CA2189498C - Light curing device - Google Patents
Light curing device Download PDFInfo
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- CA2189498C CA2189498C CA002189498A CA2189498A CA2189498C CA 2189498 C CA2189498 C CA 2189498C CA 002189498 A CA002189498 A CA 002189498A CA 2189498 A CA2189498 A CA 2189498A CA 2189498 C CA2189498 C CA 2189498C
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- light
- hand
- curing device
- filter
- focusing lens
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C19/00—Dental auxiliary appliances
- A61C19/003—Apparatus for curing resins by radiation
- A61C19/004—Hand-held apparatus, e.g. guns
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)
- Heating, Cooling, Or Curing Plastics Or The Like In General (AREA)
- Radiation-Therapy Devices (AREA)
- Surface Treatment Of Glass Fibres Or Filaments (AREA)
- Glass Compositions (AREA)
- Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
A hand-held light curing device has a light source and a light guiding device having a light receiving opening. A lens arrangement with a focusing lens is positioned between the light source and the light guiding device. The focusing lens has a cut-off filter at a surface thereof. The cut-off filter is preferably vapor-deposited on the surface. Preferably, the focusing lens is a plano-convex lens having a convex surface facing the light source.
Description
~ ~949~
LIGHT CURING DEVICE
Background of the Invention ' The present invention relates to a light curing device, especially for irradiating curable dental compositions, with a light source and a light guiding device, such as a light guide, having a light receiving opening, whereby in the path of the light beam between light source and light receiving opening a focusing lens is arranged. The device is especially used for curing dental plastic materials that are polymerizable under the effect of light.
Such a light curing device is known from German Offenlegungsschrift 32 37 510. In such a light curing device the light source is surrounded by a reflector which focuses the emitted light radiation onto a focusing lens. The piano-convex focusing lens the planar surface of which is facing the light source, is designed to focus the light beam onto the light receiving opening of the light guide. In the known light curing device spectral lamps are used as light sources, which are relatively large and heavy in order to be able to introduce monochromatic light radiation into the light guide.
In order to facilitate handling of the device, the known light curing device has a flexible light guide of a length of 2 meters.
With this construction, the operator is thus limited in his P 195 42 985.0 - 2657-II-17.789 - Ivoclar A.G.
moveability by the connection via the light guide. Furthermore, with a comparatively long and flexible light guide there is always present the danger of kinking. Even though possible external - damages cannot be seen, the resulting light efficiency of the light guide is considerably reduced without being apparent to the operator.
However, this carries the considerable risk that a light curing step is not completed so that the used dental material is not cured according to specification.
Furthermore, hand-held devices are known, for example, from German Offenlegungsschrift 42 11 230. With such hand-held devices it is conventional to use for the comparatively compact arrangement light sources of high energy density which results often in thermal problems. Despite the comparatively high energy expenditure, the light efficiency for these hand-held devices is still improvable.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a light curing device of the aforementioned kind that is improved with respect to light efficiency, is easier to manipulate, and provides a light efficiency that ensures complete polymerization over an extended service life.
Summary of the Invention P 195 42 985.0 - 2657-ll-17.789 - Ivoclar A. G.
The present invention provides a hand-held light curing device comprising: a light source; a light guiding device having a light receiving opening; a lens arrangement comprising a focusing lens positioned between said light source and said light guiding device; said focusing lens comprising a first cut-off filter vapor-deposited on the surface of the lens proximal the light source and a second cut-off filter vapor-deposited on the distal surface of the lens, the first cut-off filter cutting off light at wavelengths higher than a predetermined wavelength and the second filter cutting off light at wavelengths lower than a predetermined wavelength.
Advantageously, the focusing lens is a plano-convex lens having convex surface, wherein the convex surface faces the light source.
Advantageously, the hand-held curing device further comprises a reflector comprising an inner surface with reflective coating. The reflector is positioned adjacent to the focusing filter and widens conically in a direction toward the light source.
The focusing lens preferably consist of heat absorbing glass.
The focusing lens is preferably spaced from the light ~ ~949~
guiding device, and the focus of the focusing lens coincides with the light receiving opening or is positioned within the light guiding device behind the light receiving opening.
Advantageously, the light source is a compact lamp having a high light efficiency relative to the size of the lamp and relative to the amount. of electric energy supplied to the lamp.
Expediently, the lamp is a halogen lamp.
The lens arrangement may further comprise a concave-convex lens or a biconvex lens.
The cut-off filter allows light below a selected wavelength threshold to pass.
The cut-off filter is opaque to infrared radiation.
The cut-off filter preferably has reflective properties with respect to the blocked radiation.
Surprisingly, with the inventive measures a favorable light efficiency with respect to light curing can be achieved despite the embodiment as a compact, hand-held device. Even though the compact halogen universal lamps are used, which are considerably less expensive than spectral lamps, the light efficiency is surprisingly good and does not result in an undesirable heating within the mouth of the patient or with respect to the dental material to be cured. Apparently, the cut-off filter P 195 42 985.0 - 2657-II-17.789 - Ivoclar A.G.
~~89498 vapor-deposited onto the focusing lens has an especially good reflective effect for undesirable radiation without impairing the light radiation emitted by the halogen lamp. The cut-off filter has an especially good transmissivity for the frequency ranges required for polymerization. Advantageously, a light guide of a comparatively large diameter can be used whereby weight and handling problems of light guides of greater diameters are substantially reduced with respect to known light curing devices since the inventively used light guide extends only over a length of a few centimeters instead of being 1 to 2 meters long.
The inventive light curing device is especially advantageously realized as a hand-held device. Individual advantages result, however, also in an embodiment as a stationary device with flexible light guide.
The risk of unnoticed reduction of the light efficiency due to breakage of the light guide is practically prevented since the light guide can optionally be surrounded by a metal tube so as to be especially well protected since it must not be flexible.
According to a preferred embodiment, it is suggested to apply the cut-off filter onto the convex surface of the focusing lens.
Inasmuch as heat radiation is reflected by the cut-off filter, the heat radiation is diverted which is especially favorable with respect P 195 42 985.0 - 2657-I!-17.789 - Ivoclar A.G.
~ X9498 to heat dissipation.
In an especially advantageous embodiment, the inventive light curing device comprises a reflector which is positioned adjacent to the focusing lens and/or cut-off filter whereby the reflector cone extends between the light source and a cut-off filter and/or the focusing lens and whereby the cone angle opens toward the light source. This reflector increases the light efficiency in that the radiation emitted by the light is reflected and guided toward the focusing lens and improves in a double function at the same time the heat dissipation of the cut-off filter, especially when the conical reflector sleeve comprises a metallic reflective layer.
According to another embodiment, the focusing lens is a piano-convex lens the convex surface of which is especially facing the light source. This embodiment is especially favorable with respect to mounting and with respect to light introduction into the light guide. Light beams reflected by the light receiving opening are immediately reflected back at the planar surface of the focusing lens so that they can reenter the light guide.
When the focusing lens is made of heat- absorbing glass, the penetrating infrared radiation is mostly absorbed and the temperature is increased. In this context it is especially favorably _g_ P 195 42 985.0 - 2657-Il-17.789 - Ivoclar A. G.
when the focusing lens is spaced from the light guide so that there is no risk that the light guide could be heated to unacceptable limits. The absorption properties furthermore act to compensate residual heat whereby it is understood that in this embodiment it may be advantageous to apply the cut-off filter at the surface facing the light guide in order to prevent the emission of heat radiation in the direction of the light guide.
Even though, in general, other methods for application of the cut-off filter are possible, it is preferred to vapor-deposit the cut-off filter. This allows for uniform and minimal layer thickness with optimal minimal transmission damping in the transmissive range of the filter.
It is understood that, if needed, the focusing lens can be used in combination with further lenses in order to improve the optical properties.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The object and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the only Figure shows a portion of the inventive light curing device in section, representing the light guide and the focusing lens.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention will now be described in detail with the aid of several specific embodiments utilizing the only Figure.
As apparent from the only Figure, the inventive light curing device 10 comprises a light guide 12, a focusing lens 14, and a reflector 16 which are housed in a common housing 18.
The housing 18 furthermore supports a non-represented light source which can be optionally provided with a well known reflector and which would be positioned to the left in the drawing. The light guide 12 is only partly represented in the drawing and extends over a length of a few centimeters, optionally with a slightly bent tip, in order to allow easy access to any area within the mouth of a patient.
The light curing device is a hand-held device and has a construction as is, for example, known from German Offenlegungsschrift 42 11 230. The housing 18 comprises a plurality of vent openings 20, 22 which extend substantially annularly coaxially to the optical axis 24 and which are interrupted by ribs 26, 28 which are uniformly distributed over the circumference.
~ 89498 The housing is provided in a manner known per se with a fan which is arranged behind the lamp and operated such that the vent openings 20, 22 act as air inlet openings. Thus, relatively cold air passes along the focussing lens 14 and the reflector 16 and provides a comparatively good cooling effect thereat. The focusing lens. 14 is supported in the housing with a separate securing sleeve 30 which also supports the light guide 12. The light guide 12 is supported within the securing sleeve 30 by a socket 32. The arrangement of focusing lens 14 and light guide 12 within the securing sleeve 30 is selected such that the light receiving opening 34 of the light guide 12 is clearly spaced from the focusing lens 14. In the represented embodiment the spacing is greater than the maximal thickness of the focusing lens 14. The focus of the focusing lens 14 is positioned somewhat behind the light receiving opening 34 within the light guide 12.
The focusing lens 14 is a piano-convex lens whereby the planar surface faces the light guide and the convex surface faces the light source. On the side facing the light source a cut-off filter is vapor-deposited onto the lens. fn addition, the lens is comprised of heat-absorbing glass which absorbs to a large extend infrared radiation. Due to this arrangement, it is achieved that, despite the directly adjacent positioning to the light guide 12, _g_ P 195 42 985.0 - 2657-II-17.789 - Ivoclar A.G.
?89498 practically only light with the desired wavelength range can enter the light guide 12. For example, the cut-off filter can be embodied such that undesirable UV radiation is filtered out. The rounded . embodiment of the cut-off filter 36 also results in that the blocked radiation is reflected over a large surface area and distributed.
The reflected. radiation impinges on the reflector 16 which is positioned within the direct air flow at the flow channel 38 and which is thus well cooled. Furthermore, the cut-off filter 36 and thus the focusing lens 14 are positioned in thermal vicinity of the reflector 16; via the vent openings 22 an additional flow channel which is directly adjacent is opened which participates in the cooling effect.
The support of the lens 14 is such that it is clamped with a securing ring 40, that is optionally elastic, between the securing sleeve 30 and the reflector 16. The reflector 16 is screwed from the interior onto the housing 18 so that the screw connection supports in sequence the securing sleeve 30, the focusing lens 14, the securing ring 40, and the reflector 16 at the corresponding securing flange 42 of the housing.
As can be seen in the drawing, the light radiation emitted by the light source is refracted partially directly, according to the course of the light beam 44, and then enters, parallel to the optical P 195 42 985.0 - 2657-ll-17.789 - Ivoclar A.G.
?~~949~
axis 24, the light guide 12. Partly, the radiation is reflected at the reflector 16, as indicated by the light beam 46, enters the lens and, after corresponding refraction within the focusing lens 14, exits parallel to the optical axis 24. This is of course only true for light beams with wavelength which pass through the cut-off filter 36.
In the shown embodiment, the reflector 16 is a metal part and has good heat conducting properties. However, it is understood that instead a plastic part with inner reflective layer can be used. It is advantageous to widen the reflector in the direction toward to the light source.
Instead of the focusing lens 14 it is also possible to use focusing lenses of a different design or to us a corresponding lens arrangement. The focusing lens is provided in a suitable manner with a cut-off filter which prevents that light or electromagnetic radiation with an undesirable wavelength can enter the light guide 12.
The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to the specific disclosure of the specification and drawings, but also encompasses any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.
P 195 42 985.0 - 2657-II-17.789 - Ivocla~ A.G.
LIGHT CURING DEVICE
Background of the Invention ' The present invention relates to a light curing device, especially for irradiating curable dental compositions, with a light source and a light guiding device, such as a light guide, having a light receiving opening, whereby in the path of the light beam between light source and light receiving opening a focusing lens is arranged. The device is especially used for curing dental plastic materials that are polymerizable under the effect of light.
Such a light curing device is known from German Offenlegungsschrift 32 37 510. In such a light curing device the light source is surrounded by a reflector which focuses the emitted light radiation onto a focusing lens. The piano-convex focusing lens the planar surface of which is facing the light source, is designed to focus the light beam onto the light receiving opening of the light guide. In the known light curing device spectral lamps are used as light sources, which are relatively large and heavy in order to be able to introduce monochromatic light radiation into the light guide.
In order to facilitate handling of the device, the known light curing device has a flexible light guide of a length of 2 meters.
With this construction, the operator is thus limited in his P 195 42 985.0 - 2657-II-17.789 - Ivoclar A.G.
moveability by the connection via the light guide. Furthermore, with a comparatively long and flexible light guide there is always present the danger of kinking. Even though possible external - damages cannot be seen, the resulting light efficiency of the light guide is considerably reduced without being apparent to the operator.
However, this carries the considerable risk that a light curing step is not completed so that the used dental material is not cured according to specification.
Furthermore, hand-held devices are known, for example, from German Offenlegungsschrift 42 11 230. With such hand-held devices it is conventional to use for the comparatively compact arrangement light sources of high energy density which results often in thermal problems. Despite the comparatively high energy expenditure, the light efficiency for these hand-held devices is still improvable.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a light curing device of the aforementioned kind that is improved with respect to light efficiency, is easier to manipulate, and provides a light efficiency that ensures complete polymerization over an extended service life.
Summary of the Invention P 195 42 985.0 - 2657-ll-17.789 - Ivoclar A. G.
The present invention provides a hand-held light curing device comprising: a light source; a light guiding device having a light receiving opening; a lens arrangement comprising a focusing lens positioned between said light source and said light guiding device; said focusing lens comprising a first cut-off filter vapor-deposited on the surface of the lens proximal the light source and a second cut-off filter vapor-deposited on the distal surface of the lens, the first cut-off filter cutting off light at wavelengths higher than a predetermined wavelength and the second filter cutting off light at wavelengths lower than a predetermined wavelength.
Advantageously, the focusing lens is a plano-convex lens having convex surface, wherein the convex surface faces the light source.
Advantageously, the hand-held curing device further comprises a reflector comprising an inner surface with reflective coating. The reflector is positioned adjacent to the focusing filter and widens conically in a direction toward the light source.
The focusing lens preferably consist of heat absorbing glass.
The focusing lens is preferably spaced from the light ~ ~949~
guiding device, and the focus of the focusing lens coincides with the light receiving opening or is positioned within the light guiding device behind the light receiving opening.
Advantageously, the light source is a compact lamp having a high light efficiency relative to the size of the lamp and relative to the amount. of electric energy supplied to the lamp.
Expediently, the lamp is a halogen lamp.
The lens arrangement may further comprise a concave-convex lens or a biconvex lens.
The cut-off filter allows light below a selected wavelength threshold to pass.
The cut-off filter is opaque to infrared radiation.
The cut-off filter preferably has reflective properties with respect to the blocked radiation.
Surprisingly, with the inventive measures a favorable light efficiency with respect to light curing can be achieved despite the embodiment as a compact, hand-held device. Even though the compact halogen universal lamps are used, which are considerably less expensive than spectral lamps, the light efficiency is surprisingly good and does not result in an undesirable heating within the mouth of the patient or with respect to the dental material to be cured. Apparently, the cut-off filter P 195 42 985.0 - 2657-II-17.789 - Ivoclar A.G.
~~89498 vapor-deposited onto the focusing lens has an especially good reflective effect for undesirable radiation without impairing the light radiation emitted by the halogen lamp. The cut-off filter has an especially good transmissivity for the frequency ranges required for polymerization. Advantageously, a light guide of a comparatively large diameter can be used whereby weight and handling problems of light guides of greater diameters are substantially reduced with respect to known light curing devices since the inventively used light guide extends only over a length of a few centimeters instead of being 1 to 2 meters long.
The inventive light curing device is especially advantageously realized as a hand-held device. Individual advantages result, however, also in an embodiment as a stationary device with flexible light guide.
The risk of unnoticed reduction of the light efficiency due to breakage of the light guide is practically prevented since the light guide can optionally be surrounded by a metal tube so as to be especially well protected since it must not be flexible.
According to a preferred embodiment, it is suggested to apply the cut-off filter onto the convex surface of the focusing lens.
Inasmuch as heat radiation is reflected by the cut-off filter, the heat radiation is diverted which is especially favorable with respect P 195 42 985.0 - 2657-I!-17.789 - Ivoclar A.G.
~ X9498 to heat dissipation.
In an especially advantageous embodiment, the inventive light curing device comprises a reflector which is positioned adjacent to the focusing lens and/or cut-off filter whereby the reflector cone extends between the light source and a cut-off filter and/or the focusing lens and whereby the cone angle opens toward the light source. This reflector increases the light efficiency in that the radiation emitted by the light is reflected and guided toward the focusing lens and improves in a double function at the same time the heat dissipation of the cut-off filter, especially when the conical reflector sleeve comprises a metallic reflective layer.
According to another embodiment, the focusing lens is a piano-convex lens the convex surface of which is especially facing the light source. This embodiment is especially favorable with respect to mounting and with respect to light introduction into the light guide. Light beams reflected by the light receiving opening are immediately reflected back at the planar surface of the focusing lens so that they can reenter the light guide.
When the focusing lens is made of heat- absorbing glass, the penetrating infrared radiation is mostly absorbed and the temperature is increased. In this context it is especially favorably _g_ P 195 42 985.0 - 2657-Il-17.789 - Ivoclar A. G.
when the focusing lens is spaced from the light guide so that there is no risk that the light guide could be heated to unacceptable limits. The absorption properties furthermore act to compensate residual heat whereby it is understood that in this embodiment it may be advantageous to apply the cut-off filter at the surface facing the light guide in order to prevent the emission of heat radiation in the direction of the light guide.
Even though, in general, other methods for application of the cut-off filter are possible, it is preferred to vapor-deposit the cut-off filter. This allows for uniform and minimal layer thickness with optimal minimal transmission damping in the transmissive range of the filter.
It is understood that, if needed, the focusing lens can be used in combination with further lenses in order to improve the optical properties.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The object and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the only Figure shows a portion of the inventive light curing device in section, representing the light guide and the focusing lens.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention will now be described in detail with the aid of several specific embodiments utilizing the only Figure.
As apparent from the only Figure, the inventive light curing device 10 comprises a light guide 12, a focusing lens 14, and a reflector 16 which are housed in a common housing 18.
The housing 18 furthermore supports a non-represented light source which can be optionally provided with a well known reflector and which would be positioned to the left in the drawing. The light guide 12 is only partly represented in the drawing and extends over a length of a few centimeters, optionally with a slightly bent tip, in order to allow easy access to any area within the mouth of a patient.
The light curing device is a hand-held device and has a construction as is, for example, known from German Offenlegungsschrift 42 11 230. The housing 18 comprises a plurality of vent openings 20, 22 which extend substantially annularly coaxially to the optical axis 24 and which are interrupted by ribs 26, 28 which are uniformly distributed over the circumference.
~ 89498 The housing is provided in a manner known per se with a fan which is arranged behind the lamp and operated such that the vent openings 20, 22 act as air inlet openings. Thus, relatively cold air passes along the focussing lens 14 and the reflector 16 and provides a comparatively good cooling effect thereat. The focusing lens. 14 is supported in the housing with a separate securing sleeve 30 which also supports the light guide 12. The light guide 12 is supported within the securing sleeve 30 by a socket 32. The arrangement of focusing lens 14 and light guide 12 within the securing sleeve 30 is selected such that the light receiving opening 34 of the light guide 12 is clearly spaced from the focusing lens 14. In the represented embodiment the spacing is greater than the maximal thickness of the focusing lens 14. The focus of the focusing lens 14 is positioned somewhat behind the light receiving opening 34 within the light guide 12.
The focusing lens 14 is a piano-convex lens whereby the planar surface faces the light guide and the convex surface faces the light source. On the side facing the light source a cut-off filter is vapor-deposited onto the lens. fn addition, the lens is comprised of heat-absorbing glass which absorbs to a large extend infrared radiation. Due to this arrangement, it is achieved that, despite the directly adjacent positioning to the light guide 12, _g_ P 195 42 985.0 - 2657-II-17.789 - Ivoclar A.G.
?89498 practically only light with the desired wavelength range can enter the light guide 12. For example, the cut-off filter can be embodied such that undesirable UV radiation is filtered out. The rounded . embodiment of the cut-off filter 36 also results in that the blocked radiation is reflected over a large surface area and distributed.
The reflected. radiation impinges on the reflector 16 which is positioned within the direct air flow at the flow channel 38 and which is thus well cooled. Furthermore, the cut-off filter 36 and thus the focusing lens 14 are positioned in thermal vicinity of the reflector 16; via the vent openings 22 an additional flow channel which is directly adjacent is opened which participates in the cooling effect.
The support of the lens 14 is such that it is clamped with a securing ring 40, that is optionally elastic, between the securing sleeve 30 and the reflector 16. The reflector 16 is screwed from the interior onto the housing 18 so that the screw connection supports in sequence the securing sleeve 30, the focusing lens 14, the securing ring 40, and the reflector 16 at the corresponding securing flange 42 of the housing.
As can be seen in the drawing, the light radiation emitted by the light source is refracted partially directly, according to the course of the light beam 44, and then enters, parallel to the optical P 195 42 985.0 - 2657-ll-17.789 - Ivoclar A.G.
?~~949~
axis 24, the light guide 12. Partly, the radiation is reflected at the reflector 16, as indicated by the light beam 46, enters the lens and, after corresponding refraction within the focusing lens 14, exits parallel to the optical axis 24. This is of course only true for light beams with wavelength which pass through the cut-off filter 36.
In the shown embodiment, the reflector 16 is a metal part and has good heat conducting properties. However, it is understood that instead a plastic part with inner reflective layer can be used. It is advantageous to widen the reflector in the direction toward to the light source.
Instead of the focusing lens 14 it is also possible to use focusing lenses of a different design or to us a corresponding lens arrangement. The focusing lens is provided in a suitable manner with a cut-off filter which prevents that light or electromagnetic radiation with an undesirable wavelength can enter the light guide 12.
The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to the specific disclosure of the specification and drawings, but also encompasses any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.
P 195 42 985.0 - 2657-II-17.789 - Ivocla~ A.G.
Claims (13)
1. A hand-held light curing device comprising:
a light source;
a light guiding device having a light receiving opening;
a lens arrangement comprising a focusing lens positioned between said light source and said light guiding device;
said focusing lens comprising a first cut-off filter vapor-deposited on the surface of the lens proximal the light source and a second cut-off filter vapor-deposited on the distal surface of the lens, the first cut-off filter cutting off light at wavelengths higher than a predetermined wavelength and the second filter cutting off light at wavelengths lower than a predetermined wavelength.
a light source;
a light guiding device having a light receiving opening;
a lens arrangement comprising a focusing lens positioned between said light source and said light guiding device;
said focusing lens comprising a first cut-off filter vapor-deposited on the surface of the lens proximal the light source and a second cut-off filter vapor-deposited on the distal surface of the lens, the first cut-off filter cutting off light at wavelengths higher than a predetermined wavelength and the second filter cutting off light at wavelengths lower than a predetermined wavelength.
2. A hand-held light curing device according to claim 1, wherein said focusing lens is a plano-convex lens having a convex surface, wherein said convex surface faces said light source.
3. A hand-held light curing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a reflector comprising an inner surface with reflective coating, said reflector positioned adjacent to said focusing filter and widening conically in a direction toward said light source.
4. A hand-held light curing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said first cut-off filter has reflective properties with respect to blocked radiation.
5. A hand-held light curing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said focusing lens is spaced from said light guiding device and wherein a focus of said focusing lens coincides with said light receiving opening.
6. A hand-held light curing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said focusing lens is spaced from said light guiding device and wherein a focus of said focusing lens is positioned within said light guiding device.
7. A hand-held light curing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said light source is a compact lamp having a high light yield relative to a size of said lamp and relative to an amount of electric energy supplied to said lamp.
8. A hand-held light curing device according to claim 7, wherein said lamp is a halogen lamp.
9. A hand-held light curing device according to claim 1, wherein said lens arrangement further comprises a biconvex lens.
10. A hand-held light curing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said first cut-off filter is opaque to infrared radiation.
11. A hand-held light curing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said first cut-off filter allows light below a 500 nm wavelength threshold to pass.
12. A hand-held light curing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said second cut-off filter allows light above a 400 nm wavelength threshold to pass.
13. A hand-held light curing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said focusing lens consists of a heat-absorbing glass.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19542985A DE19542985C2 (en) | 1995-11-17 | 1995-11-17 | Light curing device |
| DE19542985.0 | 1995-11-17 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2189498A1 CA2189498A1 (en) | 1997-05-18 |
| CA2189498C true CA2189498C (en) | 2001-12-04 |
Family
ID=7777769
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002189498A Expired - Fee Related CA2189498C (en) | 1995-11-17 | 1996-11-04 | Light curing device |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0774239B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2995160B2 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE218050T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU691130B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2189498C (en) |
| DE (2) | DE19542985C2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0801932B1 (en) * | 1996-04-17 | 2003-09-24 | DEVELODENT GmbH | Dental instrument |
| EP1985255A1 (en) * | 1997-06-20 | 2008-10-29 | BioLase Technology, Inc. | Electromagnetic radiation emitting toothbrush and dentifrice system |
| DE10124367B4 (en) * | 2001-05-18 | 2004-08-12 | Ivoclar Vivadent Ag | Light curing device for dental spare parts and attachment element for a light element |
| CN114364338A (en) * | 2019-09-19 | 2022-04-15 | 3M创新有限公司 | Device for heating dental material |
Family Cites Families (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4385344A (en) * | 1980-08-29 | 1983-05-24 | Dentsply Research & Development Corp. | Visible light apparatus for curing photo-curable compositions |
| US4716296A (en) * | 1982-04-26 | 1987-12-29 | Surgicorp | Apparatus for curing dental restorative composites |
| DE8226439U1 (en) * | 1982-09-20 | 1983-02-03 | Schütz-Dental GmbH, 6365 Rosbach | LIGHT POLYMERIZATION DEVICE |
| DE3237510A1 (en) * | 1982-10-09 | 1984-04-12 | Schütz-Dental GmbH, 6365 Rosbach | Polymerisation device |
| ATE44450T1 (en) * | 1983-05-06 | 1989-07-15 | Dentsply Int Inc | DEVICE FOR LIGHT CURING MEDICAL AND PROSTHETIC ARTICLES. |
| DE3405049A1 (en) * | 1984-02-13 | 1985-08-14 | ESPE Fabrik pharmazeutischer Präparate GmbH, 8031 Seefeld | Dental irradiation apparatus |
| DE3820413C1 (en) * | 1988-06-15 | 1989-11-23 | Kaltenbach & Voigt Gmbh & Co, 7950 Biberach, De | Dental handpiece for emitting radiation |
| DE8815147U1 (en) * | 1988-12-06 | 1990-04-05 | Petz, Günter, 8500 Nürnberg | Device for polymerizing halogen light-curing plastic materials |
| DE4211230C2 (en) * | 1992-04-03 | 1997-06-26 | Ivoclar Ag | Rechargeable light curing device |
| DE9214727U1 (en) * | 1992-10-29 | 1993-05-27 | Siemens AG, 8000 München | Lens for a television camera for taking pictures in the visible and infrared spectral range |
| JPH07303665A (en) * | 1994-05-11 | 1995-11-21 | Osada Res Inst Ltd | Hand tool for photopolymerization |
-
1995
- 1995-11-17 DE DE19542985A patent/DE19542985C2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1996
- 1996-10-25 EP EP96117180A patent/EP0774239B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-10-25 DE DE59609257T patent/DE59609257D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-10-25 AT AT96117180T patent/ATE218050T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1996-11-04 AU AU70571/96A patent/AU691130B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1996-11-04 CA CA002189498A patent/CA2189498C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-11-15 JP JP8305297A patent/JP2995160B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2189498A1 (en) | 1997-05-18 |
| JPH09168551A (en) | 1997-06-30 |
| DE19542985C2 (en) | 2000-11-16 |
| EP0774239B1 (en) | 2002-05-29 |
| JP2995160B2 (en) | 1999-12-27 |
| AU691130B2 (en) | 1998-05-07 |
| EP0774239A3 (en) | 1997-12-17 |
| DE19542985A1 (en) | 1997-06-19 |
| EP0774239A2 (en) | 1997-05-21 |
| DE59609257D1 (en) | 2002-07-04 |
| ATE218050T1 (en) | 2002-06-15 |
| AU7057196A (en) | 1997-05-22 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |