US6482004B1 — Light curing device and method for curing light-p…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 118 words

A light curing device for directly curing light-polymerizable dental material with decreased curing shrink-age; said device comprising: a light source for directly curing light-polymerizable dental materials, the light source capable of having light output values which vary between nil and a high light output value; and means to progressively control the output value of the light source during direct curing of the light-polymerizable dental material by initially increasing the light output value from nil to a low light output value of about 50% of the high light output value during a starting time period, and by subsequently varying the light output value between the low output value and the high light output value during a main curing time.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 118 words

A light curing device for directly curing light-polymerizable dental material with decreased curing shrink-age; said device comprising: a light source for directly curing light-polymerizable dental materials, the light source capable of having light output values which vary between nil and a high light output value; and means to progressively control the output value of the light source during direct curing of the light-polymerizable dental material by initially increasing the light output value from nil to a low light output value of about 50% of the high light output value during a starting time period, and by subsequently varying the light output value between the low output value and the high light output value during a main curing time.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 26 words

A light curing device according to claim 1 , wherein said light source has a spiral filament and alternatingly emits light of greater and lesser intensity.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 29 words

A light curing device according to claim 1 , wherein said light output increases during said starting time period with an initial steep incline, followed by a flatter incline.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 37 words

A light curing device according to claim 1 , wherein the means to control the output of the light source is a control circuit, said control circuit constantly controlling said light output according to said output profile.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 29 words

A light curing device according to claim 4 , wherein said control circuit comprises a PID-controller, said PID controller taking into account a dead time of said light source.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 53 words

A light curing device according to claim 4 , further comprising a supply source and a hand-held instrument wherein said light source is mounted in said hand-held instrument, and wherein said control circuit is mounted in the supply source and has a control path extending between said hand-held instrument and said supply source.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 17 words

A light curing device according to claim 6 , wherein said control path is an electric cable.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 52 words

A light curing device according to claim 1 , wherein curve flanks of said output profile for an output increase from said low output value to said high output value have a slant corresponding to more than 10% of a pulsation period of said output profile during said main curing time period.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 32 words

A light curing device according to claim 1 , wherein said light source is a halogen lamp that continues to emit light during period durations of light emissions at said low/output value.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 17 words

A light curing device according to claim 1 , wherein said light source is a laser diode.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 18 words

A light curing device according to claim 1 , wherein said light source is an arrangement of LEDs.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 136 words

A light curing device for directly curing a light-polymerizable dental material with decreased curing shrinkage comprising: a light source for directly curing light-polymerizable dental materials, the light source capable of having light output values which vary between nil and a high light output value; and means to progressively control the output value of said light source according to a pre-determined output profile, wherein said output profile has a starting time period of not less than 10 seconds with an initial output value of nil and a final low output value of about 50% of the high light output value, followed by a main curing time period of at least 20 seconds; and wherein in said main curing time period a pulsed output value with alternating high light output value and low light output value is provided.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 136 words

A light curing device for directly curing a light-polymerizable dental material with decreased curing shrinkage comprising: a light source for directly curing light-polymerizable dental materials, the light source capable of having light output values which vary between nil and a high light output value; and means to progressively control the output value of said light source according to a pre-determined output profile, wherein said output profile has a starting time period of not less than 10 seconds with an initial output value of nil and a final low output value of about 50% of the high light output value, followed by a main curing time period of at least 20 seconds; and wherein in said main curing time period a pulsed output value with alternating high light output value and low light output value is provided.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 39 words

A light curing device according to claim 12 , wherein a sequence of said high light output value and said low output value is periodic during said main curing time with periodic durations ranging between 3 and 5 seconds.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 110 words

A process for curing by light a light-polymerizable dental material with decreased curing shrinkage; the process including: providing a light source for curing the light-polymerizable dental material, the light source capable of having light output values which vary between nil and a high light output value; controlling the output value of the light source progressively to initially increase the light output value from nil to a low light output value of between 25% and 60% of said high light output value during a starting time period, and to subsequently vary the light output value between the low output value and the high light output value during a main curing time.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 110 words

A process for curing by light a light-polymerizable dental material with decreased curing shrinkage; the process including: providing a light source for curing the light-polymerizable dental material, the light source capable of having light output values which vary between nil and a high light output value; controlling the output value of the light source progressively to initially increase the light output value from nil to a low light output value of between 25% and 60% of said high light output value during a starting time period, and to subsequently vary the light output value between the low output value and the high light output value during a main curing time.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-11-18	2006-05-20	2006-11-19	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-11-18	2010-05-20	2010-11-19	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-11-18	2014-05-20	2014-11-19	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Light curing device and method for curing light-polymerizable dental material

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