Kenneth Karl Kowalyk

US Patent:

52811417, Jan 25, 1994

Filed:

Mar 16, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/851657

Inventors:

Kenneth Kowalyk - Hilton Head Island SC

Assignee:

Medical Laser Technology, Inc. - Hilton Head Island SC

International Classification:

A61C 500
A61B 1736

US Classification:

433215

Abstract:

A dental laser apparatus and method is disclosed for removing tooth decay. A substance which selectively attaches to tooth decay is applied to the tooth. This substance has a predetermined absorption band. A laser having an output wavelength which corresponds to the absorption band is supplied and is absorbed primarily by the decayed portions of the tooth. The use of Acid Red 52 dye as the substance and a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser as the source is disclosed as one embodiment.

US Patent:

54566037, Oct 10, 1995

Filed:

Nov 1, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/143783

Inventors:

Kenneth Kowalyk - Hilton Head Island SC
Michael J. Myers - Hilton Head SC

International Classification:

A61C 500
A61B 1736

US Classification:

433215

Abstract:

A dental laser apparatus and method is disclosed for removing tooth decay. A substance which selectively attaches to tooth decay is applied to the tooth. This substance has a predetermined absorption band. A laser having an output wavelength which corresponds to the absorption band is supplied and is absorbed primarily by the decayed portions of the tooth. The use of Acid Red 52 dye or basic fuchsin as the substance and a frequency doubled Nd:YAG, Argon or other laser as the source is disclosed as one embodiment.

US Patent:

55540295, Sep 10, 1996

Filed:

May 31, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/251135

Inventors:

Kenneth Kowalyk - Hilton Head Island SC
Michael J. Myers - Hilton Head Island SC

Assignee:

Medical Laser Technology, Inc. - Hilton Head Island SC

International Classification:

A61C 500
A61C 504
A61C 100
A61C 300

US Classification:

433215

Abstract:

A method of ablating non-metallic dental material from a tooth comprises the steps of generating radiation pulses having a predetermined wavelength, energy level, pulse repetition rate, and duration, and applying the radiation pulses to the non-metallic dental material in a tooth, whereby the non-metallic dental material is ablated from the tooth. The radiation may be generated by a frequency tripled Nd:YAG, an Er:YAG laser or an Er:YsGG laser and may have a wavelength of about 355 nanometers, 2. 94 micrometers, and 2. 79 micrometers respectively, for example.