US5290169A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical light guide for dental light-curing lamps
Assignee: Kerr Corp
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Filing: 1992-11-02
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Granted: 1994-03-01
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Expires: 2012-11-02
Abstract
Abstract The optical light guide of the present invention is composed of a solid, transparent material selected from the class consisting of glass, acrylic, polystyrene, and polycarbonate. The light guide has a head, a tapered section and a curved section. The head has a light-receiving, concave surface geometry at the proximal end of the light guide.
Inventors
- 👤 Joshua Friedman
- 👤 Brian Dell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:38
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4298; A; A61; A61C; A61C19/00; A61C19/003; A61C19/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
An optical light guide for transmitting light from a light source to a dental restorative site to cure a photocurable material, comprising a solid, unitary rod composed of a rigid, transparent material, optically coupled at the proximal end thereof to said light source through an optical surface of hemispherical geometry, with said rod including a tapered section, a curved section extending from said tapered section, and a tapered section, a curved section extenting thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
An optical light guide for transmitting light from a light source to a dental restorative site to cure a photocurable material, comprising a solid, unitary rod composed of a rigid, transparent material, optically coupled at the proximal end thereof to said light source through an optical surface of hemispherical geometry, with said rod including a tapered section, a curved section extending from said tapered section, and a tapered section, a curved section extenting thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical light guide, as defined in claim 1, wherein said curved section has an angle of curvature of between thirty (30°) and sixty degrees (60°) relative to the longitudinal axis of said tapered section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical light guide, as defined in claim 2, wherein said rod is composed of an acrylic resin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical light guide, as defined in claim 3, wherein said tapered section has a converging, tapered angle of between two (2°) to five (5°) degrees.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical light guide, as defined in claim 4, wherein said tapered angle is between 2.5 and 3.5 degrees.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical light guide, as defined in claim 4, wherein said tapered section includes a diverging portion disposed between said head and said converging section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical light guide, as defined in claim 2, further comprising an additional straight section extending from said curved section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical light guide, as defined in claim 7, wherein said additional straight section is uniform in cross-section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical light guide, as defined in claim 7, wherein said additional straight section is nonuniform in cross-section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical light guide, as defined in claim 9, wherein said additional straight section has a plurality of cross-sectional shapes, including a polygon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
An optical light guide, as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for intercoupling said head to said source of light comprises at least one circular groove and a chamfered flange spaced from said circular groove.
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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) | 1997-02-28 | 1997-08-30 | 1998-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-28 | 2001-08-30 | 2002-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-28 | 2005-08-30 | 2006-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |