DYE ASSISTED LASER FOR DENTISTRY

我们将开发一种实用而高效的激光消融工具来去除 浅表性龋齿，用于牙釉质和牙本质的轻微雕刻。为了这个 在具体的应用中，我们相信我们提出的工具符合高- 速度操练。 消融工具将结合脉冲激光(例如，NdYAG光)和 微型染料分配器(微喷)。微喷射和激光光学将是 结合在一个紧凑的手持装置中，允许牙医分配染料- 激光脉冲之间相互作用的微滴。染料主宰着 吸收激光能量，在染色时产生最大吸收 齿面(用于有效和可控的烧蚀)和(Ii)最小 激光穿透牙齿。 在第一阶段，我们证明了染料辅助激光消融是可行的；在 第二阶段，我们将确定(I)什么激光和染料光斑参数使 组织损伤最小的最佳消融率，以及(Ii)如何设计 并打造一款实用的JET+激光手机，用于 牙科诊所。第二阶段的最终目标是产生一个有效的 可以安装在新的或现有的激光器上的原型，并将 适用于三期临床试验。 拟议的商业应用：我们相信染料辅助激光可以 消融软硬牙科组织和牙科修复材料 安全、实用、创伤小的方式。有超过14万名牙医 谁有可能使用我们正在开发的系统。

We will develop a practical and efficient laser ablation tool for removing superficial caries and for minor sculpting of enamel and dentin. For this specific application, we believe that our proposed tool matches the high- speed drill. The ablation tool will combine a pulsed laser (e.g., Nd:YAG) and a miniature dye dispenser (Microjet). The Microjet and laser optics will be combined in a compact hand piece, allowing the dentist to dispense dye- microdrops interactively, between laser pulses. The dye governs the absorption of laser energy, giving (i) maximal absorption at the dyed tooth surface (for efficient and controlled ablation) and (ii) minimum laser penetration into the tooth. In Phase I we showed that dye-assisted laser ablation is feasible; in Phase II we will establish (i) what laser and dye-spot parameters give the best ablation rates with the minimum tissue damage, and (ii) how to design and build a jet+laser handpiece that will be practical for use in the dental office. The final goal of Phase II is to produce a working prototype that can be fitted to new or existing lasers and will be suitable for use in Phase III clinical trials. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: We believe that dye-assisted lasers can ablate hard and soft dental tissues and dental restorative materials in a safe, practical, and low-trauma manner. There are over 140,000 dentists who could potentially use the system that we are developing.