WO2002017811A1

WO2002017811A1 - Handpiece for a medical laser treatment device, and a corresponding laser treatment device

Info

Publication number: WO2002017811A1
Application number: PCT/EP2001/009580
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wilhelm Brugger; Anton Kasenbacher; Mark Niemz
Original assignee: W & H Dentalwerk Bürmoos GmbH
Priority date: 2000-08-28
Filing date: 2001-08-20
Publication date: 2002-03-07
Also published as: DE10042220C2; DE10042220A1; WO2002017811A9; AU2001284024A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a handpiece for a medical laser treatment device, particularly a dental handpiece, comprising a laser light outlet for a laser beam that is guided at least partially through the handpiece, whereby the laser light outlet is located on a treatment side of the handpiece. The inventive handpiece also comprises a closing disc (40) made of a material through which the laser beam can pass, whereby the closing disc essentially closes the laser light outlet. The handpiece also comprises a shielding and/or cleaning device (68, 70) for the closing disc. The invention also relates to a corresponding medical laser treatment device.

Description

Handpiece for a medical laser treatment device and laser treatment device

The invention relates to a handpiece for a medical laser treatment device, in particular a dental handpiece with a laser light exit for an at least partially guided laser beam, the laser light exit being located on a treatment side of the handpiece, and a closure disk made of a Material permeable to water jet, wherein the closure disk essentially closes a handpiece interior from an external environment, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Medical laser treatment devices are used in various areas and for different purposes in various forms. Laser treatment devices are used in particular in the dental field, here both as "drills", i.e. as an ablation device, instead of a mechanical drill, as is also known in the prior art, or as a laser instrument, for example for tooth root canal treatment.

A handpiece according to the preamble of claim 1 for a medical laser treatment device is known from DE 195 33 348 AI. The known handpiece has a light guide for the laser beam and optionally a mirror for deflecting a laser beam out of the handpiece, the laser beam being emitted from the handpiece by a laser light exit, which is closed off by means of a closure disk. In addition, the handpiece comprises one or more media lines and one or more media outlet openings for delivering a treatment medium to the treatment site.

Devices relating to medical laser treatment devices are also known from DE 198 11 627 AI, which discloses a device for treating objects with laser radiation, in particular for skin treatment, from DE 195 34 590 AI, which discloses a method and a device for laser material processing of ceramic materials and biological hydroxyapatide materials, in particular hard tooth substance, and known from DE 694 04 297 T2, which relates to a device for emitting laser radiation to substrates.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a handpiece for a medical laser treatment device and a medical laser treatment device which are effective and effective both during a single treatment process and over a long period of use of the handpiece or the medical laser treatment device ensures reliable use, in particular the pollution problem is overcome.

This object is achieved by a handpiece according to claim 1 and by a laser treatment device according to claim 35. Claims 2 to 34 relate to particularly advantageous embodiments of the handpiece according to the invention and claims 36 to 40 relate to particularly advantageous embodiments of the laser treatment device according to the invention, some technical features of the particularly advantageous embodiments having independent inventive content.

According to the invention, the handpiece has a shielding and / or cleaning device for the closure disk, the shielding and / or cleaning device generating a media flow which runs essentially parallel to the surface of the closure disk. Such a shield and / or cleaning device enables an effective shielding or cleaning of the closure disk during the treatment, but also in particular shortly before and shortly after the treatment, through which the laser light finally strikes before it acts on the areas to be treated.

Particularly when a handpiece according to the invention is used in the dental field, the closure disk is located in the vicinity of the areas to be treated, in particular in the vicinity of the tooth or the tissue to be treated, which in particular leads to spit, blood, etc. as a result of the treatment , for example, can be accelerated in the direction of the sealing disk by heating or evaporation of the liquids or parts of the liquids. There is also a particular risk that leached tooth particles, e.g. B. when removing a tooth, partially evaporated or pulverized, whereby individual particles are thrown in the direction of the sealing disc, which is avoided by the handpiece according to the invention.

Particularly in the case of handpieces or medical laser treatment devices which, like the handpiece of DE 195 33 348 AI explained above, apply a treatment medium to the treatment lungsstelle lead, an inventive design of the handpiece or a laser treatment device with such a handpiece is of outstanding importance, as this ensures that the closure disc is shielded from splashes of the treatment medium, which are unavoidable, or cleaned by them.

The invention thus ensures that the closure disk, which is exposed to severe pollution loads and dangers from the first moment of treatment, is constantly shielded and / or cleaned from soiling, so that a constant, controlled and continuous laser treatment, particularly in the medical field is extremely important.

The shielding and / or cleaning device is preferably designed such that a media flow is generated at least in the region of the passage of the laser light through the sealing disk. On the one hand, this media flow effectively shields the sealing disk against drops or particles, but also against evaporated material that could be deposited on the sealing disk. Furthermore, this media stream is also capable of entraining elements, for example particles or droplets, which have already deposited on the sealing disk, in the media stream, so that the shutter disk not only has a shielding but also a cleaning effect.

The media stream is preferably continuous, although it is of course also possible for the media stream to be pulsed, ie to generate media stream impulses at short intervals that shield or clean the closure disk. The media stream is preferably manually or automatically controllable, in particular the flow rate of the media stream, its strength or speed and possibly also its direction. The media flow of the shielding and / or cleaning device can thus be adapted to the special circumstances. For example, it is possible to increase the media flow, that is to say, for example in the case of a pulsed media flow, to increase the frequency or to increase the speed of the media flow or its flow quantity when a treatment medium is delivered to the treatment site, while in the case of a treatment without additional Treatment medium and a lower risk of contamination, the strength of the media flow can be reduced.

A gas, in particular air, is preferably used as the medium, since this can be made available simply and inexpensively, furthermore a gaseous medium can easily escape and, for example, additional suction devices can be dispensed with.

However, it is also possible to use a liquid, in particular water, as the medium. A media flow from liquid has a higher shielding or cleaning effect, in particular compared to a gaseous medium. However, in the case of a liquid media stream, particular care must be taken to ensure that the laser light is not influenced unintentionally, for example by signs of refraction on the surface or surfaces of the media stream.

In a preferred embodiment, the media stream runs essentially perpendicular to the final direction of radiation of the laser light. Since the risk of contamination of the sealing disk arises in particular from particles which spray or pulverize and / or evaporate directly from the treated area in the direction of the sealing disk, that is to say essentially antiparallel to the incident laser light, perpendicular to the direction of radiation of the laser light directed media stream exerted a force on the pollution elements or particles or gaseous pollution media, which is oriented essentially transversely to their direction of movement, so that contamination of the sealing disk is effectively avoided.

In one embodiment, the media stream is arranged essentially at a distance from the sealing disk, so that the shutter disk itself is not influenced in any way by the media stream, but in a further preferred embodiment, the media stream is at least partially in contact with the shutter disk, so that in addition to the shielding effect also achieves a simultaneous cleaning effect. At a In another embodiment, the media flow is directed at least partially towards the sealing disk, so that an additional cleaning effect is achieved by the impulse effect of the particles of the media flow. However, the angle that the surface of the sealing disk forms with the direction of movement of the media flow is preferably very small, in particular less than 20 °, particularly preferably less than 10 °, so that contamination particles are avoided by the media flow itself in the direction of the sealing disk could be accelerated. It is also conceivable that the handpiece is designed so that the media flow is oriented in one or more directions that lead away from the closure disk.

The shielding and / or cleaning device preferably comprises at least one nozzle for generating the media flow, the term “nozzle” generally being understood to mean an opening for the entry or exit of a flowable medium, without necessarily a nozzle principle, for example by tapering the opening in a certain area.

The nozzles are preferably arranged in the region of the circumference of the sealing disk, so that on the one hand they can act directly on the sealing disk, on the other hand the sealing disk is shielded in the relevant area and in particular no media flow is generated in an area in which contamination is not avoided is crucial in order to achieve the desired effect in the most effective and economical way.

The nozzles are preferably ejection nozzles, i.e. a medium is expelled through the nozzles for generating the media stream, but it is also possible that the nozzles are suction nozzles which suck off a medium, in particular surrounding air, and produce the desired media stream by means of this suction effect.

In a preferred embodiment, the nozzles are distributed substantially uniformly around the circumference of the closure disk, it being possible in particular to provide ejection nozzles on one side of the closure disk, while on the other Side of the closure disk suction nozzles are provided so that the media flow is generated in a particularly advantageous manner.

However, it is also possible that only one nozzle is provided or nozzles are only provided on one side of the closure disk in order to generate a media flow in one direction.

The nozzles preferably have a substantially circular cross section, but it is also possible to provide nozzles with a cross section that deviates from the substantially circular cross section. In particular, nozzles can be provided which have a relatively small diameter in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the closure disk, while they have a significantly larger diameter in a direction parallel to the surface of the closure disk, so that an extended nozzle is produced which generates a media flow which is formed flat in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the shutter. Such a nozzle can extend in particular in a direction parallel to the surface of the sealing disk over a significant proportion of the diameter of the sealing disk, preferably over 25% of the sealing disk. It is also possible that the expansion in this area extends almost over the entire diameter of the closure disk.

According to a further aspect of the invention which has its own inventive content, a handpiece interior in which the laser light is guided independently of an optical waveguide is designed such that it can be provided with an overpressure. The overpressure can be brought about, for example, by applying gas, preferably air, to the interior of the handpiece. The overpressure in the interior of the handpiece prevents particles or contamination elements from penetrating into the interior of the handpiece, as a result of which the guidance of the laser light can be negatively influenced. In particular, this also prevents dirt particles from penetrating into the interior and being able to deposit on the inside, for example on the sealing disk. In connection with this advantageous embodiment, it is possible in a further embodiment to connect the interior of the handpiece directly to the nozzles or an associated media channel of the shielding and / or cleaning device, so that the excess pressure in the interior of the handpiece is diverted via the nozzles, so that the Media stream is generated. This creates a media flow in a particularly advantageous manner both in the interior of the handpiece and in the region of the outside of the closure disk, so that contamination of the handpiece on all essential elements which can influence the forwarding or control of the laser light is avoided.

According to a further embodiment, the sealing disc can be heated. This has the advantage that droplets hitting the sealing disk, be it in the dental field in particular spit or the treatment medium mentioned above, in particular water, are evaporated so that the laser light falling through the sealing disk is not impaired. In particular, this prevents the energy of the laser light from being absorbed, for example, in the droplets on the sealing disc, and thus the treatment goal is not achieved.

The closure disk can preferably be raised to temperatures of up to 200 ° Celsius, but temperatures of up to 100 ° Celsius or below are in particular to be regarded as sufficient. A particularly preferred temperature range is between 80 ° and 120 ° Celsius.

In order to prevent the angle head or the handpiece head or other elements of the handpiece from being heated when the closure disc is heated, in a particularly preferred embodiment it is provided that the closure disc is essentially thermally insulated from the angle head or the handpiece, in particular in the contact area a poorly heat-conducting material is arranged between the closure disk and the handpiece, and / or an additional cooling device is provided which prevents the handpiece or the angle head or other areas of the handpiece from heating up. This prevents the person to be treated from touching parts of the angle head or of the handpiece, which are often unavoidable, particularly in the dental field, heat is unwantedly transferred to the patient or even causes burns in the vicinity of the area to be treated. Cooling can in particular also be ensured by the media flow, which is preferably conducted in the area of the contact point of the closure disk with the angle head or the handpiece in such a way that cooling is achieved.

According to a further, independently inventive aspect of the invention, the closure disk can be easily and quickly removed from the handpiece. As a result, the sealing disk can be cleaned and / or sterilized independently of the handpiece, but in particular it is possible to regularly replace the sealing disk with a new sealing disk, in order to only replace the sealing disk even with the slightest signs of wear or possibly actually unavoidable soiling, which saves both time and money. In principle, it is also possible to use a new sealing disc before each new treatment.

In order to ensure a quick and easy exchange of the closure disk, it is preferably attached to the handpiece with a latching mechanism. The locking mechanism preferably has at least one spring-loaded locking element, which engages around the locking disk and holds it in position.

In a further embodiment, a locking disk with a bayonet lock is provided instead of a locking mechanism.

It is particularly advantageous that only the sealing disk itself, possibly with a possible frame, is replaced, so that on the one hand only a minimum of parts are exchanged and on the other hand no complicated replacement processes are required. Of course, seals are preferably provided between the closure disk and the handpiece in order to seal the interior of the handpiece from the outside and to avoid contamination.

Preferably, the handpiece includes an angle head with a closure disc substantially radially adjacent a longitudinal axis of the handpiece, i.e. the closure disk is arranged in a side region of the handpiece in order to allow a lateral beam cutout and does not cut the longitudinal axis of the handpiece. The laser beam is transmitted essentially axially in the handpiece or in the interior of the handpiece and deflected in the angular head by means of a mirror device from the axial direction into a preferably essentially radial direction and radiated through the closure disk in the radial direction. Such a construction is preferred in particular in the dental field due to the simplified accessibility. In principle, it is also possible to design the handpiece and in particular the mirror device and the angle head in such a way that the laser beam is guided in directions that deviate therefrom.

According to a further inventive aspect of the invention, this mirror device is detachably or releasably attached, in particular accessible via a handpiece head screw. This enables the mirror device, which also has to meet high requirements with regard to its surface quality, to be easily dismantled and removed, so that interchangeability is ensured in the simplest possible manner due to possibly unavoidable soiling or signs of wear.

For a particularly effective laser treatment, it is necessary for the laser beam to have the preferred spot size at the point to be treated, or for the treatment site or the area to be treated to be near the focus of the laser beam. For this reason, it is necessary that the distance of the handpiece or the distance of the closure disk or another reference point of the handpiece from the area to be treated is kept as constant as possible. According to a further independently inventive aspect of the invention, the handpiece comprises a distance monitoring device which ensures the distance of the handpiece or signals the distance.

A distance sensor is preferably used, in particular an ultrasonic sensor for contactless measurement of the required distance. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor measures in particular in the vicinity of the laser beam, so that as far as possible there are no deviations in the effective distance.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the distance monitoring device comprises an optical or acoustic display which transmits the required information to the treating doctor or the operator of the handpiece. An automatic switch-off is also preferably provided, which interrupts the treatment when the distance monitoring device, in particular the sensor, reports a value for the effective distance that lies outside of defined limits. This avoids ineffective or even dangerous treatment for the patient.

Instead of the preferred distance sensor, it is also possible to provide mechanical elements, for example a mechanical distance pin, which is attached to the handpiece, preferably in the direction of the emerging laser light. Such a mechanical spacer pin can be plugged on or folded out, it is also possible to provide a height-adjustable spacer pin in order to adapt the handpiece to different areas of application. It is also possible that the mechanical spacer pin has a contact element at its tip or in the rear area, which allows treatment only if, for example, a slight pressure is exerted on the spacer pin, thereby ensuring that the handpiece is in the preferred position located.

The invention also relates to a medical laser treatment device with a handpiece, in particular with a handpiece as described above, the medical laser treatment device being a scanner for deflecting the laser beam and for scanning NEN includes a predetermined area by the laser, wherein the scanner is arranged outside the handpiece.

The scanner is therefore arranged in relation to the direction of propagation of the laser beam in front of the handpiece, which can preferably be removed from the laser treatment device.

A scanner is particularly necessary for medical laser treatment devices that use a very thin laser beam, i.e. work with a laser beam with a very small cross-section, so that a systematic scanning of the effective treatment area is made possible.

By attaching the scanner outside of the handpiece, the handpiece itself can be designed in a very simple manner, since in particular no transmission of electrical energy or transmission of signals for the scanner into the handpiece is required, so that removable handpieces can also be used on sliding contacts or special devices can be dispensed with for data transmission. The handpiece can also be made very small and compact in the outer dimensions, which is particularly important in the dental field, in which the space conditions are very limited, so that good handling is ensured even under narrow treatment conditions.

In addition, as explained above, the handpiece is particularly subject to contamination and must be cleaned and sterilized regularly. The positioning of the scanner outside the handpiece ensures that the sensitive scanner is not exposed to these additional loads, so that an increased service life of the laser treatment device and also of the handpiece itself is made possible.

The scanner is in particular designed to be controllable, with software control being preferred. By means of the control device, the scanned geometries, in particular the surface and the shape of the surface to be treated, the speed of the scanning, different depth effects, in particular caused by different overlaps etc. can be set.

A particularly gentle treatment can be ensured, for example, by the scanning speed of the laser beam being relatively high, while the scanning lines lying next to one another have only a slight overlap, thereby ensuring gentle, step-by-step ablation.

A stronger ablation can be achieved in particular by lower scanning speeds and higher overlaps.

The size of the treatment area can also be adjusted, as a result of which the "drill size" can be adjusted in the case of an ablation application.

Depending on the pulse repetition frequency and the diameter of the irradiated area on the tooth, both the scanning speed and the line spacing are adjusted in order to adjust the pulse overlap for optimal results.

Preferred frequencies with which the treatment area is scanned are between 0.1 kHz and 50 kHz, i.e. the treatment area is completely scanned 100 to 50,000 times within a period of one second. Frequencies between 1 kHz to 20 kHz, in particular 5 to 10 kHz, are preferably used.

Depending on the size of the treatment area, the above-described frequency of the scanning and the overlap or the control of the scanning, different scanning speeds result, whereby "scanning speeds" is understood to mean the advancement of the laser beam in the scanning direction on the area to be treated. Preferred scanning speeds are between 1 mm / s and 200 mm / s. A particularly preferred scanning speed is between 10 mm / s and 100 mm / s. At a frequency of approximately 5 kHz, a preferred scanning speed is approximately 100 mm / s. According to a further inventive aspect of the invention, the scanner uses at least one piezo element, in particular at least two piezo elements, which control reflecting surfaces or the orientation of the reflecting surfaces in an x and a y direction. Piezo elements have the particular advantage that they can be controlled very reliably, very precisely and very quickly, ie at high frequencies, so that in particular the above-mentioned software-controlled regulation of the scanning can be implemented in a wide range and very advantageously.

In addition to the piezo elements according to the invention, however, it is also possible to use an electrostatic scanner or other scanner elements.

For deflection in the x and y directions, both individual, preferred independently controllable deflection elements or a combined x-y deflection element can be used. In addition, a deflecting mirror can be provided.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the attached schematic drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 shows a cross section through a first embodiment of a handpiece according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross section through a partial area of the handpiece according to the invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a partial area, as shown in FIG. 2, of a second embodiment of a handpiece according to the invention with a schematic representation of the distribution of nozzles; FIG. 4 shows a partial area, as shown in FIG. 2, of a third embodiment of a handpiece according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a portion of a fourth embodiment of a handpiece according to the invention as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 shows schematically an embodiment of a fastening system for a closure disk of an embodiment of a handpiece according to the invention;

FIG. 7 schematically shows a plan view of a partial area of a further embodiment of a handpiece according to the invention;

FIG. 8 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a handpiece according to the invention together with further elements of an embodiment of a medical laser treatment device according to the invention.

FIG. 9 schematically shows a cross section of a further embodiment of a scanner device of a medical laser treatment device according to the invention and

FIG. 10 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a handpiece according to the invention together with further elements of an embodiment of a medical laser treatment device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a cross section through a first embodiment of a handpiece according to the invention, some details not being shown in this illustration for the sake of clarity.

The handpiece 10 is essentially elongated and has a processing side 12 and a connecting side 14 and a longitudinal axis 16. The handpiece 10, which has a substantially cylindrical cross section, runs from the connection side 14 in the direction towards the machining side 12 and has an angular head 80 on the machining side 12.

A laser beam 55 is guided through a first cover plate 30 and a second cover plate 32, which is designed as a lens or as an optical element, into a handpiece interior 20 in which the laser beam 55 runs essentially in a straight line.

On the processing-side end of the handpiece interior 20, the laser beam 55 strikes a mirror device 50 which is arranged in the angle head 80. In this embodiment, the mirror device 50 is designed such that it encloses an angle of 45 ° with the longitudinal axis 16 of the handpiece 10, in which the laser beam 55 extends approximately, so that the laser beam 55 through the mirror device 50 by an angle of approximately Is deflected 90 ° from the axial direction in a radial direction.

The laser beam 55 emerges in the angle head 80 through a closure disk 40 from the inside of the handpiece 20, where it strikes a processing surface.

The angle head 80 has an angle head screw 82 which can be screwed out of the angle head 80, so that the mirror device 50 is accessible and can be easily replaced.

Furthermore, the embodiment of the handpiece 10 according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 has a shielding and cleaning device 60, which has a media feed 62 on the connection side 14 of the handpiece 10, an interior 64, which in this embodiment is separated from the interior 20 of the handpiece, and a media channel 66 on.

The media channel 66 opens into the angle head 80 in the vicinity of the closure disk 40 in a nozzle 68 of the shielding and cleaning device 60, which is oriented in such a way that a media flow is generated which is substantially perpendicular to that through the closure disk 40 falling laser beam 55 extends so that it shields and cleans the closure disk 40. The arrangement of the nozzle 68 is explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 2.

The handpiece 10 is part of a laser treatment device (200, see FIG. 8) and has a scanner 100 which is arranged outside the handpiece 10 (only indicated schematically in this figure). The scanner 100 directs the laser beam 55 through the handpiece 10 as described above, the scanner 100 deflecting the laser beam 55 in such a way that it preferably runs through a specific scanning pattern periodically.

FIG. 2 shows a section of the embodiment of the handpiece according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 in the area of the angle head 80. The angle head screw 82, which closes the angle head 80 and can be unscrewed, can be clearly seen here, so that the mirror device 50 can be easily removed and replaced.

The closure disk 40, which closes the interior 20 of the handpiece in the region of a laser light outlet 45, is also clearly visible in FIG.

The embodiment of the handpiece 10 shown in FIG. 2 has a nozzle 68 in the edge region of the angle head 80, adjacent to the closure disk 40, which is connected to the media channel 66. The media channel 66 and the nozzle 68 are used to transport and dispense a flowable medium, and in this embodiment both the media channel 66 and the nozzle 68 are suitable for both a gaseous medium and a liquid medium. In this embodiment, however, a gaseous medium is preferably supplied.

The nozzle 68 is arranged such that it ejects the flowable medium essentially parallel to the surface of the closure disk 40 on the circumferential edge of the closure disk 40 and at a distance of approximately 0.5 to 1 mm from it, so that a in front of the closure disk 40 Media stream is formed, which is essentially parallel to the supply lens 40 and extends substantially perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the laser beam in this area.

In addition to the nozzle 68 shown in FIG. 2, the first embodiment of the handpiece according to the invention has two further nozzles, which are not visible in this cross-sectional representation, and which extend over an angle of approximately 60 ° on the right side in FIG. 2 around the circumference of the closure disk 40 are distributed and substantially correspond to the nozzle 68 shown.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a handpiece 10 according to the invention, which essentially corresponds to the first embodiment of the handpiece according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, so that reference is made to the above description in this regard.

Only the nozzle arrangement is designed differently in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 shows a nozzle 68 which essentially corresponds to one of the three nozzles 68 shown in FIG. 2. The three nozzles 68 of this embodiment are distributed uniformly around the entire circumference of the closure disk 40, each with an angular extent of approximately 25 °.

Opposite the nozzles 68 there is an intake nozzle 70 which, in contrast to the essentially circular cross sections of the nozzles 68, has an elongated cross section which extends in the edge region of the closure disk 40 with an angular extent of approximately 95 ° in each case.

The flowable medium ejected from the nozzles 68, as explained above, is ejected substantially parallel to the closure disk 40 so that one to the closure disk 40 parallel media flow arises, which is at least largely absorbed by the suction nozzles 70.

Due to the double action of the nozzles 68 and the suction nozzle 70, a particularly uniform media flow is generated, which in this embodiment is also essentially spaced from the closure disk 40.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of a handpiece according to the invention, which likewise essentially corresponds to the previously described embodiments.

The handpiece 10 has only one nozzle 72, which has an essentially oval cross section. In contrast to the nozzles 68, which have ejected a flowable medium in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the closure disk 40, the direction of ejection of the nozzle 72 is inclined at an angle of approximately 10 ° from the direction parallel to the closure disk 40 and onto which Locking disk 40 directed.

The media flow, preferably air, is therefore directed against the closure disk 40 in this embodiment, so that, in addition to the shielding effect, an increased cleaning effect is achieved by the impulse effect of the flowable medium accelerated against the closure disk 40.

In this embodiment, the interior of the handpiece 20 can be connected to the media channel 66, so that both the interior of the handpiece 20 and the media channel 66 can be placed under pressure. This has the consequence that, due to the excess pressure prevailing in the interior 20 of the handpiece, the penetration of dirt particles into the interior 20 of the handpiece is prevented. At the same time, the air in the interior of the handpiece is exchanged via the media channel 66 and the nozzle 72, so that continuous cleaning of the interior of the handpiece is also ensured. In addition to the embodiments described in FIGS. 1 to 3, this handpiece has a distance sensor 90 which is arranged in the edge region of the closure disk 40. The distance sensor 90 is an ultrasonic sensor, which measures the distance between the winding head 80 and the treatment site. The data of the distance sensor 90 are processed and analyzed by a processing device. Information is preferably passed on to the doctor or the operator via optical and acoustic display devices as to whether the handpiece or the closure disk is in a correct distance range when the handpiece 10 is in operation.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 has a lamp 96 which is arranged on the top of the handpiece 10 and which uses multicolored light-emitting diodes to indicate to the user whether he is in the correct, critical or outside the possible machining distance.

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of a handpiece according to the invention. In this embodiment, a nozzle 74 is provided, which is designed in particular for a liquid medium, the nozzle 74 being oriented such that the liquid medium is guided directly onto the surface of the closure disk 40.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 also has a suction nozzle 76 which is arranged essentially opposite the nozzle 74, so that the liquid medium, preferably water, which is expelled from the nozzle 74 at high pressure, is taken up by the suction nozzle 76 can. Both the nozzle 74 and the suction nozzle 76 extend in the circumference of the closure disk through an angular range of approximately 160 ° in each case.

In addition, the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 has a spacer pin 92, which is attached to the angle head 80 and extends essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the angle piece 10 and parallel to the laser beam 50 in its final radiation direction. The spacer pin 92 is made of titanium and has at its end a contact element 94 which, when it is subjected to a slight pressure, namely when the Spacer pin 92 is pressed onto the surface to be machined, with which the correct distance is set, transmits a signal which can either be passed on to a lamp 96 or can also be passed on to an automatic switch-off device which switches off the laser beam whenever the contact element 94 is not actuated.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a section of the angle head 80, a removable locking disk 40 of a particularly preferred embodiment of the handpiece according to the invention with a locking mechanism 120 being shown in this illustration. The closure disk 40 lies on one side on a rigid latching element 124 which engages around the outside of the closure disk 40, while a spring-loaded latching element 122 is arranged on the opposite side, which likewise engages around the outside of the closure disk 40 in its closed position shown in FIG. 6. so that the closure disk 40 is securely arranged in the angle head 80.

The spring-loaded latching element 122 can be tilted against the force of a spring element 126, so that the closure disk 40 is free and the closure disk 40 can simply be removed from the angle head 80 and, if necessary, replaced.

In this embodiment, an ejection nozzle 68 is also provided, which is arranged further away from the closure disk 40 in comparison with the nozzles of the embodiments already explained and in which the ejection direction forms an angle of approximately 45 ° with the closure disk.

FIG. 7 schematically shows a plan view of a further embodiment of an angle piece 10 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the angle piece 10 additionally comprises a microphone adapter 140 which can be attached to the angle head 80 of the handpiece 10 by means of a clip attachment 144. A microphone 142 is arranged at the outer end of the processing side 12 of the handpiece 10. Finally, FIG. 8 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of some components of a medical laser treatment device 200, which comprises a handpiece 10 and a scanner device 150. The handpiece 10 can in particular be one of the handpieces shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.

The scanner device 150 is a component which is separate from the handpiece 10 and which can be connected directly to the handpiece 10.

However, it is also possible, as shown in FIG. 8, that one or more intermediate elements 160, for example also waveguides etc., can be inserted between the scanner device 150 and the handpiece 10, but this will not be described further here.

The scanner device 150 comprises a refractive or diffractive or combined optical element 156 (beam shaping element), through which a laser beam 55 penetrates into the scanner device 150.

The particularly preferred scanner device 150 shown in FIG. 8 comprises two scanner elements, an x element 152 and a y element 154, the scanner elements 152 and 154 shown here being piezo elements. However, it is also possible to use electrostatic scanners or other scanner systems instead of the piezo elements 152 and 154.

By activating the scanner elements 152 and 154, the laser beam 55 is deflected such that it runs through a specific scanning or scanning pattern, preferably periodically, the deflection movements generated by the scanner elements 152 and 154 being caused by the further course of the laser beam 55 through the handpiece 10 and possibly not influenced by one or more intermediate elements 160. FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a scanner device 150, as has been explained in connection with FIG. 8. Instead of the embodiment with an x element and a y element in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the scanner device 150 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 comprises a combined x / y element 155 and a deflection mirror 158. Otherwise, the statements are made the scanner device shown in Figure 8.

FIG. 10 schematically shows a further preferred embodiment of some components of a medical laser treatment device 200 with a scanner device 150 and a handpiece 10 and one or more intermediate elements, which are indicated by the component provided with the reference number 160.

The scanner device 150 corresponds essentially to the scanner device shown in FIG. 8, so that reference is made to the corresponding description.

In this embodiment, however, the handpiece 10 is not essentially axially straight, as in the handpiece shown in FIG. 8, but is curved, the laser beam being deflected into the angle head 80 via a deflecting mirror 157.

The particular ergonomic design of the handpiece 10 is easier and more comfortable for the operator to handle, depending on the area of application, in particular the handpiece 10 shown in FIG. 10 leads to greater clarity in the dental field.

The handpiece 10 in this embodiment is otherwise essentially analogous to the handpiece shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 8, so that reference is made to the corresponding descriptions. In particular, all of the nozzles and different angular heads 80 described above can be used in this embodiment of the handpiece 10. It should be pointed out again that the drawings are only schematic representations, and in particular not all elements of a handpiece are shown. In particular, no proportions can be inferred from the illustrations, this applies in particular to the nozzles, which are only shown schematically.

The features disclosed in the above description, the claims and the drawing can be of importance both individually and in any combination for the implementation of the invention in its various configurations.

Claims

EXPECTATIONS

1. Handpiece (10) for a medical laser treatment device (200), in particular a dental handpiece (10), with a laser light outlet (45) for an at least partially guided by the handpiece (10) laser beam (55), the laser light outlet (45) located on a processing side (12) of the handpiece (10), and a closing disk (40) made of a material transparent to the laser beam (55), the closing disk (40) essentially closing a handpiece interior (20) against an external environment,

dadmch characterized that

the handpiece (10) further comprises a shielding and / or cleaning device (60) for the closure disk (40), the shielding and / or cleaning device generating a media flow which is substantially parallel to the surface of the closure disk.

2. Handpiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the shielding and / or cleaning device (60) is designed such that at least in the region of the passage of the laser beam (55) through the closure disc (40) in an outer region of the handpiece (10) a media stream is generated.

3. Handpiece according to claim 2, characterized in that the shielding and / or cleaning device (60) is designed so that the media flow is continuous.

4. Handpiece according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the media stream is a gas stream, in particular an air stream.

5. Handpiece according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the media flow is oriented so that its direction of movement forms an angle of less than 20 °, in particular less than 10 °, with the surface of the closure disk.

6. Handpiece according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the shielding and / or cleaning device (60) is designed so that the media flow in is generated substantially perpendicular to the final radiation direction of the laser light (55).

7. Handpiece according to one of claims 2 to 6, dadmch characterized in that the shielding and / or cleaning device (60) is designed so that the media stream is generated at a distance from the sealing disk (40).

8. Handpiece according to one of claims 2 to 6, dadmch characterized in that the shielding and / or cleaning device (60) is designed so that the media stream is generated so that it is at least partially in contact with the closure disc (40).

9. Handpiece according to Anspmch 8, characterized in that the media stream consists of a liquid, in particular water, the shielding and / or cleaning device (60) being designed such that the liquid continuously at least in the region of the passage of the laser light ( 55) flows over the closure disk (40) and in contact with it.

10. Handpiece according to one of claims 2 to 9, dadmch characterized in that the shielding and / or cleaning device (60) is designed such that the media flow is at least partially directed towards the closure disc (40).

11. Handpiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shielding and / or cleaning device (60) comprises at least one nozzle (68, 70, 72, 74, 76) for generating the media flow.

12. Handpiece according spoke 11, dadmch characterized in that the at least one nozzle (68, 70, 72, 74, 76) is arranged in the region of the circumference of the closure disc (40).

13. Handpiece according spoke 11 or 12, characterized in that the at least one nozzle is an ejection nozzle (68, 72, 74).

14. Handpiece according spoke 11 or 12, characterized in that the at least one nozzle is a suction nozzle (70, 76).

15. Handpiece according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that a plurality of nozzles (68, 70, 72, 74, 76) are provided which are distributed substantially uniformly around the circumference of the closure disk (40) in defined angular ranges.

16. Handpiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handpiece (10) has a handpiece interior (20) through which the laser beam (55) is guided at least partially, the handpiece interior (22) being pressurizable.

17. Handpiece according spoke 16, characterized in that the handpiece interior (20) by means of gas, preferably air, can be acted upon with excess pressure.

18. Handpiece according to spoke 16 or 17, characterized in that the interior of the handpiece (20) to the at least one nozzle (68, 70, 72, 74, 76) or a media channel (66) for the at least one nozzle (68, 70, 72, 74, 76) can be coupled.

19. Handpiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure disk (40) is heatable.

20. Handpiece according spoke 19, dadmch characterized in that the closure disk (40) can be heated to temperatures up to 200 ° Celsius, preferably can be heated to a temperature range between 80 ° and 120 ° Celsius.

21. Handpiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure disk (40) is detachably attached to the handpiece (10).

22. Handpiece according spoke 21, dadmch characterized in that the closure disc (40) by means of an egg mast mechanism (120) is releasably attached to the handpiece (10).

23. Handpiece according to claim 22, characterized in that the egg mast mechanism (120) comprises at least one spring-loaded locking element (122) which engages around the closure disk (40).

24. Handpiece according spoke 21, dadmch characterized in that the closure disk (40) is releasably attached to the handpiece (10) by means of a bayonet catch.

25. Handpiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handpiece (10) comprises an angle head (80) with a closure disk (40) arranged substantially laterally along the longitudinal axis of the handpiece (10).

26. Handpiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handpiece (10) further comprises a mirror device (50) for deflecting the laser beam (55) from a substantially axial direction to a substantially radial direction.

27. Handpiece according spoke 26, characterized in that the mirror device (50) is removable.

28. Handpiece according spoke 27, dadmch characterized in that the mirror device (50) is accessible via a releasable angle head screw (82).

29. Handpiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handpiece (10) further comprises a device (90, 92) for distance monitoring.

30. Handpiece according spoke 29, characterized in that the distance monitoring device is a distance sensor (90).

31. Handpiece according spoke 30, dadmch characterized in that the distance sensor (90) is an ultrasonic sensor.

32. Handpiece according to one of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that the handpiece (10) further comprises an optical and / or acoustic display (96) for monitoring the distance.

33. Handpiece according to one of claims 29 to 32, characterized in that the handpiece (10) further comprises an automatic switch-off device which reacts to measurement signals from the device (90, 92) for distance monitoring.

34. Handpiece according spoke 29, dadmch characterized in that the device for distance monitoring is a mechanical distance pin (92).

35. Medical laser treatment device (200) with a handpiece (10), according to one of the preceding claims, with a scanner device (150) for deflecting the laser beam (55) and scanning a predetermined area by the laser beam, the scanner being outside the handpiece (10) is arranged.

36. Laser treatment device according to claim 35, characterized in that the scanner device (150) comprises at least one piezo element (152, 154).

37. Laser treatment device according to spoke 35, characterized in that the scanner device (150) is an electrostatic scanner.

38. Laser treatment device according to one of the claims 35 to 37, characterized in that the scanner device (150) has an x deflection element (152) for deflecting the laser beam in an x direction and a y deflection element (154) for a deflection of the laser beam in a y direction.

39. Laser treatment device according to one of claims 35 to 37, characterized in that the scanner device (150) comprises a combined x-y deflection element.

40. Laser treatment device according to one of the claims 35 to 38, characterized in that the scanner device (150) additionally comprises a deflecting mirror.