Nov 12 2007
BIOLASE Technology, Inc., the world's leading dental laser company, announced today that it has been granted two new U.S. patents for technologies that can enhance the functionality and usability of the Company's Waterlase MD all-tissue laser system. The first patent covers laser delivery technology for ablating tissue while simultaneously providing the clinician visual images of the target tissue using an integrated camera. The second patent covers the automatic detection of different types of fiber tips that can be used in a variety of procedures without the need for input from the clinician, which can make the laser more flexible and easier to use.
BIOLASE Interim CEO Federico Pignatelli said that the two new patents represent an important addition to the Company's substantial patent portfolio, increasing the number of U.S. and foreign patents granted or applied for to 224.
"These patents cover important capabilities that we are eager to integrate into our existing designs," Pignatelli said. "The fiber tip detection patent gives us a very useful technological design that will allow the selective and automatic recognition by our laser systems of consumable product types such as fiber tips without requiring further input or interaction by the user. This functionality combined with the patent for the technology that enables simultaneous tissue cutting and image feedback, provide BIOLASE with a number of opportunities to expand our Waterlase MD technology at the system and accessory level."
The first patent, No. 7,292,759, contains device claims related to laser delivery technology that allows the laser system to deliver energy for tissue ablation while simultaneously performing other applications. Independent and dependent claims disclose the use of multiple fibers and use of different wavelengths that allow the delivery system to send and receive electromagnetic energy, as well as the integration of camera functionality into the handpiece design. Illumination of the target site, disclosed in this patent in multiple independent and dependent claims, is already built into the Waterlase MD handpiece design. The patent has 58 claims, of which 2 are independent.
The second patent, No. 7,290,940, contains device and method claims related to the utilization of adaptors to recognize types of fiber tips and determine whether they can be accepted by the laser system or not. The patent has 34 claims, of which 3 are independent.
Ioana Rizoiu, BIOLASE VP of Clinical Research, commented: "The broad claim coverage contained within these new patents will allow BIOLASE to further develop our Waterlase MD platform technology into a multifunctional design that allows tissue removal while simultaneously receiving electromagnetic feedback and visualization of the target tissue."