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  Curing light capable of multiple wavelengthsUSPTO Application #: 20060040231Title: Curing light capable of multiple wavelengths Abstract: The present invention relates to a curing light having at least one wavelength transformer for transforming a shorter wavelength suitable for curing a dental composite into a longer wavelength also suitable for curing a dental composite. The wavelength transformer may be made of materials including organic dyes, inorganic dyes, pigments, nanocrystals and combinations thereof. The wavelength transformer can be of many different configurations. The curing light also includes at least one heat sink which can be made of a material including at least one phase change material. (end of abstract)
Agent: Discus Dental Impressions, Inc. - Culver City, CA, US Inventors: Nancy N. Quan, Robert Hayman, Christopher N. Quan USPTO Applicaton #: 20060040231 - Class: 433029000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Dentistry, Apparatus, Having Means To Emit Radiation Or Facilitate Viewing Of The Work The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060040231. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/585,224, filed Jul. 2, 2004, entitled "Dental Light Devices With Phase Change Heat Sink"; 60/658,517, filed Mar. 3, 2005, entitled "Apparatus and Method For Radiation Spectrum Shifting in Dentistry Application"; 60/594,297, filed Mar. 25, 2005, entitled "Curing Light Having A Detachable Tip"; 60/631,267, filed Nov. 26, 2004, entitled "Curing Light Having A Reflector"; 60/594,327, filed on Mar. 30, 2005, entitled, "Curing Light"; and 60/664,696, filed Mar. 22, 2005, entitled "Curing Light Having A Detachable Tip"; the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. [0002] The present application includes claims that may be related to the claims of co-pending U.S. patent applications, Ser. No. 10/______, to be concurrently filed, entitled "Illumination System for Dentistry Applications"; Ser. No. 10/______, to be concurrently filed, entitled "Voice Alert System for Dentistry Applications; the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention relates to curing light devices for use in dentistry. Specifically, this invention relates to curing light devices for activating the curing of composite materials in dentistry. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] In the field of tooth restoration and repair, dental cavities are often filled and/or sealed with compounds that are photosensitive to visible and/or ultraviolet light. These compounds, commonly known as light-curable compounds, are placed within dental cavity preparations or onto dental surfaces and are cured when exposed to light from a dental curing light device. [0005] Many light-curing devices are configured to be handheld devices. Some of them are constructed with fiber optic light wands designed for directing light from the light sources into the patient's mouths. The light sources may be lamps, halogen bulbs or light-emitting diodes (LED). One end of the light wand may be placed close to the light source so that the light emitted from the light source may be directed into the light wand. Some of the light wands are not configured to capture all the light that is generated by the light sources, particularly light that is emitted from LEDs, which may be emitted at angles of up to about 120.degree.. This inefficiency in capturing most of the available light output may contribute to excessive heat generation, which may lead to limited run times for the curing devices. [0006] One method for overcoming the limitations of light capture disclosed in the prior art is to improve the efficiency of the curing devices by placing the light source(s) of the light-curing devices at the tip of the light-curing devices, so that all of the light generated by the light source(s) may be directed towards a desired location within the patients' mouths. This, however, does not overcome the run time problem mentioned above. At the same time, this method may create the problem of having the light source too close to the patient's mouth, causing discomfort to the patient if the hot tip of the curing device happens to come in contact to the sensitive tissues of the patient's mouth. [0007] One way of overcoming the problem of having excessive heat from coming too close to the patient's mouth is to mount the light source(s) on a heat sink that may generally conduct the heat away from the tip of the light-curing device. This, however, only minimally solves the runtime problem mentioned above. [0008] In addition, multiple light sources used in making a curing light capable of multiple wavelengths may further add to excessive heat generation problems if the light sources generate a wide spectrum of light, leading to more heat that needs to be diverted away from the light source. Even with light sources generating just the desired wavelength for composite curing, heat generation is still a problem. Consequently, elaborate cooling systems are needed to handle heat, possibly creating a large, heavy and expensive curing light. [0009] Accordingly, there remains a need for a device capable of curing restorative compounds containing different initiators. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention relates to a dental curing device suitable for curing light curable dental composite material. The device includes a light module housing having a substantially cylindrical shape including a substantially hollow interior with at least one heat sink, located in the light module housing. The heat sink includes at least one surface or mounting platform for locating, positioning or mounting a light source, for example, a lamp, an arc lamp such as a halogen light source, semiconductor light emitting devices, light-emitting chips such as an LED, a solid state LED, an LED array, a fluorescent bulb, and so on. Light emitted by the light source has an emission spectrum including at least one wavelength capable of initiating curing of a composite. A device situated in the proximity of the light source includes at least one wavelength transformer for capturing substantially all the light in its path emitted by the light source and transforming at least a portion of the captured light into a longer wavelength, which is also capable of initiating a chemical reaction to cure the dental composite material. [0011] At least one wavelength transformer includes at least one absorber/emitter having at least a portion that is substantially transparent to the incident light, and at least one portion capable of absorbing the incident light and emitting light having a longer wavelength. In one embodiment, at least one wavelength transformer is configured or positioned to capture substantially all the emitted light and to transform only a portion of the capture light into a longer wavelength. In another embodiment, at least one wavelength transformer is configured or positioned to capture at least a portion of the light emitted by the light source and to transform all captured light into a longer wavelength. In one aspect, at least one wavelength transformer is stationary. In another aspect, at least one wavelength transformer is adapted for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the light module housing. [0012] In one other embodiment, the light source includes an emitting surface. In another embodiment, the light source includes at least one emitting edge. [0013] In a further embodiment, at least one wavelength transformer may be in a direct path of the emitted light. In a yet further embodiment, at least one wavelength transformer may be at an oblique angle to the direct path of the light emitted by the light source. [0014] The present invention also relates to a dental curing device suitable for curing light curable dental composite materials. The curing device includes a light module housing having a substantially cylindrical shape including a substantially hollow interior with at least one heat sink located in the light module housing. The heat sink includes at least one surface or, mounting platform for locating, positioning or mounting at least one light source, as noted above. Light emitted by the light source includes a wavelength suitable for curing light curable dental composite materials. In one aspect, a light source includes at least one wavelength transformer for capturing at least a portion of the light emitted by the light source and transforming all captured light into a longer wavelength, which is also suitable for curing light curable dental composite material. In another aspect, the light source includes at least one wavelength transformer for capturing all light emitted by the light source and transforming at least a portion of it into a longer wavelength such that the resultant light directed at the light curable dental composite material includes a portion having the emitted wavelength and a portion having a longer wavelength. [0015] The present invention further relates to a dental curing light suitable for curing light curable dental composite materials. The curing device includes a light module housing having a substantially cylindrical shape including a substantially hollow interior with at least one heat sink located in the light module housing. The heat sink includes at least one surface or mounting platform for locating, positioning or mounting a light source, as noted above. Light emitted by the light source includes a wavelength suitable for curing light curable dental composite materials. A device situated in the light path of the light source includes at least one wavelength transformer for transforming at least a portion of the light emitted by the light source into a longer wavelength. The wavelength transformer includes at least one beam splitter and at least one absorber/emitter including a chemical capable of absorbing the incident light and emitting light having a longer wavelength. [0016] In one embodiment, at least one wavelength transformer is configured or positioned to substantially capture one beam coming from the beam splitter. In another embodiment, at least one wavelength transformer is at an oblique angle to the emitted light path. In a further embodiment, at least one wavelength transformer is at substantially right angles to the emitted light path. [0017] In one embodiment, the heat sink includes at least one elongated heat sink located in the light module housing, with the proximal end of the heat sink being situated close to a proximal end of the housing and at least one surface or mounting platform located at the proximal end of the elongated heat sink. [0018] In another embodiment, at least one of the heat sinks may be of any shape situated close to a proximal end of the housing and at least one surface or mounting platform located at the proximal face or portion of the heat sink. [0019] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a dental curing light capable of generating light of more than one wavelength suitable for curing light-curable dental composite material. The curing light includes at least one wavelength transformer capable of transforming at least a portion of light emitted by a light source, as disclosed above, into a longer wavelength which is also suitable for curing light activatable composites. In one embodiment, at least one wavelength transformer includes at least one absorber/emitter having at least a portion that is substantially transparent to the light incident on it, and at least one portion including a chemical capable of absorbing the incident light and emitting light having a longer wavelength. In one aspect, at least one wavelength transformer is configured or positioned to capture substantially all of the emitted light. In another aspect, at least one wavelength transformer is configured or positioned to capture at least a portion of the light emitted by the light source. In a further aspect, at least one wavelength transformer is stationary. In still another aspect, at least one wavelength transformer is adapted for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the light module housing. [0020] Still furthermore, the present invention relates to a dental curing light capable of generating light of more than one wavelength suitable for curing light curable dental composite material. The curing light includes at least one wavelength transformer for transforming at least a portion of the light emitted by the light source into a longer wavelength which is also capable of activating a light activatable composite. At least one wavelength transformer includes at least one beam splitter and at least one absorber/emitter includes a chemical capable of absorbing the incident light and emitting light having a longer wavelength. Continue reading... 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