Patent ID: 7748979

Claim:
A device for use in a root canal treatment, the device comprising: a probe member and a handpiece for holding said elongate probe member, said probe member having an elongate distal portion capable of being accommodated in a root canal, said probe member comprising: at least one treatment channel having a distal opening in said elongate distal portion, said at least one treatment channel being configured for enabling operation of a suitable root canal treatment tool via said distal opening, such that in operation of the device, a working portion of said tool projects distally from a distal end of said distal portion, the working portion configured for operating within the root canal wherein to excise pulp material from the root canal responsive to operation of the tool; at least one illumination channel, different from said at least one treatment channel, and comprising a first light guide having a first proximal end configured for optical coupling to a light source system, and a second distal end in said distal portion for illuminating internal regions of the root canal during operation of said device; at least one light collection channel comprising a second light guide having a first proximal end configured for optical coupling to an imaging system, and a second distal end located in said distal portion for collecting and transmitting light reflected from internal regions of the root canal to said proximal end during operation of said device; wherein said device is configured for operation of the tool in the root canal concurrently with providing illumination to the root canal to enable monitoring of the treatment by said tool; wherein said elongate distal portion comprises a length dimension along an elongate direction generally correlated with a depth of a root canal; wherein said treatment channel comprises a suitable bore adapted for accommodating and enabling operation of a laser tool; and wherein said treatment channel comprises said laser tool, accommodated in said bore.