Electromagnetic energy output system

Abstract

An apparatus having an excitation source that includes at least one laser diode and also having a handpiece with a disposable, bendable tip cannula is disclosed. The bendable tip can include a pliable material possessing a treatment characteristic of being bendable by a user three or more times without kinking from a generally straight orientation to a self-supporting bent configuration spanning an angle of at least forty degrees while remaining fully operational.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an excitation source configured and arranged to emit electromagnetic radiation;   a handpiece configured and arranged to be optically coupled to the excitation source using at least one waveguide, the at least one waveguide including a proximal end optically coupled to receive electromagnetic radiation from the excitation source and a distal end extending through to a distal end of the handpiece,   the handpiece comprising a optical output assembly including a user-exchangeable output tip and a bendable portion, the bendable portion comprising a pliable material possessing a treatment characteristic of being bendable three or more times without kinking from a generally straight orientation to a bent configuration spanning at least forty degrees while remaining fully operational.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the excitation source comprises a semiconductor. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the excitation source comprises a laser diode. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the handpiece includes an optical interface coupled to the distal end of the at least one waveguide. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the output tip comprises a bendable tip cannula. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the optical output assembly includes an output fiber optic coupled to a bendable tip cannula. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the output fiber optic is affixed within the bendable tip cannula. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the output fiber optic is affixed with adhesive within the bendable tip cannula. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the excitation source comprises a laser module within a system;   the at least one waveguide comprises an optical fiber; and   the laser module is directly coupled to the at least one waveguide, and the at least one waveguide is permanently coupled to the system.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the excitation source is a laser module within a semiconductor laser system, and the laser module is directly and permanently coupled to the at least one waveguide. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a laser module including an excitation source;   a handpiece configured and arranged to be coupled to the excitation source using at least one waveguide, the at least one waveguide including a proximal end coupled to receive electromagnetic radiation from the excitation source and a distal end extending through to an interface within the distal end of the handpiece,   the handpiece including an exchangeable output fiber optic, at least a portion of which is bendable by a user to a self-supporting fixed position, the bendable portion comprising a pliable material possessing a treatment characteristic of being bendable by the user three or more times without kinking from a generally straight orientation to a self-supporting bent configuration spanning an angle of at least forty degrees while remaining fully operational to the user; and   wherein the bendable exchangeable output fiber optic is configured for readily exchangeable attachment to the distal end of the handpiece.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the excitation source comprises a laser diode. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the exchangeable output fiber optic includes an output tip. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the output tip comprises a bendable tip cannula. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the output fiber optic is affixed within a bendable tip cannula. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the output fiber optic is coupled within the bendable tip cannula with adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the output fiber optic is configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the excitation source when the bendable tip cannula is coupled to the interface of the handpiece, the electromagnetic radiation being emitted from an output tip of the output fiber optic. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a handpiece configured and arranged to be coupled to an electromagnetic energy excitation source, the handpiece comprising:   an exchangeable output fiber optic, at least a portion of which is bendable by a user to a self-supporting fixed position, the bendable portion comprising a pliable material possessing a treatment characteristic of being bendable by the user three or more times without kinking from a generally straight orientation to a self-supporting bent configuration spanning at least forty degrees while remaining fully operational; and
 wherein the exchangeable output fiber optic is configured for readily exchangeable attachment to a distal end of the handpiece; and 
 wherein the output fiber optic is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the excitation source when the handpiece is coupled to the excitation source. 
   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the exchangeable output fiber optic comprises a bendable tip cannula. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the exchangeable output fiber optic is affixed within the bendable tip cannula.