Multiple fiber-type tissue treatment device and related method

Abstract

A fiber detector apparatus includes a hub having one or more electrical contacts. The hub is configured to be placed against a connector, which is disposed on an electromagnetic energy source, such that electrical continuity is established between the electrical contacts of the hub and electrical contacts on a connector plate of the electromagnetic energy source. The number and positions of the electrical contacts correlate with the presence and characteristics of one or more fibers extending through the hub toward the electromagnetic energy source. A data storage microcircuit may also be provided within the hub to store identification information about the fibers being used. Knowing the physical characteristics of the fibers being used in a particular procedure can permit a user of the apparatus to improve the effectiveness of a procedure using the electromagnetic energy.

1 . A tissue treatment assembly, comprising:
 a microprocessor;   a fiber guide tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and an optical axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the fiber guide tube being structured to receive one or more fibers therein;   a fluid delivery device positioned in a vicinity of the fiber guide tube, the fluid delivery device being constructed and configured to deliver fluid toward an interaction zone under at least partial control of the microprocessor;   a material remover disposed relative to the distal end of the fiber guide tube, the material remover being constructed and configured to direct, under at least partial control of the microprocessor and substantially simultaneously with the delivering of fluid from the fluid delivery device, one or more of examination, treatment and removal energy toward the interaction zone; and   a plurality of information transmitters that provide fiber identification information pertaining to at least one fiber which during use is held by the fiber guide tube, the information transmitters being provided in proximity to the fiber guide tube;   wherein one or more of the delivering by the fluid delivery device and the directing by the material remover is processed by the microprocessor based upon the fiber identification information.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the processing by the microprocessor comprises controlling one or more of the delivering by the fluid delivery device and the directing by the material remover. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the information transmitters are retractable pins and each of the information transmitters is in electrical communication with the other information transmitters. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the processing by the microprocessor comprises one or more of the microprocessor audibly communicating to a user and the microprocessor visually communicating to a user, by way of a display, at least part of the identification information. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a microcircuit connected to the information transmitters. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the interaction zone is a treatment site and the material remover comprises one or more of an Er:YAG, an Er:YSGG, an Er, Cr:YSGG and a CTE:YAG laser. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery device comprises an atomizer. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the material remover emits energy having one or more of (a) a wavelength within a range from about 2.69 to about 2.80 microns and (b) a wavelength of about 2.94 microns. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery device is configured to output a liquid comprising water and wherein the interaction zone comprises or is juxtaposed relative to one or more of tooth, bone, cartilage and soft tissue. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the number and position of the information transmitters is indicative of at least one characteristic of the at least one fiber. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the fluid delivery device is configured to place liquid into the interaction zone; and   the material remover is configured to impart relatively large amounts of energy into the liquid in the interaction zone to thereby expand the liquid in the interaction zone.   
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid delivery device comprises a liquid and is configured to output the liquid as water-containing liquid particles. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the material remover comprises a diode. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the identification information comprises one or more of a fiber length, shape, diameter, and type. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the identification information comprises a fiber tip power density. 
     
     
         16 . A method using the assembly of  claim 1 , comprising:
 placing the information transmitters into communication with the microprocessor;   determining at least one characteristic of at least one fiber of the fiber guide tube; and   controlling one or more of the delivering by the fluid delivery device and the directing by the material remover, based upon the determined characteristic of the at least one fiber.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the microprocessor communicating with at least three information transmitters and determining the at least one characteristic of the at least one fiber based upon the communicating. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the determining of at least one characteristic of at least one fiber of the fiber guide tube comprises the microprocessor determining one or more of a fiber length, shape, diameter, and type. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the determining of at least one characteristic of at least one fiber of the fiber guide tube comprises the microprocessor determining a fiber tip power density. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the determining of at least one characteristic of at least one fiber of the fiber guide tube comprises the microprocessor receiving data from a microcircuit that is coupled to one or more of the information transmitters.