Probes and biofluids for treating and removing deposits from tissue surfaces

Abstract

An apparatus is used to perform disinfection procedures on target tissues within root canal passages and tubules. The apparatus can include an electromagnetic radiation emitting tip having a distal end and a radiation emitting region disposed proximally of the distal end. According to one aspect, the apparatus can include a porous structure that encompasses a region of the tip excluding the radiation emitting region and that is loaded with biologically-active particles, cleaning particles, biologically-active agents, or cleaning agents for delivery from the porous structure onto the target tissues. Another aspect can include provision of the apparatus with an adjustable channel-depth indicator, which encompasses a region of the tip besides the radiation emitting region and which is movable in proximal and distal directions along a surface of the tip to facilitate the provision of depth-of-insertion information to users of the apparatus.

1 . An apparatus having an axis extending between a first region and a second region, comprising:
 (a) an electromagnetic radiation emitting tip having a distal end sized to fit within a root canal passage and a radiation emitting region disposed proximally of the distal end, the radiation emitting region being structured to emit a peak concentration of radiation along a line that is not parallel to the axis; and   (b) a porous structure characterized by one or more of encompassing a region of the tip excluding the radiation emitting region; comprising a material that is transparent to a wavelength of energy carried by the electromagnetic radiation emitting tip; and pores loaded with one or more of biologically-active particles, cleaning particles, biologically-active agents, and cleaning agents that are structured to be delivered from the porous structure onto tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the porous structure is a porous wall which is an integral, non-removable part of the tip. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the porous structure covers a region of the tip distally of the radiation emitting region. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the porous structure is secured to and can be retracted and removed from the apparatus while inside of a dentinal canal. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitting tip is coupled to one or more of an infrared laser and a near-infrared laser. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the radiation emitting region is structured to emit a greater concentration in a non-distal direction than in a distal direction. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the radiation emitting region comprises a longitudinal axis and is structured to emit a peak concentration of radiation along a line that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the particles or agents comprise cleaning particles. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the particles or agents comprise anesthetizing particles. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the particles or agents comprise disinfectant particles. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the particles or agents are suspended in a liquid. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein liquid has a viscosity greater than that of water. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the porous structure comprises a sheath. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the porous structure comprises a fabric 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the porous structure comprises a sponge. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the porous structure comprises a membrane disposed around at least a part of the electromagnetic radiation emitting tip. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , and further comprising a fluid output. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitting tip disposed (proximally of the distal end comprising a jacket, and the distal end not comprising the jacket. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , the porous structure comprising a sponge or sheath formed in a compact, low-profile fashion for providing minimally invasive access to a surgical site of tissue comprising one or more of a canal, a pocket, and a periodontal pocket. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , the porous structure comprising a sponge or sheath formed to expand and allow the release of biofluids or biopowders to a target site upon placement into contact with a fluid in a mouth.