FIG. 6(   e ). A laser beam from laser module  6501  is transported through a fiber cable  6502  to a connection point  6503 , which contains a coupler, a housing with two lenses, and a ferrule for another fiber  6504 . The connection point  6503  can also be the transporting point to transport laser beam from inside the system to the outside the system as depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . Then, laser beam is transported to another connection point  6505 , contains a coupler, a housing with one lens, and a ferrule for another fiber  6506 , which may deliver the laser beam to the surgical surface. The connection point  6506  can be the transporting point from the handpiece to the replaceable tip for laser system as depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 6(   g ) depicts the optical system for laser transportation described in  FIG. 6(   e ). A laser beam  6601  inputs to a fiber  6602 , then exits from fiber  6602 , then focused by lenses  6603  and  6604  to another fiber  6605 , then exits fiber  6605 , then focused by lens  6606  to another fiber  6607 , finally exits at end of  6607  as a beam  6608  to an application surface. 
         [0044]    The laser beam deliver system depicted in  FIG. 6(   g ) can be used for a laser system with moderate power output, for example, the final laser output is ranged from 1 to 15 watt. 
         [0045]      FIG. 6(   h ) describes another of the delivery mechanisms for a laser beam. Given a laser module  6701  as described above, the system according to the present invention is then assembled with the laser module  6701  as a centerpiece, shown in  FIG. 6(   h ). Fiber  6702  exits module  6701  to connect to other components. A ferrule  6703  is provided to the fiber  6702  so as to connect the fiber  6702  to the next stage. A nut  6704  connected to ferrule  6703  facilitates the connection of ferrule  6703  to other connections. The fiber  6702  is finished at end of ferrule  6705 . Then, there is a housing  2706  with an opening  2707  at proximal end and another opening  2708  at distal end. There is a precision spacer  2709 , an optical lens  2710 , and another precision spacer  2711  inside housing  2706 . The housing  6706  is identical to housing  6007  described in  FIG. 6(   b ). A coupler  6713  is provided for further light transportation. The coupler  6713  with opening  6712  at proximal end opening  6714  at distal end. While housing  6706  is inserted within coupler  6713  at proximal end  6712 , a housing  6715  is likewise inserted into coupler distal end  6714 . The structure inside housing  6715  mirrors the structure in housing  6706  in that it contains a precision spacer  2718 , an optical lens  2719 , and another precision spacer  2720  inside housing  6715 . Housing  6715  also presents proximal opening  6716  and distal opening  6717 . Distal opening  6717  receives a ferrule  6722  containing fiber  6721 , which is finished at the end of ferrule  6724 . Ferrule  6722  likewise is attached to a nut  6723  to facilitate connection. This is the first part of connection fiber  6721 , which has an identical structure at its other end, specifically there is a ferrule  6725  to make fiber to connect to next stage. A nut  6726  is attached to ferrule  6725  and a fiber finish surface  6727  at end of ferrule  6725 . Another housing  6728  with opening  6729  at proximal end and opening  6733  at distal end contains a precision spacer  6430 , an lens  6431 , and a precision spacer  6432 . A coupler  6734  is provided for further light transportation. The coupler  6734  with opening  6735  at proximal end opening  6736  at distal end. While housing  6728  is inserted within coupler  6734  at proximal end  6735 , an identical housing  6737  is likewise inserted into coupler distal end  6736 . The structure inside housing  6737  mirrors the structure in housing  6728  in that it contains a precision spacer  2738 , an optical lens  2740 , and another precision spacer  2741  inside housing  6737 . Housing  6737  also presents proximal opening  6738  and distal opening  6742 . Distal opening  6742  receives a ferrule  6743  containing fiber  6744 , which is finished at the end of ferrule  6745 . This construction had the added utility of an two extra focusing lenses over the first embodiment described in  FIG. 6(   a ). 
         [0046]      FIG. 6(   i ) depicts assembled fiber conduction mechanism as layout in  FIG. 6(   h ). A laser beam from laser module  6801  is transported through a fiber cable  6802  to a connection point  6803 , which contains a coupler, a housing with two lenses, spacers between lens and fiber finishes, and a ferrule for another fiber  6804 . Then, laser beam is transported to another connection point  6805 , contains a coupler, a housing with two lenses, and a ferrule for another fiber  6806 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 6(   j ) depicts the optical system for laser transportation described in  FIG. 6(   h ). A laser beam  6901  inputs to a fiber  6902 , then exits from fiber  6902 , then focused by lenses  6903  and  6904  to another fiber  6905 , then exits fiber  6905 , then focused by lenses  6906  and  6907  to another fiber  6608 , finally exits at end of  6608  as a beam  6609  to an application surface. The mechanism designed in  FIG. 6(   j ) can be useful for high power laser delivery. 
         [0048]    Due to the fiber coupling design in  FIGS. 6(   a )- 6 ( j ), the fiber tips for surgical purpose can be changed at any given time. A tip design with a housing and an optical lens is illustrated in  FIG. 7   a . The tip comprises a casing  701  from which cannular tip  702  extends. In the cannular tip  702 , there is a channel  703  to guide fiber  708 . A cylindrical housing  704  contains an optical lens  705 , a spacer  706  and a fiber connector  707  which encompasses one end of fiber  708 . The fiber  708  will be bent according to the shape of channel  703  which can be straight or any angle. There is an open space  709  so that the tip can fit to the designated handpeice. 
         [0049]    The tip shown in  FIG. 7   b  is a tip without an optical lens. Tip comprises casing  710  from which cannular tip  711  extends. In cannular tip  711 , there is a channel  712  to guide fiber  714 . There is a connector  713  encompassing fiber  714  inside tip casing  710 . The cannular tip  711  can be any angle by designing the casing so that the fiber can be any angle relative to tip axis. There is a space  715  to have tip to fit into handpiece. In either tip embodiment, the fiber in the tip can be versatile and may emit light in different patterns through the physical structure of the tip, as is known in the art and later discovered, including just at end the tip or in all directions. The structure of the tip is such that the fiber  708 ,  714  is fixedly encased in the tip, with the intention of being disposable while sacrificing as little material resources as possible. By being fixed in the tip and disposable, do not suffer the same stresses as other prior art fibers and can be gently bent to any angle during assembly with little fear of stresses and strain caused by repeated insertion and removal of fibers into other cannula systems. 
         [0050]    Tips may be offset at any angle from an axis defined by the fiber connectors in the tip.  FIGS. 8   a - 8   e  depict the tip design of  FIG. 7   b  with offsets of 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90° respectively. These angles are of course examples as any angle may be used since casing of each tip supports the fiber and the fiber is not stressed by being repeatedly bent to various degrees when inserted and removed from a cannula or other guide. Each tip has a casing  801   a ,  801   b , etc. with a cannular tip  802   a ,  802   b , etc. extending therefrom. Cylindrical connector  804   a ,  804   b , etc encompasses one end of fiber  805   a ,  805   b , etc, and is situated opposite cannular tip  802   a ,  802   b , etc. in the housing  801   a ,  801   b , etc. It is surrounded by a space  806   a ,  806   b , etc. to allow for connection to the handpiece. The cylindrical connector  804   a ,  804   b , etc. also defines an axis. Each cannular tip  802   a ,  802   b , etc, contains a channel  803   a ,  803   b  etc. and is bent (as is the contained channel  803   a ,  803   b , etc.) to an angle relative to the axis. Fiber  805   a ,  805   b , etc. extends from cylindrical connector  804   a ,  804   b , etc., through channel  803   a ,  803   b , etc. and has its distal end extend out cannular tip  802   a ,  802   b , etc., following the bend in the tip, thereby redirecting the laser received from the connected handpiece. 
         [0051]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0