Modular surgical laser systems

What is this patent about?

’040 is related to the field of surgical and therapeutic laser systems, specifically those utilizing semiconductor light sources for medical and dental procedures. The background context involves the need for more ergonomic, versatile, and portable laser tools that allow practitioners to perform precise soft-tissue surgery or therapy without the constraints of bulky, tethered equipment.

The underlying idea behind ’040 is the integration of a multi-wavelength laser engine into a modular, wireless architecture that decouples the heavy control logic from the physical delivery device. By combining different laser diode outputs into a single delivery fiber using a series of internal filters and reflectors, the system provides a high-energy, multi-spectral beam while maintaining a compact, handheld form factor that communicates wirelessly with both a console and a foot pedal.

The claims of ’040 focus on a wireless handheld laser generation module that serves as a self-contained surgical tool, housing its own laser source, electronic controls, and a transmission fiber. The hardware is defined by a specific mechanical interface featuring a fiber seating structure and ferrule-based connection that allows for the attachment of specialized application tips, all while being governed by a distributed wireless control scheme involving a separate console and a remote foot switch.

In practice, the invention functions by allowing the surgeon to manipulate a battery-powered handpiece that receives operational parameters from a touch-screen console via wireless signals. The laser energy is generated directly within the handheld unit or a portable module and is delivered through a disposable tip. This tip is pre-bent at specific angles—such as 30, 60, or 90 degrees—to provide better access to surgical sites without requiring the user to manually stress or bend the optical fiber during the procedure.

This approach differs from prior solutions by eliminating the traditional umbilical cord that typically tethers a handpiece to a large stationary laser source. By utilizing a split-control architecture where the foot switch and console act as remote nodes, the system provides a clutter-free environment. Furthermore, the use of a modular ferrule and housing system with precision spacers ensures high coupling efficiency between the internal laser source and the replaceable surgical tips, preventing the power loss common in modular fiber connections.