Modular surgical laser systems

What is this patent about?

’457 is related to the field of surgical and therapeutic laser systems, specifically focusing on the delivery mechanisms that transport laser energy from a source to a treatment site. In clinical environments like dentistry or general surgery, there is a constant need for systems that balance high-precision energy delivery with the practical requirements of sterility and ease of use. Traditional systems often struggle with fiber degradation caused by repeated bending or the logistical challenges of maintaining sterile interfaces between the laser generator and the patient-facing components.

The underlying idea behind ’457 is the decoupling of the main delivery fiber from a specialized, disposable surgical interface through a modular ferrule-to-connector coupling system. Instead of threading a single continuous fiber through a handpiece, the invention utilizes a short, pre-bent fiber segment permanently encased within a disposable tip. This allows the system to redirect laser energy at various surgical angles without subjecting the primary transmission fiber to mechanical stress, while ensuring a sterile, high-efficiency optical path through a dedicated alignment structure.

The claims of ’457 focus on a multi-stage transmission architecture comprising a laser module, a primary transmission fiber terminated in a ferrule, and a removable tip assembly. The independent claims specifically protect the internal geometry of this tip, which includes a casing, a cannular portion with a curved channel, and a short internal fiber segment. A key feature is the connector within the tip casing that aligns with the handpiece’s fiber, allowing the internal fiber to be pre-bent at angles between zero and ninety degrees to facilitate different surgical approaches.

In practice, the system functions by docking the primary fiber’s ferrule into a handpiece, which then accepts the disposable tip. The tip’s internal fiber is held in a fixed, curved channel that dictates the exit angle of the laser beam. Some embodiments further refine this energy transfer by incorporating a housing within the tip that contains an optical lens and spacer assembly. This lens structure ensures that the laser light transitioning from the main waveguide into the tip’s short fiber segment remains focused, minimizing energy loss at the connection interface.

This approach differentiates itself from prior solutions by eliminating the need for a practitioner to manually bend or feed fragile fibers into a cannula. By integrating a fixed, pre-bent fiber into a disposable casing, the invention prevents the material fatigue and optical leakage common in reusable systems. Furthermore, the use of a wireless control architecture and a modular laser source capable of merging multiple wavelengths into a single output allows for a highly maneuverable and versatile surgical tool that maintains consistent power delivery across various clinical applications.