US6702576B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light-curing device with detachably interconnecting light applicator
Assignee: Ultradent Products Inc
•
Filing: 2002-02-22
•
Granted: 2004-03-09
•
Expires: 2022-02-22
Abstract
Abstract The light-curing devices of the invention include a gripping member configured to be held in the hand of a user, a light applicator configured in size and shape to be inserted within the mouth of a user, and a light source configured to generate and emit sufficient radiant energy for curing light-sensitive compounds. The light-curing devices also include connection means configured for detachably connecting the light applicator and the gripping member in such a manner as to prevent the light applicator from rotating with respect to the gripping member. The light applicator may include a light guide or a light source and corresponding mounting structure. The connection means may include mating bayonet formations, tongue and groove type formations, internesting pin and pinhole formations, latches and other interconnecting structures.
Inventors
- 👤 Dan E. Fischer
- 👤 Bruce S. McLean
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C19/00; A61C19/003; A61C19/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A light-curing device comprising: a gripping member sized and configured to be held in the hand of a user; a light applicator sized and configured for insertion at least partially into a patient's mouth in order to direct light to a desired location within the patient's mouth; a light source at least partially disposed within the light applicator and configured to generate and emit light suitable for curing a light-curable compound; connection means for detachably connecting the gripping member and the light applicator in a manner so as to prevent significant rotation of the light applicator relative to the gripping member and for preventing longitudinal displacement of the light applicator relative to the gripping member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A light-curing device comprising: a gripping member sized and configured to be held in the hand of a user; a light applicator sized and configured for insertion at least partially into a patient's mouth in order to direct light to a desired location within the patient's mouth; a light source at least partially disposed within the light applicator and configured to generate and emit light suitable for curing a light-curable compound; connection means for detachably connecting the gripping member and the light applicator in a manner so as to prevent significant rotation of the light applicator relative to the gripping member and for preventing longitudinal displacement of the light applicator relative to the gripping member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A light-curing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the light applicator includes a light guide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A light-curing device as recited in claim 1 , further including a light source configured to generate and emit light suitable for curing a light-curable compound.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A light-curing device as recited in claim 3 , wherein the light source includes at least one LED or LED array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A light-curing device as recited in claim 3 , wherein the light source is at least partially disposed within the gripping member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A light-curing device as recited in claim 3 , wherein the light source is at least partially disposed within the light applicator, such that the light applicator includes the light source and mounting structure configured to support the light source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A light-curing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein significant rotation includes an angular rotation of the light applicator relative to the gripping member that is greater than 10°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A light-curing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the connection means includes the components of a bayonet connection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A light-curing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the connection means includes the components of a tongue and groove connection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A light-curing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the connection means includes at least one pin and at least one corresponding pinhole.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A light-curing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the connection means includes the components of a latching connection.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A light-curing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the light applicator includes structure configured for manipulation of a light-curable compound.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A light-curing device as recited in claim 12 , wherein the structure configured for manipulation of a light-curable compound comprises an attachment that includes a transparent tip through which light passes during light-curing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A light curing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the light curing device includes at least one pin that is electrically conductive so as to electrically couple the light applicator and gripping member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A light curing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the light applicator includes a lens that is able to focus light emitted by the light applicator in a desired manner.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A light curing device as recited in claim 15 , wherein the lens is detachably connected to the light applicator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
139 words
A light-curing device comprising: a gripping member sized and configured to be held in the hand of a user; a light applicator sized and configured for insertion at least partially into a patient's mouth in order to direct light to a desired location within the patient's mouth; a light source at least partially disposed within the light applicator and configured to generate and emit light suitable for outing a light-curable compound; a transparent tip connected to an end of the light applicator so that light emitted by the light source passes through the transparent tip; and interconnecting structure for connecting the gripping member and the light applicator in a manner so as to prevent significant rotation of the light applicator relative to the gripping member and for preventing longitudinal displacement of the light applicator relative to the gripping member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
139 words
A light-curing device comprising: a gripping member sized and configured to be held in the hand of a user; a light applicator sized and configured for insertion at least partially into a patient's mouth in order to direct light to a desired location within the patient's mouth; a light source at least partially disposed within the light applicator and configured to generate and emit light suitable for outing a light-curable compound; a transparent tip connected to an end of the light applicator so that light emitted by the light source passes through the transparent tip; and interconnecting structure for connecting the gripping member and the light applicator in a manner so as to prevent significant rotation of the light applicator relative to the gripping member and for preventing longitudinal displacement of the light applicator relative to the gripping member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A light-curing device as recited in claim 17 , wherein the light source includes at least one LED or LED array.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
A light-curing device as recited in claim 17 , wherein the interconnecting structure includes the components of at least one of a bayonet connection, a tongue and groove connection, a pin and pinhole connection, and a latching connection.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A light-curing device as recited in claim 17 , wherein the structure configured for manipulation of the light-curable compound includes a transparent tip.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
A light curing device as recited in claim 17 , wherein the interconnecting structure includes at least one pin that is electrically conductive so as to electrically couple the light applicator and gripping member and provide power to the light source during use.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
A light curing device as recited in claim 17 , wherein the transparent tip is detachably connected to the light applicator and comprises a lens that is able to focus light emitted by the light applicator in a desired manner.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
133 words
A light-curing device comprising: a gripping member sized and configured to be held in the hand of a user; a light applicator sized and configured for insertion at least partially into a patient's mouth in order to direct light to a desired location within the patient's mouth, the light applicator including structure configured for manipulation of the light-curable compound; a light source at least partially disposed within the light applicator and configured to generate and emit light suitable for curing a light-curable compound; and interconnecting structure for connecting the gripping member and the light applicator in a manner so as to prevent significant rotation of the light applicator relative to the gripping member and for preventing longitudinal displacement of the light applicator relative to the gripping member during manipulation of the light-curable compound.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
133 words
A light-curing device comprising: a gripping member sized and configured to be held in the hand of a user; a light applicator sized and configured for insertion at least partially into a patient's mouth in order to direct light to a desired location within the patient's mouth, the light applicator including structure configured for manipulation of the light-curable compound; a light source at least partially disposed within the light applicator and configured to generate and emit light suitable for curing a light-curable compound; and interconnecting structure for connecting the gripping member and the light applicator in a manner so as to prevent significant rotation of the light applicator relative to the gripping member and for preventing longitudinal displacement of the light applicator relative to the gripping member during manipulation of the light-curable compound.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
A light-curing device as recited in claim 23 , wherein the interconnecting structure includes the components of at least one of a bayonet connection, a tongue and groove connection, a pin and pinhole connection, and a latch.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
A light-curing device as recited in claim 23 , wherein the structure configured for manipulation of the light-curable compound includes a transparent tip.
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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) | 2007-03-09 | 2007-09-08 | 2008-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-03-09 | 2011-09-08 | 2012-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-03-09 | 2015-09-08 | 2016-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |