Light resolution element for irradiating dental replacement pieces with light to effect the hardening thereof

• US 20020171950A1
• Filed: 05/06/2002
• Published: 11/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
• Original Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
• Inventors: Plank, Wolfgang, Stahl, Thomas, Rathke, Andreas
• Granted Patent: US 6,741,410 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/834
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/004 Hand-held apparatus, e.g. guns
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/241 Light guide terminations
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/262 Optical details of coupling light into, or out of, or between fibre ends, e.g. special fibre end shapes or associated optical elements

Abstract

A light resolution element for a light guiding apparatus is provided that is connectable in optical communication with the light guiding apparatus for guiding and re-orienting light emitted thereto from the light guiding apparatus such that light exiting the light resolution element irradiates a dental restoration piece in a manner which effects complete hardening of the piece. The light resolution element includes a prismatic body operable to guide and re-orient a light beam passed thereto from the light guiding apparatus.

Claims

1. A light resolution element for a light guiding apparatus, which is connectable in optical communication with the light guiding apparatus and by means of which light emitted thereto from the light guiding apparatus is re-orientable, comprising:

a prismatic body operable to guide and re-orient a light beam passed thereto from the light guiding apparatus.

2. A light resolution element according to claim 1, wherein the light guiding apparatus is configured as a light guide onto which the light resolution element is seated.

3. A light resolution element according to claim 1, wherein the light resolution element is substantially U-shaped.

4. A light resolution element according to claim 1, wherein the light resolution element includes two side shanks through which the light is guided and whose points or apex include light outlet surfaces which extend substantially perpendicularly to the paths of the light beam through the side shanks parallel to the light conducting element.

5. A light resolution element according to claim 1, wherein the light resolution element includes a forward region having a light beam width which substantially corresponds to the thickness of the light guiding apparatus.

6. A light resolution element according to claim 1, wherein the light guiding apparatus is deployed as a light guiding apparatus whose light channel extends in a substantially annular shape and the side shanks extend from the light channel.

7. A light resolution element according to claim 1, wherein the light resolution element includes a first reflection surface which extends outwardly at an angle of approximately 45°

and which reflects light outwardly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the light guiding apparatus.

8. A light resolution element according to claim 7, wherein the light resolution element includes a second reflection surface which extends parallel to the first reflection surface and which re-orients light arriving thereat along outwardly extending perpendicular paths into paths which are substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the light guiding apparatus.

9. A light resolution element according to claim 7, wherein the light resolution element includes a third reflection surface which extends from the first and second reflection surfaces and which re-orients light passing thereonto into paths toward the interior which are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the light guiding apparatus.

10. A light resolution element according to claim 1, wherein the light resolution element includes side shanks which extend over an angle in the range of at least 45°

and, especially, approximately 120°

.

11. A light resolution element according to claim 1, wherein the light resolution element is comprised of plastic, especially, polycarbonate.

12. A light resolution element according to claim 1, wherein the light resolution element includes a polished over surface.

14. A light hardening device according to claim 13, wherein the light resolution element is disposed on the light guiding apparatus in a manner which minimizes the loss of light being guided thereto and is, especially, secured by threading, notching or friction fitting to the light guiding apparatus.

13. A light hardening device particularly configured for the hardening of dental restoration pieces, comprising:

a light guiding apparatus; and

a light resolution element releasably securable to the light guiding apparatus.