The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued Biolase Technology a new patent, No. 8,002,544, "Fluid Controllable Laser Endodontic Cleaning and Disinfecting System."
The new patent relates to the use of an endodontic probe to perform disinfection procedures within the root canal. The endodontic probe can be loaded with biologically active particles, cleaning particles, biologically active agents, or cleaning agents for delivery to the target tissues, according to the company. It also includes an adjustable channel-depth indicator, a practical way to measure and control the depth of the probe for root canal procedures, as well as other features to further improve cleaning/disinfection.
"Our current Endolase root canal therapy system utilizing our Waterlase Er,Cr:YSGG technology with our patented radial firing tips and clinically proven technique has shown the ability to reduce root canal bacterial levels by 99.7%," said Federico Pignatelli, chairman and CEO of Biolase. "We believe that elements included in this new patent in combination with our other related IP [intellectual property] may allow us to finally achieve the goal of every company in the industry -- complete root canal sterilization."
