Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Spectacles and eyeglasses – With antiglare or shading
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-27
2001-01-09
Mai, Huy (Department: 2873)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Spectacles and eyeglasses
With antiglare or shading
C349S014000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170947
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a vision protection system from light originated from heat generated when laser radiation interacts with matter. In particular, the present invention is directed to a vision protection system that is active during the period of lasing and inactive during periods of non-lasing in medical applications and in particular in dental applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A human tooth comprises mainly dentin and enamel tissues, that include the mineral hydroxyapetite. During dental surgery, such as laser drilling or the like, light originated at the interactive area is extremely intense.
As a result of this light, the dentist or other treatment provider, will move their eyes from the operating site during this time of laser activation, in order to avoid real or anticipated retinal burning. Moreover, this movement is a natural, instinctive, reaction to extremely bright, high intensity light.
This creates a problem, for this time period, in which lasing is occurring, is most critical for the success of the dental surgery procedure. During such a period, the dentist's eyes should be focused on the operating site, in order for the dentist to operate with maximum precision.
There are tinted goggles and the like which protect against this intense light. However, the dentist must manually place these goggles on and remove them repeatedly during a single dental surgery. This is both frustrating and inefficient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the problems of contemporary vision protection devices by providing a vision protection system with eye protection that is activated upon lasing and deactivated once lasing ceases and during non-lasing times. This allows the dentist to wear the eye protection of the system of the invention during the entire procedure, thus avoiding the need to constantly place on and remove the eyewear during lasing and non-lasing periods of the instant dental procedure.
The present invention is preferably designed for use with a lasing apparatus including a laser, and includes an optical protection device with at least one optical element of a material that transforms between an active state for blocking laser light and an inactive state, where the optical element is transparent. A mechanism for controlling the transformation of the optical element between the inactive and active states, attaches to the optical protection device and the lasing apparatus respectively, and is responsive to the activating and deactivating of the laser, such that when the laser is activated, the control mechanism causes the optical element to transform to the active state and when the laser is deactivated, the control mechanism causes the optical element to transform to the inactive state. Such activation's and deactivations of the optical element, corresponding to the activation and deactivation of the laser of the lasing apparatus can continue for as long as desired, and are usually dependent upon the procedure being performed.
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Colles John
Raif Joshua
Eitan Pearl Latzer & Cohen-Zedek
Laser Industries Ltd.
Mai Huy
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