This disclosure relates to various systems and methods related to preventative laser-based treatment of a dental tissue; for example, to prevent a patient from forming cavities. In some instances, a laser-based treatment system can generate a laser beam pulse with a fluence profile at a treatment site that results in either an increase in acid resistance of the tissue or removal of carbonate from the tissue, without melting or ablating the tissue. In some instances, the laser-based treatment system can direct the laser beam to various locations within a treatment site according to a temporal and/or spatial pattern, that results in either an increase in acid resistance of the tissue or removal of carbonate from the tissue, without melting or ablating the tissue. Many other systems and techniques for preventative and other laser-based treatment are also described.

An illumination system for a medical technology therapy and/or diagnosis system is provided. The system includes a light source, an optical waveguide, and an optical element in the form of a diffuser element. The optical waveguide has a first end that is connectable or assignable to the light source and the diffuser element is arranged at a second end of the optical waveguide so that light from the optical waveguide is injected into the optical element. The optical element has a lateral surface covered by a reflector layer at least in a section thereof. The reflector layer includes a mirror layer. The optical element has a light-reflecting area covered by the reflector layer and a light-transmissive area that is free of the reflector layer. Thus, light injected into the optical element is reflected on the light-reflecting area and emitted from the light-transmissive area.

There is provided a process for treatment of rhinitis by diode laser ablation of the branches of the posterior nasal nerve. The diode laser delivery device with elongated fiber optic with its fiber tip is inserted through a patient's nostril and has the length, flexibility and a curvature to reach both above and under the patient's middle turbinate for treatment of both branches of the posterior nasal nerves. Skin and tissue temperature is raised to approximately 60-70° C. with the process. A control knob on the laser delivery device moves from a first to a second position to move a camera attached to the laser delivery device. The fiber optic includes a distal fiber tip extending from a malleable sheath connected to the body for delivering light energy to a treatment area.

There is provided a process for treatment of rhinitis by diode laser ablation of the branches of the posterior nasal nerve. The diode laser delivery device with elongated fiber optic with its fiber tip is inserted through a patient's nostril and has the length, flexibility and a curvature to reach both above and under the patient's middle turbinate for treatment of both branches of the posterior nasal nerves. Skin and tissue temperature is raised to approximately 60-70° C. with the process. A control knob on the laser delivery device moves from a first to a second position to move a camera attached to the laser delivery device. The fiber optic includes a distal fiber tip extending from a malleable sheath connected to the body for delivering light energy to a treatment area.

In a method of using a structured-light based system, real-time 2D images of a portion of a field of view are captured using an endoscope. A portion of an object in the field of view is illuminated with a structured light pattern, and light reflected from the field of view is detected. From the reflected light, a 3D image of the field of view is constructed, and 3D locations of points on a surface of the object are determined. The real time 3D spatial position of the endoscope and/or a surgical tool is determined. If a distance between the surface the endoscope and/or surgical tool, as determined using the 3D spatial position, falls below a predetermined distance, an alert is generated to notify a user.

A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108A) or a heart valve includes a light source (124), a first light guide (122A), a second light guide (122A), and an optical alignment system (257). The light source (124) generates light energy (224A, 224B, 324A, 324B, 424B). The first light guide (122A) receives the light energy (224A, 224B, 324A, 324B, 424B) from the light source (124). The first light guide (122A) has a guide proximal end (122P). The second light guide (122A) receives the light energy (224A, 224B, 324A, 324B, 424B) from the light source (124). The second light guide (122A) has a guide proximal end (122P). A multiplexer (223) directs the light energy (224A, 224B, 324A, 324B, 424B) toward the guide proximal end (122P) of the first light guide (122A) and the guide proximal end (122P) of the second light guide (122A). The optical alignment system (257) determines an alignment of the light energy (224A, 224B, 324A, 324B, 424B) relative to at least one of the guide proximal ends (122P). The optical alignment system (257) adjusts the positioning of the light energy (224A, 224B, 324A, 324B, 424B) relative to the at least one of the guide proximal ends (122P) based at least partially on the alignment of the light energy (224A, 224B, 324A, 324B, 424B) relative to the at least one of the guide proximal ends (122P).

A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108A) or a heart valve includes a light source (124), a first light guide (122A), a second light guide (122A), and an optical alignment system (257). The light source (124) generates light energy (224A, 224B, 324A, 324B, 424B). The first light guide (122A) receives the light energy (224A, 224B, 324A, 324B, 424B) from the light source (124). The first light guide (122A) has a guide proximal end (122P). The second light guide (122A) receives the light energy (224A, 224B, 324A, 324B, 424B) from the light source (124). The second light guide (122A) has a guide proximal end (122P). A multiplexer (223) directs the light energy (224A, 224B, 324A, 324B, 424B) toward the guide proximal end (122P) of the first light guide (122A) and the guide proximal end (122P) of the second light guide (122A). The optical alignment system (257) determines an alignment of the light energy (224A, 224B, 324A, 324B, 424B) relative to at least one of the guide proximal ends (122P). The optical alignment system (257) adjusts the positioning of the light energy (224A, 224B, 324A, 324B, 424B) relative to the at least one of the guide proximal ends (122P) based at least partially on the alignment of the light energy (224A, 224B, 324A, 324B, 424B) relative to the at least one of the guide proximal ends (122P).

A hair cutting device according to the present disclosure comprises an optical waveguide. The optical waveguide comprises a light irradiator for irradiating hair protruding from a skin with light to cut the hair. At least at a time of cutting the hair, a power density of light passing through the optical waveguide is more than or equal to 50 kW/cm.sup.2. This makes it easy to efficiently cut hair with light with which the light irradiator irradiates the hair. That is, it is possible to apply sufficient light energy for cutting the hair from the optical waveguide to the hair, and it is possible to cut the hair in a relatively short time. Therefore, for example, a width increases such as a thickness or hardness of hair that can be cut.

A medical laser system for outputting laser pulses includes at least one laser cavity configured to generate at least one laser pulse, a rotating mirror configured to receive and reflect the at least one laser pulse, a beam splitter configured to receive and reflect a portion of the at least one laser pulse received from the rotating mirror, an energy-sensing device configured to detect the portion of the at least one laser pulse, an energy measurement assembly configured to generate a feedback signal based on the portion of the at least one laser pulse detected by the energy-sensing device, and a controller configured to generate an electronic control pulse based on the feedback signal received from the energy measurement assembly to generate at least one adjusted laser pulse.

A medical laser system for outputting laser pulses includes at least one laser cavity configured to generate at least one laser pulse, a rotating mirror configured to receive and reflect the at least one laser pulse, a beam splitter configured to receive and reflect a portion of the at least one laser pulse received from the rotating mirror, an energy-sensing device configured to detect the portion of the at least one laser pulse, an energy measurement assembly configured to generate a feedback signal based on the portion of the at least one laser pulse detected by the energy-sensing device, and a controller configured to generate an electronic control pulse based on the feedback signal received from the energy measurement assembly to generate at least one adjusted laser pulse.