A controlled process for thoroughly curing light-activated surgical and dental composites is presented using a hand-held, self-contained, cordless, rechargeable laser instrument. At least one micro laser generates focused single wavelength blue laser light of at most 480 nm, and enhances efficiency and control of curing. The process of use includes switching from stand-by mode to curing mode of operation of the instrument to save time during surgical and dental procedures.
RELATED PATENT CROSS REFERENCE
This is a division of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/107,623 entitled "Method of Using a Cordless Medical Laser to Cure Composites and Sterilize Living Tissue", filed on Jun. 30, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,520 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. Ser. No. 08/872,085 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,220 entitled "Cordless Dental and Surgical Laser", filed on Jun. 10, 1997.
A dermatologic hair-regrowth-inhibiting apparatus is disclosed which is cordless and sufficiently compact as to be hand-held. A self-contained housing is configured for gripping by a person's hand for cordless manipulation in a hair-regrowth-inhibiting procedure. A light source and electrical circuit are contained within the housing. The circuit includes one or more batteries for energizing the light source to produce output light pulses. A light path within the housing includes an aperture through which eye-safe light pulses are propagated out of the housing having properties sufficient for at least temporary hair-regrowth inhibition. A diffuser is disposed along the light path to reduce the integrated radiance to an eye-safe level.
A dermatological treatment apparatus is disclosed that is cordless and sufficiently compact as to be hand-held. A self-contained housing is configured for gripping by a person's hand for cordless manipulation in a dermatologic treatment procedure. A light source and electrical circuit are contained within the housing. The circuit includes one or more batteries and an electronic control circuit for energizing the light source to produce output light pulses. A light path is within the housing including an aperture through which the output light pulses are propagated out of the housing having properties sufficient for providing efficacious treatment.
A dermatologic treatment apparatus is disclosed which includes one or more housings with at least one housing configured for manipulation in a dermatologic treatment procedure, a light source, and an electrical circuit. The circuit energizes the light source to produce output light pulses. A light path includes an aperture through which eye-safe light pulses are propagated having properties sufficient for providing efficacious treatment. An optical diffuser is disposed along the light path to reduce the integrated radiance to an eye-safe level. The apparatus produces an output fluence not less than 4 J/cm.sup.2.
A sensor for detecting the presence of skin is disclosed, one configuration of which uses multiple light emitting diodes, each of a unique wavelength band, and a broad-band photodetector to measure the remission of light at multiple wavelengths from a material being analyzed. Characteristics of the spectral remission of the material are used to discriminate human skin from materials that are not human skin. Further, an aesthetic medical device utilizing such a sensor in which the device is inhibited from operation if skin has not been detected. The incorporation of a skin sensor improves the safety of devices that emit radiation that otherwise would pose a hazard if not directed onto skin.
