초록 ▼

An electromagnetically induced cutting mechanism which can provide accurate cutting operations on both hard and soft materials is disclosed. The electromagnetically induced cutter is capable of providing extremely fine and smooth incisions, irrespective of the cutting surface. Additionally, a user p

An electromagnetically induced cutting mechanism which can provide accurate cutting operations on both hard and soft materials is disclosed. The electromagnetically induced cutter is capable of providing extremely fine and smooth incisions, irrespective of the cutting surface. Additionally, a user programmable combination of atomized particles allows for user control of various cutting parameters. The various cutting parameters may also be controlled by changing spray nozzles and electromagnetic energy source parameters. Applications for the cutting mechanism include medical, dental, industrial (etching, engraving, cutting and cleaning) and any other environments where an objective is to precisely remove surface materials without inducing thermal damage, uncontrolled cutting parameters, and/or rough surfaces inappropriate for ideal bonding. The cutting mechanism further does not require any films of water or any particularly porous surfaces to obtain very accurate and controllable cutting.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] An apparatus for controlling a cutting efficiency of an electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter, comprising:(a) an electromagnetic energy source for focusing electromagnetic energy into a volume of air adjacent to a target surface;(b) a user input device for specifying one of

[ We claim:] [1.] An apparatus for controlling a cutting efficiency of an electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter, comprising:(a) an electromagnetic energy source for focusing electromagnetic energy into a volume of air adjacent to a target surface;(b) a user input device for specifying one of a high resolution cut and a low resolution cut, and for specifying one of a deep-penetration cut and a shallow-penetration cut; and(c) an atomizer responsive to the user input device for generating a combination of atomized fluid particles, and for placing the user-specified combination of atomized fluid particles into the volume of air adjacent to the target surface, the atomizer generating:(1) a combination of atomized fluid particles comprising relatively small fluid particles, in response to a user input specifying a high resolution cut;(2) a combination of atomized fluid particles comprising relatively large fluid particles, in response to a user input specifying a low resolution cut;(3) a combination of atomized fluid particles comprising a relatively low-density distribution of fluid particles, in response to a user input specifying a deep-penetration cut; and(4) a combination of atomized fluid particles which comprises a relatively high-density distribution of fluid particles, in response to a user input specifying a shallow-penetration cut,wherein the focused electromagnetic energy from the electromagnetic energy source has a wavelength which is substantially absorbed by the atomized fluid particles in the volume of air adjacent to the target surface, andwherein the absorption of the focused electromagnetic energy by the atomized fluid particles causes the atomized fluid particles to explode and impart mechanical cutting forces onto the target surface.