EP0046939A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Visible light source apparatus for curing photo-curable compositions
Assignee: Dentsply Sirona Inc
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Filing: 1981-08-20
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-08-20
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a device for efficient production of light in the low visible range for photo-curing materials, the device being particularly adapted for dental applications. The efficient light source comprises a tungsten halogen lamp 45 with a concentrating reflector which reflects visible light and passes middle and far infrared wavelengths. A filter system 50, 51 is provided comprising a dichroic heat reflecting filter 50 which efficiently passes light from 400 to 700 nm and reflects energy in the visible red and near infrared wavelengths back to the lamp envelope, thus enhancing lamp halogen cycle efficiency. The dichroic heat reflecting filter is followed by a dielectric filter 51 which provides a high efficiency bandpass at the desired visible range. A highly efficient fiber optic light guide 55 is positioned to receive the focused and filtered light and to transmit it to a reduced surface light applying tip 58 at the end of a handpiece 75. The fiber light guide 55 is encased in a specially designed sheathing which provides protection to the optical fibers and carriers two electrical conductors 64 which are connected between a control switch 78 on the handpiece 75 and the power supply for the lamp 45.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald I. Gonser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:49
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C19/00; A61C19/003; A61C19/004; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/804
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
Light source apparatus for delivering light confined to a limited bandwidth of visible light, charac- terized by (a) a tungsten halogen light source (45) enclosed in an envelope, and means (41) for energizing said 'light source; (b) filter assembly means (50, 51) for filtering light produced by said source, said filter assembly means having a first means (50) for reflecting red and infrared light back to said envelope and transmitting visible light within a first predetermined bandwidth, and a second means (51) for transmitting visible light within a second predetermined bandwidth; and (c) guide means (55, 56, 58) for collecting light transmitted by said second means and delivering said light to a location remote.from said source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
Light source apparatus for delivering light confined to a limited bandwidth of visible light, charac- terized by (a) a tungsten halogen light source (45) enclosed in an envelope, and means (41) for energizing said 'light source; (b) filter assembly means (50, 51) for filtering light produced by said source, said filter assembly means having a first means (50) for reflecting red and infrared light back to said envelope and transmitting visible light within a first predetermined bandwidth, and a second means (51) for transmitting visible light within a second predetermined bandwidth; and (c) guide means (55, 56, 58) for collecting light transmitted by said second means and delivering said light to a location remote.from said source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The light apparatus as described in claim 1, char- acterized in that said light source comprises a tungsten halogen lamp (45) and a reflector (48) integrally mounted with said lamp for focusing light, said reflector having the property of reflecting visible light and near infrared light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The light apparatus as described in claim 1, char- acterized in that said first means of said filter assembly means (50, 51) comprises a dichroic heat reflecting filter (50).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The light apparatus as described in claim 3, char- acterized in that said dichroic heat reflecting filter (50) has a high reflectivity in the range of 700 to 1100 nm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The light apparatus as described in claim 1, char- acterized in that said second means of said filter assembly means comprises a dielectric filter (51).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The light apparatus as described in claim 5, char- acterized in that said dielectric filter (51) has a bandpass of about 400 to 500 nm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The light apparatus as described in claims 3 and 5, characterized in that said dichroic heat reflecting filter (50) is positioned between said dielectric filter (51) and said light source (45).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The light apparatus as described in claim 1, char- acterized in that said guide means (55, 56, 58) has the property of low transmission of wavelength below 400 nm, and an opaque flexible sheathing (70) having a large center bore (72) within which said guide means is contained.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The light apparatus as described in claim 1, char- acterized in that a handpiece (75) is connected to the end of said guide means (55), and that said handpiece (75) has a switch means (78) for switching on said energizing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The light apparatus as described in claim 9, char- actezized in that said switch means (78) is a finger actuated momentary switch means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The light apparatus as described in claim 9, char- acterized by control wires (64) carried by said sheathing (70), which control wires connect said switch means (78) to said energizing means (41) for control thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The light apparatus as described in-claim 1, char- acterized in that said light source (45) has a rated power of about 150 watts and said energizing means (41) comprises means for energizing said light source (45) at a power level of about 165 watts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The light apparatus as described in claim 1, char- acterized in that said energizing means (41) comprises means for energizing said light source lamp (45) at 10% above its rated power.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The light apparatus as described in claim 1, char- acterized by means for initiating energization by said energizing means (41), wherein said energizing means comprises ramp means (85) for ramping power to said source (41) over a predetermined time period, said period being within the range of 0.25 seconds to about 1 second.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The light apparatus as described in claim 14, char-acterized in that said energizing means (41) comprises means for limiting current to said lamp during said ramp energization..
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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