1. A method for treating a treatment zone including one or more teeth and tissue adjacent such tooth or teeth, the combination thereof defining a treatment pocket there between, the method comprising the steps of:
A. providing a laser system containing a source of a laser light beam and an elongate optical fiber connected to said source and configured to transmit said laser light beam to a tip thereof,
B. immersing at least a portion of the tip into a fluid reservoir located in the treatment pocket, the fluid reservoir holding a first fluid;
C. pulsing the laser light source at a first setting such that at least a substantial portion of any contaminants located in or adjacent the treatment pocket are destroyed or otherwise disintegrated into fragmented material in admixture in and with the first fluid, thereby forming a first fluid mixture, wherein the destruction or disintegration of a substantial portion of any contaminants located in or adjacent the treatment pocket using the laser light source is accomplished without generation of significant heat in the first fluid or associated mixture so as to avoid elevating the temperature of any gum, tooth, or other adjacent tissue more than about 5\xb0 C.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first setting of step (C) comprises an energy level of from about 2.0 W to about 4.0 W, a pulse width of from about 50 \u03bcs to about 300 \u03bcs, and a pulse frequency of from about 2 Hz to about 50 Hz.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first setting of step (C) comprises a power level of from about 10 mJ to about 100 mJ, a pulse width of from about 50 \u03bcs to about 300 \u03bcs, and a pulse frequency of from about 2 Hz to about 50 Hz.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein step (B) further comprises the step of introducing the first fluid into the treatment pocket in an amount sufficient to provide a fluid reservoir and step (C) further comprises removing substantially all of the first fluid mixture from the treatment pocket.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein step (C) further comprises destroying or otherwise disintegrating a substantial portion of any contaminants located in or adjacent the treatment pocket using the laser without generation of significant heat in the first fluid so as to avoid elevating the temperature of any gum, tooth, or other adjacent tissue more than about 3\xb0 C.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein step (C) further comprises the substeps of:
(1) removing calculus deposits in or proximate the treatment pocket by pulsing the laser light source at an energy level of from about 10 mJ to about 100 mJ and at a pulse width of from about 50 \u03bcs to about 300 \u03bcs, at a pulse frequency of from about 2 Hz to about 50 Hz, and moving the optical fiber tip in a first pattern, wherein the optical fiber has a diameter of from about 400 microns to about 1000 microns, and wherein a substantial portion of any calculus deposits located in or proximate the treatment pocket are disintegrated into fragmented material in admixture in and with the first fluid mixture, thereby forming a second fluid mixture; and
(2) optionally repeating step (C)(1) up to about six repetitions to remove substantially all calculus deposits from the treatment pocket.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein step (C) further comprises the substeps of:
(1) removing at least a portion of an epithelial layer of the treatment zone by pulsing the laser light source at the first setting wherein the first setting comprises settings selected from the group consisting of:
(a) a power level of from about 10 mJ to about 200 mJ, a pulse width of from about 50 \u03bcs to about 300 \u03bcs, and a pulse frequency of from about 2 Hz to about 50 Hz,
(b) an energy level of from about 2.0 W to about 4.0 W, a pulse width of from about 50 \u03bcs to about 300 \u03bcs, and a frequency of from about 15 Hz to about 50 Hz, and
(c) an energy level of from about 0.4 W to about 4.0 W and a continuous wave setting, and
moving the optical fiber tip in a first pattern, and wherein a substantial portion of any diseased epithelial tissue located in or adjacent the epithelial layer are destroyed or otherwise disintegrated into fragmented material in admixture in and with the first fluid mixture, thereby forming a second fluid mixture;
(2) removing calculus deposits in or proximate the treatment pocket by pulsing the laser light source at an energy level of from about 10 mJ to about 100 mJ and at a pulse width of from about 50 \u03bcs to about 300 \u03bcs, at a pulse frequency of from about 2 Hz to about 50 Hz, and moving the optical fiber tip in a second pattern, and wherein a substantial portion of any calculus deposits located in or proximate the treatment pocket are disintegrated into fragmented material in admixture in and with the second fluid mixture, thereby forming a third fluid mixture; and
(3) optionally repeating step (C)(2) up to about six repetitions to remove substantially all calculus deposits from the treatment pocket.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein step (C) further comprises the substep of:
(3) modifying the surface of dentin proximate the treatment pocket by pulsing the light beam producing apparatus at a energy level of from about 0.2 W to about 4 W, a pulse width of from about 50 \u03bcs to about 300 \u03bcs, and a pulse frequency of from about 2 Hz to about 50 Hz, and moving the optical fiber tip in a second pattern, and wherein the tip substantially remains in contact with the tooth during pulsing and wherein the tip is maintained substantially parallel to a root of an adjacent tooth during pulsing.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising step (C)(4) including removing remaining diseased epithelial lining to a point substantially at the base of the pocket prior to modifying the surface of the dentin by pulsing the light beam producing apparatus at the first setting wherein the first setting comprises settings selected from the group consisting of:
(a) a power level of from about 10 mJ to about 100 mJ, a pulse width of from about 50 \u03bcs to about 300 \u03bcs, and a pulse frequency of from about 2 Hz to about 50 Hz; and
(b) an energy level of from about 0.2 W to about 4.0 W and a continuous wave setting.
10. The method of claim 8 further comprising step (C)(4) including removing substantially all remaining diseased epithelial lining to a point substantially at the base of the pocket by pulsing the laser light source at an energy level of from about 0.2 W to about 4.0 W, a pulse width of from about 50 \u03bcs to about 300 \u03bcs, and a pulse frequency of from about 2 Hz to about 50 Hz.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein step (C)(4) occurs before step (C)(3).
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:
(D) dissecting fibrous attachment between bone tissue and periodontal tissue along a bony defect at the base of the pocket by pulsing the laser light source at an energy level of from about 0.2 W to about 4.0 W, a pulse width of from about 50 \u03bcs to about 600 \u03bcs, and a pulse frequency of from about 2 Hz to about 50 Hz.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of:
(E) penetrating the cortical tissue of the bony defect adjacent the pocket to a depth of about 1 mm into the cortical tissue to form one or more perforations.
14. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of:
(D) inducing a fibrin clot by inserting the optical fiber tip to about 75% the depth of the pocket, pulsing the laser light source at an energy level of from about 3.0 W to about 4.0 W, a pulse width of from about 600 \u03bcs to about 700 \u03bcs (LP), and a pulse frequency of from about 15 Hz to about 20 Hz, and wherein the optical fiber has a diameter of from about 300 microns to about 350 microns, and, for a period of about 15 seconds to about 30 seconds, moving the optical fiber tip in a curved motion while slowly drawing out the optical fiber.
15. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:
(F) inducing a fibrin clot by inserting the optical fiber tip to about 75% the depth of the pocket, pulsing the light beam producing apparatus at an energy level of from about 3.0 W to about 4.0 W, a pulse width of from about 600 \u03bcs to about 700 \u03bcs (LP), and a pulse frequency of from about 15 Hz to about 20 Hz, and wherein the optical fiber has a diameter of from about 300 microns to about 350 microns, and, for a period of about 15 seconds to about 30 seconds, moving the optical fiber tip in a curved motion while slowly drawing out the optical fiber tip.
16. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of:
(E) placing a stabilizing treatment structure substantially on one or more locations treated by the laser light source.
17. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of:
(G) placing a stabilizing treatment structure substantially on one or more locations treated by the laser light source.
18. The method of claim 6, wherein the first fluid mixture is formed substantially simultaneously with formation of the second fluid mixture.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An industrial robot, comprising:
a first rotation assembly comprising a holding seat, a first rotation shaft rotatably positioned in the holding seat, and a first driver for driving the first rotation shaft to rotate;
a second rotation assembly comprising a fixing seat; and
a cable assembly positioned in the first rotation assembly and the second rotation assembly;
wherein the fixing seat comprises a main body and a retaining portion extending from one end of the main body, and the main body of the fixing seat is positioned on the holding seat, and is fixed with the first rotation shaft of the first rotation assembly; the main body of the fixing seat defines a passing slot to receive the cable assembly and a passing hole communicating with the passing slot through which the cable assembly passes, the main body of the fixing seat comprises an exterior sidewall and an inner sidewall extending away from the retaining portion, and at least one connection portion between the exterior sidewall and the inner sidewall; the second rotation assembly further comprises at least one holding member corresponding to the at least one connection portion, and the cable assembly is fixed by the at least one holding member and the at least one connection portion, which defines a recess, cooperatively.
2. The industrial robot of claim 1, wherein the passing slot is between the exterior sidewall and the inner sidewall.
3. The industrial robot of claim 1, wherein the at least one connection portion is formed adjacent to the passing hole.
4. The industrial robot of claim 3, wherein two connection portions and two holding members are employed, the two connection portions formed adjacent to two sides of the passing hole; and the cable assembly comprises a first cable and a second cable, and one of the first cable and the second cable is received in part of the passing slot and the recess of one connection portion, and the other one of the first cable and the second cable is received in the remaining part of the passing slot and the recess of the other connection portion.
5. The industrial robot of claim 4, wherein the exterior sidewall and the inner sidewall are a plurality of substantially cylinders; the passing hole is substantially annular and in line with the recess of each connection portion, and the passing hole has a width greater than that of the recess.
6. The industrial robot of claim 4, wherein each holding member comprises a curved portion and two locking portions extending from opposite ends of the curved portion, and the curved portion of each holding member and the recess of each connection portion cooperatively define a substantially circular space to receive the cable assembly.
7. The industrial robot of claim 6, wherein each connection portion further defines a plurality of fastener holes adjacent to different sides of the recess, and the locking portions define a plurality of through holes corresponding to the fastener holes in the connection portions, and the cable assembly is held between the connection portions and the holding members.
8. The industrial robot of claim 1, wherein the holding seat of the first rotation assembly comprises a main body and an entrance portion through which the cable assembly is received in the main body.
9. The industrial robot of claim 8, wherein the main body comprises a base and an outer support portion and an inner support portion, both the outer support portion and the inner support portion are substantially perpendicular to the base, and cooperatively define a channel to receive the cable assembly.
10. The industrial robot of claim 9, wherein the inner support portion defines a receiving space in which part of the first rotation shaft and the first driver are received.
11. The industrial robot of claim 1, wherein the first driver comprises a drive member and a deceleration member connected with the drive member.
12. The industrial robot of claim 11, wherein the drive member is a motor, and the cable assembly is a motor cable.
13. An industrial robot, comprising:
a first rotation assembly comprising a holding seat, a first rotation shaft rotatably positioned in the holding seat, and a first driver for driving the first rotation shaft to rotate;
a second rotation assembly comprising a fixing seat; and
a cable assembly positioned in the first rotation assembly and the second rotation assembly;
wherein the fixing seat comprises a main body and a retaining portion extending from one end of the main body, and the main body of the fixing seat is positioned on the holding seat, and is fixed with the first rotation shaft of the first rotation assembly; the main body of the fixing seat defines a passing slot to receive the cable assembly and a passing hole communicating with the passing slot through which the cable assembly passes, the passing slot is substantially annular, and the cable assembly is separated to form a first cable and a second cable running through the passing slot in different directions, and passing the passing hole from opposite sides of the passing hole, thereby connecting with the second rotation assembly.
14. The industrial robot of claim 13, wherein the main body of the fixing seat comprises an exterior sidewall and an inner sidewall extending away from the retaining portion, and at least one connection portion between the exterior sidewall and the inner sidewall; the second rotation assembly further comprises at least one holding member corresponding to the at least one connection portion, and the cable assembly is fixed by the at least one holding member and the at least one connection portion, which defines a recess, cooperatively.
15. The industrial robot of claim 14, wherein the passing slot is between the exterior sidewall and the inner sidewall.
16. The industrial robot of claim 14, wherein the at least one connection portion is formed adjacent to the passing hole.
17. The industrial robot of claim 16, wherein two connection portions and two holding members are employed, the two connection portions formed adjacent to two sides of the passing hole; one of the first cable and the second cable is received in part of the passing slot and the recess of one connection portion, and the other one of the first cable and the second cable is received in the remaining part of the passing slot and the recess of the other connection portion.
18. The industrial robot of claim 17, wherein each holding member comprises a curved portion and two locking portions extending from opposite ends of the curved portion, and the curved portion of each holding member and the recess of each connection portion cooperatively define a substantially circular space to receive the cable assembly.
19. The industrial robot of claim 17, wherein the exterior sidewall and the inner sidewall are a plurality of substantially cylinders; the passing hole is substantially annular and in line with the recess of each connection portion, and the passing hole has a width greater than that of the recess.
20. The industrial robot of claim 18, wherein each connection portion further defines a plurality of fastener holes adjacent to different sides of the recess, and the locking portions define a plurality of through holes corresponding to the fastener holes in the connection portions, and the cable assembly is held between the connection portions and the holding members.