Abstract:
A fluid conditioning system is adapted to condition the fluid used in medical and dental cutting, irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, and drilling operations. The fluid may be conditioned by adding flavors, antiseptics and/or tooth whitening agents such as peroxide, medications, and pigments. 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.

Description:
This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/997,550, filed Nov. 27, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,803), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/256,697, filed Feb. 24, 1999 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,350,123), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/985,513, filed Dec. 5, 1997 (now abandoned), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/522,503, filed Aug. 31, 1995 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,247), the contents of all which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/995,241, filed Dec. 17, 1997 (now abandoned), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/575,775, filed Dec. 20, 1995 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,521), the entire contents of both which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to medical cutting, irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, and drilling techniques and, more particularly to a system for introducing conditioned fluids into the cutting, irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, and drilling techniques. 
     A prior art dental/medical work station  11  is shown in  FIG. 1 . A vacuum line  12  and an air supply line  13  supply negative and positive pressures, respectively. A water supply line  14  and an electrical outlet  15  supply water and power, respectively. The vacuum line  12 , the air supply line  13 , the water supply line  14 , and the power source  15  are all connected to the dental/medical unit  16 . 
     The dental/medical unit  16  may comprise a dental seat or an operating table, a sink, an overhead light, and other conventional equipment used in dental and medical procedures. The dental/medical unit  16  provides water, air, vacuum and/or power to the instruments  17 . These instruments may include an electrocauterizer, an electromagnetic energy source, a mechanical drill, a mechanical saw, a canal finder, a syringe, and/or an evacuator. 
     The electromagnetic energy source is typically a laser coupled with a delivery system. The laser  18   a  and delivery system  19   a , both shown in phantom, as well as any of the above-mentioned instruments, may be connected directly to the dental/medical unit  16 . Alternatively, the laser  18   b  and delivery system  19   b , both shown in phantom, may be connected directly to the water supply  14 , the air supply  13 , and the electric outlet  15 . Other instruments  17  may be connected directly to any of the vacuum line  12 , the air supply line  13 , the water supply line  14 , and/or the electrical outlet  15 . 
     The laser  18  and delivery system  19  may typically comprise an electromagnetic cutter for dental use. A conventional prior art electromagnetic cutter is shown in  FIG. 2 . According to this prior art apparatus, a fiber guide tube  30 , a water line  31 , an air line  32 , and an air knife line  33  (which supplies pressurized air) may be fed from the dental/medical unit  16  into the hand-held apparatus  34 . A cap  35  fits onto the hand-held apparatus  34  and is secured via threads  36 . The fiber guide tube  30  abuts within a cylindrical metal piece  37 . Another cylindrical metal piece  38  is a part of the cap  35 . When the cap  35  is threaded onto the hand-held device  34 , the two cylindrical metal tubes  37  and  38  are moved into very close proximity of one another. The pressurized air from the air knife line  33  surrounds and cools the laser as the laser bridges the gap between the two metal cylindrical objects  37  and  38 . Air from the air knife line  33  flows out of the two exhausts  39  and  41  after cooling the interface between elements  37  and  38 . 
     The laser energy exits from the fiber guide tube  42  and is applied to a target surface within the patient&#39;s mouth, according to a predetermined surgical plan. Water from the water line  31  and pressurized air from the air line  32  are forced into the mixing chamber  43 . The air and water mixture is very turbulent in the mixing chamber  43 , and exits this chamber through a mesh screen with small holes  44 . The air and water mixture travels along the outside of the fiber guide tube  42 , and then leaves the tube  42  and contacts the area of surgery. The air and water spray coming from the tip of the fiber guide tube  42  helps to cool the target surface being cut and to remove materials cut by the laser. 
     Water is generally used in a variety of laser cutting operations in order to cool the target surface. Additionally, water is used in mechanical drilling operations for cooling the target surface and removing cut or drilled materials therefrom. Many prior art cutting or drilling systems use a combination of air and water, commonly combined to form a light mist, for cooling a target surface and/or removing cut materials from the target surface. 
     The use of water in these prior art systems has been somewhat successful for the limited purposes of cooling a target surface or removing debris therefrom. These prior art uses of water in cutting and drilling operations, however, have not allowed for versatility, outside of the two functions of cooling and removing debris. In particular, during cutting or drilling operations, medication treatments, preventative measure applications, and aesthetically pleasing substances, such as flavors or aromas, have not been possible or used. A conventional drilling operation may benefit from the use of an anesthetic near the drilling operation, for example, but during this drilling operation only water and/or air has so far been used. In the case of a laser cutting operation, a disinfectant, such as iodine, could be applied to the target surface during drilling to guard against infection, but this additional disinfectant has not been applied during such laser cutting operations. In the case of an oral drilling or cutting operation, unpleasant tastes or odors may be generated, which may be unpleasing to the patient. The conventional use of only water during this oral procedure does not mask the undesirable taste or odor. A need has thus existed in the prior art for versatility of applications and of treatments during drilling and cutting procedures. 
     Compressed gases, pressurized air, and electrical motors are commonly used to provide the driving force for mechanical cutting instruments, such as drills, in dentistry and medicine. The compressed gases and pressurized water are subsequently ejected into the atmosphere in close proximity to or inside of the patient&#39;s mouth and/or nose. The same holds true for electrically driven turbines when a cooling spray (air and water) is typically ejected into the patient&#39;s mouth, as well. These ejected fluids commonly contain vaporous elements of burnt flesh or drilled tissue structure. This odor can be quite uncomfortable for the patient, and can increase trauma experienced by the patient during the drilling or cutting procedure. In a such a drilling or cutting procedure, a mechanism for masking the smell and the odor generated from the cutting or drilling may be advantageous. 
     Another problem exists in the prior art with bacteria growth on surfaces within a dental operating room. The interior surfaces of air, vacuum, and water lines of the dental unit, for example, are subject to bacteria growth. Additionally, the air and water used to cool the tissue being cut or drilled within the patient&#39;s mouth is often vaporized into the air to some degree. This vaporized air and water condensates on surfaces of the dental equipment within the dental operating room. These moist surfaces can also promote bacteria growth, which is undesirable. A system for reducing the bacteria growth within air, vacuum, and water lines, and for reducing the bacteria growth resulting from condensation on exterior surfaces, is needed to reduce sources of contamination within a dental operating room. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The fluid conditioning system of the present invention is adaptable to most existing medical and dental cutting, irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, and drilling apparatuses. Flavored fluid is used in place of regular tap water during drilling operations. In the case of a laser surgical operation, electromagnetic energy is focused in a direction of the tissue to be cut, and a fluid router routes flavored fluid in the same direction. The flavored fluid may appeal to the taste buds of the patient undergoing the surgical procedure, and may include any of a variety of flavors, such as a fruit flavor or a mint flavor. In the case of a mist or air spray, scented air may be used to mask the smell of burnt or drilled tissue. The scent may function as an air freshener, even for operations outside of dental applications. 
     The fluids used for cooling a surgical site and/or removing tissue may further include an ionized solution, such as a biocompatible saline solution, and may further include fluids having predetermined densities, specific gravities, pH levels, viscosities, or temperatures, relative to conventional tap water. Additionally, the fluids may include a medication, such as an antibiotic, a steroid, an anesthetic, an anti-inflammatory, an antiseptic or disinfectant, adrenaline, epinephrine, or an astringent. The fluid may also include vitamins, herbs, or minerals. 
     Introduction of any of the above-mentioned conditioning agents to the conventional water of a cutting or drilling operation may be controlled by a user input. Thus, for example, a user may adjust a knob or apply pressure to a foot pedal in order to introduce iodine into the water after a cutting operation has been performed. The amount of conditioning applied to the air, water, or mist may be a function of the position of the foot pedal, for example. 
     According to one broad aspect of the present invention, a mist of atomized particles is placed into a volume of air above the tissue to be cut, and a source of electromagnetic energy, such as a laser, is focused into the volume of air. The electromagnetic energy has a wavelength, which is substantially absorbed by the atomized particles in the volume air. This absorption of the electromagnetic energy by the atomized particles causes the atomized particles to explode and impart mechanical cutting forces onto the tissue. According to this feature, the electromagnetic energy source does not directly cut the tissue but, rather, the exploded fluid particles are used to cut the tissue. These fluid particles may be conditioned with flavors, scents, ionization, medications, disinfectants, and other agents, as previously mentioned. 
     Since the electromagnetic energy is focused directly on the atomized, conditioned fluid particles, the cutting forces are changed, depending upon the conditioning of the atomized fluid particles. The mechanical cutting efficiency is proportional (related) to the absorption of the electromagnetic energy by the fluid spray. The absorption characteristic can be modified by changing the fluid composition. For example, introduction of a salt into the water before atomization, resulting in an ionized solution, will exhibit slower cutting properties than does regular water. This slower cutting may be desirable, or the laser power may be increased to compensate for the ionized, atomized fluid particles. Additionally, the atomized fluid particles may be pigmented to either enhance or retard absorption of the electromagnetic energy, to thereby additionally control the cutting power of the system. Two sources of fluid may be used, with one of the sources having a pigment and the other not having a pigment. 
     Another feature of the present invention places a disinfectant in the air, mist, or water used for dental applications. This disinfectant can be periodically routed through the air, mist, or water lines to disinfect the interior surfaces of these lines. This routing of disinfectant can be performed between patients, daily, or at any other predetermined intervals. A mouthwash may be used, for example, at the end of each procedure to both clean the patient&#39;s mouth and clean the air and water tubes. 
     According to another feature of the present invention, when disinfectant is routed through the lines during a medical procedure, the disinfectant stays with the water or mist, as the water or mist becomes airborne and settles on surrounding surfaces within the dental operating room. Bacteria growth within the lines, and from the condensation, is significantly attenuated, since the disinfectant retards bacteria growth on the moist surfaces. 
     The present invention, together with additional features and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional dental/medical work station; 
         FIG. 2  is a conventional optical cutter apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a dental/medical work station according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an electromagnetic cutter using conditioned fluid, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5   a  illustrates one embodiment of the electromagnetic cutter of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5   b  illustrates another embodiment of the electromagnetic cutter of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6   a  illustrates a mechanical drilling apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6   b  illustrates a syringe according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the fluid conditioning system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates one embodiment of the fluid conditioning unit of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the air conditioning unit of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The dental/medical work station  111  of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 3 , with elements similar to those shown in  FIG. 1  proceeded by a “1”. The dental/medical work station  111  comprises a conventional air line  113  and a conventional water line  114  for supplying air and water, respectively. A vacuum line  112  and an electrical outlet  115  supply negative air pressure and electricity to the dental/medical unit  116 , similarly to the vacuum  12  and electrical  15  lines shown in  FIG. 1 . The fluid conditioning unit  121  may, alternatively, be placed between the dental/medical unit  116  and the instruments  117 , for example. According to the present invention, the air line  113  and the water line  114  are both connected to a fluid conditioning unit  121 . 
     A controller  125  allows for user inputs, to control whether air from the air line  113 , water from the water line  114 , or both, are conditioned by the fluid conditioning unit  121 . A variety of agents may be applied to the air or water by the fluid conditioning unit  121 , according to a configuration of the controller  125 , for example, to thereby condition the air or water, before the air or water is output to the dental/medical unit  116 . Flavoring agents and related substances, for example, may be used, such as disclosed in 21 C.F.R. Sections 172.510 and 172.515, the details of which are incorporated herein by reference. Colors, for example, may also be used for conditioning, such as disclosed in 21 C.F.R. Section 73.1 to Section 73.3126. 
     Similarly to the instruments  17  shown in  FIG. 1 , the instruments  117  may comprise an electrocauterizer, an electromagnetic energy source, a laser, a mechanical drill, a mechanical saw, a canal finder, a syringe, and/or an evacuator. All of these instruments  117  use air from the air line  113  and/or water from the water line  114 , which may or may not be conditioned depending on the configuration of the controller  125 . Any of the instruments  117  may alternatively be connected directly to the fluid conditioning unit  121  or directly to any of the air  113 , water  114 , vacuum  112 , and/or electric  115  lines. For example, a laser  118  and delivery system  119  is shown in phantom connected to the fluid conditioning unit  121 . The laser  118   a  and delivery system  119   a  may be connected to the dental/medical unit  116 , instead of being grouped with the instruments  117 . 
     The block diagram shown in  FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of a laser  51  directly coupled with, for example, the air  113 , water  114 , and power  115  lines of  FIG. 3 . A separate fluid conditioning system is used in this embodiment. As an alternative to the laser, or any other tool being connected directly to any or all of the four supply lines  113 - 115  and having an independent fluid conditioning unit, any of these tools may instead, or additionally, be connected to the dental/medical unit  116  or the fluid conditioning unit  121 , or both. 
     According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , an electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter is used for cutting. Details of this cutter are disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/522,503, assigned to the assignee of this application. The electromagnetic cutter energy source  51  is connected directly to the outlet  115  ( FIG. 3 ), and is coupled to both a controller  53  and a delivery system  55 . The delivery system  55  routes and focuses the laser  51 . In the case of a conventional laser system, thermal cutting forces are imparted onto the target  57 . The delivery system  55  preferably comprises a fiberoptic guide for routing the laser  51  into an interaction zone  59 , located above the target surface  57 . The fluid router  60  preferably comprises an atomizer for delivering user-specified combinations of atomized fluid particles into the interaction zone  59 . The atomized fluid particles are conditioned, according to the present invention, and may comprise flavors, scents, saline, and other agents, as discussed below. 
     In the case of a conventional laser, a stream or mist of conditioned fluid is supplied by the fluid router  60 . The controller  53  may control various operating parameters of the laser  51 , the conditioning of the fluid from the fluid router  60 , and the specific characteristics of the fluid from the fluid router  60 . 
     Although the present invention may be used with conventional drills and lasers, for example, one preferred embodiment is the above-mentioned electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter. Other preferred embodiments include an electrocauterizer, a syringe, an evacuator, or any air or electrical driver, drilling, filling, or cleaning mechanical instrument.  FIG. 5   a  shows a simple embodiment of the electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter, in which a fiberoptic guide  61 , an air tube  63 , and a fluid tube  65  are placed within a hand-held housing  67 . Although a variety of connections are possible, the air tube  63  and water tube  65  are preferably connected to either the fluid conditioning unit  121  or the dental/medical unit  116  of  FIG. 3 . The fluid tube  65  is preferably operated under a relatively low pressure, and the air tube  63  is preferably operated under a relatively high pressure. 
     According to the present invention, either the air from the air tube  63  or the fluid from the fluid tube  65 , or both, are selectively conditioned by the fluid conditioning unit  121 , as controlled by the controller  125 . The laser energy from the fiberoptic guide  61  focuses onto a combination of air and fluid, from the air tube  63  and the fluid tube  65 , at the interaction zone  59 . Atomized fluid particles in the air and fluid mixture absorb energy from the laser energy of the fiberoptic tube  61 , and explode. The explosive forces from these atomized fluid particles impart mechanical cutting forces onto the target  57 . 
     Turning back to  FIG. 2 , a conventional optical cutter focuses laser energy on a target surface at an area A, for example, and the electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter focuses laser energy into an interaction zone B, for example. The conventional optical cutter uses the laser energy directly to cut tissue, and the electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter uses the laser energy to expand atomized fluid particles to thus impart mechanical cutting forces onto the target surface. The atomized fluid particles are heated, expanded, and cooled before contacting the target surface. 
       FIG. 5   b  illustrates a preferred embodiment of the electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter. The atomizer for generating atomized fluid particles comprises a nozzle  71 , which may be interchanged with other nozzles (not shown) for obtaining various spatial distributions of the atomized fluid particles, according to the type of cut desired. A second nozzle  72 , shown in phantom lines, may also be used. In a simple embodiment, a user controls the air and water pressure entering into the nozzle  71 . The nozzle  71  is thus capable of generating many different user-specified combinations of atomized fluid particles and aerosolized sprays. 
     Intense energy is emitted from the fiberoptic guide  23 . This intense energy is preferably generated from a coherent source, such as a laser. In the presently preferred embodiment, the laser comprises an erbium, chromium, yttrium, scandium, gallium garnet (Er, Cr:YSGG) solid state laser. When fluids besides mere water are used, the absorption of the light energy changes and cutting efficiency is thus affected. Alternatively, when using certain fluids containing pigments or dyes, laser systems of different wavelengths such as Neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet-Nd:YAG wavelengths may be selected to allow for high absorption by the fluid. 
     The delivery system  55  for delivering the electromagnetic energy includes a fiberoptic energy guide or equivalent which attaches to the laser system and travels to the desired work site. Fiberoptics or waveguides are typically long, thin and lightweight, and are easily manipulated. Fiberoptics can be made of calcium fluoride (CaF), calcium oxide (CaO2), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), zirconium fluoride (ZrF), sapphire, hollow waveguide, liquid core, TeX glass, quartz silica, germanium sulfide, arsenic sulfide, germanium oxide (GeO2), and other materials. Other delivery systems include devices comprising mirrors, lenses and other optical components where the energy travels through a cavity, is directed by various mirrors, and is focused onto the targeted cutting site with specific lenses. 
     The preferred embodiment of light delivery for medical applications of the present invention is through a fiberoptic conductor, because of its light weight, lower cost, and ability to be packaged inside of a handpiece of familiar size and weight to the surgeon, dentist, or clinician. Non-fiberoptic systems may be used in both industrial applications and medical applications, as well. The nozzle  71  is employed to create an engineered combination of small particles of the chosen fluid. The nozzle  71  may comprise several different designs including liquid only, air blast, air assist, swirl, solid cone, etc. When fluid exits the nozzle  71  at a given pressure and rate, it is transformed into particles of user-controllable sizes, velocities, and spatial distributions. 
     A mechanical drill  60  is shown in  FIG. 6   a , comprising a handle  62 , a drill bit  64 , and a water output  66 . The mechanical drill  60  comprises a motor  68 , which may be electrically driven, or driven by pressurized air. 
     When the motor  68  is driven by air, for example, the fluid enters the mechanical drill  60  through the first supply line  70 . Fluid entering through the first supply line  70  passes through the motor  68 , which may comprise a turbine, for example, to thereby provide rotational forces to the drill bit  64 . A portion of the fluid, which may not appeal to a patient&#39;s taste and/or smell, may exit around the drill bit  64 , coming into contact with the patient&#39;s mouth and/or nose. The majority of the fluid exits back through the first supply line  70 . 
     In the case of an electric motor, for example, the first supply line  70  provides electric power. The second supply line  74  supplies fluid to the fluid output  66 . The water and/or air supplied to the mechanical drill  60  may be selectively conditioned by the fluid conditioning unit  121 , according to the configuration of the controller  125 . 
     The syringe  76  shown in  FIG. 6   b  comprises an air input line  78  and a water input line  80 . A user control  82  is movable between a first position and a second position. The first position supplies air from the air line  78  to the output tip  84 , and the second position supplies water from the water line  80  to the output tip  84 . Either the air from the air line  78 , the water from the water line  80 , or both, may be selectively conditioned by the fluid conditioning unit  121 , according to the configuration of the controller  125 , for example. 
     Turning to  FIG. 7 , a portion of the fluid conditioning unit  121  ( FIG. 3 ) is shown. This fluid conditioning unit  121  is preferably adaptable to existing water lines  114 , for providing conditioned fluid to the dental/medical unit  116  as a substitute for regular tap water in drilling and cutting operations, for example. The interface  89  connects to an existing water line  114  and feeds water through the fluid-in line  81  and the bypass line  91 . The reservoir  83  accepts water from the fluid-in line  81  and outputs conditioned fluid to the fluid-out line  85 . The fluid-in line  81 , the reservoir  83 , and the fluid-out line  85  together comprise a fluid conditioning subunit  87 . 
     Conditioned fluid is output from the fluid conditioning subunit  87  into the combination unit  93 . The fluid may be conditioned by conventional means, such as the addition of a tablet, liquid syrup, or a flavor cartridge. Also input into the combination unit  93  is regular water from the bypass line  91 . A user input  95  into the controller  125 , for example, determines whether fluid output from the combination unit  93  into the fluid tube  65  comprises only conditioned fluid from the fluid-out line  85 , only regular water from the bypass line  91 , or a combination thereof. The user input  95  comprises a rotatable knob, a pedal, or a foot switch, operable by a user, for determining the proportions of conditioned fluid and regular water. These proportions may be determined according to the pedal or knob position. In the pedal embodiment, for example, a full-down pedal position corresponds to only conditioned fluid from the fluid out-line  85  being output into the fluid tube  65 , and a full pedal up position corresponds to only water from the bypass line  91  being output into the fluid tube  65 . The bypass line  91 , the combination unit  93 , and the user input  95  provide versatility, but may be omitted, according to preference. A simple embodiment for conditioning fluid would comprises only the fluid conditioning subunit  87 . 
     An alternative embodiment of the fluid conditioning subunit  87  is shown in  FIG. 8 . The fluid conditioning subunit  187  inputs air from air line  113  via an air input line  181 , and outputs conditioned fluid via a fluid output line  185 . The fluid output line  185  preferably extends vertically down into the reservoir  183  into the fluid  191  located therein. The lid  184  may be removed and conditioned fluid inserted into the reservoir  183 . Alternatively, a solid or liquid form of fluid conditioner may be added to water already in the reservoir  183 . The fluid is preferably conditioned, using either a scent fluid drop or a scent tablet (not shown), and may be supplied with fungible cartridges, for example. 
     The fluid  191  within the reservoir  183  may be conditioned to achieve a desired flavor, such as a fruit flavor or a mint flavor, or may be conditioned to achieve a desired scent, such as an air freshening smell. In one embodiment wherein the reservoir is conditioned to achieve a desired flavor, the flavoring agent for achieving the desired flavor is selected to appeal to the taste buds of a patient. Conditioning of the reservoir to achieve a desired scent may comprise selecting a conditioning that will mask the smell of burnt or drilled tissue. A conditioned fluid having a scent, a scented mist, or a scented source of air, may be particularly advantageous for implementation in connection with an air conditioning unit, as shown in  FIG. 9  and discussed below. In addition to flavor and scents, other conditioning agents may be selectively added to a conventional water line, mist line, or air line. For example, an ionized solution, such as saline water, or a pigmented solution may be added, as discussed below. Additionally, agents may be added to change the density, specific gravity, pH, temperature, or viscosity of water and/or air supplied to a drilling or cutting operation. Medications, such as antibiotics, steroids, anesthetics, anti-inflammatories, disinfectants, adrenaline, epinephrine, or astringents may be added to the water and/or air used in a drilling or cutting operation. In one embodiment the conditioning agent can comprise one of a medication and a combination of saline and water In the case of a medication, for example, an astringent may be applied to a surgical area, via the water line to reduce bleeding. Vitamins, herbs, or minerals may also be used for conditioning the air or water used in a cutting or drilling procedure. An anesthetic or anti-inflammatory applied to a surgical wound may reduce discomfort to the patient or trauma to the wound, and an antibiotic or disinfectant may prevent infection to the wound. 
     The air conditioning subunit shown in  FIG. 9  is connectible into an existing air line  113 , via interfaces  286  and  289 . Conventional air enters the conditioning subunit via the air input line  281 , and exits an air output line  285 . The air input line  281  preferably extends vertically into the reservoir  283  into a fluid  291  within the reservoir  283 . The fluid  291  is preferably conditioned, using either a scent fluid drop or a scent tablet (not shown). The fluid  291  may be conditioned with other agents, as discussed above in the context of conditioning water. According to the present invention, water in the water line  31  or air in the air line  32  of a conventional laser cutting system ( FIG. 2 ) is conditioned. Either the fluid tube  65  or the air tube  63  ( FIG. 5   a ) of the electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter is conditioned. In addition to laser operations, the air and/or water of a dental drilling, irrigating, suction, or electrocautery system may also be conditioned. 
     Many of the above-discussed conditioning agents may change the absorption of the electromagnetic energy into the atomized fluid particles in the electromagnetically induced mechanical cutting environment of the presently preferred embodiment. Accordingly, the type of conditioning may effect the cutting power of an electromagnetic or an electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter. Thus, in addition to the direct benefits achievable through these various conditioning agents discussed above, such as flavor or medication, these various conditioning agents further provide versatility and programmability to the type of cut resulting from the electromagnetic or electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter. For example, introduction of a saline solution will reduce the speed of cutting. Such a biocompatible saline solution may be used for delicate cutting operations or, alternatively, may be used with a higher laser-power setting to approximate the cutting power achievable with regular water. 
     Pigmented fluids may also be used with the electro-magnetic or the electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter, according to the present invention. When the pigmented fluids are atomized and placed into the interaction zone a portion of them absorb the electromagnetic energy and expand to impart disruptive mechanical forces onto the target surface wherein the expansions of the fluid particles can generate for example “explosive ejection” effects and “explosive propulsion” effects as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,247. The electromagnetic energy source may be set for maximum absorption of atomized fluid particles having a certain pigmentation, for example. These pigmented atomized fluid particles may then be used to achieve the mechanical cutting. A second water or mist source may be used in the cutting operation, but since this second water or mist is not pigmented, the interaction with the electromagnetic energy source is minimized. As just one example of many, this secondary mist or water source could be flavored. 
     According to another configuration, the atomized fluid particles may be unpigmented, and the electromagnetic or the electromagnetically induced energy source may be set to provide maximum energy absorption for these unpigmented atomized fluid particles. A secondary pigmented fluid or mist may then be introduced into the surgical area, and this secondary mist or water would not interact significantly with the electromagnetic energy source. As another example, a single source of atomized fluid particles may be switchable between pigmentation and non-pigmentation, and the electromagnetic energy source may be set to be absorbed by one of the two pigment states to thereby provide a dimension of controllability as to exactly when cutting is achieved. 
     Disinfectant may be added to an air or water source in order to combat bacteria growth within the air and water lines, and on surfaces within a dental operating room. The air and water lines of the dental unit  116 , for example, may be periodically flushed with a disinfectant selected by the controller  125  and supplied by the fluid conditioning unit  121 . An accessory tube disinfecting unit  123  may accommodate disinfecting cartridges and perform standardized or preprogrammed periodic flushing operations. 
     Even in a dental or medical procedure, an appropriate disinfectant may be used. The disinfectant may be applied at the end of a dental procedure as a mouthwash, for example, or may be applied during a medical or dental procedure. The air and water used to cool the tissue being cut or drilled within the patient&#39;s mouth, for example, is often vaporized into the air to some degree. According to the present invention, a conditioned disinfectant solution will also be vaporized with air or water, and condensate onto surfaces of the dental equipment within the dental operating room. Any bacteria growth on these moist surfaces is significantly attenuated, as a result of the disinfectant on the surfaces. 
     Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, many other changes, modifications and substitutions, in addition to those set forth in the above paragraph, may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.