Laser handpiece, exchangeable fiber-optic insert and control unit therefor

Abstract

The invention relates to a laser handpiece 1, an exchangeable fiber-optic insert 10, and a control unit 70 therefor. The laser handpiece 1 comprises a optical waveguide 35, which is connected to a light coupling site in a base member 21 and in which the application element 10 for laser light is exchangeably attached to the base member 21. The base member 21 is mounted in a sleeve-type grip 3 for axial displacement therein. The light guide 10 can be wound around a control device 70 which has an annular gap 73 for this purpose and a lower housing part 75 which is offset from an upper housing part 74. An exchangeable fiber-optic insert 10, 27 acting as an application element is provided with a sleeve 80 serving as protection during transportation and as an assembling tool.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A laser handpiece, comprising an optical waveguide, wherein said optical waveguide is fixed to a light coupling site in a base member, an application element for laser light is attached to said base member and the base member is mounted in a sleeve-type grip for axial displacement therein. 
     
     
         27 . The laser handpiece as defined in  claim 26 , wherein said sleeve-type grip consists of several parts and comprises a finger pad region, a supporting region, and an adjustment region. 
     
     
         28 . The laser handpiece as defined in  claim 26 , wherein a position of the base member in relation to the sleeve-type grip is locked or restrained. 
     
     
         29 . The laser handpiece as defined in  claim 28 , wherein said base member has a sliding knob projecting through said sleeve-type grip. 
     
     
         30 . The laser handpiece as defined in  claim 29 , wherein said sliding knob is movable against a force of a spring from a first, restrained position to a second, displaced position. 
     
     
         31 . The laser handpiece as defined in  claim 26 , wherein at least one pushbutton for switching on the laser light is provided, which can be actuated via a keypad having a length of at least 20 mm. 
     
     
         32 . The laser handpiece as defined in  claim 31 , wherein the pushbutton is mounted on said base member and is covered by a rotatable lever mounted on said sleeve-type grip. 
     
     
         33 . The laser handpiece as defined in  claim 32 , wherein said pushbutton on said base member is secured against unintentional actuation when said sleeve-type grip has been removed. 
     
     
         34 . The laser handpiece as defined in  claim 33 , wherein a securing mechanism for securing said pushbutton is formed by a raised surface, by side ridges extending in a longitudinal direction and having a height and spacing such that accidental actuation by a user is not possible or substantially avoided. 
     
     
         35 . The laser handpiece as defined in any one of  claim 31 , wherein said pushbutton for switching on the laser light can be connected to an evaluation unit. 
     
     
         36 . The laser handpiece as defined in any one of  claims 31 , wherein the at least one pushbutton includes a plurality of redundant pushbuttons. 
     
     
         37 . The laser handpiece as defined in  claim 31 , wherein the base member has a sensor oriented toward the light path in said base member and adapted to recognize light having a wavelength of the light supplied by said waveguide and wherein a signal can be transmitted to an evaluation unit. 
     
     
         38 . The laser handpiece as defined in  claim 31 , wherein the at least one pushbutton includes a plurality of redundant pushbuttons. 
     
     
         39 . The laser handpiece as defined in  claim 26 , wherein said application element for laser light is exchangeably mounted in the base member. 
     
     
         40 . The laser handpiece as defined in any one of  claim 26 , wherein said optical waveguide is accommodated in a handpiece hose, and the handpiece hose is connected to said base member and is freely movable relatively to said sleeve-type grip.