Three-dimensional curing light

• US 20060275733A1
• Filed: 06/01/2006
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CAO Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: CAO Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Cao, Densen
• Application Number:
  US11/445,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20060275733A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/003 Apparatus for curing resins by radiation
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 Point-like light sources

Abstract

A 3-dimensional curing light that can cure a light curable material, such as a dental restoration, from 3 directions at once.

Claims

1. A 3-dimensional curing light comprising:

a casing formed to have 3 facets,

said facets arranged so that adjoining facets are generally at a 90 degrees with respect to each other,

said facets being arranged to form a channel therebetween,

a source of curing light located at each facet,

said curing light sources emitting light toward said channel so that a material to be cured which is placed in said channel receives curing light from 3 directions simultaneously.

2. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said curing light sources is an LED.

3. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said curing light sources is a laser.

4. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said light sources includes a primary heat sink.

5. A device as recited in claim 4 further comprising a secondary heat sink in heat communication with said primary heat sink.

6. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein a quantity of heat paste is located between at least one of said light sources and a heat sink.

7. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said light source is selected from the group consisting of single LED chips, multiple LED chips, and LED arrays.

8. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said light sources generate light with a wavelength in the range of 280 to 5000 nm.

9. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said light sources generate power in the range of 50 mW/cm2 to 3000 mW/cm2.

10. A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a secondary heat sink insulated from said casing to avoid heating up said casing during use.

11. A 3-dimensional curing light comprising:

3 facets forming a channel therebetween,

each of said facets having a source of curing light which emits curing light generally toward said channel so that a material to be cured which is placed in said channel receives curing light from 3 directions simultaneously.