Patent US4582998A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4582998A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for light curing medical and prosthetic objects
Assignee: Dentsply Research and Development Corp
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Filing: 1984-04-06
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Granted: 1986-04-15
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Expires: 2004-04-06
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for providing light curing of prostheses and other medical object materials, the object being prefabricated of a material which is hardened, or polymerized when exposed to visible light. An array of light sources is provided relative to a rotatable platform on which the object is placed, each light source providing a substantially collimated light beam and directed to optimally intercept the rotating object. There are preferably four such light sources, each having a visible light bandpass characteristic and directed at an angle within 25°-45° of the platform surface, the light beams being directed at the platform surface in overlapping fashion so as to provide continuous incident light on the object during each cycle of rotation.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald I. Gonser
- 👤 George T. Eden
- 👤 Louis H. Tateosian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:54
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C19/00; A61C19/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
Visible light curing apparatus for curing medical objects, comprising support means defining a substantially horizontal surface having a center axis for supporting a medical object composed at least in part of light curable material; and an array of collimated light sources positioned to direct collimated light on said object, each of said sources being at a respective different angle relative to said support axis and at least one of said sources being positioned to direct collimated light on said medical object at an angle of 20°-45° toward the vertical from the plane of said horizontal surface, each said light source being positioned about 5-13 cm from about the center of said surface, said sources providing a substantially constant light flux of at least about 50 mw/cm 2 at the surface of the object being cured.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
Visible light curing apparatus for curing medical objects, comprising support means defining a substantially horizontal surface having a center axis for supporting a medical object composed at least in part of light curable material; and an array of collimated light sources positioned to direct collimated light on said object, each of said sources being at a respective different angle relative to said support axis and at least one of said sources being positioned to direct collimated light on said medical object at an angle of 20°-45° toward the vertical from the plane of said horizontal surface, each said light source being positioned about 5-13 cm from about the center of said surface, said sources providing a substantially constant light flux of at least about 50 mw/cm 2 at the surface of the object being cured.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein each of said light sources comprises an IR reflecting filter and a visible light bandpass filter, said bandpass filter passing wavelengths in the 350-600 nm range.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein each of said light sources comprises a tungsten halogen lamp.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein each of said light sources provides a collimated beam having a diameter of at least about 2 inches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein each of said light sources comprises a lamp having a power rating of at least about 175-200 watts, and wherein each said light source provides a beam of at least about 50 mw/cm 2 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as described in claim 5, comprising a transformerless regulated power supply connected to power said array of light sources, and wherein each of said light sources is rated to operate with an applied voltage in the range of 30-60 volts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as described in claim 6, wherein said power supply provides a voltage to each of said lamps such that they each operate at about 10 to 25% less then rated power.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as described in claim 6, wherein each of said lamps operates at about 41 volts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1, comprising moving means for providing relative movement of the surface of said support means relative to said light array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as described in claim 9, wherein said moving means comprises rotating means for rotating said support means about said axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as described in claim 10, wherein said rotating means rotates said support means at about 5-25 rpm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said array comprises four light sources positioned at approximately 90 intervals around said support means axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein each of said light sources directs a beam at an angle within a range of about 20-45% from said horizontal surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1, comprising a housing within which said apparatus is housed, an enclosure means for creating a still air chamber within which said support means is positioned, and a circulating air chamber containing air circulation means so as to cool said light sources, said enclosure having openings into which are mounted the faces of each of said light sources.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as described in claim 9, wherein said moving means comprises means for moving the height of said support surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
116 words
Light curing apparatus for curing of medical objects, comprising a support surface for supporting a said object, and means for cyclically rotating said support surface; an array comprising a plurality of light sources, each of said sources providing a beam of collimated light directed toward said support surface, at least one of said sources being positioned to direct light at said surface at an angle of 20°-45° toward the vertical from the plane of said surface said array providing a light density of at least about 50 mw/cm 2 at said surface, and mounting means for mounting said light sources so that each said source has its output within about 15 cm from said support surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
116 words
Light curing apparatus for curing of medical objects, comprising a support surface for supporting a said object, and means for cyclically rotating said support surface; an array comprising a plurality of light sources, each of said sources providing a beam of collimated light directed toward said support surface, at least one of said sources being positioned to direct light at said surface at an angle of 20°-45° toward the vertical from the plane of said surface said array providing a light density of at least about 50 mw/cm 2 at said surface, and mounting means for mounting said light sources so that each said source has its output within about 15 cm from said support surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as described in claim 16, wherein each of said lights is positioned to direct its beam at said surface at an angle of about 25°-45° from said surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as described in claim 16, wherein each said source output is about 10 cm from the center of said surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as described in claim 16, wherein said light sources are positioned so that said beams are directed onto said surface in a partially overlapping manner.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-14 | 1989-10-14 | 1990-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-14 | 1993-10-14 | 1994-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-14 | 1997-10-14 | 1998-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |